The Chashma-i-Shahi or the Royal spring is bubbling fount of cold,crystal clear water which the visitor in summer would much like to drink. This garden was founded by Ali Mardan Khan, a Moughul Governer in 1632. It is said that one night strolling around Garden when his eyes suddenly fell on Mahadeov peak and during that night in a vision he saw Shiva himself. He went on to write a poem on his experience. No one was to later claim that he must have been smoking or drinking Shiva stuff that night.
.He composed a very beautiful poem beginning with the verse:

"HUMA ASLE MAHISHWAR BOOD, SHAB SHAHE KI MANN DIDAM".
"He was the real Great God, the king whom I saw during the night".
AJAB SANYASE DIDAM, NAMO NARAYANA GUFTAM
"I saw a strange renouncer, my lips uttered - Namoh Narayan
I kissed the dust flying off his feet, that night"



                           

 ( A Portrait of Ali Mardan Khan)

  ( Mughal king Shahjahaan welcoming Ali Mardan khan to his Darbaar)
SHAB  SHAH  E  KI MUN  DEEDAM....
    .                              
A man of Kurdish background , an adminitrator who first served under  Persian safavid kings and later Mughals. A poet, scholar , spiritualist , engineer ,builder and a specialist in laying canals and water fountains ,  Ali Mardan khan was held in high esteem by Mughal king Shahjahaan. Shahjahaan sent him as Governor of kashmir where he witnessed a phenomenon that he wrote in a persian poem.He wrote he saw shiva in his dream. I quote some parts from this long poem that begins as:

" Huma Asle Maheshwar Bood
 Shab Shahe ki mun deedam..
Gazanfar Charam dar bar bood
Shab shahe ki mun deedam"

He was in fact Maheshwara (shiva)
whom i saw last night.
Nothing except a Lion's skin he wore,
That king i saw last night.

 I quote more



(1)

Ze  Basmash Jaam-e-bar-tan,
Zunar-ish mar-e-bar gardan,
Ravanish Gang-e-bar sar-bood,
Shab Shahe ke mun deedam.
.

Body smeared with ash,
A snake around his neck as his scared thread ,
And river Ganga flowing uninterrupted from his hair,
That king i saw last night..

(2)

Ajab Sanyaasi -e-deedam
"Namoh  Narayana "Guftam
E-Khaakay paaye bosidham
Shab Shah e ki mun deedam

A strange sanyasi my eyes saw,
 At that sight , i uttered "Namoh Narayan"
I kissed the dust at his feet ,
 That king i saw last night..

In literal meaning Namoh narayana means  salutations to Lord..swami jankananda writes"

" The mantra expresses that no matter where you come from, then I respect the path you have chosen. I greet you! I bid you welcome, as I would to god. "

(3)
Umaa  Az soy e -chupp-binger,
 Ze Sad Khursheed Tabaan-tar,
Savare Kulb-e-nar bood,
Shab Shahe ke Mun deedam.


On his left , i saw Uma or Parvati ,
His face radiated like  thousand suns

seated on Bull( Nandi) ,
That king I saw last night……

(4)

Nigahay bar manay Miskeen
Namood Az Chashm e Tabaan Tar
Makanash Laamkan tar bood
Shab Shah e ki mun deedam.


Upon a poor man like me,
He cast a glance  ,
His eyes were bright and radiating,
His abode, i saw in that infinite and uninhabited Land,
That king i saw last night.

(5)
Ba poseedam khuda Hasti
Kina hasti chira Masti,
Sarosham guft shankar Bood
Shab Shah e ki mun deedam.

I asked"Are you the lord,
If not , then what is  this
Carefreeness all about?"
From sky a voice said
" He is none other than Shankara"
That king i saw last night.


(6)


Se chash-mash bar jabeen khushtar
Ze mehr o Maah Roshantar,
Hilaalash Taaj bar sar bood
Shab shahe ki mun deedam..


With three eyes shining bright like the
Sun and the moon,
Beautiful looked his forehead.
On his head, he wore the crescent as his Crown,
That king i saw last night.

(7)

Manam Mard e Musalmaanam
Ali khanam Hami daanam
Khudaaya Banda parvar bood
Shab shah e ki mun deedam


I am a muslim by faith
Ali khan ( Ali Mardan Khan ) is my name,
Beyond that i know nothing.
The lord,  the benefactor of mankind had Come himself,
That king i saw last night..

POSTED BY             ; VIPUL KOUL 

EDITED BY              : ASHOK  KOUL