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.
|
Migrations
have been part and parcel of Kashmiri Pandits lives. During the
migrations, large concentration of Kashmiri Pandits settled in Lahore,
Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Hardoi, Kanpur, Allahabad, Gwalior, Jaipur and
Jodhpur. Substantial numbers were also found in Shimla, Ambala, Multan,
Ajmer, Dehradun, Ujjain, Indore, Bhopal and Cuttack.
