Squatting on the emerald green turf on the bank of a great expanse of water, Kashyap was in deep meditation. He had come to this valley in search of the Lord and here he was about to realize his dream. He had already sensed His presence. He knew he could attain his moksha in this country. His samadhi was suddenly disturbed. He opened his eyes. Hundred of torches were directed at him. He felt blinded by the light. He closed his eyes and after a while opened them slowly. He could now make out his surroundings. Behind every torch stood a being, helmeted and in full battle dress. Presently, one of them came forward and coming close to Kashyap commanded in an authoritative way, “Get up and follow me”. Kashyap had no alternative but to do as he was directed. No one touched him. All the soldiers marched in unison, in a loose circle around him, while he followed their leader. After a while they stopped. One of them approached Kashyap and bringing out a piece of cloth tied it tightly over his eyes. Blindfolding him, they resumed their march. Two men held him by his arms in order to help him find his steps. Kashyap counted the first few steps but then lost count and gave up. Presently they came to some place for now they walked on smooth ground, till at last the march ended and Kashyap was made to sit and take rest.
After a while his blinds were removed and he found himself in a princely suite with painted terracotta tiles on the floor and paneled ceiling. The walls were adorned with pictures of lovely deer and golden fish. He seemed to be alone in the room. Some fruits lay in front of him and some cooked fish on the side. Though hungry, Kashyap was in no mood to eat. He was thinking about his plight. Who are they? And what do they want? They could possibly not be Jaladbhava’s demons as they looked like human beings. Well, this could also be Mayajaal, which Jaladbhava had resorted to, only to deceive and confuse him. The door opened and two men and a woman appeared. The woman carried a wooden box. One of the men came close to Kashyap and put his hand on his head. The other man helped the woman open the box. They brought out a small round mirror from the box and the lady carried it to the man who had been holding Kashyap by the head. She handed over the mirror to the man who brought it close to Kashyap’s face so that he could clearly see inside it. The lady went back to the box and tapped it thrice with her hand. A murmuring sound issued forth from the box and Kashyap looking inside the mirror was aghast. In the mirror he could see his entire journey from the time he had reached the last peak. This was really a magical world, Kashyap thought.
After sometime the lady again tapped the box thrice and the sound ceased. She took away the mirror and replaced it in the box. The man came closer to Kashyap and asked,“Now tell us what brings you here? Remember we will know if you lie.” So Kashyap told them of his desire to see the Swarg, and how it was that this desire had brought him to the valley. The two men told him that the king would decide his fate.
Suddenly the door to the room was thrown open and many men with their heads bowed entered. They carried in a golden throne. As thy entered the room, the throne was placed in the centre. The men then took their positions around the throne. In a moment a majestically decorated person with royal features and bearing entered. A hush fell all around and the men bowed in silence as the man ascended the throne. Kashyap was totally dazed. He did not know how to react. He got to his feet and reverentially bowed before the seated man. With a wave of his hand the man on the throne acknowledged him and then directed him to remain seated. As Kashyap took his seat the man on the throne addressed him. “Stranger to our land! What brought you in?” Kashyap murmured in response. “I would like to know who has blessed me with his royal presence.”
“Oh yes! You have not been told. I am Jaladbhava, the absolute monarch of this land and you have intruded into that land. Who are you and why are you in front of us?”
“Majesty! I am thrilled to be in the presence of a great monarch like you, but believe me sir, I was told that you….” “That we are demons? We know that you have spread this canard only to discredit us in your eyes. By doing that you wish to deny us this land that is, has been and shall remain, only ours. But who are you and why are you here? You seem to avoid a direct reply?” said Jaladbhava.” “No, my Lord! I am totally relieved on listening to your Lordship. Now I have no fear. I know I am at the mercy of a just and kind king. Sir, I am a Brahmin and was a student when I heard of your great kingdom. The beauty, grandeur, and the bounty—together they aroused in me a mad desire that I should visit it before I die, in order to know, that which is unknown, in the true spirit of one who pursues knowledge as life’s only concern and pursuit.”
“Well! We are impressed by your frank answer, but did you know not that the one who enters this land shall never go out alive? You are wise with the word. Now tell us what you want? We shall not permit you to stay here in our land, even if you have a noble cause.”
“My Lord! I shall not ask that which I know thou shall not grant. I only wish to stay awhile in the country, for I do not want you to break the golden rule that says that this land shall remain chaste and pure as long as it remains away from human greed. I only wish you to grant me leave to be here for a few weeks.”
“And that we gladly grant to you but you shall go the moment told, or else you shall have to die.”
“Yes my Lord, I am blessed. The king shall ever rule the hearts of men and preserve the pure world till eternity.”
The king Jaladbhava got up and acknowledging Kashyap’s profuse salutations, left the room with a smile on his lips.
An excerpt from Ayaz Rasool Nazki’s book SATISAR, THE VALLEY OF DEMONS published by Vitasta Publishing and the book is available on www.vitastapublishing.com
