The Rajatarangini covers the entire ancient history of Kashmir right from the dawn of the Hindu civilisation to the time when Kashmir was conquered by the Mughal emperor Akbar.
It can be divided into five parts:-
- The original Rajatarangini written by Kahlana Pandit(son of Champaka) and which covers the history of Kashmir from the times of Gonanditya dynasties,Karkota dynasty till 1148.
- Jonaraja’s Rajatarangini which covers Kashmir’s history from 1148 to 1412(or 1458,disputed)
- Shrivara’s Jaina-Rajatarangini which gives an account of history from 1459–1486.
- Prajyabhatta’s Rajavalipataka(1486–1512)
- Suka’s Chaturtha Rajatarangini-ends with Asaf Khan’s invasion of Kashmir and Akbar’s conquest of Kashmir
According to Kahlana’s Rajatarangini,Kashmir is described as follows:-
Kashmira is studded with high, cliffs, and cannot be conquered even by the strength of a good army ; and the people are afraid of nothing but of the future world. In winter there are hot baths by the river, in summer the cool river-banka ; and the rivers are calm, and not infes- ted with water animals. It is a country where the sun shines mildly, being the place created by Kashaypa as if for his glory. High school-houses, the saffron, iced water, and grapes, which are rare even in heaven, are common here. "Kailasa is the best place in the three worlds, Himalaya the best part of Kailasa, and Kashmir the best place in Himalaya.
Sage Kashyapa
The deities worshipped in ancient Kashmir according to Kalhana:-
The following is a list of gods and holy things which existed in Kashmira from the earliest time : —
A wooden image of Shiva, the destroyer of vice, to touch which is to gain salvation ;
statue of Shiva from Tantric Kashmir(not related to the reference from the Rajatarangini)
A current of water which flows at evening over a hill. This can be seen by the virtuous, but not by the vicious ;
Brahma in the shape of fire, which rising from the earth burnt the forest ;
The goddess Sarasvati in the form of a swan in a lake on the top of the Devibheng Rock whence the Ganges takes its rise.
ruined temple of Sharda peeth
The shrine of Nandi Kshetra where the spots of san-dal, with which the gods performed worship, are visible to the present day.
There, at Nandi, is also Sarada, or Durga, by seeing whom one gains immediate salvation and the gift of the flowing and sweet speech of a poet.
ancient statue of Sharada,Kashmir
The country is adorned with gods Chakrabhrita, Yijayesha, Adi Keshaya and Ishana. It is full of shrines.
Be it to the glory or shame of the country or the time, we will speak the truth, regarding the history of kings. This book contains accounts of many ancient manners; and what wise men will not feel charmed with it? The triumph of contentment will be apparent if the frail life of man be contemplated. Listen then to this sweet history clearly narrating the actions of kings.
For six Manvantaras from Sarskalpa the world lay filled with water, bedded in the lap of the Himalaya, and on the approach of the present Vaivasvatakalpa, Kashyapa invited the gods from above, and struck the earth and caused it to be heaved above the water,, and thus established the kingdom of Kashmira. Then reigned Nila over the Nagas ; his royal umbrella was the hood the serpent Naga.
There lived various classes of Nagas whose jewels made the city as rich as the treasury of Kuvera. The first king Nila was invited by the Nagas to reign over them. He had a sceptre owe and a half cubit long, and had an umbrella placed over him, and a kunda.
naga worship