Iqbal Ahmad
In the ancient Sanskrit records of this land it was already forecast that this glorious valley of blue forests would become an abode for the meditating Bhikshus. The similar happened; the shaviet, Buddhist and Muslim saints found this silent and peaceful land suitable for meditations. These saints on their turns spread in its green forests in search for the divine-light.
Nund Reshi, the founder of Reshi movement meditated first in an underground cave at Gufabal-Qaimoh. Whether this cave existed earlier or was it specially made for the saint is not known. Nundreshi is said to be was twenty when he took refuge in this cave and spent twelve years inside the cave in search of the divine light. He also planted an elm tree near the cave. The tree and cave is still found at the site, people usually visit this site, during Urs days and would recite the lyrics of the saint.
He was born in south Kashmir; some say at Qaimoh while there are others who believe the saint was born at Khijogi pura in 779 A H which corresponds to 1377 A D. His birth was also a miracle. A tradition recorded in local Sufi literature states that their grew a bunch of Jasmine flowers at a spring in khee Jogi pura , which his mother Suder Muji smelt and when nine months were over , he was born. His father’s name was Shaikh Salar-ud-din his mother Sadra, was called Sadra Mojor Sadra Dedd. In Kashmir, Moj means ‘mother’ and Dedd denotes ‘elderly.
‘ Nundreshi was born as a learned soul and was never taught anywhere. He meditated at several places for quite a long period and then traveled to distant places of Kashmir. Within a short span of time thousands of people embraced his movement. This movement spread throughout the length and breadth of this land. He is credited with to have moulded the Kashmir society and culture. His Reshi sayings are very much popular among local Kashmiries and are called Shrukh. These songs are very much preserved in Rishi Nama and Noor Nama., the Sufi literary collections.
Locally known also by this pet name Nundreshi is credited with Kashmir Reshiyet, a local order of Kashmir Sufi philosophy. He was the first renowned mystic personality who gave the Reshi thought and cultivated this doctrineof mysticism and captivated the hearts of the people, called them to the true path of light and filled the hearts with the light of monotheism, faith and devotion. It would not be wrong to say that the Kashmirmysticism mostly revolved around teachings of this great saint. He lived in 14th century AD. He struggledhard for foundation and cultivation of Reshiyeet. He is regarded as the patron founder of this movement. He has given impressive doctrine of kashmir Reshyet and describes it in as follows
There is one God,
But with a hundred names,
There is not a single blade of grass.
Which does not worship Him
First I became certain that (here is no god but God,
Then I made myself (acquainted) with divine revelation,
First I forgot myself and yearned after God,
Then 1 reached la-makan
When I was able to recognize my own self
I was able to recognize,
Both loss and gain became identical to me
The distinction between life and death disappeared.
Since centuries have passed; when this 15 the century kashmiri philosopher lived, and the influences of his mysticism he cultivated and promoted among Kashmiries is still evident on the social and cultural fabric of its people. The Sufi centers and Khanqahs set by this grand saint and his disciples always showcase the hustle and bustle of its devotees, in fact whenever a Kashmiri feels pain and grief, he would wholeheartedly throng the Khanqahs and shrines and would share his pain with this beloved saint.
This mystic saint, his works, teachings and Sufi miracles which he performed in providing the healings tothe deprived kashmiries are mentioned in greater length in mystic and historic records of this land. But his philosophy and literature has almost remained unexplored as the forthcoming generations show no inclination towards their reshi doctrine and traditions. In fact, the new generations are almost unaware of his valuable compositions. The philosophy of life, understanding of God and his universe described in his lyrics are quite wonderful. The doctrine of tolerance which this 14th century philosopher has given is quite amazing, in one of his couplets he writes,
Chalun chhuie wuzmal te tratu
Chalun chhuie mundnin ghatkar
Chalun chhuie purbatus karun atay
Chalun chhie muz aathas huien nar
Chalun chhie paan kaduen gratay
Chalun chhie khiuen yekwata zaher khaar.
(Translation of this couplet, you have to bear the thunder and could burst, you have to bear darkest phenomena in the broad day light. You have to bear the weight of purbet hill rock, you have to bear fire in your hands, you have to bear to grind yourself in the grinder and you have to bear to take one quintal of poison in one go)
Interestingly in view of his faith and popularity, Nundreshi came to be known by the name of Sheikh Noor ud Noorani and was honoured as Alamdar, the flagholder. He has also posthumously appeared in the numismatic records of this land.
Archaeologists and numismatists have identified and deciphered several such gold, silver and copper coins which have been posthumously struck in the names of these two celebrated saints of Kashmir. These coins are very rare and pertain to the period of Durrani Dynasity which ruled this land during (1753-1891 AD). These couplet coins are believed to have been struck either by Attah Mohammad Khan a Durrani Governor or by his Master at Kabul Shah Shuja. These are coins, bear on the obverse a wonderful Persian couplet which reads ‘Sika shud Roshan Ze shaie Noor-u-din Reij Az Makhdoom Qutub-ul-Arifeen’ (which means that this coin has got enlightened with the rays of Noor-ud-Din but has been struck by Makhdoom titled as Qutub-ul-Arifeen.)
Numismatic records suggest that W R Rodgers, a British numismatist was the first to identify and decipher these posthumous issues during 20th century. He deciphered several such coins and recorded them in his monumental book ‘The Catalogue of Punjab Museum Lahore’; he has classified few of such coins with their illustrations.
Later several other numismatists worked on these coins and documented them in their numismatic literatures. Mohammad Yousuf Taing, the renowned scholar and cultural expert, has also described these coins in an issue of Kashmir encyclopedia published by Jammu and Kashmir academy of art, Culture and languages.
I have also in my book on numismatics, ‘Kashmir Coins’ and in my latest book, coins and currency of Jammu and Kashmir classified such silver coins and several of such coins are also preserved in the numismatic collection of the Srinagar Museum.
Although the Reshi traditions and doctrine is very much preserved in local and foreign records, but it has not been passed on to the new generations. The new generations are not familiar with these glorious traditions.
The philosophy, teachings and works put forth by these local Reshi saints particularly by this 14th century Kashmiri philosopher, no doubt are well preserved in Sufi literatures and historical accounts, but it needs to be imparted to new generations so that this 14th century Kashmiri philosopher is wellexplored and exposed to new generations.
