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Jhulelal-Bera-Hee-Paar: The Story of Jhulelal, Patron Saint of the Sindhis

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:57:34 +0000

Disclaimer: The authors bear no responsibility for any offensive material. Although few descriptions have been exaggerated, the content and dialogue has been researched from various reliable sources.

Suppose you are at a party with your non-Sindhi friends in Brazil, London, Bangalore, or New York and your very-Sindhi parents call at the stroke of midnight to wish you a happy Cheti Chand (Sindhi New Year)? Your friends would ask, “What is Chaity Chahnd? Who is Joo-lay-lahl?” but you would probably try to change the topic because in actuality, you had no idea yourself…until now.

Arnold Toynbee, a British historian, once said that history grew out of mythology and that at times “the line between fact and fiction is left un-drawn”, which is very true of Sindhi history. The combination of legends, folk lore, historical accounts, and personal beliefs has made up the saga of Sindh. It has been created into literature so cultured that they are passed down from one generation to the next. Although I am sure there are a few of us who do not know certain aspects of our history, there is always a time to begin.

Early in the 11^th century, the Arab presence in Sindh ended and brought forth a clan of “Soomras” who ruled Sindh justly and fairly for the next three hundred years. They were Hindus who converted into Islam while retaining their Hindu culture, and were known for their tolerance of all religions under their rule.

There was just one little problem though. Far away from the capital, the kingdom of Thatta kept its identity separate and was ruled by Makrabkhan. To claim the throne, he got rid of the previous ruler and had changed his name to Mirk Shah. An epitome of tyranny and fanaticism, his negative vibes attracted greedy courtiers called Maulvis, who constantly kissed up to him for material riches.

One day, a courtier whispered in Mirk Shah’s ear: “Spread Islam and you will be granted janat (salvation) after death, and enjoy eternal bliss.”

Like the effects after three glasses of black label whiskey, Mirk Shah swayed and smiled with the thought of a promised salvation after death. As days passed, this daydream began to take over his entire brain (the increasing pressure from the Maulvis did not help either) so he decided to call the Panchs (representatives of the Sindhi Hindus) to his kingdom for a small talk.

Mirk Shah: Either embrace Islam or be prepared to die.

This was a shock to the Panchs. Till then, everything had been running smoothly. They looked at each other in panic, not knowing what to do. They pleaded with Mirk Shah to think about the majestic order, ‘Shahi Farman’, and to reconsider it but he bluntly refused.

When it seems to mankind that there is no other way out of a situation, he will turn his helpless face towards God. All of a sudden, the Mukhi (Sarpanch) thought of Lord Khrishna in the Bhagavad Gita: “Whenever the sins increase beyond limit and the religion seems to be endangered I come in the form of an Avtar (incarnate) and mitigate the distress of my worshippers.” He looked up at Mirk Shah, a new hope in his eyes, and asked for a time period of 40 days for the Hindus to decide between Islam or death. Mirk Shah reluctantly obliged.

Masses of Hindus gathered on the banks of the Sindhu (Indus) River and brought their heads down in prayer for their Water God – Varun Dev. They fasted for forty days and underwent rituals and vigils on the riverside. They did not shave; did not wear shoes or new clothes. They didn’t allow themselves to give in to temptations and engage in conjugal relations. Would you believe these Hindus also refrained from using soap, oil, and any other luxurious item as well? They would soak and squeeze their clothes in the river, dry them, and wear them again. In the evenings, they worshiped God Varun, sang bhajans (God’s songs) in favor of him, and prayed fervently for their solace and salvation. This came to be known as the ‘chaliyo saheb’ and till today, many Sindhis all over the world still do it, although just a tad bit less extreme, to ask the Water God for blessings and forgiveness.

At the end of the fortieth day, the tired Hindu masses on the riverside of Sindhu perked up to listen to a voice booming from the heavens.

Faceless Voice: “Don’t despair. Have patience. I am coming. I will save you from autocrat Mirk Shah. Eight months from now I shall take birth at Nasarpur in the house of Ratanchand Lohano from the womb of Maa Devki, like the Lord Khrishna did.”

The Hindus clamored in excitement and celebration for it was “thanksgiving day”. After the forty days of chaliyo saheb they could finally go back to the normal ways of life. But still, one issue had yet to be resolved: would they be able to get an extension of eight months from Mirk Shah?

The Hindus humbly asked the ruler for an extension of eight months to have another chance to defend themselves. The courtiers whispered once again into Mirk Shah’s ears: “It’s a trap…they are trying to trick you.”

Sparks of interest began to flicker in Mirkshah’s stomach. He thought to himself: would God really come down to the Earth? How in the world would that happen? More out of curiosity than anything else, he granted the Hindus their extension. After all, he thought, their lives are at my mercy. I can put an end to them anytime I wish.

The Hindus waited in hopeful prayer for the birth of a ‘Super God’ to fly down to earth and help them out of their predicament. After three months, on the second tithi of Asu month, they got the jolly news that Devki was indeed pregnant. They partied and celebrated the great news with excitement for their future. They kept praying to Daryashah (the Lord of Waters) in the next few months to remind of him of his promise. Finally, on Cheti Chand, two tithis from new moon of Chetra, Devki gave birth to a skinny and handsome baby boy. As if to announce the birth of the new water Avtar, un-seasonal clouds gathered and poured forth buckets of raindrops onto the Earth. The Sindhi Hindus danced and sang like there was no tomorrow.

The parents of the baby had also witnessed in front of them a miracle. When the baby opened his mouth, in there was flowing the mighty river of the Sindhu, with an old man seated cross-legged on a pala fish (a tasty fish which swims against the current).

On that day itself, an ascetic came to see the child and foretold that the child would be a warrior and his popularity would outlive him. He named the latter ‘Udaichand’ – in Sanskrit Uday meant ‘moonbeams’. A Punjabi came along and named the child ‘Uderolal’ – in Sanskrit Udero meant ‘one who has sprung from waters’. The Sindhi Hindus of Nasapur called the child ‘Amarlal’ – the immortal child. Apparently, they could not agree on a name befitting enough for the baby. Finally, while the multiple-named baby was resting in his cradle, it began to swing strongly back and forth on its own! And so this is how he came to be known to everyone as ‘Jhulelal’ – the swinging child.

Mirk Shah heard from the grapevine about the birth of this mysterious child, and called the Panchs for more information.

Mirk Shah: How long am I supposed to wait for your reply to the question of whether you all will embrace Islam or die?

Panchs: A few months more, oh Ruler! The savior of Hindus has already taken birth. He is our Water God…

Mirk Shah [sarcastically]: All right! I am not dying, and you Hindus are not leaving the land. I shall wait. When your ’savior’ embraces Islam, I am sure you all will follow suit

Maulvis [interrupting]: My Lord, we suggest you really settle the issue without any further delay…

Mirk Shah: Wait and watch. We will surely win. Why make haste unnecessarily?

After the Hindus left his Palace, Mirk Shah could not believe the idea of a mere child being more than a match for him. Becoming anxious, he decided to send his most trusted minister Ahirio to Nasapur and see the child for himself. Ahirio gladly obliged, a deceitful plan already concocting in his mind. He will dip a rose into deadly poison and gift it to Jhulelal for him to sniff.

Ahirio arrived in Nasapur and was blown away at the first glimpse of the small child. He had never in his life seen such a stunning and charismatic baby. At first he hesitated, but he slowly gathered the courage and extended the rose to the baby’s lips. Jhulelal gave him an evocative smile and blew the flower in one breath. It fell far away on the ground. When he looked back at the child, he was shocked to see an old man with a long white beard was staring back at him. Just as suddenly as he had appeared, the old man changed into a young and handsome sixteen-year-old. Before Ahirio could say anything, the scene changed again into one of a battlefield with the old man riding a horse, holding a blazing sword in his hand, and rows and rows of warriors behind him. Ahirio’s mouth hung open, and shivers went down his spine. He got down on his knees and bowed his head to Jhulelal.

Ahirio: Have mercy, Oh Sindhu Lord. I am convinced. Hindus are safe…

Ahirio pratically flew back home to relate to Mirk Shah the crazy events of the past hour.

Mirk Shah: It seems you have been under a spell of magic! How can a child turn into a young boy and an old man and then a warrior on horse back, all simultaneously? Impossible!

Meanwhile, Jhulelal’s parents treated him as a normal child. His stepmother (his mother had died soon after his birth) wanted him to earn some money so she gave him a bucket of boiled beans to sell in the marketplace. Instead of going to the market, Jhulelal would go to the Sindhu River and distribute half the beans for free among the beggars, the poor, and the pious. He emptied the remaining beans as an offering for the river, and passed the afternoons chilling on the bank of the river and talking to the elderly and children about the wealth of spiritual knowledge. By evening’s time, the bucket, filled with fine quality rice, would swim up to Jhulelal and emerge from deep within the river.

On the other side in the midst of Maulvis, Mirk Shah was increasingly being pressured. He was starting to feel the wrath of his clerics and knew it was time to do something.

Maulvis: Order the Hindus to convert or be branded as an associate of kaffirs (infidels).

Mirk Shah: Tell Ahirio to arrange a private meeting between the child and myself.

Meanwhile, Ahirio had become a devotee of Daryashah so he ran to the bank of the Sindhu River to pray for assistance. An old man with white beard and saintly clothes balanced atop a pala fish showed up, going northwards against the tide. At that instance, Ahirio understood and bowed his head in worship towards the old man who was to be equally holy for the Muslims too. He announced at the top of his voice that Khwaja Khizr and Jhulelal were just two names for the same holy being. He begged the Water God to meet with Mirk Shah privately, and calmly.

Innocently Mirk Shah finally met the famous Jhulelal face to face. Before having a chance, the old man started speaking rather confidently.

Jhulelal: Whatever you see around yourself is the creation of one and only God, whom you call ‘Allah’ and Hindus ‘Ishwar’. Hindus, Muslims, and all other human beings are all His creation.

The annoying Maulvis consistently whispered into Mirk Shah’s ears that Jhulelal was sprouting nonsense and he should arrest him immediately. The ruler was convinced to order the arrest but when the officers made their way to the avtar; water started rushing through the doors and windows into the court from all directions! Everyone found themselves flooded in, and if that was not enough to scare the pants off Mirk Shah and his courtiers, fire broke out at the same time. The Palace became a soaring firestorm – now they knew Jhulelal was angry. He may as well have been atop a roaring, dangerous shark for all the fear they felt at that point!

Jhulelal [with thundering voice]: Mirk Shah! Think it over again. Your God and mine are not two different ones. Had Almighty so desired he could have ordained the Hindus to be born as Muslims! But no; God wanted unity in diversity. All worlds are His manifestation.

Mirk Shah [knees buckling]: My Lord! I realize the truth now! Save me and my courtiers from this ravage.

Immediately the fire was blown out by an invisible wind and the water ebbed. Jhulelal calmed down and when he knew Mirk Shah would listen, he spoke once again.

Jhulelal: Fire is the first principle of the Universe and Water is the first principle of life. Worship of God is to be done in its blended form of Jyoti (light) and Jal (water); and let every human being worship the Almighty with whatever name he desires. Let there be a bond of brotherhood among all Sindhi Hindus and Sindhi Muslims.

Mirkshah bowed courteously, not out of fear but actually out of respect, and agreed to treat all Muslims and Hindus alike. For the rest of his rule, Sindhi Hindus were allowed to hold on to their religion and culture without fear from the Sindhi Muslims. The Hindus were then instructed by Jhulelal to build a temple in Thatta to remember him as an embodiment of water and light, and also to mark the great transformation of Mirk Shah.

Jhulelal: Day and night, light one candle in the temple and water should be available for daat (holy sip).

In the end, Jhulelal named his cousin Pagad as the first ‘Thakur’ – priest of the Daryahi sect (believers of the Water God). Together they went on travels. They went to Rohri where a temple called the Udero Ghat was established. When they decided to visit the Kingdom of Thatta, Mirk Shah was genuinely happy. By then Jhulelal’s temple had become quite famous, being visited regularly by Hindus and Muslims alike. The cousins continued their travels throughout other places and came back home to Nasarpur.

Jhulelal gave seven symbolic items to Pagad which was to form the essential elements of the Daryahi sect:

Verho: a ring which acts as a wish-giver when one touches it

Light: an endless lighted candle which is to remind of Almighty and his blessings

Khantha: a cloth which acts as a shield against attacks of enemies

Dega: a huge metallic vessel in which rice is cooked for a marriage or festival. Regardless of how many mouths to feed, it ’somehow’ never gets empty

Tegh: a sword Vishnu Devta gave to Bhavani to kill the demons

Dhokla: Damru, Shiva’s symbol

Jhari: A Kalsh, a symbol of Brahma

Sant Pagad built a Lal Sai Mandir in reverence of Jhulelal and kept the symbolic items there. Increasing numbers of Hindus and Muslims visited the temple daily.

After leaving the Mandir for Pagad to be in charge of, Jhulelal traveled through Sindh again and far beyond to circulate his teachings. He wanted to bring the people of the land, both Hindus and Muslims, into a spiritual bond of harmonized brotherhood. They all had to know the truth that all different paths lead to the same destination, to the same God. He also wanted a tangible promise of contribution and cooperation from the Muslims for the building of a new mandir and the spread of his teachings. Jhulelal enlisted the help from this Muslim couple who, though disbelieving of his powers at first but then naturally won over, gave him land and assisted in building the new mandir called Uderolal-jo-Mandir. This Maman couple became the first mujawars (caretakers) and from then on, Muslims continued to be its caretakers. It became a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Muslims from all over.

Jhulelal visited Rohri again, and saw to it that the Zindah Pir Dargah (shrine) was built for Khwaja Khizr, his namesake God-man of the Muslims. The belief of brotherhood between Hindus and Muslims was very much stressed in this area. Upon his return back to Nasapur, at the age of thirteen, he realized that his mission on Earth was over. He called Pagad to his side and told him to carry on with the buildings of temples and the teachings of the Water God’s message.

Everyone was very sad. Thirteen years was too short a time to be in the holy presence of such a cool avtar. But life is like that – everyone has to go at some point. Jhulelal chose a place near the village Jhijhan to expel his final breath. Hindus and Muslims, including the representatives of Mirk Shah, came from everywhere to witness this scene.

Jhulelal closed his eyes and the diamond of a soul left his body. No sooner had his physical ‘jewelry box’ turned cold did the Hindus and Muslims start arguing again.

Muslims: Under the instructions of Mirk Shah, we will build a Turbat and Quba (tomb) according to the dictates of Islam!

Hindus [resentfully]: We shall build a Samadhi (funeral pyre) according to the Hindu customs!

Faceless Voice [after sudden pouring of heavy rain]: Behold! Make my shrine acceptable to both Hindus and Muslims! Let its one part be like a temple, and the other like a Dargah!

Jhulelal’s Panjra and Bhajan

Prayer songs of Daryahi sect are known as panjras - verses of five lines. ‘Panj’ in Sindhi means five. Many panjras have been composed in honor of Jhulelal, and they illustrate beautifully the compassion and unity of his teachings. There are other nuances of this number as well; the five temptations that men is subject to: kaam (lust), krodh (anger), lobh (greed), moha (attachment), and ahankaar (false ego). There are five tributaries (branches) of the Sindhu River.

Panjras are followed by many bhajans in the praise of Jhulelal. The most famous one is ‘Lal Meri Pat, Rakhio Bhalaa Jhulelalan’, which is also known as ‘Damadam Mast Qalander’. This bhajan has been remixed into a catchy and popular song which has been played at parties and clubs in India. For your benefit, PX has taken the opportunity to find for our readers the lyrics and translations of this funky bhajan.

Lal Muhinjee Pat, Rakh Jayy Bhalaa Jhulelalan

Sindhudijaa, Sehwan Jaa, Sakhi Shahbaaz Qalander

Damadam Mast Qalander, Ali Too Sabh Je Andar

O Lal Muhinjee, O Lal Muhinjee…

Oh dear Jhulelal of mine! Please keep my honor intact!

Oh Lord of Sindh, Oh Lord of Sehwan, Oh benevolent Shabaaz Qalander

Oh drowned in ecstasy Qalander, Ali You reside in all things

Oh dear Jhulelal of mine, Oh dear Jhulelal of mine…

Chaar Chiraag Tuhinjaa Baran Hamesha

Panjon Maa Baaran Aayi Aahaan

[Chorus]:

Jhulelalan, Sindhudijaa, Sehwan Jaa

Sakhi Shabaaz Qalander

Damadam Mast Qalander, Ali Too Sabh Je Andar

O Lal Muhinjee, O Lal Muhinjee

Four lamps burn always at your altar, I have come to light the fifth one

[Chorus]:

Oh dear Jhulelal of mine! Oh Lord of Sindh, Oh Lord of Sehwan,

Oh benevolent Shabaaz Qalander

Oh drowned in ecstasy Qalander, Ali You reside in all things

Oh dear Jhulelal of mine, Oh dear Jhulelal of mine…

Maatanjee Jhulan Jhol Bhareende,

Nyaaniyoon Jaa Kande Bhaaga Bhalaa

[Chorus]

You will make mothers fertile

And you shall bless the daughters

[Chorus]

Hind-Sindh Peera, Tuhinjee Naubat Baaje

Naale Ali Beda Paar lagaaye

[Chorus]

Oh Peer Jhulelal, all across Hind and Sindh, your praises are sung

The name of Ali takes us across life smoothly

[Chorus]

Cheti Chand and the Bharano Saheb

Every year the birthday of Jhulelal falls on Cheti Chand, two tithis from the new moon of Chetra (sometime in March or April). His birthday was termed as ‘Sindiyat Day’ by Akhil Bharat Sindhi Boli Ain Sahit Sabha in 1959 and ever since then, social and cultural programs with performances are arranged on that day throughout the world, whether it is Curacao, London, Pune, or Las Palmas to name a few.

When Jhulelal had returned to Nasapur before he died, he taught Pagad how to do the bharano Saheb, a religious ritual for the worship of Jhulelal. After singing panjras and bhajans, the worshippers join in a chhejj which is a dance of great vigor, enthusiasm, abundance, and rhythm because Jhulelal was a lover of dance and song. After the chhejj is over, the aarti song is performed. Then the pallav ceremony takes place (when one stretches out a piece of their shirt or dupatta to ask the Lord for blessings). The congregation gets sprinkled with drops of holy water – this is called chhando. Finally, the guji dej (prasad offerings for Jhulelal), the modaks (explained below) and other pooja materials are taken to the nearest body of water (whether it is a lake, river, or sea) to be immersed in worship for Jhulelal, the patron saint of the Sindhis.

How to make the Bharano Saheb (the mahraj usually makes the following):

Ingredients:

One large bronze plate (thaal)

Rice grains

Pure Ghee

Vermillion

Prepared Atta flour (wheat)

Cardamom (either 5 or 11 pieces)

Almonds (either 5 or 11 pieces)

Cloves (either 5 or 11 pieces)

Misri jo Sangh (large piece of refined sugar)

Water

Unboiled milk

Earthen or atta lamp with five wicks

Garland of fresh flowers

Five types of fruits

Copper/bronze jar of water

Coconut

Red cloth

Agarbathies (incense sticks)

Instructions:

Fill the thaal with rice grains, pure ghee, and vermillion. Make modaks (balls) of atta and decorate with vermillion, cardamom, almonds and cloves. The misri is kept on top of each modak. Sprinkle a little bit of water and un-boiled milk on top of the modaks. Place the earthen/atta lamp with five wicks into the thaal. Surround the modaks with a garland of fresh flowers. Cover the coconut with a red cloth and keep on top of copper/bronze jar of water. Light the flames of the lamp and agarbathies. Keep aside the five types of fruits, flowers, and water.

To prepare the Guji Dej (offering to God) of tahiri (sweet rice)

Prepare the rice with pure ghee, elaichi, saffron, sugar, milk, water.

To prepare the Prasad for the people

Boil the channa (boiled beans) and prepare the tahiri separately. Serve with dhadal (special type of store-brought non-alcoholic drink)

Disclaimer: The authors bear no responsibility for any offensive material. Although few descriptions have been exaggerated, the content and dialogue has been researched from various reliable sources.