Goddess Sharada of Kasmira - Adi Shankaracharya Connect

Brigadier Rattan Kaul

Religion, Art and Culture

(Brig Kaul wrote, serialised articles, on Goddess S'arada of Kashmir in 2003, which later formed a Chapter in his Book-History of Kashmira (Kashmir). (In this article series, Goddess is named and spelled as S'arada, as in Sanskrit/Sharda Lipi- Author)

"Truth is one; sages call it by various names. - Rig Veda"

The Verse fromRig Veda impelled me to write amplify again, on Goddess S'arada of Kasmira In recent past there have been extraneous and imaginative accounts, which them has completely changed the basic religious connotation of Goddess S'arada, which manifested in Kasmira as Goddess of Knowledge (Vidya Dehyenam) In the process. Adi Shankaracharya has been brought in both by South India Religious Institution and Scholars of Kasmira.

In my growing years I carried Ethos, Values and Cultural Heritage from my birth place Kasmira As a teenager I put on Army Uniform soldiering became my religion, but proudly also (March 2023) carried the legacy of my growing years These were not superficial, but deep within, not over religious, just carried certain true beliefs of certain religious icons and remained faithful to them.

Much water has flown since then through Kasmira's sacred Rivers Madhumati and Vitasta and not many have been known, in recent past, worshipping Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge).

As a gratitude to Kasmira, my two books, Kasmira Centric, were published (4 other books on Military Subjects), History of Kashmira (Kashmir) (2013) and Goddess S'arada of Kasmira (Kashmir)- Adi Shankaracharya (March 2023).

During my 3 years tenure on forward line in North Kasmira, I had glimpses, few times, of a Monument across LoC in Neelam Valley of POK in 1976-79; which went around with name, Sharada Temple, a Pakistani Army Post. This glimpse remained dormant till 2003 AD, when I clandestinely got the colour photograph of the monument, shared for the first time in the country including Kashmir Samachar (Photo) Apart from bringing kudos it brought awareness of Goddess Sarada of Kasmira, in the valley and of course South India Earlier there was hardly any mention of this monument in Kasmira, if at all there was, it was Saraswati's benediction.

With this shared photograph there were write ups on Sarada, not only in Kasmira but in South India also. There were a maze of individualistic creations, creating parallel to Kasmira's indigenous religious philosophy. conjoined role of Goddess Sarada or suddenly strange, out of time and tune adoption of other philosophies This process continues, though often contradictory and evidently imaginative creations rather than facts, amusingly with no end. Sadly these are not the topics to show ones such scholarly acumen.

I wrote series on this Monument in Neelam Valley (POK) titled Goddess Sharada of Kas mira, in 2004/2005, which in 2013 formed a Chapter of my Book History of Kas mira Details of this Sharda Monument copied from Stein's translated Rajatarangini but I vehemently disagreed about Buddhist Origin Construction by any Kasmira King, that Adi Shankaracharya visited this place or constructed it. It was also naive to think of a Buddhist/Shaivite University with over 5000 students from Southeast Asia efc. in an area of inimical tribals, extreme weather conditions and no remnants of such a massive University.

I created Four Crunch Objectives to be dwelt upon in this series, sequentially In this First Part: "Goddess S'arada of Kasmira, Her manifestation, Her Shrines and how Her presence is covered in various Chronicles, Scriptures etc.

Secondly Life and Times of Adi Shankaracharya and his getting connected with Kasmira, ascending Throne of Omniscience, His created Love-Sexology escapades in Kasmira and his defeating Kasmiri Shaivite Scholars in debate and accepting his religious philosophy

of Advaita .

Thirdly How does Sarada connect with Buddhism? Her purported Shrine in POK, as Buddhist Protected Monument etc.

Lastly What sort of civilization is Kasmira connected to? Does a single Goddess override our ancient rooted civilization?

Sarada Of Kasmira

Sarada and Kasmira The first thing a Kasmiri's will know is Gortari is the day in Kasmira for Goddess Sharada, Goddess of Knowledge a form of Sarswati Even the day it was not perse Sharada but Saraswati. I also learnt that Sharada is not the correct pronunciation of the Goddess, who gave name to Sharda Lipi (Script) but Sarada as spelled in Sharada Script, as well as Sanskrit. There is no explanation from me as to why Sharada: Script is not spelt Sarada Script Irrespective of words used for the Goddess, is Sarada, which refers to Sarada Goddess of Kasmira.

Over the last two centuries S'arada Shrine Kishanganga (Neelam) Valley Monument has been in focus for more than one reason, which is termed as a forgotten monument. No denial it was forgotten, earlier too. Even Auriel Stein noted, late 19 Century, this shrine across Shamsabadi Mountain Range was "unknown to the Brahmins of Pravarpura (Srinagar).

One cannot deny or change the existing standing of Kishanganga Valley Monument achieved during last few centuries in Jammu and Kashmir (India), and Azad Kashmir (Pakistan), more so in recent times The monument is in erstwhile Drava Country, which was part of a different Kingdom, away from Kasmira, yet attributed as Kasmira Temple Without going into details of past expeditions to control Draven's, one remembers that even in 18 Century they were troublesome to Afghans, who had to settle Afridi's warriors to control Bomba's, Khokar's, Chak's and Dards of the area. During Akbar's rule, he provided Moghul troops to depose the head of Khuswakte Dynasty rulers to get back control of the area.

When we refer to Goddess as Sarada of Kasmira, it is connected with a famous prayer. Vidhyadehyenam Kasmira Purvasini (Giver of Knowledge and Residing in Kasmira). We need to be clear that this prayer wordings, as far as my findings are concerned, manifested around 11/12 Century AD when there was a fair flow of Brahmins from South India, during the reign of Jaisimha (11 Century) and later Not that they were enamoured by Kasmira but because they faced persecution in South India from Muslim Rulers and Kasmira was the only Brahmin bastion then. They were impressed by the knowledge of Brahmins, worship of the Goddess of Knowledge (Sarswati-Sarada) and the Sharada Lipi which had taken roots.

Kingdom of Kasmira. What does Kasmira Kingdom (Janapada) or Kasmira or Satisar connote? Simply valley bounded by Great Himalayas Pir Panchal(Panstal)- Shamsabari -Harmukh Mountain Ranges Leave away the present political boundaries, this was Kasmira as referred to by chroniclers, scriptures, travelogues etc Most of the time Kasmira was some sort of confederation of domains of Damras(War Lords) till advent of Islam Thereafter, it remained as a Kasmira Kingdom defined above. Some forays beyond by Kings Sultans took place but they were not permanent except after Dogra's took over Even when it was under Moghuls Afghans and Sikh's it was Kasmira Valley were just mentioned. Nilamata Purana is the best example of fixing the Topographical and Geographical kingdom of Kasmira Rajatarangini does the same but at places, when the rulers venture beyond these he mentions it the expedition and then reverts to the Valley. JonaRajtarangini does it likewise. Both chronicles even mention when the Kingdom had shrunk to the size of a Pargana (District).

Mention in Scriptures and Chronicles Irrespective of the tall claims regarding the ancient historicity of the Goddess S'arada of Kasmira, there are very few references available antiquated concerning the Goddess. I stand by the available mentions, restricted though, in Nilamata Purana (6 Century AD), Rajatarangini by Kalhan(11" Century AD), Jona's Rajatarangini (Additional Verses found but not authenticated), Tareekh e Kashmir by Al Biruni (11th Century) and Aine Akbari by Abu Fazl (17 Century) References to S'arada is either connected or indirect and in none of these any location of any Sarada Temple is given.

Mahatmayas. As far as Mahatmayas are concerned it is a peculiar paper quoted as authority for the Tirath or Shrine Last till the beginning of 20th Century there were 51 Mahatma Ya's out of which 26 are claimed to be Brihadsamhita Needless to say these were created by thanpat'sv (Sanskrit sthanapati)(Local Priest) who as a rule were as ignorant as their conferrers (Pujaris, Bhojkis etc of India. The texts are unmistakably being amplification notes gives additional inputs quoted are of late composition or redaction(Adjust to the narrative). This is adequately proved by lack of sound knowledge of Sanskrit and literary acumen, both of which seemed to be foreign to them For example names of places are hybrid adaptations of modern Kashmiri equivalents. Even Auriel Stein acknowledges "the transfers that have taken place in the case of ancient Tirthas of Bheda and Sarada" (Page 381/Book 2 Rajatarangini). Like Maksikaswamin (Maysum) and the Mahasarit (Mar) appear as Mayasima and Mari In Sahibram's Tirthasamgraha, mentions many Sarada shrines around Lolab Valley but her is no mention of any Sarada Shrine beyond the boundaries of Kasmira. It may be interesting to know that a Purohit met Auriel Stein with a draft Mahatmaya, he had prepared for few idols which had been found recently Stein read the draft which was worded in such a way that the as if the idols were ancient He refused but few months later found that the Mahatmya had been prepared and idols mahima greatly antiquated.

Oldest Mahatmaya Vitasta (Nilamata Purana) (6 Century AD) gives details of ancient nvers, places of worship and monuments with pointed references of Kasmira Valley. In its contents it hardly anywhere ventures beyond the Valley, except categorically mentioning inimical inhabitants North of Shamsabadi Range Verses 1199-1300 Book 12, amply menon's Kshatriyas (Warriors who are none other than Darda Tribes from Drava Country and either are killed or chased. These are from the Madhumati River Basin of Bandipur and Graharkutta (Dudakoot Fortress) Rajatarangini by Kalhan (English translation) and mention's in Tarikh- I Hind by Al Biruni and Aine -e- Akbari by Abu Fazl added to the information bank more so of Madhumati River, Goddess S'arada Auriel Stein's Rajatarangini translation version with his detailed amplification notes gives additional inputs.

Mool (root) source for Sarada Shrine of Kasmira is Rajatarangini with brief mentions in the Chronicles of Al Biruni and Abu Fazl This combinations have created a definite location of the S'arada Shrine and River Madhumati connected with it All these, if understood without preconceived notions and pointers definitely will take reader to the Shrine within Kasmira. But a different and differing canvas about Sarada Shrine's and rivers has been created. It is not ancient or from time memorial, words usually used but just a few centuries old.

From mediaeval centuries, ranging from 1000 BC the area of Kishanganga/Neelam Valley was part of Drava Country which remained isolated barricaded in South by mountain Range. Shamasabhari An inhospitable terrain, absence of trade routes and harsh cold climate hostile and aggressive tribals gained notoriety in the history of Kasmira Literally it was seldom part of Kasmira Kingdom, remaining under WarLords (Damras), who beleaguered by split tribal loyalties and tribes.

Sarada Mention in our Scriptures. "There is no religion greater than truth and a truthful person knows no fear- Rig Veda In Nilamata Purana (6" Century AD) S'arada, word or Goddess does not find any mention. Unravelling of truth is always bitter to many Sarada-Saraswati in Kasmira are worshipped as the goddesses of learning In Kasmira Goddess Saraswati specifically was predominant in Gortari, few Purohits may have called S'arada. The benediction was "Saraswati Mahabhage Vidye Kamala Lochini Vishva roopivishallakhi Vidhyam Dehi Saraswati.

Specific Mention in Above Chronicles

Nilamata Purana In Nilamata Purana Purana; Goddess Saraswati twice, Sarasvati River twice and Madhumati River five times There is no mention of Sarada (Sharada) or Kishanganga River There is mention of Durga once as River(?), once as Goddess Durga and Once as Durga Vara(?). Temple of Durga has been mentioned three times, for specific worship of weapons, by artisans, giving indication that there were many Durga temples in Kashmir during the period(6h Century) Most important mention is this verse: One gets the merit of one thousand cows the confluence of the Krsna and the Vitasta and gets the merit of performing Vahnistoma by seeing Cakresa (Shiva) erected by Sandilya(Muni Shandliya of Sarada Mahatmaya) on the bank of the Madhumati One gets the fulfilment of one's cherished desire by seeing Durga(1278-79). Note Cakresa, Sandilya, Madhumati, Vitasta and Durga in one of these two combined verses.

There is no ambiguity that there was and is only one sacred River Madhumati in Kasmira (Called in later centuries as Bandapur Nallah) The source of this River is from the Harmukh Mountain Range which though part of Shamasabhari Range is also called so. In question answers Brhadasva (rishi) is narrating the importance of various places etc to Gonanda- the king of Kasmira in question and answer form. After covering many places of importance they session reaches about Madhumati In this portion of narration in Nilamata Purana Purana the mention is connected with Rama son of Brigu (Rishi), who to avenged killing of his father's kills Kshatriyas. Who "leaving Kasmira due to his fear, reached where there is the river Madhumati '' and reach the hilly fort in Kasmira. After the killing Rama takes bath at the confluence of Suddha and the Sarasvati.

Gonanda asks for sacred places situated near this country(Kasmira) and also the merit which accrues from each, Climbing up the Gridhakuta gets the merit of and goes to heaven (by bathing) in the confluence of the Vitasta and the Madhumati By bathing in) the confluence of the Krsna and the Vitasta and gets the merit of performing Vahnistoma by seeing Cakresa (Shiva) erected by Sandilya on the bank of the Madhumati and One gets the fulfilment of one's cherished desire by seeing Durga.

-To be continued (Auther-The series has been necessitated due to certain misgivings created in last few centuries about the Goddess and its connection with Adi Shankaracharya. Most of the above is covered in my recent Book on 5 arada and Adi Shamankaracharya published few months back)

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Courtesy:- Brigadier Rattan Kaul and  June 2023Koshur Samachar