Yogiraj Swami Nand Lal Ji Maharaj
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.
YOGRAJ SWAMI NANDLAL JI
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. SRI
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.
Swami Kral Bab
Picture Courtesy:
Anjali Kaul, Austin
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.
Swami
Mast Bab
Courtesy: Anjali and Ravi
Raman Raina, Houston, Texas
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.
Swami Sidh Bab
Picture Courtesy:
Anjali Kaul, Austin
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.
JAWAHAR LAL BHAT
B-3, ASHIANA Apartments,
SECTOR-46, FARIDABAD, HARYANA
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