The Legend of Amarnath

 

The Legend of Amarnath Cave [50]

In Kashmir’s heart, where mountains rise,
A sacred cave beneath the skies—
Amarnath, where Shiva dwells,
In icy form, His glory tells.

At heights where eagles dare to fly,
A shining lingam catches the eye,
Formed by drops from frosty air,
A miracle- beyond compare.

With waxing moon, it swells in grace,
With waning light, it shrinks in space—
A sign of time, of life’s great flow,
Where gods and mortals come to know.

By Parvati’s prayer, the tale was spun,
Of deathless lore, for ages done—
Shiva sought a place unseen,
Where none could hear, where none had been.

From Nandi first, He took His leave,
Then freed the moon from the tangled weave.
The snakes He loosened at Sheshnag’s shore,
And left His son at Ganesh’s door.

The elements five: earth, fire, and sky,
Water and wind—He left nearby.
Then danced the Tandav fierce and bright,
Before He vanished into the night.

Upon a deer skin, deep in trance,
He told the tale of life’s great chance.
Yet hidden safe, beneath His seat,
An egg lay shielded, fate complete.

From it emerged two snow-white doves,
Who heard the secret known to the gods?
Now, pilgrims climb with faith so deep,
And some still see those pigeons sweep.

O Amarnath! O cave divine!
Where mortal souls with gods align—
The Rudra hymn, the Veda’s call,
Proclaim Thy light, above us all.

For here, in ice and mystic lore,
Shiva whispers forevermore.

So come, O Sham, brave and true,
To see the lingam formed of dew,

Sham Misri

Seattle, Washington, USA