Swami Jivan Sahib, a great yogi lived during the middle of the 18th century in Kashmir. He was born in Motiyar, Rainawari ( in the close vicinity of our home in Srinagar, Kashmir). He lived all through there only, leading a highly spiritual life.
As a boy he studied in a local school. He was well-versed in Persian as it was the official language during those days in Kashmir. Against his willingness his parents got him married at an early age. Soon after this he renounced the world and confined himself to one room for the whole life. He asked for a wooden plank called 'takht' in Kashmiri. He sat on Kaagaasana ( posture of a crow) and remained absorbed in meditation like that for 60 years. This very plank stays there and is cherished as a sacred relic to this day.
His mother is said to have persuaded Jevan Sahib to look after his wife who was feeling forsaken. Yielding to his mother's wishes he asked to bring her to him. Sitting in front, Jeevan Sahib threw a full gaze at her just for a while and then asked her what more she would be desiring. Filled with effulgence the young lady in her ecstasy desired for a peaceful and secluded place for meditation!
Though Svami ji was against showing miracles but there are many anecdotes related with his life which touch upon his control on supernatural powers.
As one can see in his picture, it is said that in his presence all types of animals would stay in harmony while forgetting their instinctive hostilety to each other. This was due to the power of love emanating from the embodiment of love!!
Pandit Dila Ram who became the Dewan of Kashmir in 1783 CE during the time of Azad Khan, was a devotee of Svami Jevan Sahib. Once the Governor got displeased with Dewan Dila Ram and ordered him to ford the river Attock where death was certain for him due to the rapid flow of the river. Remembering his guru , Dewan Dila Ram chanted in Kashmiri:
थरि पोशवारि गयि द्राव देवान।
मोतियार बोड कुस जीवन मस्तान।।
अट्टिखनज़ि कोलि यलि तरान छुस तय।
पथ तय ब्रोंठ छुस नज़र दिवान।।
शेरस साहिब पअदऺ गछ़ान।
गरि गरि साहिबो सोरुम च्योन ध्यान।।
These verses convey that Dewan finding himself helpless tossed his head to and fro in the sea of pain ( the Attock), but who should be there to rescue him. No one but Sahib whom he finds sailing by his side (as appeared to him) stemming the ebb and flow of the tides and steering the boat of Dila Ram's life to the shore.
To their utter disgust and surprise, the men of the Governor found Dila Ram quite safe on the other side of the river. On hearing this news the Governor also came to know that Dila Ram had the blessings of the great faqir Jevan Sahib.
He dared not to touch him again.
In praise of Svami Jevan Sahib some poet is said to have composed a qasida in Persian which describes him having always been in a silent trance:
मस्त जामी मुरफ़त मस्ताना जीवन साहिब अस्त
"Drunk deep is Jevan Sahib with the wine of spirituality ''.
Today we celebrate Svami Jevan Sahib's Jag ( Yajna)
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