Ages past a Reshi of yore,
strode on the banks of Satisar Lake
fought the battles with a demon Jalobodeva,
whom he killed in combat and
saved people of his atrocious deeds
Like a colossus Reshi paced on the shores of the lake,
prayers and penances he made in earnest,
in transforming the lake into a beautiful vale
The sage, seer and saint was none other than venerated Kashyapa,
who with the grace of Shiva and his consort Uma,
drained the massive lake to its last drop
The changes were cataclysmic, nerve chilling and turbulent,
lo a beautiful vale emerged
with water gushing through Baramulla gorge
A hillock of charm emerged as Hari Parvata,
resonant musical notes of Om emerged from void and vacant spaces,
dancing Apsaras burned incense and showered
scented flowers on the emerging Vale
Nagas and Pischasas came running and protesting,
about the Reshi moving around with his Saraswat tribe in benediction,
Kashyapa listened in patience and sounded
a truce for everybody’s wellbeing
The ancient rituals of Nagas and others were ordained all inclusive,
in letter and spirit a brotherhood emerged
peace reigned supreme for thousands of years
Kashyapa’s tribe followed live and let live in nobility and tradition,
all stayed put and prayed for the prosperity of one and all,
Till a new wave of outsiders spread an alien faith and mayhem
They changed the demography and forced deceit and treachery,
betrayed in faith and nobility Kashyapa’s tribe left their hearths and homes,
to wait for a day when a new incarnate Kashyapa shall be reborn,
to restore peace and tranquility
Congratulations for publishing such wonderful poems which bring to livid picture of kashmir reality!
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