From the cool valley of Kashmir to the lush coastal lands of southern India and burning desert sands of the west, Lalitaditya was master of all. This 8th-century swashbuckling hero was idolized by the poet Kalhana (12th century), in his work, Rajatarangini. An ideal king, Lalitaditya repelled invaders, eased the toil of poor peasants and always rewarded loyal friends. But when he should have settled down to enjoy the fruits of his labor, he chose to walk away.