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Esteemed Guruji Shri K. N. Rao, who is now 90 years old, says he doesn’t remember a single time when Afghanistan got such wide publicity in Indian media as it is getting now. The reason is obvious, the TV channels are running 24/7 now and Afghanistan is actually running through a real crisis. Being on the Frontier of India, next to Kashmir, India is much concerned about the developments there.
Afghanistan has always found a special mention in Indian History and mythology. It is a part of India’s mythological tradition, which finds place in Mahabharata and Valmiki Ramayana.
To start with let us see what Valmiki Ramayana has to say. In the Uttar kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, there is a clear description of Gandhar. Some of the verses of the great epic are translated in English here:
King Yudhajit of Kekeya desh (Kingdom Kekeya to which Kaikeye, the mother of Bharat belonged) sent his priest Brahmrishi Garg, who was the son of saint Angira, to meet Sri Raghunath ji in Ayodhya.
Along with him, he sent gifts for Sri Ramchandra ji with love and reverence, he sent 10,000 horses, many blankets, carpets and shawls; different types of jewels, beautiful clothes and exotic jewellery.
When Sri Ram ji heard that Maharishi Garg, sent by son of Ashvapati - Yudhajit, was arriving in Ayodhya with lots of precious gifts, he proceeded with his brothers to welcome him; just like Indra would worship Brahaspati (Jupiter), they welcomed the venerable priest.
Sri Ram ji asked - “What is the message sent by Mama (maternal Uncle) for which you yourself, respected saintly priest has come; priest who is the best of best orator like Lord Jupiter.”
After listening to this question of Sri Ramchandra ji, the saintly priest explained the incredible extent of the job.
“Your Uncle has said that this place Gandharva desh (country of Gandharvas) which is adorned with flowers and fruits, is spread on both sides of Sindhu river, is a very beautiful place.”
“O Brave Raghunandan, three crores of very brave Gandharva, who are the children of Gandharvaraj Shailoosh, who are very courageous, expert in fighting and using weapons; they are protecting that country.”
“You wage a war and win over those Gandharvas and establish a beautiful Gandharva nagar there. Settle two cities there with excellent resources. That country is very beautiful. No one else can mangage it. You give your consent to take charge of it. I will never suggest something to you, which is not good for you.”
Hearing the message of his Mama (maternal Uncle) through the esteemed priest, Sri Ragunath ji was filled with joy. He said - “That’s Great” and looked at Bharat.
Sri Raghvendra ji folded his hands and uttered with glee - “Oh respected priest, these two princes Taksh and Pushkal, who are the brave sons of Bharat, will go to that country; Under the secure guidance of their uncle, they will rule the place religiously, with complete dedication.”
“Both of them will go with Bharat along with the army and servants; they will eliminate the Gandharvas and will establish two cities there.”
“They will establish two superior cities there; after handing those over to his sons, Bharat will come back to me.”
Relating the same to the revered priest, Sri Ram ji instructed Bharat to move with the forces and he did the coronation of the two Princes right then.
After that, in benefic nakshatra Mrigshira, Bharat and his sons started the journey, led by Maharishi Garg.
The divine army, inspired by Indra himself, marched out. Sri Ram ji accompanied it for some distance. The army was unconquerable by even Devtas.
Blood-thirsty savage carnivorous animals and huge demons, followed Bharat.
Thousands of vicious carnivorous creatures accompanied Bharat, looking forward to relish the flesh of gandharvas.
Thousands of lions, tigers, pigs and celestial birds were in the front of the army.
In one and a half month time, that army of healthy brave men reached Kekeya.
Yudhajit was delighted to hear that Bharat himself had escorted Rishi Garg as Commander of army.
King of Kekeya (Yudhajit) joined them with his army to eagerly move towards Gandhar; where people were able to disguise themselves so efficiently.
Bharat and Yudhajit attacked the capital of Gandharva with full zeal.
When they heard about Bharat, those very brave Gandharvas roared and got all set to fight. Dangerous war followed. That perilous war
lasted for seven nights but none of the parties could be a clear winner.
Blood streams flowed all over. In the streams of swords and arrows shot out from bows, dead bodies kept flowing.
Then, younger brother of Sri Ram ji i.e. Bharat used Samvarta, terrible weapon of Kaal devta, on the Gandharvas.
With that, it took just a while to eliminate three crore Gandharvas. Those Gandharvas were finished with the weapon of time (Kaal paash).
Such a perilous war had not been witnessed by divinity before. In a jiffy, those brave gandharvas got killed and son of Kaikeyi (Bharat) got two beautiful cities inhabited there.
In that pretty Gandhar, Taxshila was established, with Taksh as its King; Pushkalavat was established with Pushkal as its King.
In the beginning itself, we see the priest has been sent from Kekeya, which is the Kingdom of King Ashvapati. Message has been sent by King Yudhachit, who is the son of King Ashvapati and brother of Kaikeyi (mother of Bharat). Message is to invade the beautiful Kingdom of Gandhar. Sri Ram ji sent the sons of Bharat only to win over the Kingdom of Gandhar and they established two Kingdoms there viz. Takshshila and Pushkalavat, which are in present day Gandhar. Both the Kingdoms were put in charge of Taksh and Pushkal, the sons of Bharat.
The above facts we verify in Bhavarth Ramayana. Some verses translated are:
Saint Garg had come from the maternal home of Bharat, from Kekeya, loaded with gifts from King Yudhajit, brother of Kaikeyi (Bharat’s mother). He conveyed to Sri Ram ji the message of King Yudhajit, that they should invade and win Gandhar.
Gandhar, a place inhabited on both sides of river Sindu, ferocious fighters i.e. gandharvas were staying there. Bharat was sent by Sri Ram to invade the place and win it. He won the war and established his son Taksh in Taxshila. His son Puskar was made the King of Pushkarvati.
The reference to river Sindhu in both Valmiki Ramayana and Bhavarth Ramayana is a clear indication that it is referring to the same part of the world which is present day Afghanistan.
This can be cross checked through Wikipedia where the three parts of Gandhara are:
Puskalavati (Charsadda) Takshashila (Taxila) Purusapura (Peshawer)
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