Roots and Reflections - Exploring Ideas, Experiences and Wisdom

Maharaja Pratap Singh ruled the state of Jammu and Kashmir and belonged to the prominent Jamwal Rajput clan. Krishna Joo Razdan came from a very modest family in a small community of Kashmir, and grew up as a Kashmiri Brahmin. They were united only by their birth year of 1850, although Pratap Singh was born in Reasi and Razdan was born in Vanpoh. One of the points that connect them is that for both of them, 1948 is seen by some people as their "true birth." One was a wise and benevolent king who had a strong commitment to social reform and economic development in his state; the other was an ordinary villager whose poetry demonstrated his great intelligence and spirituality. The manner in which these two men were brought together in close collaboration and became instant admirers of each other can only be attributed to fortune. Krishna Joo Razdan, an eminent saint-poet hailing from Kashmir, entered into matrimony with the distinguished Kaul lineage of Vessu. Vessu is a hamlet ...

                        (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 a...

Kashmir has produced a galaxy of sufi poets, iconic mystics and spiritual saints, who were very affectionate towards the society and  rendered a meritorious service to the Kashmiri language and literature. Kashmiri sufi poets voiced for brotherhood, peace and prosperity. One of such great sufi poet was Samad Mir. Sammad Mir was born at Narwara Srinagar in the year 1894 and he died in the year 1959.  Samad Mir is viewed as one of the most distinguished poets in Kashmir, and his poetry continues to resonate with the cultural and spiritual lineage of the valley. Born into poverty, he achieved public embrace and recognition through his connection to the masses and his command of traditional forms of Kashmiri poetry. His poetry combined themes of mysticism, folklore and human values, reflecting both the beauty of Kashmir's landscape and the suffering of its people. His philosophical and spiritual poetry continues to be celebrated for lyrical richness and depth, and he remains an in...

                          Photo Source: Internet  In an era where technology is advancing at unprecedented pace and materialism is growing increasingly prevalent, there is a hunger for voices that speak to the soul - voices that are transmitting ageless wisdom, but expressed in our contemporary language. Among such voices is Premanand Ji Maharaj who is emerging as a venerated saint, and spiritual guru; and who resonates with millions of people in India, and around the world. His teachings, which literature on Bhakti Yoga and the path of divine love, naturally resonate with seekers from all backgrounds, marking him as one of the significant spiritual figures of modernity. Born in a small Indian village, Premanand Ji Maharaj has been spiritual in nature from a young age. In fact, as a child, he had greater interest in devotional songs, stories of saints, and temple activities than on worldly distractions. Unlike several...

                                             I pay my homage and tribute to Sarvanand Koul Premi on his 35th death anniversary on 1st May 2025 (Thursday) and I am short of words to describe him and his contribution to secularism, pluralism, progressivism, social reform, Hindu-Muslim unity, mutual brotherhood and what not? Premi’s was a multifaceted personality and it cannot be penned down in a small space in paper. Sarwanand Koul Premi, Son of Gopi Nath Koul–the first matriculate in his village and Omarvati Koul, was born in a farming family of Anantnag district in the year 1924. Premi was a renowned freedom fighter, a philanthropist, literateur and what not? Premi had good knowledge and proficiency in Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, Sanskrit, Persian, English etc and wrote with ease in all these languages. Sarvanand was a great teacher, educationist, poet, reformer, doyen of Hindu-...

                      Today marks Magh Shukla Paksha Dashmi, the Janam Jayanti of Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj. Kashmir, known as the land of saints, is home to Mata Kheer Bhawani Tikker in Kupwara, a hub for numerous saints who dedicated their lives to Sadhana and attained Moksha. Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj was a revered saint who was born in 1906 on this auspicious day. It is said that Swami ji was a disciple of Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj and a devoted follower of Maa RAGINYA Baghwati. The early life of Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj was closely linked with that of Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj because they were both classmates as well as neighbors in Gurgari Mohalla, Srinagar. However, their paths took different directions when Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj left school to pursue a life of Sainthood, while Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj experienced his spiritual awakening later, after completing his education and becoming a civil engineer during Maharaja Ha...

According to the ‘Neelmat-Purana’, the Kashmir valley, referred to as ‘Sharda Bhoomi’, represents ‘Poorn-Prakriti’ (whole Nature). This valley has been the birthplace of countless saints throughout history, including the notable Mirza Pandit, who emerged on the surface of ‘Sharda Bhoomi’ on the 1st lunar day of the month of ‘Posh’ in 1801 Bikrami, which corresponds to the year 1744 A.D. Born a Brahmin, Mirza Pandit was a follower of ‘Sanatan Dharma’. The term ‘Sanatan’ signifies ‘Anadi’ (without beginning) and ‘Anantha’ (endless), representing that which is eternal and everlasting. ‘Dharma’, as defined by the ‘Vedas’, refers to the principles of reality that are intrinsic to the nature and design of the universe. ‘Sanatan Dharma’ employs ‘yoga’ as a means to achieve ‘Moksha’ (Salvation). The Vedanta philosophy posits that appearances are illusory and that the only true reality is what lies beyond these illusions, known as ‘Brahman’. The existence of these illusions is attributed to ‘Ma...

Swami Mast Bab: A Great Spiritual Saint From Kashmir  Swami Mast Bab (also known as Mast Baba) was a highly respected Kashmiri saint and mystic, celebrated for his profound spiritual insights and unwavering devotion to God. He was a beloved figure in Kashmir, transcending religious divides and attracting followers from various faiths. Swami Mast Bab's life exemplified simplicity, humility, and a detachment from material desires. He devoted himself fully to spiritual practices and selfless service, highlighting the unity of all beings and the oneness of God. His teachings embodied the rich spiritual legacy of Kashmir, incorporating elements of Shaivism, Sufism, and universal love. Swami Mast Ram Jee was born in 1931 in Budlada, Punjab, into a prosperous peasant family. His birth name was Sohan Lal. From a young age, Swami Jee was deeply contemplative about life and its worldly matters, often dedicating his time to chanting the name of the Lord. It seems that a sense of spirituality ...

Nand Bab 'Mastana':- The Mystic, divine and Spiritual Saint of Kashmir  Kashmir is often referred to as "the land of saints" due to its rich history of Sufi mystics and prominent religious figures, particularly within the Muslim community, who have deeply influenced the region's culture and spirituality;  many people consider it the "Abode of Rishis" (Reshi Waer) because of this concentration of Sufi saints. One such mystic and spiritual saint is Nand Bab Mastana. In spoken language ‘Nand’ is an abbreviation of the name Nandlal and ‘Bab’ means father or an elderly person. Every word that he uttered carried deep meaning and was of great consequence for all those who sought his blessings. Needless to say, the name of Swami Nand Bab stands out in the tradition of such mystics who are known for their godliness, spiritual power,prophecies, foresight, piety and holiness.  Nand Bab, better known by the name of Nand-Mot i.e., Nand Mastana or Nand Malang by the K...

Bhagwan Gopinath Ji:-  The Saint of extraordinary spiritual stature In this great churning of forms and formlessness, light shines forth at some places on the earth, perhaps for thousands of years in one place only. The concentration of such sites is probably more in Kashmir than at any other part of the world. That is why Buddha is reported to have said: "Kashmir is the best place for meditation and for leading a religious life. This is perhaps why Kashmir became the abode of two great religions, Mahayana Buddhism and Saivism. Furthermore, through its long religious and cultural history, Kashmir has given birth to many thinkers and philosophers, sages and saints whose contribution to spirituality has been immense. In recent times, however, Bhagwan Gopinath Ji has universally been recognised as a saint of extraordinary spiritual stature.  Let me commence this write up with the important quote of the great saint Bhagwan Gopinath Ji which reads as—Syazar, Pazar, Shvazar that is ...