S S Sodhi

On the way to Leh, do spend some time at the holyGurudwara Pathar Sahib to meditate and experiencethe powerful blessings of Guru Nanak Dev ji, who hadspent some of his time here on the way to Srinagar.

The place is presently maintained by the local resi-dents and the Indian Army.

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, is a beautiful GurudwaraSahib constructed in the memory of Guru Nanak Devji, about 25 miles away from Leh, on the Leh-Kargilroad, 12000 ft above sea level. The Gurudwara Sahibwas built in 1517 to commemorate the visit to theLadakh region of Guru Nanak Dev ji, who is thefounder Guru of the Sikh faith.

During his lifetime Guru Nanak Dev ji travelled tomany distant places and one such place was Tibet.Guru Nanak Dev ji was well respected by TibetanBuddhists who consider him a saint. The Dalai Lama,spiritual leader of Buddhists in Tibet has confirmedthis in his discussions with some Sikh leaders sayingthat Tibetans revere Guru Nanak Dev ji as a Buddhistsaint under the name of Guru Gompka.

In the late 1970s, during the construction of theLeh-Nimu road, a large boulder was found by Lamas inthe middle of the road bed covered with Buddhistsprayer flags. The boulder was covered with Buddhistprayer flags -the type of flags that are oftenfound/strung by Buddhist Lamas, along mountainridges and peaks high in the Himalayas to bless thesurrounding countryside.

The bulldozer driver tried to push the huge stone tothe side but it refused to move. Gunning the engine, hepushed the powerful machine to its limits, but theboulder refused to give way. Suddenly, with a largesnap the blade broke and the work stopped. That nightthe driver had a dream in which a voice told him not tomove the stone.

In the morning, he narrated his dream to one of thearmy officers who guarded the mountain passes ofLadakh. The soldier told him, not to give any impor-tance to the dream. When all efforts to remove theboulder had failed, it was decided to blow it apart withdynamite the next day. That night the army officer alsohad a dream not to remove the stone. He too decidedthe dream should be ignored, but early that morning,being Sunday, he and the workers were visited by sev-eral Lamas and other Ladakhis who came to tell them

the story of a HolySaint they calledNanak Lama and theunyielding boulder.

Once a wickeddemon lived in thearea who terrorizedthe people where theGurudwara PatharSahib is now situat-ed. The peopleprayed to theAlmighty for help. Itis said that GuruNanak Dev ji heardtheir woes and cameto their aid. He set-tled down on thebank of the riverbelow the hill wherethe wicked demonlived. Guru NanakDev ji blessed thepeople with sermonsand became popularin the area. Thelocals called himNanak Lama. Seeingthis the demon gotinto a rage anddecided to kill GuruNanak Dev ji.

One morningwhen Guru NanakDev ji was sitting in

meditation, the demon pushed a large 'pathar ' (boul-der), down from the hilltop, with the intention ofkilling Guru Nanak Dev ji. The boulder gained speed asit rumbled down the hillside, but when it touched GuruNanak Dev ji's body, it softened like warm wax andcame to a halt against his back. Guru Nanak Dev ji kepton meditating unhurt and undisturbed. Thinking thathis target had been killed, the demon came down to seebut was taken aback to see Guru Nanak Dev ji sittingdeep in meditation. In a fit of anger, he tried to pushthe boulder with his right foot, but as the 'pathar' stillhad the softness of warm wax, his foot got embeddedin it. Pulling his foot out from the boulder the demonwas dumfounded to see the impression his foot hadjust left in the stone.

On seeing this, the demon realized his own power-lessness in comparison to the spiritual power of thegreat Guru Nanak Dev ji. He fell at his feet and beggedfor forgiveness. Guru Nanak Dev ji advised him to getrid of his wicked ways and asked him to lead a life of anoble person. This changed the life of the demon, whogave up evil deeds and started serving the people.

Guru Nanak Dev ji thereafter continued his holyjourney towards Srinagar via Kargil. The 'pathar'pushed down by the demon, with the imprint of thebody of Guru Nanak Dev ji and the footprint of thedemon, is at present on display in Gurdwara PatharSahib. It is said that since the visit of Guru Nanak Devji (in 1517) to the building of the roadway in 1965, thelocal Lamas had held the 'pathar' sacred and offeredprayers to it as, no doubt, they do to this day.

Currently, it is kept inside the Gurudwara PatharSahib, which is taken care of by the local residents andthe Indian army.

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(The author is a Social Activist and an Education Consultant)

Ravi Rohmetra

Jammu is known as the City of Temples. PanjvaktraMahadev Temple, commonly known as PanjbakhtarMandair is one of the oldest temples where the lingamappears in self-manifest form (Aap Shambhu). Arevered shrine is Jammu it is also known by othernames such as "Shivalays" and "RupaiyeWala Mandir". This historic Shiva temple islocated in the heart of the Jammu city atPanjvaktra Road which joins Kanak Mandiwith Residency road.

Historical significance

According to local legends and oral histo-ries, Adi Shankracharya during his visit toJammu had stayed here, while some believethat it was discovered much later in early14th century during the reign of Raja MalDev. As per literary sources, Guru NanakDev Ji had visited this place during theperiod of his second Udasi in 1514. It isbelieved that he stayed here for about threedays. The then king of Jammu Raja KhokharDev visited Guru Nanak Dev Ji at this tem-ple along with his queen and the entourageand urged him for instructions and bless-ings. Guru Nanak Devji then expounded adiscourse on 'Raj Dharma'. He advised theking that his foremost duty was to do jus-tice with his subjects and keep them happyin every respect even by sacrificing his owncomforts. No one in his state should bedeprived of means of livelihood. Heshould have devotion and faith in Godand rule the state with compassion andjustice. If he ruled this way, his rule will extend to 22Dhars' (generation).

Historic 'Ber' tree: It is said that under this treethe discourse appears to have been delivered and stillstands and remains ever blooming throughout the yearand is highly revered. This episode of royal visit andGuru Nanak's sermon under this 'Ber tree' is also rep-resented in a painting on the temple wall.

The ancient temple seems to have been periodicallyrenovated and in place of small temple a bigger temple

was constructed in 1751 during the rule of MaharajaRanjit Dev by his General Mian Rattan Dev, a greatwarrior whose glories are still sung in folk songs. Thearchitecture of the temple is said to be the age old'Triratha' pattern. The lack of decoration is attributed

by scholars to the political and military tur-bulence of 18th century which had

forced the patrons as well ascraftsmen to seek a quick time

solution to complete the projects inhand.

Since then the present biggertemple of Panjvaktra (five faces ofMahadev) has come into existence.Considering the importance of thetemple, Maharaja Ranjit Dev hadattached two villages of NawadeChak (Near Phalayein Mandaal)and Sarwar Chak for its mainte-nance. Later in 19th century,Maharaja Pratap Singh, a devouthimself, who had a great reverencefor the temple got the whole of'jhelari' covered with silver.

According to 'Shiva Rahasya'the Panjvaktra or the five facedLord Shiva is the prime cause of

entire creation. Mahadeva is seenin his five aspects: Rudra (orSaddyoat), Aghora, Vamdeva,Tat Purusha and Ishana. They

also represent his fiveMahabhutas or elements.Panjvaktra and Panchmukhi isthe combination of all these five

forms and is commonly depicted as five headedMahadeva. In Jammu region, worship of PanchmukhiMahadev seems to have been in vogue since hoarytimes.

Five faces of Lord Shankara are Brahma, Vishnu,Rudra, Mahadeva and Sadashiva. Shiva is known asPanjvaktra because he manifests in the aforesaidforms. It represents the complete manifestation ofdivinity from' Saagun' to 'nirgun'. Om Namah ShivayMantra also originates from Panjvaktra Mahadevarepresenting the body of Shiva as mentioned in 'Panch

Brahm Upnishad'.Panjvaktra Mahadeva is also called as Sacchand

Bhairav in Kashmiri Shaivism, having five Mukhas(faces) representing five Shaktis of PanjvaktraMahadev, engaged in creation, maintenance, destruc-tion, concealing his nature and revealing his abode at'Kailash Parvat'. It is also believed that five faces ofMahadeva represent five chakras as well. In spiritualsense it is said to be sitting in the heart as the heartalso has five holes.

Panjvaktra or Panchmukhi is the combination of allfive forms and represents, all encompassing and per-vading power of Mahadev. Shiva bestows the aspirantwith good mental health, the ability to see things clear-ly , protect one from all diseases. Purify the mind andbody and destroy ignorance.

Rupaiye Wala Mandir

One of the names of the temple owes to the fact thatthe courtyard of the temple was decorated with silvercoins which are embedded in the floor.

The temple of rare antiquity , architectural heritageand spiritual importance is situated in the heart ofJammu city , in an area of more than twenty kanals.Shown in the 1914 list of temples, it is an important

seat of Dashnami Akhara and deeply associated withShri Amar Nathji Yatra and it was a 'Padao' (camp) forthe Sadhus visiting Shri Amar Nath Ji.

As per old records , the temple was known a'Samadhi Muth' owing to presence of large number ofSamadhis of Mahants who had served the temple inthe past. The oldest Samadhi is attributed to a NagaBaba of Dashnami Akhara who had sit on a ZindaSamadhi ' here some one thousand years ago. TheseSamadhis are also called Sanyasi' Dehris'. TheseSamadhis are also revered by the dovotees.

Gaushala: Presently a Gaushala which is the old-est in Jammu is being maintained in the temple prem-ises by the management.

Yoga center : The temple also runs on regularbasis a yoga centre in its premises.

Student hostel : There also exists in the templepremises , a hostel for the students studying in theSanskirt Vidyapeeth in Jammu.

Bhajan Sandhya : On every Monday, a BhajanSandhyaya is organized in the temple. Large gatheringof devotees assemble and listen to soulful bhajans inpraise of the Lord Shiva and other Gods and Goddess.

Mahashivaratri : Mahashivratri is the main festivalof the temple and is celebrated in a grand manner.

Excelsior/Rakesh

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/sunday-magazine"Didn't want to become.... Page 4 What is life about?.....Page 3

Oldest Temple in Jammu City

Gurudwara PATHAR SAHIBA Pinnacle of Holy Bliss in Leh

Rupaiye Wala Mandir

During his lifetime Guru Nanak Dev ji travelled to many

distant places and one such place was Tibet. Guru

Nanak Dev ji was well respected by Tibetan Buddhists

who consider him a saint. The Dalai Lama, spiritual

leader of Buddhists in Tibet has confirmed this in his

discussions with some Sikh leaders saying that

Tibetans revere Guru Nanak Dev ji as a Buddhist saint

under the name of Guru Gompka.