Muslim rulers and Sufi’s of India

There has been systemic attempt in free India to put various Muslim rulers of past from bad to not so bad mode. This brazen writing by some writers both Hindus and Muslims needs to be condemned. There are Muslim historians of those times who acknowledge atrocities and barbarities of these Muslim rulers. Yet we have brazen faced pseudo scholars in free India who downplay barbarities of these rulers, Aurangzeb and co. Most of the mosques in India have been built at Temple sites .Babri masjid mosque at Ayodhya, Kashivishwanath at Varanasi are glaring examples. These barbarians even used material from demolished temples to build mosques.

    Even founder of Pakistan, M A Jinnah said ,”Aurangzeb presided over a conquest state where Hindus had to submit to his rule most unwillingly”.

    Mythification of rulers like Aurangzeb is totally unwarranted. Aurangzeb was a bigot who tortured/killed Hindus. State religion and politics were inseparable in Muslim rule. Aurangzeb persecuted those who did not belong to his faith. He destroyed Hindu Temples, Executed saints like Guru Tejbahadur and imposed unpopular taxes on nonmuslims. According to Pew research 4.6 million were killed in his rule. Aurangzeb even changed names of places in India. This was done by some other Muslim rulers also. In 1669AD he issued an order to demolish all temples in India which included temples like Kashivishwanath in Varanasi, Somnath in Gujarat and KESHARAJ TEMPLE in Mathura. For two years Muslim barbarians tried to destroy Kailash temple but failed to do so. He cited Islamic precedents for Iconoclasm and believed it as his pious duty. Tons of Indian literature including Holy Scriptures were burnt in Muslim rule. It is quite unbelievable that in free India there are still people who object to removal of his name plate in streets. What a shame?

            Rise of Islam changed power dynamics of Western India. Mohd bin Qasim invades Sindh in 711AD. He decapitated all Brahmins above age of 17 years and enslaved children and women. In 1000AD Ghazani adds Punjab to his empire. Gori in 1200AD invades India, which later led to formation of Sultanate in Delhi [1206---1526AD].Sultanate was later conquered by Moghuls. In total Muslims ruled India for 682 long years from 1175AD—1857AD.Muslims brought with them Persian art and barbarity of Mongols. During Muslim rule India was reduced to penury, Slavery and total degradation. Islam was forced on people. Those who opposed were brutally killed.Jazia was imposed on Hindus and many other “FARMANS”Were issued time to time by rulers to suppress Hindus.

   As a society we should be ashamed to blindly believe that Sufi’s were proponents of humanity and tolerance. Shamsdin Araki [1480AD] , a saint personally supervised demolition of temple. His biographer Mohd Ali writes,”…..None had that honour of breaking temples as Araki for the sake of propagating Islam”. Read book on Kashmir Sufism by Y. Sikand who clearly states that notion, conversions occurred peacefully is erroneous. Sufi’s acted as crusaders of love and peace is not corroborated by historical events. The thesis Islam spread because of Sufi’s and Khanqah’s is absurd. Khanqah’s worked as places of teaching of Islam . Bribing people with free meal and brain washing them with slogan of equality was aim of Khanqah’s. Sufi’s claim that Islam was peaceful and taught brotherhood was total farce. Why did not these Sufi’s stop rulers from atrocities and murdering Hindus. Infact these Sufi’s worked in tandem with rulers to force and propagate Islam. Some of the Sufi edicts are as follows:--

1.                1 ..     Hindus  physically  bow to Muslims.

2. Hindus to dress deplorably, have distinct dress.

3. Hindu cannot ride horse and cannot use jewelry.

4.Turbans cannot be used by Hindus.

Sufi’s were telling people that it is tenant of Islam to convert nonmuslim to Muslim fold and told them persons converting people to Islam are  assured of  berth in Heavens. This sufi teaching is continuing even today. Many Sufi’s infact supervised demolition of temples and building of mosques at same site. Sufi Hamdani directed ruler Sikander to destroy temples in valley. Martand temple and temples at Awantipur were destroyed in Sikander’s time only. Kashmiri pundit[KP] were drowned in a pack of two  in Dal lake by Assad Khan and his successors. A locality near Dal lake is still called “Bata Mazar”[ KP grave yard]. Read Lawrence and Forster account on brutalities on KP’S. A women named Koshib , associate of Atta Mohd destroyed beauty of Kashmiri Hindu girls by shaving their head and cutting their nose.

     Thousands of Hindus still go to various Muslim shrines to pay respects little knowing that these holy men worked in tandem with Muslim rulers to force Islam in valley and supervised demolition of places of worship.All sufi's did not  agree with dictates of rulers but good number of them did.

     India gave refuge to Prophet’s family when they were fleeing their country, chief among those refugees was Caliph Ali’s daughter Ruqaya. They were given shelter by Lahore king, Raja Anandpal. Ironically   no one among Muslims shielded these Hindus when Muslims raided India. When there was khilafat moment Muslims instead killed Hindus. This is height of ingratitude of muslims towards Hindus.

     Today in our neighborhood Pakistan, boys are taught in schools that Hindus are enemies of Islam. Same teaching is in Madrassas of India. Why are our media and politicians silent on this serious issue? What have we Hindus done to harm Islam? Are we paying price for giving refuge to family of prophet in India? We Indians seriously need to address these issues for our safety and security.

Arrogance of Muslims in India has not ended even after partitioning India. Minimum they could do to pay gratitude to Hindus is to allow Hindus to construct temples at Ayodhya and Kashivishwanath. They could relocate their mosques. Relocation of mosques is done in Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia on trivial issues like widening of roads. Why cannot relocation of mosque be done in India?

     Will such sanity prevail in Indian Muslim?                    

Ancient India and Distorted history

                          Ancient India and Distorted history

Since the nineteenth century, India’s ancient history from Vedic times and true content of Veda , both have been distorted by narrow minded and indifferent scholarship. British rulers, European scholars and missionaries combined in a campaign to mock the roots of Indian civilization, used the groundless Aryan invasion theory to sow seeds of division in the Indian society—“Divide and rule”. It was also divide and convert. Whole Indian history by western scholars is based on imaginary Aryan invasion in 1500BC and ignore what happened before that. Linguists hypothesized that whole subcontinent was covered by Dravidians till Aryans invaded in 1500BC and displaced them to South.Infact ancient Indian history needs to be rewritten taking in to consideration ground realities. It is necessary to examine the birth of Aryan myth and misuses it had bred. West says India got inspiration from Greece while reverse is true.

There has been nonrecognition of antiquity of India in West due to bias and Eurocentric attitude. Findings of Mohanjo Daro and Harappa are vastly being ignored. Satellite images showing dried up Saraswati River [2000BC] is being sidelined. The theory of Aryan invasion into India from somewhere has been so often repeated by Western scholars that it has become an article of faith even with Indian scholars! Most of the literature of ancient India got lost with time and available one was destroyed by Muslims and British. Evidence is accumulating day by day that Aryans were Indian people, some of whom migrated to Iran and West. Indologists who invented invasion theory said Rigveda was compiled in 250BC. This date will be debated later in this write up. Pargitar believes oldest Puranas were written at the time of Vedic texts. Mythology is seen in every religion and is given due space in religious discussions but Purana writings are being widely ignored. A double standard! Prof Winternitz thinks Vedic literature begins before 2500BC—2000BC.

  Ancient India started as amalgam of Aryans, Dravidians and some aboriginal tribes. It is Plotinus who studied Upanishads and not vice versa as claimed by scholars. Greece started long after Vedic period. It is Vayu Purana which gives details about ancient India. Before Mohanjo Daro finds India history started with king Bimbisara [544BC-492BC] , time period of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira. It is only after 1924AD when Marshal announced discovery of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa that Indian history had a quantum jump to 3300BC. This civilization, known as Indus Valley civilization had already peaked [2600BC] when Sumerian [Mesopotamia] and Egypt civilizations had yet to start. Sticking to Aryan invasion in 1500BC means negating historical events of ancient India including epics which are backbone of Hindu culture. It also means down playing Vedic civilization and its literature which antedated so called invasion and even Indus civilization. After Mohanjo Daro finds these invasionists revised their time line. They said Aryans subdued local Dravidians in 1500BC and fought war [Mahabharata?] in 1400BC, shifted east wards, Vedic literature [Vedas ,Upanishads] were written between 250BC—500BC.These scholars are still stuck to theory that Vedic civilization followed Indus civilization when voluminous evidence points to Vedic civilization preceding Indus civilization. There is a systematic attempt by Western writers to discredit India’s past. They are even talking that Sanskrit came from outside to India. Yoga is being Christianized. That shows amount of malice they have towards India.

Ancient India as in text books:-

           Instead of having chapter/’s on this period of history one finds abridged version of this period in books.  Aim of scholars is to tell you that there is nothing significant in past of India. Ancient India to them begins with Indus Valley Civilization. Archeologists tell you this civilization began in 3300BC.They tell you that there was human inhabitation of India in prehistoric period. Scholars tell us India might have been inhabited between 500,000---200,000 years ago. Ancient archeological sites have been unearthed in Soan river valley. Bhimbetka settlements in Madhya Pradesh are 9000 year old. Traces of Neolithic culture at Khambat –7500 year old. Archeological finds at Bhirrana, Haryana is 7570 year old and MEHRGARH around 7500 year old. Then we are told about Indus Valley Civilization [IVC].

Indus Valley Civilization spread and flourished in Northwestern parts of Indian subcontinent from 3300BC-1300BC.This civilization was urbanized. Indus people were inventors of Flush toilets, Buttons and Ruler. They had efficient drainage system, harvested rain water, domesticated animals, worshipped gods. Artifacts like Swastika, Figurine of goddess, and man in yoga posture have been found at Indus site. Mastery of measuring length, mass and time are other hallmarks of this civilization. They built boats and had trade links with Sumeria.This civilization peaked by 2600BC. This Civilization was followed by Vedic period.

Vedic period is fixed by these scholars between 1500BC—500BC. It is during this period Vedic society developed ---“Sanskritization, formation of kingdoms and writing of Vedic literature”. This period also sees emergence of culture --now called Hinduism.

From above it is obvious that these scholars put Vedic age after IVC when there is voluminous evidence to contrary. This Aryan invasion theory has been used for political and religious advantage in a way that is perhaps unparalleled for any historical idea. Frawley tells us invasion theory is an example of European colonialism turned in to an historical model. Let us first bust this invasion theory.

 Aryan invasion—a Bluff

Aryans[ Nomads] coming in 1500BC , defeating a well settled civilization and within 100 years form a mighty civilization and fight Mahabharata war in 1400BC as suggested by invasionist scholars is preposterous. Points against invasion are:--

11. How could nomad Aryans defeat and dislodge well established civilization?

22. Presence of sacrificial alters and Yoga practices, a Vedic relic seen in IVC excavations.

33. Native Indians were familiar with horse before supposed invasion. Invasionists claim non-Indian origin of horse in India.

44. Word Arya denotes status and position and not race.

55.  Vedic religion never existed outside India and Sanskrit is native language of India.

66. Skeletons found at site [INDUS] do not suggest war or arrival of new race.

77.    Most of the flora, fauna, geography, climate mentioned in Rigveda points to India.

88.    River system, constellations mentioned in Rigveda suggest existence of Vedic culture long before supposed invasion.

   9. Rigveda mentions river Sarasvati River 50 times. Why would invaders talk about river which had dried up in 2000BC? Rigveda as we know now was compiled in 4000BC—6000BC.

110.   Excavations of IVC and ancient site of Dwarka point to continuity of ancient prehistoric culture rather than foreign culture.

111.   Battles mentioned in Rigveda were between various Aryan tribes and not Aryan v/s nonAryan people.

112.   There is no mention of Aryan home land in Vedas.

113.   How could Rigveda be written in 250BC as claimed by western scholars, When Buddha [563BC-483BC] denounced various Rig Vedic practices?

114.   Balarama travelled on banks of river Saraswati as per texts. Saraswati river had dried up by 2000BC. This means Balarama lived long before 2000BC.

    Above mentioned points clearly debunk Aryan invasion of INDIA

Sahoo etal----“Concept of people, Language, Agriculture arriving in India through Northwest corridor does not hold to scrutiny”.

   Vedic culture is indigenous to India

     Ancient Vedic literature have an enormous number of statements and materials present in it that

  Can be shown to agree with modern scientific findings. Techniques used to this agreement include Marine archeology, Satellite imagery of dried up Sarasvati river, carbon dating of artifacts found and Linguistic analysis of scripts.  Sarasvati River was life line of Vedic civilization. Mythical long lost river of Vedic age provides evidence not only to the time and life of Vedic age but to mythology itself. Historically India has been Aryavarta, land of Aryans. Sanskrit, language of Vedas originated in India. Various dynasties which ruled in ancient India are:--
 

1. Ishvaku Dynasty:---Ruled around 8000BC.They founded Solar dynasty in India. Its last ruler was king Sumitra who was defeated by Nanda in 400BC.

2. Lunar Dynasty:--Its first ruler was Yayati, ruled around 3500BC.

3. Brihadratha Dynasty:--ruled in 3067BC—2061BC.        Some writers say they ruled in 1700BC.

4. Pradyota Dynasty: ---Ruled 2061BC----1923BC.             Some date them 799BC.

5. Haryanka Dynasty:--Rule 684BC. King Bimbisara belonged to this dynasty.

6. Hastinapur and Kosala dynasties ruled between 2061BC---1923BC.

7. Pilny and ARRIAN, Greek historians have identified 154 kings between Lord Rama and Chandragupta.

Time frame of ancient India [author wise]:--

    Tilak---                 -Vedic civilization-----8000BC—4000BC.  Rigveda---6000BC.

   Chandler                 Indus civilization-----7500BC—6500BC.

    Frawley                  Early Vedic period-----6500BC—3100BC.   End of Vedic period----1900BC--                                                                                                                -1000BC.

  Bhatnagar                  Rama birth               ----5114BC AND WAR  5076BC.

  Jacobi                        Vedic civilization---------4500BC—2000BC.

  Prof Achar                 Mahabharata war-----    -3067BC. 

Sanderson Beck           Ramayana and Mahabharata----12000----10000years.

Saptrishi calender         Ramayana--------------------------9676BC.

BB LAL                        Mahabharata war----------------3711BC.

Pusalkar                        Mahabharata war------------------1400BC.

AGGARWAL               End of Rigveda period---------       -7000BC---4000BC, End Ramayana and

                                                                                                                                Mahabharata age
                                                                                                                                      3000BC.

Jayaram                        Beginning Vedic civilization-----       -6000BC----5000BC.

                                     Beginning of Brahmanical culture---4500BC---3500BC.

Winternitz                    Rigveda                                       -----4900BC.

                                                                                                                                             

It is obvious that dates have variations as different authors used different tools to arrive at conclusions. But one thing is certain they don’t dispute historicity of these events. Invasionists want you to ignore this part of ancient history to suit their vested interests. Dates clearly tell that India was blooming when West was still in sleep. Sumeria and Egypt often quoted as cradle of human civilization had yet to start their innings.

Conclusion

       Aryan invasion was intellectual creation of West who wanted to get rid of Jewish heritage of Christianity. Sanskrit is native to India and Vedas belong to India. It is saddening to see modern Indian scholars not coming up with realistic version of history. They continue on worn out paths and rely on Western masters. Indian historians should have really pondered on this idea, “Why Germans are looking to land and culture far away from their land”? This is a scholarship failure. We are still slaves to West even after independence. We seem to have developed inferiority complex after foreign rule of over 400 years. Indian scholars should wake up, read original Sanskrit texts instead of western translations. Then only can they rewrite India’s past history with all honesty. Rigveda is not history book but a book speaking about human mind. It does provide geographical data by mentioning various places and its narrative writes about kings. Puranas give traditional history. They also give list of dynasties who ruled along with tradition down to time of Mahabharata.

Mark Twain

      “India is cradle of the human race, birth place of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most constructive materials in history of man are treasured up in India only”.

  

   

 

           Kashmiri Pundits and their Rituals

Kashmir held esteemed position in ancient times , same as kashi/Varanasi held for rest of India. It was inhabited by Nagas, Peshachas and Yakshas , later joined by Aryans who came from outside valley. Kashmiri Pundits [KP] today are a segregated cluster of Saraswat brahmins. Kashmir being a mountainous belt, was nearly isolated place in past, developed culture of its own which aptly can be called K P Civilization. He made his own rituals ,rites and tirth sathans [places]. Kashmiri pundit even developed his own spiritual philosophy, now called Kashmir Shaivism. This Shaivism is different from Shaivism prevalent in rest of India.

Nagas had lot of rites and ceremonies which became foundation for Kashmir Shaivism.Nagas did not accept Aryan caste system. Naga religious practices continued for long along Vedic practices brought by Aryans. Naga religious practices in rudimentary form continue in KP society even today. There has been intermingling of religious beliefs of Buddhism and Hinduism in valley. Buddhism reached valley in 400BC in king Surendra’s reign. Buddhist, Naga and Vedic cultures flourished side by side in valley. In Kalhana’s time there was not much distinction between Buddhism and Shaivism in valley. Kashmir became centre of learning for Sanskrit scholars. This intermixing of NAGA, Buddhist and Vedic beliefs led to formation of distinct culture in valley---can be called Kashmiri pundit culture. Muslim rule [1339AD---1819AD] in valley destroyed millennia old culture in valley. Sufi Araki [1480AD] personally supervised destruction of temples in valley. Muslim rulers were ruthless, forced conversions, destroyed temples and forced abandonment of various rituals. They were even forced to dress deplorably, give ride on back to Muslim passerby and many other orders were issued to the detriment of self-esteem of KP . These events had telling effect on future and culture of KP.Kashmiri pundit was forced to devise means and methods for his survival and identity. Live and let live had been his motto of life. Kichdi Amavasya is an classical example of brotherhood and peaceful existence of KP with other communities. FOR preservation of his identity he developed various rites and rituals Many of those customs/traditions are no longer in use. Some customs have been modified with changed times and circumstances. Customs, rites, rituals which collectively can be called Sanskars not only preserved his identity but elevated him morally and spiritually. He created local replicas of Tirths . Gangbal [equal to Ganga] ,Prayaga [akin to Allahabad  Prayaga] ,Koti , to quote a few. He sanctified various places in valley to make them Tirth sthals [pilgrimage spots].

There was no caste system in KP society unlike rest of India, yet because of Ego and myopic vision two castes  got created inadvertently—“-BAHUR and Goar.”Bahuris were reconverted KP’S who were not accepted in fold by Brahmins of the day. A new class of purohits was created during Sultanate rule as no purohit was left in society to preside over religious rites. This new set of purohits were labelled,”Goars”, who were later disowned by society. This bizarre type of priesthood is unique to KP in valley. Rigid attitude of then Brahmins had telling effect on future of Kashmiri pundit. This has turned out to be root cause for his fall in valley. Before talking about his preserved sanskars a word about gotra. According to Bhagwat puran there were 14 prajapatis who have given us various tribes [Gotras] in this world. Mr Bamzee gives number of gotras as 133, who are descendants of rishis. Rishis in whose name gotras are there where Brahmins of highest order---Saraswat Brahmins. Among KP’S there are 124 gotras. 21 gotras belong to 21 rishis and rest 103 gotra are there due to inter marriage of descendants of 21 rishis families who belonged to different gotras.

                Now coming to sanaskars KP observes nearly 12 of them even today. It is sanaskars which keep society alive. Lot of rites done today have gone through changes. Pre-birth rituals like observing ceremony for fertilization ,secluding pregnant lady and ceremony for getting male offspring are no longer in vogue. Out of over dozen post birth sanaskars only six are observed today. These are briefly as under:--

Truy :-- It is a ceremony done on 3^rd day of delivery. Messenger sent to parents of girl informing them of safe delivery.  In olden times there was no mobile phone, nor there was any easy transport [no cars] system available to pass message faster.Ocassion today is celebrated by exchanging gifts.

               Shran –sonder:-- Still celebrated with lot of enthausim even today. There is bath for child and mother on this occasion followed by feast. This is done on 7^th .9^th or 11^th day of delivery.

               Kahnethar:----Most important post-delivery sanaskar. It was celebrated on 11^th post-delivery day, the day “hontch” is over. Now a days date is not strictly followed. In case it is not done on said date it needs to be done invariably before marriage, Yogneopavit or shadmos [death in family]. Ceremony is followed by Namkaran.

Functions like Masnether [one month post-delivery] , 40^th day bath” ‘Kan-chaumbun’  have lost  relevance as on today.

              Anaprevesh:--- This is done when baby is nearly  six month old. Khir [sweetened rice] is fed to baby. Ceremony attached with this function is no longer in vogue now.

              Zarkasay:--- This is done for male child only.  This is done when baby is three years old . Baby hair are shaved off and hair buried along with some walnuts etc at some pilgrimage site /Garden or courtyard. Ritualistic portion attached with this sanaskar done in much attenuated form now.

Rituals for Brahmcharya:-- There are two rituals connected with this----Vidhya Aram and Yogneopavit.       Vidhya aram is connected with introducing alphabets to child.

      Yogneopavit:-- This ritual is most important for KP boy. This ritual makes person, a Brahmin without which he cannot perform any ritual. One may/may not perform pre-birth and post birth rituals but Mekhala [YOGNEOPAVIT] is mandatory for KP boy. This ritual includes house cleaning ,sending invitations[ Dapun] ,Mehndi application , Devagon [god worship] ,Duribata[ in-law arrival and feast] and actual thread  ceremony followed by Koshal Hum[thanks giving]. Yogneopavit thread has three strings which denotes three obligations—“for Devas, pitras and elders including teachers”. Strings also denote Tridevas and three stages of human life.

Other significant rituals are for household and death rituals. In house hold rituals most important one is Vivah[ marriage].

          Vivah[marriage]:--

KP marriage ceremony is most elaborate function. It has many components which are as follows:--

1.       Tekni milvan:-    Horoscopes of boy and girl are matched for compatibility.

2.       WUCHUN:-Once horoscope compatibility assessed boy and girl are made to see each other so to have self-assessment of each other.

3.       Zatuk mangnavun:--Once boy and girl give consent, girl side asks for horoscope of boy and process of marriage ceremony begins.

4.       Betrothal ceremony:-Dates for engagement ceremony are fixed. On fixed date ring is exchanged between boy and girl. This is followed by big feast and exchange of gifts between boy and girl side. Gift given in Kashmiri parlance is called Gulumeuth.

5.       Marriage ceremony:--On an auspicious day fixed by Gurujee marriage is ceremonised. At groom side function of importance is Dastar bandi [to put turban] of groom followed by departure of barat. Dastarbandi is preceded by mahindirat and Devagon.At bride side after mehindrat and Devagon there is preparation for receiving barat. Barat is received with high pomp and show. Baratis settle for mega feast, groom and bride head for Darpuza. After this boy and girl head to place where marriage puja is completed by kulguru. Other salient features include Kanya dhan, Athwas, Dayi Bata [joint dining], posh puja. Once puja completed there are preparations for departure of barat.

       Other post marriage rituals are Satrat , Phirsal[ ist invitation to soninlaw],Navsheen , KADALTAR ,Phir lath ,Chai chawan ,Gar-achun ,Dod Dyun. They have lost their relevance in modern times. Rothkhabar is still in vogue, Shishur and Zag try ceremony now is purely symbolic.

Festivals of KP:--

Kashmiri pundit observes and celebrates all festivals which are observed in free India. But there are some festivals exclusive to KP, which will be outlined below:--

1.Navreh:-- This day celebrated on 1^st Chaitra as new year [Sapt rishi calender] has special significance for KP. On this day added attraction is “Thal Wuchun” in early morning. Thal besides rice contains packet of salt, a cup of curd, pen, walnuts , milk , portrait of mother goddess , some coins and Nechpatar[panchang of full year].

2.Zang-tray:-- 3^rd day of Chaitra month [zona pach]. On this day married women visit their parents and eat meals there. Same day they are to return to their homes with packet of salt[Zang]  and Atgat[ some nominal cash].

3. Ashtami:--Kashmir is a Shakti peeth. There are many Shakti sathals in valley. On Ashtmi KP is vegetarian, most ladies keep fast and there is puja for MATA. Out of all Ashtamis three need special mention—Zeth Ashtami, Ganga Ashtami, Til Ashtami. On zeth Ashtami there is a mela at Khir Bhawani, Tullmulla . This is birth day of mata khir Bhawani. KP’sfrom alover places throng to khir Bhawani for mata’s darshan on this day. Nag in which mata temple is there changes color now and then. Red or black colour is ominous sign.Ganga Ashtami is celebrated in month of Badhun. On this day ‘shrad’ to departed one’s is performed.Til Ashtami is celebrated in month of Phagun. On this day there is offering of lamps to departed souls. There is also saying that on this day rule of Peshachas ends and they recede to jungles. On this day old kangris are burnt--- a sign of end of harsh winter.

4.Month ASHAD[HAR]:-

Har satam----Harmundul laid in lawns, verandah, and courtyard. This is day of worship of Sun.

Har Atham--- Mother goddess worshipped at number of places like Pokhribal , Khir Bhawani , Devibal to name a few.

Har Navam--- On this day big function is at Hariparbat. Mata Sharika worshipped in the form of SRI Yantra’.There is a story Mata brought a pebble and put it over back of asura Jalodbhava. This pebble turned into a mountain [parbat] and crushed asura, hence the name Hari parbat.

Har –chodha----This function celebrated at Khrew for mata jwaladevi who resides here in mystical yantra. TAHR [YELLOW rice] with cooked Liver [Charvan]  is offered  to Mata.

5 .          .Chandan sheshti-----This is celebrated on 6^th of Bhadun month [Krishna pakh]. This is akin to Kadva chaoth observed in rest of India. On this day ladies keep fast for welfare of their husbands and family as a whole.Pecularity of this rite is that one has to take Chandan [sandal wood] bath on this day.

6.       Shravan Purnima:--- Added attraction for KP on this day is culmination of Amaranth yatra.

7.       Herath [Siva ratri]:-

            Out of all festivals/rituals Herath for KP is foremost. Celebrations last for 15 days [1^st phagun—Amavasya phagun] with different functions for different days. On 8^th day[Huri Ashtami] mata Ragnya worshipped at Pokhribal, sgr. On 11^th day there is preparation of feast, fish etc , day is called Gada kah .On 12^th day preparation for receiving deity [VAGUR]. On 13^th day vatak puja followed by SIVA puja. 14 th day celebrated as Salam---receiving friends/relations, exchanging gifts and giving Herath kharach [money gift]. Salam is a day of rejoicing and merry making. It is interesting to note whole of India celebrates Siva Ratri on this 14 th day.   15^TH DAY IS DAY FOR Vatuk Parmuzun [puja for sending off deity]. This is followed by distributing walnuts among friends and relations. This process continues till Tel Ashtami.

8.       Miscellany:---

                   Darbi mavas:-- in honour of manes in Badun month.

                    Veyth Truwah:--13^th Badhun [zona pach] , birth day of Vitasta river.

                   ANT  chodha   :-- in honour of Nagas. PILGRIMAGE HELD AT Nagbal on14th of Badhun [zona pach].

                    Gada bata:-----Offering to home in charge deity, done in posh month [tue/sat].

                    Mahakali Jayanti:--- 8^th posh [Krishna pach]  at fateh kadal ,sgr.

                    Khichdi Amavasya:--- Oblation to Yaksha [kubera] , posh Amavasya.

                   Shishar Sankranti:------ Kangri offered to departed souls.

                      Rang doy:--------------2^nd magh month [ zona pach],making Saraswati portraits of flowers and leaves.

                          Gor- Tray:-- Magh 3[zona pach] , day dedicated to mata Sarswati.

                       Kaw Purnima:---- Magh Purnima dedicated to birds [crows].

                     Shiv Chaturdashi:--- Magh 13 [Krishna pach] ,meeting of Lord Siva and mata Parvati.

There are  some rites already lost. Some of them are:-- Sonth [on set of spring] ,Harpunim at Harishwar , shrad for ancestors at Shopian , , Goddess Laxmi puja  in shravan month[11 gata pach] , Navreh Mavasya at Vichar nag etc.

      Kashmir has been land of Rishis, aptly called’ Rishi Vaer’. KP would celebrate birth or death of some these departed great souls with all shrada. Out of scores of swami’s ,only a few are listed below. Reader can have full list of these  swami’s from panchang.List is as follows:--

Laleshwari Jayanti-------- Chaitra Amavasya.

Sed bab---------------------jeth ,Shukla pach 9.

KALANDER------------------------Chaitra Purnima.

Rishipir-----------------------------vaishak ,Krishna pach 6.

Naranju--------------------------------vaishak,Krishna pach 10.

Laxman joo birth day-------------vaishak ,Krishna pach 12.

Jeshta devi Jayanti--------------------jeth ,Krishna pach 5.

Swami Gopi nath----------------------jeth ,Shukla pach 2

Rop bhavani Jayanti------------------- jeth Purnima.

Gopi nath Jayanti---------------------Har , shakula pach12.

Janki nath dhar-------------------------shravan ,Shukla pach 9.

Laxman joo yag--------------------------ASUJ ,KRISHNA PACH 4.

Mast bab Jayanti------------------------Marg ,Shukla pach 8.

Sri bhat Jayanti-------------------------- Chaitra Amavasya.

  CONCLUSION;--

     We KPS are on verge of extinction. Need of hour should be to preserve our identity. We should regenerate/rejuvenate our rituals and customs. Our goal should be to organize under one banner and have three point strategy:--

1.       Force central Government to declare us internally displaced persons.

2.       Force central Government/ state Government to give us minority status. Right now Kashmiri Muslim despite being in majority is getting benefits of minority status.

3.       We should revive our lost customs/rituals and preserve at all costs what is left over.

                    HINDUISM V/S BUDDHISM

There are philosophers/scholars in this world who say religious ideas, God idea have their origins in fear. Belief in God was necessary in order to explain origins of this universe for religious pundits.

     Bertrand Russell----“There is no reason to suppose that world had a beginning at all. The idea that

                                             Things must have a beginning is really due to poverty of our thoughts”.

Giving explanations for creation is not job of religion, showing correct path should be motto of any religion. In the eyes of Buddha, world is nothing but Samsara---“Cycle of births and deaths”.To Him gaining knowledge of origins of this universe is waste of time. There are three schools of thought on origins of this universe:-

1.                   .    World created by God.

2.                        World came in to existence by nature and that nature is not intelligent force.

3.                        Scientific version:- Big bang theory. No need of God in this theory

Classical Buddhism says this world is begin less and endless. It tends to be silent on ultimate reality. Buddhism today is diverse, has two broad categories--- Theravada and Mahayana.

Theravada school is monastic, reserves enlightenment [nirvana] for monks only.

Mahayana school believes in Nirvana for all.

Buddhists believe that Buddha shows the way unlike Christ who said He is the way. Sin for Buddhist is ignorance but for Christian sin is moral error. Nirvana is highest state of being, a state of pure being. Buddhism does not believe in individual souls unlike other religions. For Buddhist individual self is an illusion. There is no systematic argument given in Buddhism to disapprove the existence of God. It tells us attachment, actions in past lives are responsible for our sorrow [Dukh]. It says this universe had not beginning and needs no creator. This universe is a cycle of death and births and as such no need to explain everything. Beings come into existence from nowhere, due to aggregation of things and elements. They happen to fall in place and form universe. No one creates them. Once in existence, desire takes place which makes them to do Karma. Karma leads to delusion and cycle of rebirths. It is just state of beingness which goes through birth cycles. Nirvana to Buddhist means reaching a state of non beingness à nonexistence à to Emptiness [[shunya]. Nirvana is highest state of being, a state of pure being in emptiness [shunya.] Nirvana also means a place of peace and happiness. It also means extinguishing of fires of greed, hatred and delusion. Mind becomes free, radiant and at death is no longer subject to rebirth. In a way Buddhism is middle path between extreme asceticism and overindulgence. Buddhism sees ultimate reality as nothingness unlike Vedas who see ultimate reality as Brahman. For Buddhist there are four truths:--

                           1.To live is to suffer.

                           2. Suffering is caused by attachment [desire]

                           3. Detachment can lessen suffering.

                          4. Detachment can be done by noble 8 fold path – Right, “ view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, meditation and concentration.”

In Mahayana tradition, highest goal is Buddhahood, in which there is no abiding Nirvana. Buddha continues to take rebirth for welfare of people. One interpretation says luminous Consciousness is identical with Nirvana. In some texts Nirvana is described as purified, nondualist superior mind. Buddhists abandoned the concept of Brahman of Vedas and coined word Nirvana whose scope changed with time. Precanonical Buddhism is close to brahmanical beliefs. Nirvana is a physical place and outer most realm of cosmos in precanonical Buddhism. Once in this place, one cannot slip back. There are many contradictory ideas in different schools of Buddhism. Nagarjuna tried to harmonize them in his write ups with some success. While it discarded samhitas and Brahmana portion of Vedas which is full of rites and rituals, it took some ideas from Upanishads. Buddha himself acknowledged wisdom of Upanishads. Buddha teachings have lot of bearings of Samkhya philosophy. Samkhya philosophy was given by Kapil muni who lived 200 years before Buddha. Infact Kapilvastu is named after Kapil muni.It identifies 23 constituents for making of this universe. These constituents are 5 sense organs, 5 organs of action, 5 elements, 5 senses, Mahat, Ego and Mind. It believes in two realities---Purusha and Prakriti. Purusha is transcendental and is not produced nor produces. It is Prakriti which produces. Prakriti is influenced by Purusha and there are many Purushas. Like Buddhism it does not believe in one God.

In Hindu context Nirvana means, a state of eternal bliss. Hindus do talk of beingness and nonbeingness but interpretation is totally different. They view it as dualities of one eternal principle called Brahman. So for Hindu Nirvana means return to state of pure existence. Vedic civilization evolved over a period of time, did not come in one go unlike other religions. Vedas constitute sublime knowledge revealed to rishi’s while doing penance. They acquired verbal form very late. They are timeless in the sense that they are beyond the confines of time. They reflect all aspects of Existence.

        Louis Jacolliot, French scholar said, “Hindu revelation [Vedas] is of all revelations the only

                                                    Whose ideas are in harmony with modern science.”

      Carl Sagan, Astrophysicist commented,” The Hindu religion is the only one of the great

                                 Faiths, dedicated to the idea that cosmos itself under goes an immense indeed

                                , an infinite number of deaths and births. It is only religion in which time                                           scales  Correspond to those of modern cosmology.”

Vedas throw light on Creation, Atman and all other related issues of spiritualism. They are laconic in form and hardly intelligible without interpretation. No dogma is allowed to come in way. Upanishads which are concluding part of Vedas contain nothing but Gyan. Main message of Upanishads is to get awareness of Atman, which can be got by meditation. It states Atman is real, immortal and is veiled by Karma. By knowledge one can transcend this physical world and death. By attaining knowledge of Brahman man gets liberated from life and death cycle. While Buddhists acknowledge meditation as a means to get rid of death/ birth cycle, it does not accept existence of individual Soul. Both religions acknowledge austerity and meditation as methods of spiritual enhancement.

It is obvious that both Upanishadic teachings and Buddha teachings are spiritual and other worldly. They did not improve lot of common man but shed light on unknown. For both world of senses and intellect is merely a world of names and forms having no reality. Hindus believe universe is projection on ultimate reality, Brahman, which is cause of this universe but for Buddhist whole universe ends in nothingness [shunya].

         Another point which needs clarification ,is vegetarianism v/s nonvegetarianism. In Buddhism views on vegetarianism vary. According to Theravada school, the Buddha allowed his monks to eat meat, while on contrary Mahayana school believe in vegetarianism. In Pali canon, Buddha once explicitly refused suggestion by Devadatta to institute strict vegetarianism in monks. Vajrayana sect both drink alcohol and eat meat. In china, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan Buddhists abstain from meat but in Japan meat is taken especially of birds and fish. Even in Tibet, Dalai Lamas place meat is taken. It is in Jainism vegetarianism is mandatory. Around 30% Hindus are vegetarian [vaishnavite nearly 100%].  Similarities/ dissimilarities in brief between Hinduism and Buddhism are as under:-
-

    1. Both believe in endless cycles of birth and death. Both seek release from this cycle.

2.  2 .For Buddhists there is no soul but a collection of feelings, perceptions and senses and with other intangibles that made up all living. But HINDU believes in individual soul which gets veiled by karma and there is an eternal soul also [Brahman]
3.   3. Goal----- For Buddhist Nirvana—To escape rebirth and rest in peace in Shunya.But for   Hindu Nirvana is Moksha. Not only relief from birth cycle but to get eternal bliss, merger in Brahman.

4.   4. Both religions acknowledge Karma, Maya and Samsara [cycle of reincarnation].

5.   5. God----While Hindus believe in cosmic soul—Brahman, cause for this universe, Buddhists are silent on ultimate reality. For Buddhist ultimate resting place of this universe is Shunya.

6.   6. Meditation----Both believe meditation is way to salvation.

7.   7. Hindus go to temple for prayers and use idols as means for concentration of mind. Buddhist goes to monastery for meditation. They keep sculpture of Buddha there for Marg darshan.
.

Conclusion:-

Buddhism in its origins at least, is an offshoot of Hinduism. Buddha was brought up in a Hindu family. His teachings have lot common with Hinduism. He remained silent on God, discounted existence of Souls. He said, it is our destiny to shuttle between unrealistic and realistic world till the state of enlightenment is reached. For a Buddhist this enlightenment is Nirvana---a state of nonbeingness, an emptiness [shunya].

For a Hindu Nirvana means Moksha from cycle of rebirth and eventual union of individual soul with cosmic soul-Brahman. It is wrong to say Buddha denounced Vedas. What he denounced is Samhita and Brahmana portions of Vedas which contain mantras for rituals and rites. He himself said, “Vedas were spoken truthfully by sages”.in fact his teachings have lot of similarities with Advaita philosophy. Buddhism itself has various schools with diverse views. It has components of Atheism, Pantheism and Theism. Though there is denial/silence on God, yet goal is to get rid of birth/death cycle, an important pillar of Hindu philosophy. Buddhist sees ultimate reality as nothingness but Hindu sees ultimate reality as pure consciousness---Brahman.

    Science though not believing in Creator acknowledges from nothing something cannot come out. It is against all physical laws. That is why science now is talking of some intelligence behind this creation. Religions invented Creator concept and advocated rules for living good and purposeful life. Buddhism negates God concept and advocates Nirvana for purposeful life. A question comes to our mind, if we are here by accident and not by design,  there is no creator , no individual souls what is the role of Nirvana and prayer? Yes, if we are here by design and there is creator prayers and meditation make sense. Buddhist teachings are mainly other worldly and unrealistic in day to day life of man. This is the main reason for decline of Buddhism around globe. Rites and rituals condemned by Buddhists are necessary to keep culture/society alive. It is Puranas which have kept religion of antiquity [Hinduism] alive till today and will continue to do so in future also. Puranas preserved the nectar of Upanishadic wisdom which would otherwise would have been lost to posterity.

Partition and Kashmiri Pundit

                         Partition and Kashmiri Pundit

Partition not only was catastrophe in Indian subcontinent but it signaled doomsday for Kashmiri Pundit. To decipher this doomsday one has got to know about events that led to Partition. In 1945 elections  of India,  held for electing members of central legislative assembly and council of  state , Indian national congress[INC] got 59 seats out of 102 and Muslim league [ML] got 30/102. Muslim league won only in Muslim dominant areas. These results not only consolidated Muslim vote but also gave Muslim League bargaining power which later paved way for partition.

In elections of 1946 out of total 1585 seats, INC got 923 and ML got 425. Results of 1946 put Muslim League in power in Sindh [27seats, INC only18] and Bengal [113 seats, INC ONLY 86]. In Punjab ML got 73 seats and INC 51 .INC with help of unionists and Alkalis formed Coalition in Punjab which was short-lived, eventually led to bifurcation of Punjab. It is interesting to note here communists did not fare well in elections. Communists even did not support QUIT India movement of 1942. Muslim League not only enlisted support of PIR’S [ RELIGIOUS HEADS] in these elections but also took support of HOLY Quran at election rallies. In this they were supported by British and surprisingly INC did not oppose ML tactics.

A separate electorate was formed for Muslims. There was 33% reservation kept for Muslims. These moves of British govt were not opposed by congress. This shows how much congress leadership lacked political wisdom. Muslims could fight elections in general category also despite reservation. This shows how much malice was there for nonmuslims in preindependent India. Muslim league even passed Pakistan resolution in March 1940, unopposed by INC. In reality 1945 elections were held whether to remain with India or not. Not a single Muslim majority state decided to stay with India. That shows mind set of Muslims of India. Why did congress agree for separate electorate and reservation in name of religion is mind boggling? This attitude of congress continues even today ably supported by intellectuals and pseudo secularists.

Partition was not done due to greed of Nehru and Jinnah but due to incompatibilities of Islamic beliefs with nonislamic culture [Hinduism]. Jinnah was never imprisoned but Sarvarkar was sent to Kalapani. Punjabi Muslim was busy making deals with British. Muslims supported Jinnah’s direct action plan and rioted against Hindus everywhere they could afford to. M. Azad [congress president, minister later] protected Muslim rights, never spoke for Hindus in Muslim areas. He even talked of reestablishing Khilafat in Turkey. This speaks volumes of mind set of Indian Muslims .1965 war was to capture part of India, to complete task of islamization.

Fate of Hindus in Kashmir, Bangla Desh and in Pakistan should be seen as single design instead of three separate issues. Exodus of KP’S in 1990 from valley is culmination of process started in 1947. Cry of Kashmiri Muslim for separate state is nothing but continued Muslim agenda which was started way back in 1945. Kashmiri Muslim has been treated as VIP citizen of India, given special status and there is article 370 to protect his vested interests. Despite all this there is cry for Azadi. Are they oppressed /suppressed? Answer is blunt NO. So their call for Azadi is nothing but for fulfilment of Islamic agenda---“islamization of subcontinent”. No wonder then that all separatist groups and even political parties of valley oppose KP’S return. In this endeavor they are also helped by free press and pseudo secularists.

Free press of India along with pseudo secularists want us to believe that Kashmiri Muslim is an aggrieved party and needs to be listened while truth of matter is Kashmiri Muslim wants to secede from India. This is despite the various privileges he has been offered in free India. Kashmiri Muslim boys study in various universities of country under various schemes, getting scholarships. For these seats rest of the country boys have to sit in for competitive exam but not Kashmiri boys. Kashmiri Muslim enjoys benefits of minority status in state despite being in majority. Total distortion of minority commission goals. In fact KP should have got minority benefits in valley, just constituting less than 1% of population. This is how free India works---“Cry more, Get more”. This case of Kashmiri Muslim taking minority benefits is right now pending in Supreme Court of India.

Conclusion

Muslims who stayed back in India did so for their own compulsions not for love of India. They never voted for INC in elections. Muslims of subcontinent believe in:-“ Haste Liya Pakistan ,Ladke LYGE Hindustan”. With that mind set central govt talk of KP return to valley is pure rhetoric. KP return to valley is just a dream. Muslims of subcontinent have not integrated with nonmuslims in last over thousand years. This is a fact even acknowledged by Muslim writers of Pakistan. When ethnic cleansing was happening in valley, no body including political parties, free press and so called intellectuals came forward to rescue of KP. Instead blame started. Perpetuators of crime against KP’S move freely, some have even govt security. This is the state of India where a commoner is ignored and muscle man is protected. Nehru tried his best to change mind set of Indian Muslims but failed miserably.  Just to please he banned RSS who were fighting for united India. Muslim league and other Muslim outfits responsible for riots instead being punished were rewarded.

                Central govt stand, no talks, development only is not solution to Kashmir problem. Kashmir problem is not economical problem but political cum religious. If centre wanted to save Kashmir and KP it should have put brakes to migration in 1990? Centre has to evolve a strategic policy visavis Kashmir---“A policy how to save Kashmir and rest of India from onslaught of Islamization”. Forget about return of KP to valley for the time being.

Challenge to Centre:--“Rebuild all destroyed temples in valley and ensure peace, we will return to valley without your rehab. Package.”

References:-

Pakistan or the Partition of India by BR Ambedkar.

Opinion poll of Kashmiri Muslim conducted in 1995.

Sardar Patel’s and Maulana AZAD’S views on Nehru and partition.