Pakistan Yatra 2005 - Reports & Updates

Sunday, 13 th March. On the eve of our departure to Pakistan, Dada took a brisk walk on the Bandstand, Bandra. Many devotees asked Dada whether he felt excited about going to Pakistan after 56 years. Beloved Dada answered poetically, as only he can :

Sindh or Hind, may we ever remember the Lord,

May we be protected in the court of our Beloved,

May He keep me ever in the service of His Lotus Feet.

Monday, 14 th March: Just before Dada began his journey for Pakistan, we took a vachan from the Nuri Granth . The Master had a wonderful message for us

:

Those who sleep are the losers,

Those who are awake, are the winners.

Dada reached the Sahar Airport well before the check-in-time. Satsangis in large numbers had gathered to wish Dada Bon Voyage on his historic yatra to his Beloved Sindh. As usual the crowd was very large, giving the security personnel a tough time. Dada was straight away taken to Gate No. 7 to board the Pakistan Airlines flight. We were delighted and pleasantly surprised to hear the Airhostess and the personnel on the flight speaking in Sindhi! On the flight, Dada enjoyed the skyscape above and the landscape below from his window. In his ecstasy Dada recited :

O Sindh, O Sindh,

As I see your rivers, gardens, bulbuls and hills,

The shining sacred shrines of the Holy dervishes,

I cling to Thy feet,

Sindhri, O, Sindhri !

…And in just two-and a-half hours, we landed at Karachi airport.

Dada received a warm welcome at Jinnah Airport. Brother Mukesh Chawla, MP, received Dada with great joy and reverence. A little ahead, Brother Rajpal and a few devotees welcomed Dada.The moment we crossed the immigration enclosure, Dada was surrounded by members of the public and the media. They all crowded around Dada seeking his blessings. Dr. Salman Shaikh, President of the Sindhi Graduate Association and its General Secretary, Ali Husain, welcomed Dada with love and respect. The entire path was strewn with flowers. At that moment of joy and love the vachan from the Nuri Granth exclaimed, very appropriately :

The spring has blossomed in my courtyard,

I heard the song of Bulbul and whispering flowers,

Give love to all, give love to all,

To earn the blessings of the holy Name .

Many Sindhis had travelled miles, coming from several surrounding villages and small towns to meet Dada. They pleaded with him to visit their homes. It was only with great difficulty that Dada could be parted from the loving devotees, and as a result we reached home at around 5:00 p.m. After his lunch and a brief rest, Dada expressed the wish to visit Clifton Beach. Immediately transport was organised and we proceeded towards the Clifton beach. On the way Dada could identify a few familiar areas like Bunder Road extension, Kharo Dar, Mitho Dar & Gadi Khato. Karachi is indeed a big city. The Clifton Beach has also been developed very well. Dada took a walk on the Beach. The moon shone in the sky and the waves shone like silver. The soft breeze caressed us as Dada carried on a sweet conversation with us. Dada walked nearly for 50 minutes, covering 3 1/2 miles. He reminiscenced about his walks on the Clifton Beach with Sadhu Vaswani. We reached home at 9:30 p.m. Many sisters and brothers had gathered to meet Dada. Dada met everybody lovingly.

In Karachi, our kind hosts were the family of brother Hundraj Rajpal, on Saddar Road. Dada was given the whole apartment on the tenth floor with a beautiful view.

Tuesday 15th March was another wonderful day, and we left Karachi around 12:15 noon. We did not take the Karachi – Hyderabad Express Highway as we were to visit Kinjar and Jhirkan. The road we took was full of potholes - however brother Rajpal was driving Dada's car which was followed by a special security van allotted to accompany Dada wherever he went. The country road we took enabled us to have a glimpse of the interior of Sind. We passed through a number of small villages. The first important village which we touched, Makli, is known for its large graveyard. Among the thousands of graves is the well known grave of Jamtamachi [the legendary lover of Nuri].

After a short drive we came upon the ancient historical town of 'Thata'. Thata has many Hindu-Sindhis but Hindus and Muslims live in harmony and peace here. This is a backward area. Thato is a town in Laar District, where even now, Sindhi is spoken in its rich form as found in Shah Abdul Latif's Rasalo.

We reached Kinjhar after a drive of about 2 hrs.30 mins. Kinjhar is a beautiful lake. Its waters are dark blue, and it looked so lovely with the pale blue sky above. The lake is surrounded by hills and mountains. Kinjhar lake is 38 sq.miles and the lake provides water to the city of Karachi. As we reached the lake, Dada's mood underwent a subtle change, as if he felt the presence of Sadhu Vaswani. Dada told us about Sadhu Vaswani's visit to Kinjhar lake. ..

Dada sat in silence on the shore of the lake for a while. It was afternoon and yet the breeze was cool. Dada rested for a while after taking his lunch. Then we set out to visit the Samadhi of Nuri, which was situated in a small island in the middle of the lake. We got into the motor boats that had been arranged for us; and singing bhajans and kirtan we sailed on the lake. It was quite a distance and the restless waves were splashing against the boat. The turbulent waters rolled into our boats with such force that we were quite scared. For a moment we even wondered whether we would be able to reach Nuri's Samadhi safely – for we certainly had not anticipated that the boatride would be so rough! We made fervent appeals with songs like Beri-a vara paar ukar, Vado tuhinjo pani muhinji beri nimaari . By the grace of Bade Dada, we reached the Samadhi of Nuri. The climb was difficult and treacherous, but once we reached the top, we forgot all our misgivings. The view from there was breath-taking. A few feet away was the Samadhi of Shah Hundro. Dada sought for blessings at both the Samadhis.

Shah Hundro was Nuri's Murshid. Nuri had served Shah Hundro sincerely. It is said that once Nuri fell seriously ill. No medicine could heal her. She was brought to her Murshid for treatment. And lo and behold! She recovered from her illness immediately. It was Nuri's wish to be buried near her Murshid's grave. That is why Nuri and her Murshid's samadhis are located near each other.

We all sang Nuri's songs. Dada in his ecstasy sang a wonderful song :

Crossing miles, I have come to you,

I ask of Thee,

Nothing but the dust of Thy Lotus Feet,

Nuri! Accept me at thy Lotus feet.

Having heard Thy glories,

I came to Thee.

O! Place thy holy hand on my lowly head.

Nuri! Accept me at thy Lotus feet.

     I need nothing,

But thy loving look;

From the very depths,

cometh but one call.

Nuri! Accept me at thy Lotus feet.

Mere slave am I,

Thou art the queen of queens;

At thy door do I stand as a beggar maid.

Nuri! Accept me at thy Lotus feet.

Come O thou,

And cleanse my heart;

Forgive me all my faults,

Nuri! Accept me at thy Lotus feet.

O come and kindle a flame in my heart,

Illumine my heart, with Thy little lamp.

Nuri! Accept me at thy Lotus feet.

May I weep copious tears,

In thy holy presence;

And in thy proximity, may I shed tears of remorse.

Nuri! Accept me at thy Lotus feet.

May I sip,

O Nuri, Thy grace every day;

Anjali aspires to live,

only for thee, O Beloved.

Nuri! Accept me at thy Lotus feet.

How can I find the words to describe what we felt as Dada was singing! We felt as though Nuri herself was singing through Dada. Nuri's ethereal, spiritual beauty seemed to shine through Dada. Her humility and devotion were reflected in Dada. We did not have the heart to return. But the sun was setting and again we had to take the treacherous return journey.

On the return the waves were even more restless. If that was possible! The boat was tilting from right to left . We were all completely drenched. In our hearts there was only one hope and prayer : That the Lord is with us and His love is protecting us. Dada sat perfectly still, without any fear and smiling all the while. Finally we reached the bank of the Kinjhar lake.

It is said that when Vasudev carried the infant Sri Krishna across the Yamuna River in spate, the waters rose so high on that rainy and windy night, that it seemed as if they were determined to rise high enough to touch the Lord's sacred feet! Who is to say whether the waters of the Kinjhar lake were equally determined to seek Dada's blessings on that memorable afternoon, when he returned to the holy pla' ce where his Beloved master had once come to pay his respects at the Samadhi of Nuri!

We had a brief rest at the Guest House where we changed our clothes (which were soaking wet!) and had ginger tea and continued our journey. We went to the Jhirkan village. It is at this Jhirkan village that Sadhu Vaswani had beheld a sacred vision of Nuri. So Dada was very eager to visit that village. Dada was welcomed with abundant love and reverence at the Jhirk village. They wanted Dada to stay the night there, but we managed to convince them otherwise. We had to leave soon as the road was lonely and we were advised by the Security personnel to leave immediately.

Dada observed very poetically

     Hath mein kharun tun naam hatiyar

Murshid ji vathu mehir nihar…

We reached Hyderabad late Tuesday night. Dada was warmly welcomed in the traditional Sindhi way. Sister Leela warmly welcomed Dada with a song. She has immense devotion for Sadhu Vaswani and said that they could never forget the greatness of the true saint that he was. She recounted an incident that took place at St. Mira's School. An Inspectress called Miss Mohammed Ali visited the School for an inspection and Sadhu Vaswani personally escorted her around the school and had a dialogue with her. She was so impressed by Sadhu Vaswani, that she developed a great spirit of reverence for this saint.

A few years ago, this sister fell ill and phoned Sister Leela to meet her. Sister Leela visited her. Holding her hand the former Inspectress Miss. Mohammed Ali said; "I will share a secret with you. In my dream I had the vision of Rasul Karim. I was very happy and at once I bowed down to him. But do you know what he said. First go and bow down to Sadhu Vaswani. I did so. Sadhu Vaswani blessed me and greeted me with his magical smile". Further she requested Sister Leela to share this secret with others only after her death.

When St. Mira's School building was under construction, Sadhu Vaswani himself used to visit the site for a surprise check. In the School Sadhu Vaswani exhorted the students to read scriptures. Hence students would recite Sukhmani or Jap Sahib . Even today as you enter the Mira School building, you experience those pure, holy vibrations. The devotees in Hyderabad held Dada J.P.Vaswani as the harbinger of peace and harmony, as he had brought the message of love from the great Master.

On 16th March, at 10:30 a.m. we went to visit Mira School renamed as "Government Girls Pilot Secondary School". It is surprising that the building has remained as it was. Outside every class room the word "OM" along with the original donor's name remains.

Dada inaugurated the Computer Academy. He was welcomed warmly at both the places. The District Education officer was also present. He told Dada that the students of the Mira School still received Character Building education. The School Head Mistress - Mrs. Naseem Akhtar Kazi, welcomed Dada with the words :"How do I welcome the Beloved? With the true pearls of love and longing?"

Surprisingly the Sanctuary Hall had beautiful vibrations and St. Mira's School's Motto which Sadhu Vaswani has given-

Simplicity, Service, Purity and Prayer

was still inscribed on the wall. You can imagine what we all felt, being at the satsang where Bade Dada had walked and talked to the devotees in those golden days!

Dada unveiled Sadhu Vaswani's portrait and delivered an emotional speech, with the powerful message: “Be strong, be simple and spend your strength in the service of the surrounding world."

Dada apprised the students of the Mira Movement in Education, started by Sadhu Vaswani in 1933. He said Sadhu Vaswani had many dreams. “May you students fulfill those dreams,” he told them.

After this we visited the original venue of Sakhi satsang , where Sadhu Vaswani used to stay on the 2nd floor. Now one Mr.Kazi Rashid Ahmed lives there. He was happy to recieve us and took us around the house. Thereafter we visited the house where Dada Jashan was born and where now one Mr.Abdul Ahmed lives. The address of the house remains the same. It is a house in a narrow lane. Dada went round the house and we went into the room where Dada used to live. The satsangis were excited about this visit of Dada to the place of his sacred birth.

Dada was interviewed by GEO TV and asked for his message. Dada replied: "I have come with the one message of Love, of friendship, of brotherhood. We all are one and we must all acknowledge that one." Many Muslims came forward to greet Dada extending their feelings of love and friendship. As we came out we were greeted by the people of the neighbourhood, 80% of whom were Muslims. They surprised us with their fervent devotion. They touched Dada's feet and sought his blessings.

Then we went to visit the Dalwani Ghitti (lane) - Sadhu Vaswani's birthplace. But we could not locate the exact house where Sadhu Vaswani was born. Dada went into each lane, but he could not confirm the house, as the area had undergone a great change.

In the evening, a Ruh Rihan in Sindhi was organised by Sindhi Graduate Association at the Mamtaz Mirza Sindhi Museum Auditorium. The function was presided by the Vice Chancellor of Sindh University- Mr. Muzahar Allakh. In his speech he said to dada, " Bhale Kare Aaya . Sindh is also your country." All the people assembled there were enchanted by Dada's sweet smile and urged Dada to visit Sindh again. The Vice Chancellor said : With your coming the entire ambience of Sindh has changed. It is filled with love and joy. It is a great honour to have a wonderful person like you with us.” Dada presented him with a copy of the Nuri Granth in Sindhi. So touched was Dada by the words of Mr. Muzahar Allakh that he became emotional and said that not a day had passed when he had not remembered his beloved Sindh. This brought tears to many an eye.

Dada in his Ruh Rihan requested the audience that the first thing they should do on waking up in the morning is to recite a line from any holy scripture of their choice – be it the Koran Sharif, Shah sahib ji bani, Guru Granth Sahib or any other scripture - and to keep reciting the line through out the day eg. "Deena Bandu Deena Nath, Meri Dori Tere Haath" and the audience was touched and overjoyed and started reciting along with Dada, "Deena Bandu Deena Nath, Meri Dori Tere Haath"

After the programme we left for Karachi by road.

Thursday 17th March : was a light day, as the previous 3 days had been very hectic. Here the people mainly talk in Sindhi, but it is not the same, original one, as it was 56 years ago. Dada told usthat he was in search of that original Sindh. Here people are fond of Indian Music. They listen to Hindi songs. Here the food is also typically Sindhi. Pure Ghee is spread on the Chappati. And Sindhi Breakfast of ‘Puri Aloo' & 'Sevaiya Aloo' are very common. Sindh is famous for their hospitality, and even at midnight a guest is made to feel welcome. Here there is no reason to fear. People move freely on the streets. It is just rumoured back in India that it is unsafe to travel in Karachi.

Dada was asked : How did he like the Samadhi of Nuri? In reply he answered : “Truly I like Nuri's Samadhi much more than the Taj Mahal, because Nuri was a queen, but still she wanted herself to be buried near her Beloved. Great was her love and longing. Secondly what attracted me was her simplicity. Her Samadhi is built in a very simple way. Only those with love and longing in their hearts will visit the Samadhi.”

.

People from villages around Karachi came to meet Dada, requesting him to visit and bless their village. Then Dada went for a walk on the Cliffton Beach.

While walking many devotees asked Dada questions. One devotee put up a question : If any person does any injustice towards us, should we fight and claim justice?

Dada replied : "Yes do fight and claim justice, but fight with love. Because only love can change the person. The person who does injustice towards you, you must treat him/her with love, as love is very powerful."

At the Beach there were many poor people. Dada distributed personally to each one a packet of biscuits. One old lady came and bowed down before dada and played a musical instrument for him Dada gave her Rs. 100/-.

Coming home we had a satsang. At the satsang a couple had come along with their child. They told Dada that they were longing for a child for years together; finally they made Dada their Guru and would pray to him everyday to bless them with a child. They also mentioned that here in Pakistan they have seen many miracles of Dada. Only they said, they had to call out to Him and their wishes were answered. " Muradein hum leka aate hain Dada, tere dwar par, Hum par bakshishein barsate hain bhar bhar kar." On December 30, 2004 they were blessed with a Baby Boy. They were overjoyed and were coming to Pune to seek Dada's blessing when they heard of Dada's visit to Karachi. They waited all these months so that Dada could name the child. Dada took a vachan from the Sukhmani Sahib and named the Baby Boy - Jyotish.

Friday 18th March, 2005

Today is our last day in Pakistan . All our programmes so far have been good. However, today's event is unique.

Shah Abdul Latif has said :

Thy name is great, so is Thy grace,

Thy canopy of mercy is large,

Even though without pillar and post, it protects me.

You O mysterious one, know all that happens,

Sweet is Thy name, sweeter is Thy support.

O Lord ! The creator, Thy aren't very far,

Thy holy name is ever within my heart.

We too request Dada to bless us in abundance, - in the measure in which his spiritual fragrance has spread far and wide.

Today Dada's function was held at D.J.Sindh College . Incidentally it is the College where Dada received higher education and passed his B.Sc. It is in this College that Dada received Fellowship and worked as a Professor for some time.

Dada was warmly welcomed. Professor K.S.Nagpal, head of the English Department was the compere of the function. He welcomed Dada with a song :

I am enthralled by your presence, O Merciful one,

I am enthralled by those who worship you,

O Merciful one, I am enchanted by your being,

As those who worship you.

Very affectionately, Mr. Nagpal said : “Today I will put Dadaji in docks and levy charges against him;

1. Dada you deny that you are a saint, but is that a fact?

I think you are a saint par excellence. You draw thousands, by your magnetism of love to the holy name of God.

1. You deny that you are an educationist. That you are a student.

But Dada you are a great scholar and a great Gyani.

Dada in his own humble way smiled without contradicting him.

Professor Ravi Shankar Harani, the Principal of the College, spoke about Dada emotionally. He lauded Dada's academic achievements. The President of the function, Education Minister, Dr. Hameeda Khuro spoke highly about Dada. She requested Dada that he should return to Sindh at his earliest so that thousands of Sindhis could benefit from his teachings. Further she commented that Sadhu Vaswani had brought about a social change in Hyderabad Sindh, so how could Sindh forget him? She informed that soon Hyderabad Sindh will have a Mira College .

Dada gave a highly emotion charged speech. He said that 72 years ago he was a student of this very College. As a student he would go and embrace the huge pillars of the building. He was so enamoured by the pillars that the wrote a verse :

    Students may come and students may go,

    But you stand there forever,

    That I may be steadfast like you,

    Will be my constant endeavour.

After the speeches, the question-answer session commenced. Many questions were asked. One child asked; “You were a brilliant student, you could have gone for ICS and become a Collector. Why did you chose the other path?” Dada smiled and replied, “With ICS degree I would have been only a Collector, but now I am a distributor, wherever I go I spread the message of my Master and distribute his wisdom and love.” Dada's answers were short and sweet.

Dada was felicitated. A few Professors paid their tribute to Dada.

In the evening we had Sindhi Ruh Rihan at Swami Narayan Temple . Brothers and sisters gathered there in large numbers. The audience was quite familiar with Dadaji as they view him on Sony TV. In his discourse, Dada emphasized that we all are prisoners of desire. If we want to enjoy true freedom, then we should get rid of our desires. There are two kinds of shaktis in this world. One is desire shakti and the other is Krishna shakti. The desire shakti drags us down. Krishna shakti uplifts us to the regions of bliss.

Here to Dada was felicitated and many devotees honoured him with shawls. These Dada gave away for the use of poor and the needy.

In the evening at 5:00 p.m. Dada expressed his wish to visit some needy families as he felt that his mission to Pakistan would be incomplete without the service of the poor. Dada visited a house where there was only one bread-earner in the family. He earned his livelihood by selling ‘ Mehendi' . His son was dumb. Dada prayed for the family, sought their blessings and gave them an envelope containing money. Dada also visited house of a harijan whose monthly income was Rs.2,000/- Dada comforted him and explained that Harijan means ‘Those loved by Hari' Dada also handed him some amount hidden in an envelope. This poor man would not take it saying, ‘with the blessings of Dada he will earn more.' However Dada left the packet there.

Dada visited some more houses. A small child pleaded with Dada to visit his house which was in a small narrow lane. Dada complied by his wishes and visited his humble home which had a small temple in a niche of the room.

Our trip to Pakistan was simply wonderful. Every moment was experiential. There were

tears in the eyes of people and a cry in their heart :

      You are the supreme Lord, I am your humble servant,

      With folded hands, I implore you,

      Do not turn away your loving glance from me,

      I will always hold your hand for you are my beloved friend.

Let us all come together, join our hands and pray to the almighty God to grant Beloved Dada long and healthy life. May Dada be so blessed that he spreads the message of his Master from village to village, from city to city and from country to country.

We were given a memorable farewell at the Karachi Airport .