138 Abode of Gods
It has come to be known as Rupkund
A sacred place for holy wanderings.
That is, how it is—the Rupkund and the mystery behind it
The bard narrates further that there were twin daughters of Hima*
layas—the divine king of mountains who were known as Nanda
and Sunanda; the later was affectionately named as Balpa also.
While Nanda was married to Lord Shiva, Balpa was married to
Raja Jasdhawal of Kannauj. Happily each lived with their hus~
band till-
Once Nanda, while on a usual stroll
Walked up a hill
Talking about her childhood
To her companions,
Not knowing what lay ahead
She climbed a nearby mountain
From here she could see far and wide
and, far in the horizon
Lay the township with its golden pinnacled roofs
Set in the background of high towers and ramparts-
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As if by impulse
Nanda decided to descend over this city
And beckoned the Vimana
And after bidding goodbye to her friends
She flew over the silvery clouds
And soon she was hovering over the city
. Nanda glanced down
For the Viman to descend
Below the Vimana
Lay Kannauj
She signalled.
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A Viman with a beautiful lady
Ran the word round and round
Entire Kannauj was literally on housetops
Balpa also mounted the top floor of her palace*-
To see who was this Goddess
Descending from heaven