Remembering Pandit Prem Nath Shastri: J&K's Revered Saint-Scholar

                        (Image Source: Internet) 

Prem Nath Shastri Ji: Visionary Reformer and Pillar of the Kashmiri Pandit Community: 

Prem Nath Shastri, commonly known as Shastri Ji never requires any sort of introduction as he has done extensive amounts of work for the KP community at large. He was short in stature, a positive person who was obviously very talented and skilled in many different areas, and had a very friendly and open face. Shastri Ji was born into a family that has been highly influential in the astrological field and he has made a significant difference in how people view Kashmiri Pandits and how they embrace a more practical approach to life and the rules associated with this way of living. Shastri Ji started out with little, but through hard work and his dedication to helping others, he developed a solid position among the many other great men in society today and has rightfully been labelled as the "Grandfather" of the Kashmiri Way of Life. He was a visionary who dedicated his entire life to helping others; he was a true believer in God and was highly respected within the Kashmiri Community. As he continues to do, Shastri Ji has dedicated his life to serving others by going against the norm by breaking down the barriers created by the social norms of his time, such as the cast system, religious prejudices, and superstition. Shastri Ji came from a long line of people in the religious field, and the contributions of his ancestors to the Kashmiri Community can never be forgotten, nor will they ever become extinct. After the death of his father, Shastri Ji took it upon himself to continue the work that was left undone by his ancestors and to complete it to provide for future generations.

Astrological Genius and Prophet: Shastri Ji’s Accurate Predictions and Social Vision

He was able to predict the future accurately and possessed a mind that was quicker than the wind. One of the examples of the correctness of his forecasting capabilities was when Shastri Jee correctly foretold a major upheaval in the administration of Jammu and Kashmir State, an event that occurred in 1953. Shastri Jee firmly believed that all Kashmiri Pandits should remain united and celebrate all their respective festivals on the same date. Even though he faced a great deal of criticism for this belief, he remained steadfast, and did not waver. Because of his dedication to the service of his community, he has received many prestigious awards and honors, including the Shardasuman award, for his contributions to the field of religious literature. Shastri Jee has stressed the need to provide Hindu parents with both religious education and moral instruction for their children, in conjunction with their formal education. Shastri Jee believed that the next generation should be educated in the principles of Sanatan Dharma, and has opposed the erosion of Hindu culture through westernization. Consequently, this renown religious scholar consistently emphasized the importance of following Bharti-Sanskriti's footsteps throughout his life to the degree that he rejected handshakes as a manifestation of servitude and instead advocated a centuries' old form of greeting, the hand-folded Namaskara. Shastri Jee was an exemplary patriot whose beliefs encouraged support for the development of the Kashmiri Language and encouraged parents to raise their children speaking the Kashmiri Language and avoid using English Names. He was also a social reformer who worked for the social change of Kashmiri Hindus Uniting. Shastri Jee did not care about showy demonstrations of wealth such as the extravagant displays of wealth during weddings. Shastri Jee was a very charitable person.

Literary Contributions and Everlasting Legacy of Prem Nath Shastri Ji:

Shastri Jee was a proponent of vegetarianism and encouraged all people to not eat meat. Pandit Jee was very saddened by the chaotic lifestyle that the KPs were living in the midst of violence. To help relieve their suffering, Pandit Jee organized and led many religious congregations where he gave sermons and religious teachings that offered comfort and peace. In addition, along with other Hindus, KPs have experienced a resurgence of religious zeal and devotion because of Shastri Jee's teachings and actions. Shastri Jee's kindness enabled many KPs to listen to his melodious tapes at their homes and receive the benefit of his hard-earned efforts. Shastri Jee also wrote many books. His translations of the Holy Geeta Jee into Urdu and Lal-Wakh are notable. He also edited and compiled Renveshvar Panchang, which was a long-standing demand of many Jammuites.

There isn't a facet of any activity that this legendary large man has considered in addition to documenting the fundamental structure of ceremonial practices for every part of life (from birth to death). Shastri Jee was very careful when communicating through written expression. His manner was full of charm and artistry; his audience would become entranced by his cleverness and sharp sense of humour. If Shastri Jee thought that he was being praised too much and he disagreed with the level of praise being offered to him, he would give his audience a playful laugh as a way of requesting that they stop.

(Writer: Vivek Koul, owner of this blogger site)