Legends and ecological history
• Geological studies in Kashmir have shown that the rise of the Pir Panjal range around four million years ago resulted in the formation of a vast lake, impounding drain- age in the Himalaya. Later, the Jhelum emerged as a result of the near Baramulla, draining out the lake years ago.
Kashmiri legends refer to a vast ancient lake, the Satisara. Kalhana's Raitarangini says that the lake of Sat! was located Kashmir since the beginning of time. During the time of the seventh Manu (mythological Indian kings), a demon called Jalbhava, who resided in the lake, was causing distress to inhabitants in the region. Sage Kashyapa implored the gods to kill Jalbhava. Balabhadra, Krishna's brother, pierced the mountain with his ploughshare, draining the Lake, while Vishnu vanquished the demon.
• The Sutlej, a tributary of the Indus, fed the ancient Saraswati, which flowed through Rajasthan, The Saraswati eventually died as its feeders, precursors of the Yamuna and the Sutlej, were 'pirated' by other rivers, as satellite image indicate. Geologists say the river braided Into channels.
The legend of Saraswati says that sage Vashistha wanted to commit suicide by jumping into the Saraswati, but the river would not let a holy man die and so broke up into hundreds of shallow channels.
D P Agarwal, former chairperson,
palaeo-climate group, Physical Research Laboratory,
Ahmedabad