Nine Days of November
T N Dhar Kundan
It may be a coincidence but there are Nine important and eventful days in November for us. First and foremost is the Deepamala-the festival of lights. We are fond of light, we yearn for light, let us strive for light. I am reminded of a line from one of my own Hindi poems which when translated would read, "From whatever source it may come, in whatever quantity it may come, lights should always be welcome." Vedas also tell us to ask the Divine to lead us from darkness to light. "तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय"
This is followed by Mahavir Nirvan day Mahavir-an apostle of non-violence and compassion which is more relevant to us who have been hounded out by violence and hatred.
Then there is the double event on 14th-first the day to remember Mahtab Kak, the saint scholar of Shaiva Shastra, who taught the intricacies of this philosophy to many a disciple including the great Swami Laxman Joo Rajanak. Next it is the birthday of Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru-the soldier of pre- independence struggle and builder of post- independent India. We must not forget that he was human after all and so may have committed a mistake here and there. But nevertheless he was a human being par excellence Perhaps his greatest mistake was that he thought everybody else he dealt with in and out of India was as sincere and as honest as he was. That is why he was stabbed in the back by many of his "friends".
Then we have three other important savants to remember: Swami Mahadev Kak, Swami Atma Ram Ji and Swami Kashinath Ji of Hugam. Hundreds of devotees have derived spiritual enlightenment from these three Rishis who have perpetuated the Rishi-cult of Kashmir, that gives it the name 'Rishi Var' (The garden of Saints). Alas! this garden of Saints has become the abode of Satans!
On 19th November, 1996 falls the birthday of Smt. Indira Gandhi, the great daughter of our country who gave her life for the values which are the foundation of our policy. It is these values which are at stake in the Kashmir imbroglio. Those who think that Kashmir question is one of respecting the wishes of a section of the people living there or one of settlement between the two neighbouring countries are perhaps superficial in their outlook. Kashmir question is in effect a question of safeguarding our traditions, our culture, our values and the character of our nation, which means truth, tolerance, co-existence, mutual respect, peace and piety and wherein there is no room for violence, hatred, fundamentalism and intolerance.
The ninth event is the birthday of Satya Sai Baba whose message is Love and Service, care and compassion. Let us love the entire creation as it all is His manifestation; let us serve mankind; let us care for the suffering and let us have compassion for the downtrodden-let us do it today for tomorrow will be too late.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: T N Dhar Kundan Editor Koshur Samachar 1996 and November1996, Koshur Samachar