Monday, December 16, 2013

The Wonder Saint of Kashmir

The Wonder Saint of Kashmir
Nand Babh the Omniscient
by Justice Janki Nath Bhat & Prithvi Nath Razdan (Mahanoori)
Edited by: Prof. Gopi Kishen Muju
Swami Nand Lal
(Nand Babh ji)
1896-1973
Who is there in Srinagar who has not seen at one time or the other, a quick-walking, queer-looking nimble man with a big hat on his head and a tight belt round his waist, taking long strides in quick succession along the streets of the city and elsewhere ? 
This thin tall man, with a big walking stick in one hand and a bunch of papers in another, was none other than late Swami Nand lal Ji of Nunar Village. A couple of his devout disciples who followed him often found it hard to keep pace with him. Son of Raj Guru of Maharaja Amar Singh, Shri Shanker Sahib and his wife Subadhra Ji, Swami Nand Lal Ji shifted his residence from Purshyar, Habba Kadal, Srinagar to Nunar Village, near Ganderbal enroute to Tullamulla, to live with his brother who was adopted by his maternal aunt there. He was employed in the police department and posted at Ladakh. His return from Ladakh proved to be a turning point in his life. He took to spiritualism and became a mystic saint. 
A large number of outstanding miracles are attributed to him. Some of these miracles are described in the following pages. The writer was deeply impressed by the spontaneous display of love and affection shown towards Swami Ji's mortal remains invariably by all sections of people irrespective of caste and creed, the high and the low alike while these were being carried through the city to the cremation ground at Karan Nagar, Srinagar in an elegantly decorated truck. Pedestrians, householders, shopkeepers ranking the road stood up in reverence showering flowers, small sugar balls (shirin) etc. on it in plenty as a mark of deep rooted respect for the departed soul. 
He showered his munificence on all and sundry who went to him. There were no barriers of caste, creed, colour or religious beliefs in his holy Darbar. Members of all communities flocked to him and were equally benefitted with his spiritual bliss. He saw one of his pious Muslim admirers rise to the highest office of his choice and when their time came to part with this mundane world for good, he said to him (the disciple ) " Dear one, we have to go home now ". Pointing to himself and to his devout Muslim disciple, he said to him, "Two coffins are needed, one for you and one for me" . What a prophecy. Soon the Muslim admirer died and Swami Ji flowed him due course. Reference to a coffin for Hindu looked odd at the time. But on his demise in 1973, at New Delhi, Swami Ji's mortal remains had to be embalmed and put in a coffin before being flown to Srinagar for final rites. 
 

Parwana (Swami ji's chits):

Miscellaneous Articles




 
 


Ishwarswaroop Parmaswami Nandlalji Sahib Kaul
I shall briefly put down some of my experiences with Babh Ji. I will mention only a few, otherwise this book will be too big a volume full of such information.
A tall figure clad in thick clothes, resembling the dress of a police functionary, with a hat on head, long rubber boots both in summer and winter, a rope tied with his body and held at the other end by one or two of his disciple-companions and a big 'danda' in hand he could appear on odd places sometimes muttering, sometimes talking to people enroute. Earlier some people considered him almost insane, but when later people came to know of his eminence in the spiritual world they would fall at his feet even on the road side, with utmost respect for him.
When I saw him for the first time I got somewhat scared and would try to avoid him. This experience repeated itself more than once. I was staying in a rented house at Sathoo Barbarshah, Srinagar. He could occasionally visit my landlady who was a widow and a very pious soul. Whenever he would come to the house I would hide myself, but later I had the privilege of being one of his near beloved proteges. On his second or third visit to the lady, he spread a 'waguv' a grass mat (chattai) in the compound, which was considered to be a bad omen. The poor landlady got worried about us. Just a few days later my wife fell seriously ill, and was confined to bed for over six months. She recovered near about "Navreh". In came babh Ji with three or four men and asked my wife if she had recovered and asked to serve meals, which was ready because of the auspicious day, with her own hands. Thereafter the distance between him and our family came to an end. He would stay at our place both in Srinagar and at Jammu for weeks together and feel very happy and relieved. He only exhorted me scores of times in writing also that I should not go hither or thither. 'I was under his banner'. This also had a significance and deep meaning.
I had a weakness for spiritual people. Our family would also visit another saint who was kind to us. My wife would feel quite attracted to that holy man. This was not acceptable to Babhji. Babhji always advised me in so many writings in his own hand as well as verbally that I was under his banner and I should not go elsewhere. Due to my weakness for saints I once along with my wife went to a highly placed Muslim friend of mine. He too had a Muslim saint at his place. The saint, who had a squint eye, was shabbily dressed. As soon as we met him he asked my wife, "Why have you displeased Nandbabh. Whatever we had was due to his blessings". This remark of a saint who designated himself as Sub-Inspector in charge of Hazratbal under Nandbab whom he described as the Defence Minister of India, greatly upset and amazed us.
Here I would like to add one more miracle of Nandbabh. Both my wife and me went to see the other saint at Anantnag where he was staying. But our car, a new one, abruptly stopped near Badhamibagh contonement and would not move. I suspected the disapproval of Babh for this visit. I directed the driver to drive us back to our residence, the car went on smoothly without any trouble. Next day my wife accompanied by another Mahatma went to the saint at Anantnag. I did not go. In the evening Babhji and me met at a party where he was very angry why my wife had gone to the saint.
Nandbabh was an eminent omniscient. He could predict the future of individuals, families, groups, administrators. Future was clear before his evolved spiritual eye and he would try to help others,  administrators, biggies and even governments.
Wherever he stayed the place would be thronged by people from all religions and regions. He would view the audience with a  penetrating look and then reading the mind of every one present there come out with parables, enigmatic aspirations and some times direct or indirect predictions which would suit one or the other in the audience. He would seldom talk directly but would go on dictating to anybody  present containing answers to many mental queries of the people sitting there.
Babh's spiritual assets were inexhaustable and never diminishing. He would grant boons, favours from his spiritual assets. He was considered the Defence Minister of India. Once he was staying with us at Jammu where he had come by a taxi. After a few days he abruptly left for Delhi; enroute the car ran on simple water when its petrol was exhausted (mentioned to me by the taxi driver) and therefrom to Bombay. In Bombay he went to the International Airport. Indira Gandhi had left for some foreign country by a plane which developed some trouble after some time. The plane had to come back and land at Santa Cruz Airport. Babh was seated in a chair all along till Mrs. Gandhi landed. Then she left by another plane. Babh left the airport saying that his job was done.
He had named me Hari Singh and if I did not visit him for some time he would send word through some common source to complain to Hari Singh (i.e. me) that he had not seen Babh for quite some time and should see him.
He predicted my elevation to the Bench at least three years before I became a judge, in fact took me to the room which I later occupied, telling me that that was my room.
Just a week before the death of my mother, who died suddenly, he consoled my father that the inevitable has to happen and he should reconcile. None could understand what he said.
Once Nandbabh was staying with us at Srinagar. He asked my niece, then a college student, to sit before him on the bed. Babh wept bitterly and used a language normally used at mourning ceremony. We could not understand anything, but after three years my niece died at a young age of 21 years in a far off place leaving behind her a 21 days old infant.
When I became an M.L.A. in 1962 after the declaration of results he immediately went to the Returning Officer's (D.C.'s) office and sealed all the election files.
Once a serious delivery case in the family was admitted in the nursing home at 5.a.m. Babh came at 10 a.m. and sat at our place. He continued to sit till 4.30 p.m. when he asked me to take down that all worries of Janki Nath Bhat were over and all was well. He kept me busy writing chits all the day. Immediately after he left, a telephonic call from the nursing home informed me about a safe delivery.
I once could not go to him for two or three months. Meanwhile I contacted an eminent saint from outside the State. I had further commitment with him. When I met the Babh later on he did not up approve of my taking initiation from a foreigner and disclosed all that had taken place between that saint and myself with dates. I was astonished.
A certain officer was prosecuted, and he was, according to all possible calculations, to be convicted very soon. I requested Babh to save him, stating that I had never asked for any favour except this. Babh never replied nor looked at the official. Within two weeks the officer was acquitted, against all expectations.
Babh was interested in a highly placed government official who had been prosecuted on the charges of corruption. It was a very serious case. I did not then know the Babh so much, but I was the counsel for the official. Babh made me write pages after pages; all unintelligible for me, but at the end made me write that Mr. so & so is honourably acquitted. The allegation against the officer was that he had used Government marked material in the construction of an annex (which according to all knowledgeable sources was correct). When the presiding officer visited the spot, the annexe was demolished in his presence but the government marked material was found nowhere resulting in an honourable acquittal of the officer against all calculations and expectations.
Once we were coming back from Haari Ganiwan a place which Babh frequently visited. Near the Wail bridge over Sindh river, the road was blocked due to some electric wire having fallen on the road (a rare phenomenon at such a place). All traffic came to a halt and our car too had to stop. The highest officer of the Forest Department was also there. (I was then a judge of the High Court). Babh was seated in the front seat. As soon as the officer saw Babh Ji he fell at his feet and Babh ji muttered something about some construction. I was almost in charge of that construction. I got the hint and made a request to the officer about timber for Babh's residence at Nunar which was under construction. The construction had come to a halt for want of timber. The officer said that his present job was due to Swami Ji and he prom- fulfilled.
During the 1965 invasion on Kashmir by Pakistan Nandbabh spent so many nights in the big compound of Shri Bal Kak Dhar, a very important Kashmiri Pandit, and lit a fire all the time. One morning when I went to see him he was muttering something which I could not follow but one thing he said clearly was that Pakistani forces were going to capture Srinagar airport and he had to spend nights to avoid any such thing happening. Later it transpired officially that the Pakistani raiders had made all attempts to capture the Srinagar airport but failed. Again during that time we were assembled at the residence if Shri K.N. Kaul a close disciple of Babh Ji. Babh Ji too was present. We had performed a Hawan to ward off the invasion. A Pakistani jet over the Valley and we grew panicky but Babh assured us nothing could happen and on the insistence of Mrs. Kaul about our safety Babh remarked "Meine jo likh diya ab kya ishtam likh doon" meaning "I have already written down, should I give it on an affidavit."
Once my mother got seriously ill at Jammu. I sent a letter to Babh Ji requesting him for his blessings. A reply in his own hand said " Roag moma had, hale and hearty" ( meaning illness is puzzle, (she) will be hale and hearty ) My mother recovered soon. Later when we called on his Nunar residence he asked "How is Tekri Dedi now", naming  my mother as Tekri Dedi, who was with me. I said "Tekri Dedi is here to pay her respects to you", and he smiled.
My son was to be married. On the day of marriage when the Barat was about to leave thick clouds came over the sky and a shower of rain as well. I got upset because the bride's side had arranged an open party for my guests, including some VIPs, where they were to take their meals. But the rains did not come. Later on I learnt from the bride's people that about the time of arrival of Barat Babhji came there, looking at the sky said no rain should come as our Barat was coming. Actually no rains came.
n one of his resting places in Karan nagar, Srinagar, a lady offered him, and all others present there, tea. He, as was his wont, gave her an open chit with the following words written on it: "Hamare Baad Kashmir Main Sheikh Sahib".
   
She handed over the chit to her father-in-law who immediately interpreted it to imply that Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah might come back to Kashmir politics. Soon after that, though none expected such a welcome return at the time, hot rumors began to trickle in to this effect which ultimately came true in 1975, with the signing of the Centre- State accord, better known as Indira-Sheikh Accord, and popularly known as Kashmir accord when Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah took  over the reins of the J&K State Administration into his hands as its Chief Minister.
   
Swami Ji left for his heavenly home in 1973 and Sheri-Kashmir went  personally to the Karan Nagar cremation ground to lay wreath on his mortal remains there. Soon after he became the Chief Minister of the State in 1975. Such an honour was found to enhance his presence  and restore his popularity and dignity. On the Horns of Dilemma Between the Devil and the Deep Sea
   
One Pandit Qazi, an Executive Engineer and Swami Ji's devotee, on going to his normal visit to Swami Ji, while leaving his home, had promised his father that he would not take meat on that day, an auspicious holy day. There he took his seat near Swami Ji. Soon 'Teher-te-charven' (turmeric coloured cooked salty rice and the liver of sheep), an usual offering by Kashmiris on some auspicious functions, was brought by one of the devotees for distribution. The above mentioned engineer found himself embarrassed. He felt to be on the horns of a dilemma. On one hand he had promised his father that he would not take meat that day and on the other hand he dare not decline the offer of such a "prasad" and "navied". He was deeply brooding over the issue; a storm in his mind created a tempest like situation in him.
   
Surprisingly, unlike the usual and normal practice of starting districting the "prasad" from the end where Pt. Qazi was sitting near the Swami Ji, the donor started from the other end. When he reached the engineer, he by-passed him and went on distributing the "Navied" from a man sitting next to him, to his great relief.
   
How amusing !
   
Transmission of Energy
   
One young Mr. Qusba in U.S.A. got his pancreas damaged in an accident in his own car. At one stage, in the hospital he was declared very serious. His parents who were in Srinagar were informed telephonically  about the accident and his condition. His uncle got restless and could not get a wink of sleep during whole night. Early next morning  he went to Swami Ji, staying at that time across the street. Sensing Qasba Sahib's agony, he said, " How will one live on empty stomach" implying that the victim was not given any food to eat. After a few days at another place nearby, he said " Bring some tea for us to drink." Qasba Sahib asked the victim's mother to comply. A third time "Kheer" (rice cooked in milk and sugar) was demanded. This too was complied which was followed by solid food. Dates of all these events had been recorded by the concerned. Direct telephone calls were exchanged between Srinagar and the U.S.A. On his return for a short sojourn to the Valley after his full recovery the victims confirmed the dates when he was administered glucose, given tea to drink, semi-solid and solid food to eat and so on.
   
Surprising: Marriage Fixed
   
One of the well educated, saintly daughter of a family with whom Swami Ji stayed for more than a decade was quite averse to marriage. She would not agree to get married. This was a very serious problem for the family. Once when the family had gone out with Swami Ji, on way back Swami Ji touched the door of a new building saying, "This house is for (giving the name of the girl) to look after". Nobody among the party understood what he meant; even the girl herself did not understand what he meant by it. The mystery got revealed quite after some time when the girl was married to a boy from the family living in that house.
   
Endurance
   
Once while Swami Ji was dictating something to someone as usual, he was holding a hot cup of tea in his hand. Suddenly some one (perhaps a child, I cannot recall who), knocked his arm throwing down the hot tea on his arm. Immediately blisters became visible on the arm. It was a very painful situation, but Swami Ji still held the cup of tea in his hand and continued dictating unmindful of the excruciating  pain in the arm he must have been obviously experiencing.
   
Absurdity of logic: Ego humbled and logic mellowed down
   
One day I happened to drop in one Mr. K. N. Kaul's house where Swami Ji lay on a cot with a prominent Muslim devotee sitting on the floor just near the shoulder-leg of the cot surrounded by an august gathering of other people of equally high status in the society. I quietly took seat near the feet-side of the cot looking towards Swami Ji.
   
Some of those dignified gentlemen were found busy in drawing and painting maps either of India or Asia or world. (I do not recollect exact details). A few of these maps were pasted on the walls. A flash of evil thought overtook my mind; why should such intellectuals of high standing undertake to do such a petty job of little utility? I felt uneasy and was feeling as if I was sitting on a bed of thorns there. And lo! Instantly a gentle glow of serene light shown over the Indian Ocean on the South West of Sri Lanka which attracted my eyes and absorbed any attention. My ego was humbled down and all my logic mellowed and rendered absurd. I turned my fallen face towards Swami Ji with humble feeling simmering in my mind as if to seek Swami Ji's permission to leave.
   
To my great relief, Swami Ji very affectionately moved his right arm to permit me off.
Chapter III
The Riddle on Wheels
Danger Signal (A complex riddle)
In 1960 one Shri B.N. Wali was deputed to accompany an audit inspection party to Leh (Ladakh) for the first time in his service. He went to Swami Ji in the evening hours as he had to to leave early in the next morning.
After his blessings Swami Ji handed over a chit (Swami Ji's chit was popularly called Parwana) detailing his travel programme as:
(The chit was in Urdu)meaning:
9.7.1960
1) From Srinagar to Sonamarg - 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.; Stay there for three hours.
2) 9.7.1960 Sonamarg to Drass 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stay there for fours.
(Note: Actually buses would stay there for ten to fifteen minutes only and there was no such practice of staying at Drass).
3. From Drass to Kargil 5 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. A night's stay there.
4. From Kargil to Khalsi 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. Stay for four hours
5. From Khalsi to Leh 3 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
6. Brij Nath Wali reaches safe and sound.
Shri B.N.Wali kept on checking and ticking the time schedule.He found the programme correct to the minute.
But serial No. 6 on the itinerary turned out to be intriguing. For, while negotiating a 90 degree curve at Khalsi, the bus skidded, turned turtle and took a couple of turns down the slope before it came to a topsy survey stop against a big rock. The jawans of the nearby military picket reached the scene and engaged themselves in rescue work.
They shouted into the bus, "Is there anybody alive ?"  Brij Nath who happened to have firmly caught hold of his seat, stood up and came out safely bare footed, and found his way on the rock, unscathed. He could not venture forth upto the highway as the whole slope was strewn with pieces of broken glass. He entered the bus again cautiously, brought out his shoes and moved on to the road above. The rest of the passengers, bleeding and very seriously injured, lay unconscious. One of them died soon after he was brought out.
The jawans rescued all, nursed and bandaged the wounded before they were allowed to proceed on to Leh after the bus was salvaged  and promptly repaired to resume the onward journey.(I do not remember whether or not, a second was hired for the purpose or the same bus was repaired).
Oddly enough the whole operation took exactly four hours, as predicted in the riddle, before the bus wheeled off again.
Brij Nath Wali alone was "safe and sound". The Commanding Officer of the Army Unit had thought that Shri Brij Lal Wali was travelling  in a jeep as he found him quite well. On knowing the exact position, he was surprised to see Swami Ji's predictions in the chit (Parwana).
What a puzzling, nay bewildering prediction was it.
The Paradox
One M.A. Malik's wife was taken seriously ill. She cried with pain. It was almost mid-night. The locality was a semi-wilderness, a  doctorless suburb. He asked his mother and children to take care of his wife till he could find out some doctor from some place and purchase the requisite medicines. He made frantic efforts to find a doctor but could not find any. He went to a couple of doctors known to him in the area, but none was at home that night. He knocked at the medicine shops but to no purpose. None was available. Exhausted at last, he rushed back helplessly, at least to render some first aid possible at his hands. On the way back he was almost gripped with panic. He wept and prayed, as he visibly trembled.
" My saintly wife is dying. Oh God! take mercy on me, my old mother and children. O! Swami Ji, please come to my rescue. I am undone. Pray help me in this hour of crisis. For God's sake give her a healing touch and bring her back to life", he chanted while moving homeward with shaking steps.
The prayers were sincere and honest coming from the depth of his heart and mind.
And to his great surprise, his wife came down to greet him at the door and received him in. " How is it? Are you feigning to be all right to calm me down ?" Malik asked.
" No dear I am perfectly normal and healthy. I have no complaint now. God has saved me. Your spiritual power is great. May God bless you" was the consoling reply.
The cortege incident
A well known fact narrated to me by many eyewitnesses and close observers including one G.M. Bhat of Tankipora (Retd. police service) and Brij Nath stands as follows:
On Swami Ji's sad demise in New Delhi his mortal remains were brought to Srinagar. These were taken out in a massive funeral procession through Srinagar city in a truck (Cortege). On its way through the city to the cremation ground the truck suddenly stopped at three places enroute for a few minutes 1) At Karafalli Mohalla, near late Saint Smt. Sati Mata's residence; 2) Tankipora near late Maheshwar Nath Razdan's house, and c) also at Tanki Pora near one D.N. Raina's house which happend to be the residence of their saintly mother.
Inspite of the strenuous efforts of the expert driver, the truck refused move even an inch for quite a few minutes. Then suddenly it wheeled forward as before.
At the third "halt", the holy corpse is reported to have spurted its blood vessels, developed wrinkles on the face and finally taken a turn to face the said house, before the truck could move further on.
Some more incidents and predictions, direct or indirect, in riddles. These have been narrated to Shri P.N. Razdan by several people during these years of migration, since 1990 onwards. Among those who have narrated these are some eye-witnesses to these events and include Shri B.N. Wali, Shri O.N. Warikoo, Shri Shanti Sus, Shri O.N. Thusoo, Shri Ghulam Mohd. and many others.
Riddle of success in every field
One Mohamad Abdullah Malik (*) is a pious and devout Muslim spiritualist who spares no pains to help the poor and helpless people. One of his intimate friends told me that from the very start of his service in an important department of the Government, he has been and is spending a substantial portion of his salary (and now his pension) to mitigate the sufferings of the needy.
He and his friend B.N.Wali, shared all sentiments, feelings as thoughts as well as spiritual experiences with each other.
*(Note: He reminds me of that great unmatched Headmaster of C.M.S. Central Biscoe High School who was famous for his scholarship in English, Urdu Persian, Sanskrit and Arabic, his saintliness sociability together with a commanding roar like that of lion, perfect human attitude and self sacrifice. No doubt that he could spend much on widows, as Malik Sahib. He saved from drowning in river Jehlum his neighbour at mid-night (a suicide attempt to escape painful illness), in mid winter when he was a septuagenarian. The residences of both were close by on the river bank.)
Despite his academic merit and general intelligence, Malik Sahib failed in his departmental examination in his first attempt. After this he filled in his examination form for a second time, when he tried to persuade his friend also to take a chance. But since the latter was a fresher in service he declined. A few days later, when Shri Malik had completed his examination, he asked his friend just to see Swami Ji in this connection as till then he had heard much about his spiritual powers from others. Shri Wali did as desired. He told Swami Ji about his friend, Shri Malik's concern. Oddly enough, Swami Ji's reply was direct and spontaneous as if he knew everything about him.
"Your friend Mohd Abdullah will pass all examinations," Swami Ji said.
On hearing about the prophecy, Shri malik showed his inclination to pay his respects to Swami Ji in person. Both went there after a few days and Mr. Wali introduced his friend repeating his previous concern and request to Swami Ji. The passionate appeal evoked a quick and positive response. As narrated to me it stands as follows:
Imtihan yak taraf/Mohd Abdullah malik Yak Taraf
Ba Hukum Swami Nandlal;
Mohd Abdullah sub imtihan main pass.
(Examinations on one side; and Mohd Abdullah Malik on theother; By Order of Swami Nandlal, Mohd Abdullah Malik passes all examinations).
The said order was written by Swami Ji himself and handed over to Malik Sahib before getting it recorded too.
Whereas the first part of the prediction obviously meant that Malik Sahib would succeed irrespective of examinations, the second part predicted his success in all aspects and tests of life. This was  substantiated by the events that followed. To Shri Malik's dismay his name was missing from the list of successful candidates. The pass percentage of successful candidates was only 18 %. When they contacted Swami again his reaction to this was the same as before. And when his attention was subsequently drawn to the list of marks cards issued under the signature of the All India Chief Registrar, Swami Ji was consistent in his response.
Swami Ji wrote again and dictated the order for the so-called record, before its issuance to Mr. Malik in person. The order read as:
Ba Hukam-I Swami Nandlal, Mohd Abdullah Malik, Walado - Malik, Sakin - Srinagar - sub imtihan main pass
BY order of Swami Nandlal, Mohd Abdullah Malik s/o - Malikr/o - Srinagar, passes in all the examinations.
In the meantime, there was a violent demonstration in South India in protest against the low result percentage. The basis of the massive demonstrations was the usual complaint that a large proportion  of the questions were out of syllabus.
On investigation the grievance was found to be quite justified and  genuine. And so, the concerned authorities were compelled to approve an increase of 10 per cent marks as grace marks to all the candidates. This raised Mr. Malik's score from 52% to 62% when the requisite pass percentage was put at 60%. Mr. Mohd Abdullah Malik was as such declared successful.
What a transcendental intuition Swami Ji possessed.
Pounding the Husk: The riddle of failure
In early seventies one Superintending Engineer's wife had made her daughter to deposit fees for getting her Mathematics answer books re-checked in Matriculation Examination in the J&K School Board of Education; the basis being that the girl had subsequently   solved the whole paper correctly at home.
Because of her over anxiety and concern the girl's mother went to seek Swami Ji's blessings in the matter. No sooner did she enter the jam-packed room she was greeted with a riddle addressed to the whole gathering:
Aamein pannan veti zeil chhi diwan
Aawlin pannan beyi phir chhi diwan
"They are projecting finger tips to probe through raw thread, they are violently swirling tiny delicate (weak) threads".
Obviously this was a negative reply to her wish, which the lady could not understand. The lady, in self deception, left convinced that something good was being done in favour of her daughter, as expressed by her to the author. But alas! to her dismay, the final outcome of the re-checking was negative.
This is exactly what the Swamiji had actually conveyed to her in the riddle, but she had not understood the meaning behind it.
Riddle of success
In a similar case of B.Sc. Examination, a certain candidate, one Sh. Quasba was indirectly asked to see the concerned Board authorities about his actual results. The candidate is said to have taken it lightly as he had the impression that nothing concrete had happened before, nor did he expect it to happen then. But all the same, his parents insisted that he should deposit the re-checking fee. On re-checking some discrepancy was found in the marking of the papers and he was declared successful. This was narrated by the candidate himself to the author.


  
Chapter VI
The Succession Problem
Bakhshi, Shams-u-Din and Sadiq
By a strange coincidence, Bakhshi Gulam Mohammad, the Budshah or Sah-i-Jahan of modern Kashmir as people called him and was a poor man's hope, is said to have reached the scene near Aishmuquam on way to Pahalgam just when Swami Ji was asking Mr. O.N. Thusoo to fill his (Swami ji's) car with petrol. On seeing him from a distance, Bakhshi Gulam Mohammad is said to have rushed to pay his respects to him and offered petrol from his own car as a matter of courtesy and respect.
Strangely enough, Swami Ji is said to have declined the offer. Instead, he is said to have demanded back his pen, which he had given to Bakhshi Sahib and was retained by him. It spelt the proverbial doom for Bakhshi Gulam Mohammad, who understood the meaning and significance of the event. He could grasp the outcome and became gloomy.
Later the car is said to have been refueled on payment for the return journey by Mr. Thusoo.
Being a close disciple of Swami Ji Mr. Thusoo ventured to ask the Swami Ji the reason for refusal.
Giving a pin point description of Shamas-u-Din Sahib, Swami Ji said, " Some robust, stout man wearing a big fur cap and hailing from rural area, must have a chance to ...." Mr. Thusoo got the clue.
As narrated by Mr. Thusoo to the author, he turned pale and was overwhelmed by a spell of gloom.
Tuning up his nerves, he said to Swami Ji in a sad tone, "Swami Ji, my hostile Chief Engineer is a close friend of this man. And this spells ruin for me...."
" God is great. Don't worry. It is only a temporary measure. Another well built wise man wearing a fur cap and spectacles may take his place" came the prompt reply. This consoled Mr. Thusoo.
And it was Gulam Mohammad Sadiq who took over from Mr. Shams-u-Din as the next Chief Minister.
Reward and Punishment
Puzzling incident of Hakim Sham Lal Bhat
One Thusoo Sahib was over engaged in connection with the construction and development of Ganderbal Power House. He could not find time to visit Swami Ji at Nunar for several weeks.
On his next visit to Swami Ji, he was asked the reasons of his absence for so long.
" Swami Ji, I was too busy at the site to find time for the visit" was the reply.
"O, Is it so ? All right go to Shyam Bhat", he retorted. (Pandit Shyam Lal Bhat was a famous unani physician (Hakeem) of Habba Kadal, Srinagar).
No sooner did Mr. Thusoo reach home than he fell severely ill and was restless with excruciating pain. He became unconscious and even went into coma several times. Top most doctors of the time   attended to, but with no relief. The vital stage of the construction of the Ganderbal Power House suffered. The concerned engineering staff including the Chief Engineer, visited him at home. At last his Chief Engineer suggested that he should be taken to the famous Unani  physician Shri Shyam Lal Bhat, who happened to be his family physician.
The suggestion worked and Mr. Thusoo got examined and  finally treated by Hakeeem Shyam Lal Bhat. He recovered and visited Swami Ji before attending to his duty.
'Swami Ji, what did you do? " He said meekly, "I suffered too much for too long".
" That was destined. None could help it", came the reply.
Miscellaneous Predictions
Tea and Salary Episodes
a) Once Swami Ji, while at Thusoo Ji's home at the Darigund village, had tea several times. He called Mrs. Thusoo again soon after sipping empty a hot cup of tea. He asked her to prepare a few cups of tea again.
Thusoo Ji enquired, "Swami Ji, you had tea just now, would it not be harmful" ?
" No, my boy; a guest is coming. He must have tea just now", he replied.
And lo! and behold! Grata Mout,another mastana stepped in along with Mrs. Thusoo, who was carrying fresh tea.
And so all partook of it.
b) Mr. Thusoo joined his service after training. He was not given any increment for sometime as his relations with the Chief Engineer  were not good.
One day he pointed it out to Swami Ji and in reply was told that he was going to get two increments soon. This came out to be true soon after.
c) In 1965 a burqua clad woman once approached Swami Ji to plead for her husband who had gone to fight the Indo-Pak war. She was pining for information about his whereabouts and return to home. In reply she was told to prepare to receive him that very day. She was happy to do so and receive him that very evening, as narrated to the author by Mr. O.N. Warikoo who probably knew the lady and her husband.
d) Once at Hashias, Swami Ji handed over a book on Engineering to  V.K. Warikoo, telling him that he had something to do with such books. Soon, as the author was told by V.K. Warikoo's father Shri O.N. Warikoo, his son was admitted in the engineering College at Srinagar. On completing his training course he was employed in the Govt. service in his own State. He is presently working as an Assistant Executive Engineer.
 
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