EARLY LIFE, ANTECEDENTS AND THE SANYASA
YOGRAJ SWAMI NANDLAL JI
was born in Gurgari Mohalla, Zaina Kadal (Srinagar) into a prosperous
Koul family nicknamed as Kothdars. His grandfather Pandit Sehza Kaul had
two sons Ram Kaul and Hara Kaul. Swami Ji was son of Pandit Hara Kaul
born on an auspicious day, Falgun Shukla Paksh Ashtami (Taila Ashtami),
the exact year of birth not confirmed. It is said that his childhood at
his home was not comfortable as his mother had passed away when he was
quite young so he left his home at age 14 while he was in class IX. His
step-mother didn’t treat him well and it was one of the reasons that he
left home at this tender age. In fact he was not destined to be an
ordinary householder. He had come for the accomplishment of a larger
mission which he did by achieving the highest echelons of higher life.
Thus Swami Ji detached himself at an early age from the bondages of the
household life to seek a higher purpose for himself. Having sought
refuge in the feet of many awakened saints and savants of that time
young Swami Ji remained on move from place to place in search of the
ultimate path for himself till one day around 1932-33 he reached
Zooni-Pora, a village near Bomai (Sopore) on way to Kupwara in Kashmir.
There
was a well established Ashram complex in Zooni-Pora where saints and
Bhabas were regular visitors from far and near. It was this Ashram which
was destined to be the ultimate destination for young Nand Lal Ji to
get associated with lots of saints and sadhus and among them his guru
Bhaba Swami Lal Ji, a highly accomplished yogi from outside Kashmir. The
Ashram kept especially brimming with activities of devotees because it
fell on way to Maa Sharda, a reputed temple complex situated in Shardi
near Muzafferabad across Titwal (Gurez) presently in Pakistan occupied
Kashmir (Pok). The devotees on way to Sharda-Mayee, as it was popularly
called, crossed Zooni-Pora Ashram and stayed there for a couple of days
or more for the facilities available and sought blessings of the
Dhooni-Mayee. Before Swami Ji was initiated into the ascetic order by
his holiness Swami Lal Ji he had a long stay in this Ashram in the
service of numerous saints present there and by keeping attendance of
many learned souls he adhered to the high disciplined saintly life. Thus
Swami Ji received the choicest education of the saint order. It
included the study of religious scriptures and especially the practice
of Yoga. Thus Zooni-Pora Ashram proved to be the basic school of
learning for Swami Ji and also a place where he had the occasion to be
in the feet of his Guru. The Ashram in those days (around 1932-40) was
headed by Pandit Shiv Jee Shah who managed all the affairs of the Ashram
along with a huge property attached to it. A regular LANGAR (cooking
arrangement) to cater hundreds of visitors daily was arranged and
devotees from far and near came there for service at the Ashram. All
food-grains, vegetables and fruit consumed there were the product of the
farmland attached to it tended by the farmers nearby and as such there
was no dearth of anything and abundance prevailed.
Unfortunately
this abundance, peace and spiritual atmosphere didn’t last longer at
this Ashram. The whole complex was razed to ground in a great fire put
to it in 1947 by miscreants during Pakistani Aggression on Kashmir and
Partition. The complex was almost deserted already as all Pandits in the
area were trying to save their lives by taking refuge in safer places
nearer to Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. This area, Sopore,
Baramulla, Handwara, Kupwara, Uri and Lolab was the worst affected
during the 1947 turmoil as thousands of Hindus and Sikhs were brutally
killed and property looted and gutted so it took a long time for the
remaining few to reestablish themselves at their places after Indian
troops pushed back the raiders and restored normalcy in the areas. And
among the tragedies that befell Kashmir in 1947 in general and Kashmir
Pandits in particular was their access to their beloved Sharda- Mayee
temple complex which incidentally fell across the Line of Control (Loc)
in the area controlled by Pakistan.
STAY IN DEEWANKHAN AT BOMAI (SOPORE)
While
Swami Ji was in Zooni-Pora Ashram being probably the youngest, he was
occasionally sent for some petty errands to village Bomai just a
kilometer away, which comprised of a good number of (about 60-70) Pandit
families. Sh. Jia Lal Dass, a reputed person of village Bomai was
especially attached to young Swami Ji for his attractive yogic
appearance and cheerful aspect. One day Swami Ji expressed his desire to
Pandit Dass of staying in his house for pursuing Sadhna there. Being
scared to shoulder such a sensitive responsibility SH JIA LAL JI talked
about it in his family and Smt Radha Mali his mother and a saintly lady
immediately consented to it and offered to provide all requirements of
the Swami herself with full devotion and sanctity. Thus Swami Ji was
offered to stay in Deewan-Khan the first floor of a wooden structure
outside the main house of Pandit Dass with a separate entry approach
quite suitable for the requirements of Swami Ji. It was quite a large
joint family of about fifty members and everyone was excited to have
Swami Ji in their house so they extended all possible service to Swami
Ji but the main contribution was of the head lady Smt. Radha Mali and
her daughter-in-law Smt Umawati wife of Pandit Jia Lal Dass whose
service and devotion in the form of serving foods and other beverages
with all sanctity to Swami Ji and his numberless visitors at all odd
hours for years together is unparalleled. Swami Ji stayed in this
Deewan-Khan for about 8-10 years before he shifted to the Kutiya in
Gowri-Pora, Bomai in the apple orchard of the same Dass family.
 The
period of Swami Ji’s stay in Zooni-Pora Ashram and later in the
Deewan-Khan was the formative period of his holy life. It was quite
hectic for Swami Ji as he remained almost all the time absorbed in
Yog-Kriya besides being on move meeting saints and Sadhus and visiting
various places of religious importance and solitude. His visits to
remote interiors of unknown dense forests and staying there for long
periods in association with highly awakened souls have also been
reported. Swami Ji was also all these years a regular visitor to
Sharda-Mayee. The visits there involved a long travel on foot and later
on horses through Kupwara and Lolab Valley and as such he along with his
associates stayed in the houses of Pandits in villages in that area.
This association created a vast field of devotees and admirers of Swami
Ji in the area and also caused certain events that had a deep impact on
the holy life. The first was the formal initiation of Swami Ji to
saintly order by his holiness Swami Lal Ji. He though a non-Kashmiri
saint was also a regular visitor to Sharda Temple and stayed with
Pandits there. He too had a large number of devotees in the area and
when the occasion came for the formal initiation of Swami Ji his Guru
himself selected a place for him in village Sogam in the house of one
Shridhar Bhat to perform his basic Kriya. And later it is said that on
completion of his first stage, Swami Lal Ji commented that young Nandlal
was able to do in a few days what he himself had been able to do in
several months.
Immediately
the popularity of Swami Ji spread far and wide while he settled at the
Deewan-Khan in Bomai. The atmosphere was especially charged with high
sanctity when Swami Lal Ji was there in his association. Meanwhile Swami
Ji visited a learned Pandit in Sopore Town Shri Aftab Joo Kher for
academic guidance and learning of essential religious scriptures.
His
thirst for knowledge was so great that he had mastered almost all
authentic scriptures and was consequently regarded as a learned scholar
and an authentic teacher. During those days in Sopore a galaxy of saints
and learned Pandits assembled occasionally in a temple complex for
discussions and discourses regarding Hindu scriptures in which Swami Ji
and his Guru Swami Lal Ji also participated. It is said that Swami Ji
especially took interest in the interpretations of the famous Wakhs of
Lal-Ded, the famous Yogini and mystic poet-saint of Kashmir. Since the
Lalla-Wakhs are the most comprehensive source of instruction in the
field of YOGA so Swami Ji was especially interested in them. He would
usually refer the WAKHS of Lalleshuri (Lalla Wakhs) in his discourses as
an authentic treatise and explain the content very forcefully.
Undoubtedly he excelled in the field of Yoga far above most of other
Kashmir saints. Very few saints of Kashmir including the highly awakened
ones practiced Yoga path for their uplift in the spiritual arena. Swami
Ji achieved the highest stages of self-realization through Yoga under
the guidance of his Guru. He has won the title YOGIRAJ for the
extraordinary capabilities he acquired in the field of YOGA.
Swami Ji changes place
It
was felt that the available accommodation in the Deewan-Khan was
insufficient because of heavy influx of devotees but the problem was
immediately addressed and Swami Ji selected a lush green beautiful spot
away from the hustle and bustle of the village near Gowri-Pora village
about a kilometer away from Bomai beside the apple orchard owned by same
DASS family for an Ashram and in due course a small Ashram with a
couple of rooms in the ground and a hall, a kitchen, a TAPASYA room and a
balcony facing east in the first floor was raised under the directions
of Swami Ji. All essentials were provided and Swami Ji took personal
pains to give the Kutiya, as it was later called, the shape of a
traditional Indian saint’s cottage. A small rivulet was directed in the
compound and a small waterfall made of it beside a small rectangular
raised space which was used by Swami Ji for Aasana during days before a
small audience of his devotees. The compound was walled with dry willow
twigs and a small entry gate provided to keep away stray animals and
cattle.
The
visits of devotees went on increasing and Swami Ji listened to every
one patiently. Besides the people of Bomai and surrounding villages,
devotees from far off places as far as Srinagar, Budgam, Anantnag and
Shopian came to meet Swami Ji and share his spiritual experiences and
ask for his blessings. The earliest devotees worth the name were Pandit
Shridhar Joo Dhar Ex. Conservator of forests who was himself a highly
awakened saint, Sh Jagan Nath Sumbly Ex. Deputy Commissioner and Sh Soom
Nath Halwai among others. Late Mahatma Vibhishan Ji came here in the
same Kutiya in the service of Swami Ji and it was here after very hectic
service and Sadhna that Swami Ji initiated him in the ascetic order. He
was perhaps the first and foremost disciple initiated by him and was
naturally very beloved of Swami Ji. Vibhishan Ji was basically from
Baramulla and the name was given to him by Swami Ji himself.
The
diverse aspects of the personality of Swami Ji seemed to exhibit here
in this Kutiya more extensively. He had acquired a deep knowledge of
Ayurveda and various medicinal herbs and their use in different ailments
for their cure. Swami Ji used this skill in curing various people of
many dangerous diseases miraculously in the Kutiya. Moreover, Swami Ji
had a deep taste for classical Sufiana music and so here in this Kutiya
under the shade of the CHINAR trees Swami Ji occasionally played on a
string-instrument called MadhaM very sweet Sufiana Ragas and the holy
Mehfil put to trance many of his devotees for hours. It is essential to
mention here that Swami Ji was a strict disciplinarian and didn’t allow
any deviation from the moral and ethical standards whatsoever and the
traditional codes of sainthood at the hands of anyone present.
The
visit of some noteworthy saints to Swami Ji needs mention here. Shri
Ved Lal Ji of Hanjivera, Pattan, popularly known as Sed-Bab and an
accomplished saint frequently visited him stayed with him and
accompanied him to places. It is not clear whether he was his disciple
but the relationship was definitely special as both of them were seen
occasionally engaged in serious discourses on the matters better known
to them. He was given the name SED-MOL by Swami Ji for his simplicity,
devotion and straightforward ways of saintly life and dedicated Sadhna.
The name was borrowed from the Guru of Lal-Ded who was also called
Sed-Mol. Another name worth mention is of one saint poet who is famous
for his Kashmiri devotional poetry, Pandit Neelkanth Ji of Dab-Wakoora
village. He was a devotee of Swami Ji and visited him frequently. His
oration of Kashmiri Bhajans was exceptional as he could compose without
effort very beautiful couplets and songs on occasions. It is said he had
Maa Sararswati on his lips and so he could sing extempore devotional
BHAJANS whenever the environment demanded as such. He was very famous
for his sharp wit and Swami Ji had great respect for him and some say he
was not only a devotee but a disciple initiated by him. The assertion
is further strengthened as Pandit Neelkanth Ji is the poet of the famous
Gur-Astuti of Swami Ji---
Agnya’ne Ghat’y Sir’ye Praka’sh Chu’kh Aase’wonuy
Gyan’e Praka’sh Chu’kh Aase’wonuy
Hee M’yane Sat’guru Ksh’ene Ksh’ene Ch’um Aa’sare Cho’nuy
sung
by his devotees everywhere every day with utmost devotion and love even
today but there is no authentic confirmation and it is said that he was
his GURU himself. However, the fact remains that Pandit Neelkanth JI
was fervently devoted to Swami Ji and visited him and both enjoyed the
company of each other. An another remarkable devotional poem, as an
outcome of this celestial union is the depiction of the visit of Lord
Shiva in the form of a Sanyasi to the house of Maa Jasodha for having a
glimpse of child Shri Krishna in Gokul. The poem has been reportedly an
extempore recitation of Pandit Neelkanth Ji in the presence of Swami Ji
on his holiness’ desire, probably in the KUTIYA. And interestingly the
fact is rendered very beautifully in the last stanza of the poem as
under-
Yee Neel’e Kanth’as Sant Nand Lal Jee’an Won’uy
Wan Shiv’e Sund’uy Gokul’as Undh’er Yu’nuy
Shankar Te Krishen, Krishen’e Shankar Ch’uy No Byun’uy
Sho’d Bo’dh Shankar Aa’v Laa’ran Gokul Kun’y
Azar Amar Yughesh’ur Nirmal Kun’uy
 The
Kutiya was the abode of Swami Ji for about twenty years though he used
to be regularly on move visiting important shrines, places and persons.
His sojourns included the deep forests where he stayed at unknown places
for long periods probably to follow some special Sadhna on the instance
of his Guru. As already stated Swami Ji was a fervent devotee of
Sharda-Mayee the celebrated temple complex in present POK. He visited
there frequently on foot or horseback and stayed there for days together
performing austerities in the lap of the Mother Goddess. Swami Ji used
to be the guest of some of his devotee there who happened to be there in
connection with some business or employment. Incidentally, Swami Ji
happened to be in Shardi (Sharda Temple) in October 1947 when tribal
raiders invaded and entered Kashmir and went on barbarous killing and
looting spree of non-Muslims of the area. Swami Ji marched towards Bomai
with some of his devotees facing encounters with the raiders. They
couldn’t face the miraculous power of his holiness and the guns aimed at
him didn’t work and they bowed before his holiness before fleeing.
Meanwhile the Pandits in Bomai were scared beyond measure and preparing
for every eventuality. When Swami Ji reached there, he instructed them
to be contented and be at their places. The miracle that ensued was none
of the raiders entered Bomai though the Pandits there were a good
number and all prosperous. It is said that some confusion erupted in
their ranks and they didn’t venture entering there till they were
hounded back by Indian Army.
Swami
Ji used to practice regularly various Yogic exercises by combining
postures and breath-restraint (Pranayama) vigorously along with
Dhoti-Kriya for purification. Deep studies were the routine of Swami Ji
and he used to be absorbed in serious readings of scriptures. He was in
the habit of smoking Charas and tobacco all his life incessantly from
his Chillam otherwise he maintained very clean habits and the Kutiya
exhibited a flavour of calm and pure atmosphere. Personally he looked
after the cleanliness of the place though there used to be some devotees
invariably present to do all the jobs. During summers and suitable
climates Swami Ji laid his Aasana on an elevated space in the compound
beside the small cascade facing east and the devotees present sat in
front of him and listened to his discourses. All visitors were welcomed
by him warmly and served with a cup of Kehva, a traditional Kashmiri tea
without milk, taken in bronze cups held with a towel. Swami Ji also
took a cup but after taking a few sips he offered it to some of his
devotee present there as a Prasad. The evenings were especially quite
attractive as there was a collective recital of certain Bhajans or
Leelas in which Swami Ji also participated. The scene presented such a
beautiful environment that the devotees repeatedly attended the evening
Puja. Regarding food Swami Ji was a strict vegetarian all his life and
took very simple Satvik food and avoided strictly onions, garlic,
tomatoes and some leafy vegetables. The preferable foods included Plain
Rice; Kashmiri Saag, Moong Dal and Lotus Stem (Nadru). Swami Ji observed
fast on many days especially Ashtami, Purnima, Amawasia, Ekadashi and
other auspicious days. Swami Ji himself prepared many kinds of pickles
and medicinal preparations in small glass bottles which kept hanging
outside on the verandah of the Kutiya in open sun and he probably used
them in curing patients who came to him.
ASHRAMS AT HUSHOORA (BUDGAM) AND TIKKAR (KUPWARA)
As
the field of devotees expanded the need of more ashrams in the name of
Swami Ji in other areas too was felt. Consequently two Ashrams one at
Tikkar (Kupwara) and the other at Hushoora village in Budgam District
came up. Both Ashrams were planned and the venues selected by Swami Ji
himself. The Tikkar (Kupwara) Ashram was especially planned tastefully
and Swami Ji preferred to be there for longer periods in his later life.
The Hushoora Ashram was constructed before Tikkar Ashram and was
especially raised on the instance of the devotees of that area. Swami Ji
stayed there for many days and performed many HAWANS on auspicious
occasions. Devotees at this Ashram showed particular enthusiasm and
devotion for Swami Ji and the Ashram was always full of devotees and
renovations here were carried on endlessly.
Both
Swami Ji and his Guru Swami Lal Ji were already acquainted with Village
Tikkar as it fell on way to their favourite destination Sharda Mayee.
Their frequent visits had made almost all the Pandits familiar to them
and most of them their devotees and admirers. Swami Ji made plans for an
Ashram at a sacred spot and without any particular efforts the
foundation was laid in 1957. His holiness was in those days mainly
placed in Gowri-Pora (Bomai) in the Kutiya among fine environs and
beautiful location and any thought of a change was unthinkable as the
devotion and love that Swami Ji received here was unprecedented. Swami
Ji stayed in Bomai for not less than 25-27 years but given the purpose
to be nearer to his devotees of Tikkar area Swami Ji sought the change
and Tikkar Ashram was inaugurated with great fanfare. Besides the main
temple a beautiful small temple was constructed on the adjacent hilltop
with about a hundred steps made out of stone boulders as an uphill
approach. Swami Ji loved to perform his routine Sadhna in the hilltop
temple. The rush of devotees in Tikkar Ashram was significantly much
more than other places as the field of influence had increased
tremendously than before. Very influential people of the area and far
away were regular visitors in this Ashram and strangely whoever came to
seek blessings once was attached for life. This author put this question
to one fervent devotee of Swami Ji who had spent many hours in the holy
company of Swami Ji, ‘What aspect of the personality of Swami Ji fixed a
devotee for life?’ In reply he said, ‘Swami Ji was a living incarnation
of Lord Shiva. How a person would not!’ Here it would be interesting
for the reader to know something about the experiences of some eminent
devotees of Swami Ji. Shri Shridhar Joo Dhar the then Conservator of
Forests visited Swami Ji occasionally. He stayed and enjoyed the
discourses of Swami Ji and especially wanted to see Swami Ji
comfortable. He was himself an established saint and a fervent devotee
of Bhagwan Gopi Nath Ji the eminent saint of Srinagar. Shri Dhar was
often seen with some saint or the other in spite of his high official
position. He was a great admirer of the advancement of Swami Ji in Yoga
and academics both and often got some problems fixed by Swami Ji.
Justice Janki Nath Bhat was a High Court Judge and held many prestigious
positions in J&K and outside was a devotee of Swami Ji and visited
Tikkar many times along with his wife. He writes in one of his papers
that on his first visit to Tikkar Swami Ji called him from distance,
‘Are you Bhat Sahib?’ He reports that he had the good luck to take Swami
Ji along to Srinagar Airport in his car when he (Swami Ji) was going to
bid final audio to Kashmir. Swami went into eternal Samadhi in Delhi
(Malviya Nagar) in the house of Shri Prem Nath Sadhu in January 1966.
According to Bhat Sahib Swami Ji was very fond of one Shri Kashi Nath
Bhat, Advocate who was his fervent devotee those days. Justice Bhat
further reminiscences in his write up that he was given some money by
Swami Ji for the construction of a lodge for Sadhus visiting Amarnath
Shrine at Ambphalla in Jammu before his last flight from Kashmir. Bhat
Sahib fulfilled this wish of Swami Ji honestly and the building came up
within a short time but he regrets that the place wasn’t later used as
desired by Swami Ji but given on rent to raise income for the
institution.
MAIN DISCIPLES OF SWAMI JI
Swami
Ji spread his message of sustained devotion of the Lord accompanied
with fair and truthful dealings in all worldly affairs. He stressed upon
his devotees to get somehow detached from the attractions of the world
and nurture the true love of God. He told them to be actively involved
in just and truthful activities but not be constantly after collecting
material wealth. The real wealth, he said, was to seek the extreme love
of God and his people. The human life is a great boon and each of us
should understand the purpose of this life. It is for us to use it
purposefully or misuse it. The sooner we try to realize ourselves the
better. It is very simple to get access to the lord. Simply try to
purify your inner self by developing pure thoughts and intense devotion
of the lord. Realization of the self is the way to the lord. These
simple teachings of Swami Ji attracted lots of devotees from diverse
hues and many among them submitted themselves eternally in the lotus
feet of Swami Ji and were formally initiated into the ascetic order.
MAHATMA VIBHISHAN JI
Swami
Ji’s earliest disciple worth the name was Mahatma Vibhishan Ji. He came
in the service of Swami Ji in Gowri-Pora Kutiya and after hectic
service he was formally initiated into sainthood. His devotion and
service is an example in itself. He acquired such extraordinary
capabilities that none else among the disciples of Swami Ji equaled him.
His humble nature and soft attitude won him great laurels not only in
the eyes of his Guru but his numerous devotees too. He talked very less
and was always seen absorbed in his SADHNA. He was mostly seen in the
service of his Guru though at times he was given the charge of Ashrams
at Hushoora or Gowripora independently. He won the devotion and love of
lots of people who visited him for the solution of their problems.
Vibhishan Ji had surrendered completely before his Guru and didn’t like
any separate personal identity. His only mission was to serve his master
and pursue his personal enlightenment. Whoever met him once to seek his
blessings got permanently fixed with him. After Swami Ji attained the
eternal Samadhi Vibhishan Ji continued staying in Swami Ji’s Ashrams
representing him and serving the community interests. On mass
displacement of Pandits from Kashmir in 1990 he came to Jammu and stayed
with some of his devotees for some time and then came to Bohri (Talab
Tillu) Ashram got constructed by Swami Ji’s wonder devotee SHALPUT JI in
those appalling conditions. Vibhishan Ji stayed there quite absorbed
with his Sadhna till late nineties when he sought eternal Samadhi.
SHRI KRALBAB JI
Next
to make mention of is Shri Kralbab Ji. He was the most popular disciple
of Swami Ji who by dint of his Sadhna and achievements was able to make
his own individual place after Swami Ji. Kralbab was born at Kralgund
(Handwara) on Phalgun Purnima In 1928. His parental name was Bhagwan
Dass and he was given this name by Swami Ji himself as he loved to call
him as such because he belonged to Kralgund. KralbAB was initiated by
his master in the Tikkar Ashram and performed his basic Kriya there. His
progress in sainthood was very rapid and soon he was recognized as an
established saint. He had soon a vast field of devotees not only in the
Tikkar area but far off places as well though he remained mostly
confined to Tikkar Ashram only. Due to the very cold climate of Kashmir
in winters he had considered an Ashram outside valley. And his plans
soon matured into an Ashram at Udhampur in Jammu region. There were a
good number of his devotees among Pandits in Udhampur and consequently
the magnificent Ashram of Garhi (Udhampur) with the name Kralbab Ashram
came up beside the national highway. The Ashram proved a great boon for
the fleeing Pandits from the valley for its sufficient accommodation and
efficient management. Lots of them found shelter there in the most
telling circumstances. It is said that Kralbab Ji had quite before
indicated to the turmoil in the valley and the bad times for Pandits and
wanted the Ashram to be built for this purpose also. Hence it served as
a resting place for hundreds of Pandits till they got temporarily
settled somewhere else. The other Ashrams in his name were constructed
at Venkura and Namtehal in Budgam area of Kashmir besides the recently
constructed at Bantalab, Jammu. Shri Kralbab JI achieved Nirvava on
Magha Shukla Tritya in 1968 and the day is celebrated with grand
celebrations and Hawans in all Ashrams especially Garhi (Udhampur), the
Ashram very well maintained by Swami Kumar Ji the beloved disciple of
Shri Kralbab Ji. The legacy of Swami Ji is very well carried forward by
his Pariwar wherever they are.
MASTBAB JI
Mastbabji
belonged to Budlada (Punjab) a householder with two kids. He belonged
to a farmer family with name Sohan Lal. Right from childhood he was not
satisfied with his life and wanted to do something special. The worldly
material wealth didn’t attract him till one day he left his home in
search of the ultimate reality. He visited many places and persons but
couldn’t find his soul’s thirst fulfilled. At last he reached Kashmir
and heard about Swami Ji and the Tikkar Ashram. On reaching there Swami
Ji welcomed him and told him it was his destination. Immediately he
found his soul’s content and dedicated himself to the service of Swami
Ji. He was named as Mastram and initiated into sainthood probably there
or in Gowripora Ashram as in those days Swami Ji was frequently on move
from place to place to spread his message. Mastram Ji proved to be the
most dedicated saint to the purpose. He acquired the various stages of
sainthood and Yoga in minimum prescribed time and soon became the
beloved of Swami Ji. He has adopted all the Sanskars of Kashmir Pandit
culture and become fully conversant with Kashmiri Language. His Ashram
at Badipora (Budgam) was constructed by his devotees of the area and
named MASTBUB ASHRAM. He stayed there on the insistence of his devotees
but he always preferred to be nearer to his Guru Maharaj. After the
Maha-Samadhi of Swami Ji Mastbab Ji remained on move often outside
valley visiting TIRTH-ASTHAPANS unknown even to his beloved devotees.
The grand Mastbub Ashram at Patoli Jammu was raised in mid eighties and
Mastbub Ji came there when it was on the last stages of construction. In
fact Mastbub Ji is an awakened saint quite unconcerned about the
material developments. The Mastbub Ashram at Patoli proved a great
shelter and support for the displaced Pandits in Jammu after 1990
turmoil. Hundreds of Pandits spent days and nights in the Ashram and
found solace and peace in the blessings of Mastbub Ji. The Ashram keeps
always humming with activities both in the presence and absence of
Mastbub Ji. The mornings and evenings keep very busy with devotees
singing Bhajans in the praise of the lord and especially the Gur-Astuti
which gives immense solace to everyone every where. Other Mastbub
Ashrams constructed in Delhi and Haridwar are also very well established
and provided with all essential requirements. The Haridwar Ashram is
the real beloved place of Mastbub Ji. He spends most of his time there
and many of his devotees go there in his service and stay there for many
days. Mastbub Ji is a kind of saint who wants solitude so he prefers
mostly being out of Jammu as the heavy rush of devotees there seems to
disturb his peace and tranquility.
SEDBUB
 The
original name of Sedbub was Shri Vedlal Bhat. He belonged to Hajivera
(Pattan) and was a householder. He was a saint of very high order with
numerous attained Sidhees. His association with Swami Ji is not well
defined but one thing is clear that the name Sedmol was given to him by
Swami Ji himself as a tradition maintained by him and consequently he
was called Sedbub by his devotees and admirers. Some are of the opinion
that Swami Ji had initiated him and he was his Guru but the fact is not
very strongly established. Whatever the facts are it can’t be denied
that there was some sacred celestial relation between the two great
souls. They have been seen together on numerous occasions in almost all
Ashrams, tours and on special occasions sharing some moments quite
unknown to the onlookers but definitely indicative of some special
relationship. During the last moments of worldly existence, in the house
of Shri Prem Nath Sadhu at Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, Swami Ji was
accompanied by Sedbub and it is said that they kept busy for long hours
in some special talks before Swami Ji went into eternal Samadhi. Sedbub,
though a householder, was perfectly detached from the worldly affairs.
Though seemingly associated with his family responsibilities he was a
SanyasI in the real sense of the term. A perfect Sidh Yogi he was a
fully awakened soul with clear knowledge of everything that made him
stand upright in the realm of sainthood. Sedbud had opted for no Ashram
or a place associated with his memory in Kashmir. He left his mortal
coil at his native place at Hanjivera (Pattan). His devotees later tried
to raise a memorial at the site of his Samadhi but strangely a feud
erupted between local Muslims and Pandits and the administration had to
put a ban on the construction to avoid confrontation. This was in late
eighties as the situation in Kashmir had already turned volatile due to
large scale influx of Pakistan trained insurgents into the valley. Now
after the displacement of Pandits in 1990 and the bulk of them placed in
Jammu the devotees of SedbuB have constructed a magnificent Ashram in
his name at Paloura, Jammu where there is a huge rush of devotees daily
besides celebrations of grand HAWANS and other events in the name of
Sedbab.
SHALPUT JI
Shalput
Ji was a boy of 5-6 years when he got attracted to Swami Ji in Hushoora
Ashram. His parental name is Jai Kishen and he belongs to parents from
Hushoora who were regular visitors to Swami Ji there. The name Shalput
was given to him by Swami Ji when he frequently insisted on staying in
the Ashram and wanted to be close to Swami Ji. Though Swami Ji didn’t
initiate Shalput Ji directly to sainthood in his lifetime because of his
tender age but Shalput Ji came into the holy fold automatically when
the time was ripe for him. It is some celestial connection and a quite
unknown guarded secret but the indications definitely relate something
worth a mention. It was in late seventies when Shalput Ji was a student
of class X that he left his home for a destination for which he had
taken birth. A youth of barely 18 with flowing locks of hair, strikingly
attractive features, came directly to the house of Shri Jia Lal Dass Of
Bomai (Sopore), probably to get inspired by the place and people where
Swami Ji had stayed for many long years in his formative years of
sainthood. He was welcomed warmly by the whole household for their love
and devotion to Swami Ji. Everyone in the Dass Family instantly became
alive once more with the reminiscences of Swami Ji and thus started the
renovation of the Kutiya at Gowri-Pora. It was soon discovered that
Shalput Ji was a past master singer of Bhajans in accompaniment of
harmonium. Thus the whole nights in Dass House were spent for not less
than two months with Shalput Ji singing Bhajans in accompaniment of the
youth of the family and the rest of the members enjoying as if Swami Ji
was himself present. This author has personally witnessed that everyone
in the DASS family kept awake all these nights enjoying the devotion of
the lord and Swami Ji. Shalput Ji was such overwhelmed by the devotion
of the family and others around for Swami Ji that he decided to stay in
the Kutiya and get inspired by the place where Swami Ji had spent many
long years of Sadhna. Soon he settled there and the devotees in large
numbers started coming to see this wonder devotee of Swami Ji. What
followed were more constructions in the Kutiya and more celebrations and
Hawans and especially the daily Bhajan-Madali which was the main
attraction. Time passed and SHALPUT JI progressed in sainthood and the
number of devotees went on increasing day by day till 1990 when the
displacement of Pandits started in consequence of the threat perception
of the Muslim fundamentalist elements in the valley. In no time Pandits
began moving out bag and baggage and so did Shalput Ji. After some stray
lodgings he managed for a little piece of land in Aanand Nagar, Bohri
(Jammu) donated by a builder and thus came up the Shalput Ashram there.
The field of influence of Shalput Ji has increased tremendously all
these years and devotees especially Pandits from far and wide continue
coming here. Mahatma Vibhishan Ji had been staying here in this Ashram
for long time and SHALPUT JI served him with great devotion and treated
him as his Guru. It was here that Vibhishan Ji achieved Nirvana and
Shalput did all Kriya and service whatever suited this great soul and
the beloved disciple of Swami Ji. One more Shalput Ashram has been
constructed with the help of local people at Jibb near Garhi (Udhampur)
within very beautiful and cool surroundings. Mahatma Vibhishan Ji loved
to stay there for the solitude and serene atmosphere and the devotion
that he got from the residents especially Pandits.
SWAMI JI’S TEACHINGS
Swami
Nandlal Ji was a celibate since childhood and an accomplished Yogi. He
had acquired the highest stages of enlightenment through rigorous
Sadhana and Yog- Kriya in minimum period of time. His pure conscience
and simple teachings won him great laurels and he was soon accepted one
among the most awakened souls in the high echelons of sainthood of the
time. Though Swami Ji had acquired bare minimum formal education but his
thirst of knowledge was so great that from day one he sought ways and
means to acquire highest religious scholarship firstly at the feet of
some learned teachers and then his Guru. Lots of aspirants later took
advantage of his profound knowledge and especially his discourses on the
teachings from Bhagavad-Gita, Upanishads and Vedas. He was a great
admirer of Lalleshuri, the great Yogini and poet saint of Kashmir. He
often quoted Lalla-WAKHS in order to establish his philosophy of simple
advancement in life by way of simple detachment from the futile worldly
attractions and glamour of riches. He believed in the strict disciplined
life based on the Yogic practices and sustained Sadhana. He also
believed in the supremacy of a householder’s life model but the aspirant
here had a greater responsibility of combining Sanyasa with day to day
activities, is what he said. The same is true with everyone. Karma-Yoga
shows us the simple way of achieving the highest goals in life. Swami Ji
wanted his devotees to follow the normal activities of life based on
truth and fair dealings. He time and again stressed upon the great
opportunity that we are provided with in our lives to achieve something
higher than the ordinary existence. One whose mind is perpetually
attached to the memory of the Lord despite being busy in just and
truthful worldly vocations is a perfect Yogi. Swami Ji wanted his
devotees learn the simple lesson of doing everything in the name of Lord
so that nothing wrong is done and each and every life performs better
for the uplift of his or her individual self. One should cultivate the
feeling that all that exists belongs to God and regard everything as
God’s play, renouncing both attachment and desire for fruit.
The
life of Swami Ji is an open book to be read by all. His devotees were
especially inspired by his simple, clean and highly disciplined way of
life. He was always ready to help anybody out of worldly difficulties as
well as spiritual hurdles. He involved his devotees occasionally in
discourses on the purity of life, Nitya-Karma and Bakhti (sustained
devotion of the lord). About Nitya-Karma that we perform every morning
and evening, Swami Ji said, it was an exceedingly important activity in
our daily routine. It should be performed with due attention and in
right earnest. The time devoted to the Nitya-Karma i.e. morning
(Gayatri) and evening (Sandya) is the most valuable, most sacred and
most useful. Paying less attention to it and going through it hurriedly,
he said, was the reason that we’re deprived of its benefits and joy.
Swami Ji had no inhibitions in allowing anybody in his fold provided one
was ready to maintain certain discipline essential for the higher life.
Lots of Muslims too have been benefited by the healing powers of Swami
Ji and as such many of them even now remember his magnanimity and the
height of his awareness.
Bakhti
or sustained devotion of God is the surest, shortest and easiest way of
self-realization but a Sadhaka should clearly understand the spirit of
the Bakhti otherwise a lukewarm approach will lead him nowhere. BAKHTI
pertains to the spirit of devotion which is disinterested in character
and unobstructed in its course. Human mind gets purified only by the
extreme love of the Lord. One whose heart melts completely in His
devotion is the true beloved of the Lord. Swami Ji said that the Lord’s
wish is absolutely the wish of His celebrated devotees. Those who
surrender completely to the will of the Lord win Him over completely.
This is essential for our Sadhana that our heart must cooperate. Swami
Ji said that one must be able to put one’s whole heart into one’s
Sadhana, be it Dyana (meditation), Japa or Pranayama (control of
breath). The most important factor in Upasana is love combined with
reverence. Love transforms all work into worship and whatever is done
with love leaves an indelible impression on our mind. The worship done
in desultory manner, in a half-hearted way, will bear no fruit even if
done for years together; whereas Upasana done with reverence and love,
even once, will yield speedy results and be a source of untold joy and
peace.
As
a spiritual Sadhana, Swami Ji said, practice of divine name is at once
the easiest and the best; there is nothing higher than that. The more
secretly the practice is performed, the higher the result. It is
necessary that the Japa of the divine name be performed most secretly so
that others do not know about it. A Sadhana performed secretly floods
the heart of the devotee with love for the Lord and brings immense joy
and peace. Concentration of mind while performing any kind of Sadhana is
essential. Achieving concentration is hard but not impossible. It takes
some time and practice to master concentration. Mind should be cleared
of all the dross of worldly worries and cares and got fixed on a single
point i.e. God’s name; concentration follows. Bakhti or love of God is
the supreme achievement to be attained by a devotee. When a person is
flooded with intense love of God he is freed of all worries and cares
and he experiences great joy and peace and nothing but the grace of the
Lord remains supreme with him. All worldly attractions instantly shake
off and a feeling of eternal bliss is experienced. Swami Ji stressed
upon his devotees to work tirelessly for achieving Bakhti of the Lord
such that it became the only priority with them not the collection of
worldly possessions. The ardent lovers of God enjoy the perennial
presence of the almighty in their thought so naturally their each deed
or action is enveloped by the divine bliss and hence nothing goes amiss
in their hands and everything whatever they do or experience is right
and there is no question of doing anything wrong by them. Swami Ji
worked tirelessly in making his devotees understand how they could in a
very simple way attain the highest purpose of their lives. “Be truthful
and fair, clear your mind of the dirt of the worldly attractions and
keep the Lord’s name alive in your mind all the time so that nothing bad
is done,” said Swami Ji. Bakhti or love of God transports a devotee to
the realm of Godliness and hence there remains no choice of doing
anything wrong. ‘Everything and everybody is simply God’s grace’, such
higher feelings clear the mind of the devotee of all the dross of
worldly attractions and naturally he or she is lifted above the normal
life of an individual and there remains a negligible gap between God and
the devotee. Swami Ji was a saint with a mission to make his devotees
follow the greatest reality of human life in simplest terms. He left no
stone unturned to fulfill his mission and succeeded in transforming the
lives of thousands of his devotees from ordinary to ideal human beings.
His impact was so great and lasting that whoever came to bow before his
holy presence once kept attached for life. And surprisingly it hasn’t
ceased even after Swami Ji’s celestial flight but remains eternally with
his devotees, not only those who have blessed themselves with his holy
Darshana but also those equally who are coming into his holy fold after
his material absence. The fact is appropriately described in the famous
Guruastuti penned by Late Shri Neelkanth JI and recited by all devotees
every morning and evening which says:
O My Satguru! I Depend Only Upon Your Moral Support Every Moment.
In The Darkness Of My Ignorance You Are Always A Beacon Light Like Sun To Show Me Way Out From Darkness To Light.
|
aw Punim is one of the unique festivals of the Kashmiri Hindus i.e. Kashmiri Pandits. This year, ‘Kaw Punim’
is being observed today, 25th of February. This festival is austere,
simple and indigenous in character. Unlike other festivals, there is no
ostentation on this occasion. It is not being celebrated in the same
fashion as it once used to be when Kashmiri Pandits lived in the Kashmir
valley. Many such festivals are celebrated with less fervor and
enthusiasm or forgotten now due to detachment from community’s cultural
roots. 
Many
myths are attached with crow in Hindu mythology. One of the myths is of
Kak-Bhushandi, who was a pious man devoted to Lord Ram but he was
cursed to become a crow. The crow is considered to be very curious
animal. Kak-Cheshta and Kak-Snaan are the idiomatic
expressions of curiosity and bathing like a crow (crow only dips his
head while having bath) respectively in Sanskrit language. 
Dr. Jai Kishan Sharma
is Ph.D. in Kashmir Shaivism from University of Jammu. He has written
research papers and articles for several magazines, journals like
Shiraza, Hamara Sahitya, Dharma Marg etc. He devotes his time in
reading, researching and writing.
_-_1922.jpg)
Tonight
my family will be performing an ancient Kashmiri ritual. We are going
to offer food to the strange beings that dwell in the high mountains and
come down on this day to check if the truce that was offered by them
long ago is still being honored or not. Kashmiri Pandits call the night
called Khech Mavas or the Khichdi Amavas. On this day lentils cooked with rice are kept outside the door for the Yech to feast on. Yech is the operational word for Yakhshas, Nagas and Pishachas – the mythical ancient demi-god residents of Kashmir. Khech Mavas is a yearly reenactment of the peace treaty that was arrived at by the demi-god and the humans. Humans would offer Yech food on this day so that Yech would not bother them in the tough winters. Humans would draw a circle around their house, a circle that Yech wouldn’t cross and outside the peripheral door Khichdi would be kept. Locals would tell stories of a strange toupeed being that would visit each house to claim his food. It was believed that whoever manages to steal the golden topi off the Yech‘s
head stands to attain all the riches of the world. Children, a
bit fascinated and mostly terrified, would often try to sneak a view of
this super being, they would stay up late into the night, eyes glued
outside the window towards the door. Of course no one came. This was the
day of feast for dogs. Dogs traditionally have a claim on a
certain portion of Pandit’s meal – a Kashmiri Pandit offers 
