Origin and roots of reshi silsila – the most interesting silsila that became very popular in the kashmir valley & changed the map of the kashmir valley

Written by : Khanday Jeelani

Those who know the history of ancient times are aware that from the beginning of the population of Kashmir, there were pagan Buddhists in this paradise-like surroundings. There was also a godly group among them. Its people used to sit alone in the trunks of trees in caves and forests and worship their Creator. By avoiding all the delicious, savoury things, physical, and spiritual lusts, wild cassava (Hand in Kashmiri), wild greens (woopal hawk), bitter fruits, and inedible grains and things that are not good for the human body. 

They used to engage in penance. The spiritual power that was created in them by intense penance and killing the desires of the soul. She was of such a degree that whatever came out of their mouth, good or bad, in favour of someone, would immediately come to fruition. Therefore, their stories and tales are found in Hindu books with great exaggeration. For example, "Among all the deities, the Ganges originates from Mahadev Jata", people call him Reshi. "Reshi" is actually a Sanskrit word that means, a person who has erased his identity and become a real person who hates the world.

It is free from greed, lust, and ego. He did not enjoy the pleasures of lust or the pleasures of the soul. God knows how long after the establishment of human habitation on the planet, the sun of Islam has risen. And its rays spread from Arabia to all around, removing the history of falsehood and enlightening the world with the light of truthfulness. Righteousness in Iraq and Iran competed with arson and idolatry in India. Muslim kings conquered these lands and hoisted Islamic flags on royal palaces and forts. Muslim theologians and God-lovers enlightened hearts with spiritual grace and the light of faith. The swords of kings did not spread Islam but sowed the seeds of hatred. If the teachings of Islam, monotheism, and the light of faith were spread to the corners of the world and secretly, then the Muslim theologians, dervishes, and God-fearing elders would be compared to the arsonists, the Brahmins of the idolaters, the priests of the Trinity and the monks lost their spirituality.

This victory of hearts was the victory of Islam and this victory of spirituality was the victory of reality. Kashmir, whose people were known for their knowledge, ability, and spirituality from ancient times to the countries of the East and the West, when the elders of the religion of Islam remained hidden from view. Therefore, around 300 AHS, some of the Muslim friends of God and some of the elders came from abroad and started living in this country. 

He succeeded in converting the Brahmins and Rashis of this country to Islam through his deeds, character, circumstances, perfections, discoveries, and miracles. These elders of Islam were also called "Reshi" by the people here. During Mahmud Ghaznavi's invasions of India and Kashmir, many people of Kashmir converted to Islam and there was some aggression in the Reshi sect. Even in 725 AHS, all the Rishis, Pandits, and Muslims were killed during the reign of Zulqadar Khan. Some of the Rishis remained in caves and mountains. It has been written that due to the abundance and dominance of ghosts, the names and symbols of the places and tombs of Rishis did not remain. Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Reshi mentions only three or four Rishis in his speech on the Sunni parts which are written as follows:

Awal Reshi Ahmed Rishi, Doyim Reshi Hazrat Owais Aao, Treyim Reshi Zulka Reshi, Joram Reshi Hazrat Miran Aao, Paencxim Reshi Ruma Reshi, Shame Hazrat Plas Aao, Stams Karham Dashna Hashi, Be Kus Reshi Te Mai Kya Naaw

The first Rishi is Ahmed Reshi, and the second Rishi is Hazrat Owais Qarni. The third Reshi is Zulka Reshi, the Fourth Reshi is Miran Reshi, while the fifth Reshi is Rama Reshi. The sixth Reshi is Hazrat Plus Reshi. The Reshi of the seventh Reshi is placed in the category of Reshi's, so for God's sake tell me who I am and what is my name? It is unknown about the other four Reshi's. The rural storytellers explain the phrase "Danda Barta" that Miran Reshi means Hazrat Mehboob Subhani Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, and Rama Reshi means Hazrat Khawaja Khidr (as). 

God knows who owns Zulka Reshi and Palaas Reshi. For your information, let us tell you that some stories and tales which are not recorded in any book, but are told orally by the common people, are called "Dandha Barta" in Sanskrit. Which are not reliable but I have seen some of the verses of Hazrat Shaykh-ul-Alam which are listed in Reshi Nama. Considering these, it is clear that these four Rishis are residents of the same country and the narration of the storytellers is baseless. Those Reshi's are known to be something:

کر بندن توشہ خدائے کر بندن توشہ خدائے

یِمن میانین شترون دندن کوہ بسرت پیکویائے

چہسن تارے مژم اندن کر بندن توشہ خدائے

مکر تہ لوب مارم دُجے مژنمن کیژاہ ژائے

بگیہ کاستم وتل بُجے کر بندن توشہ خدائے

میون وکھن چھ ونان کایت چان بخت کم کم آئے

لولہ انگن گنڈتہک وندن کر بندن توشہ خدائے

حضرت تہ اویس قرنَس تم زہ تتی یل میجائے

بوکھ نہ حکم باوت کرنس کر بندن توشہ خدائے

ڈنڈک ونک زُلکا ریشی تم گژہس کڈن مائے

اَن کہنک تھاون نہ بندن کر بندن توشہ خدائے

تم حضرت میران ریشی کر یڈہ نفسس سیت کرینائے

پان آنژمن قترن دندن کر بندن توشہ خدائے

تم حضرت رُمہ ریشی جنتس منزار زان جائے

صد رحمت تمن چندن کر بندن توشہ خدائے

پران بیاس پلاس ریشو تم فرسس لون دِزائے

اکہ دمہ مٹھوس نہ زہ سو کر بندن توشہ خدائے

پت کالے یم اشِ لوئے تمو تپ کر بجے دشائے

زو تہ مُری چہوسک وندن کر بندن توشہ خدائے

اکسی مالس تہ ماجے ہندن کوہ تھاوتھک دوئی تہ نیائے

مُسلمانن کوہِ ہندن کر بندن توشہ خدائے

گُزار تو چور وقت بیہ پیشن دوہد نے جنتس جائے

ون دنت نندہؔ ریش زندن کر بندن توشہ خدائے

The above prayers are attributed to Hazrat Shaykh-ul-Alam Sheikh Nooruddin Reshi and who used to use his nickname "Nunda Reshi". It turns out that Ahmad Reshi means the Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Ahmad Mujtaba Muhammad Rasoolullah ﷺ. And Owais Reshi means Hazrat Owais Qarni. The other five rishis, the fifth of whom is Hazrat Shaykh-ul-Alam himself, are Kashmiri. Zulka Reshi is called from Dandak Van. Dandak Van Kamraj was the name of a forest in the Hamal area. Where there was a village of the same name and Hazrat Shaykh-ul-Alam considers Zulka Reshi's place of residence is there. 

He says about Hazrat Miran Rishi that he kept quarrelling with the nafs and used to give the nafs full water which was only applied to the teeth. Regarding Hazrat Rama Rishi, it is said that he made a place in Paradise, therefore the scholars say that it means Hazrat Khidr (as). 

This is not correct because Hazrat Khidr (as) will live till the Day of Judgment and the question of place in heaven does not arise. Plus, he says he's going to do "Pran Beas." Pran Beas means eternal confinement, holding one's breath forever. Hazrat Shaykh-ul-Alam says that these Reshi's were in the old days. And they worshiped God as they should, and I am a sacrifice to them.

1. Sayyid Quneen Fakhr-e-Darin Hazrat Ahmad Mujtaba Muhammad Rasoolullah ﷺ (Ahmad Rishi ﷺ)

According to the teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the source of divine mercy, the direct benefactor of the Rishis, the leader, and guide, according to the beliefs of the Rishis, when the teaching of Islam began in the world, yes, and from their time a new era begins. The first Rishi of this new era is Ahmad Mujtaba Muhammad Rasoolullah ﷺ. Not thousands but millions of books have been written and are being written on his life, his circumstances, his accomplishments. Therefore, it is enough to say here that in the inner and spiritual world, just as you are the source of all the series of saints. In the same way, the source of the chain of Reshi's is also your caste.

2. Hazrat Owais Qarni رضی اللہ عنہ

He was among God's friends and God-fearing people. Hazrat Muhammad Rasoolullah ﷺ used to say in his favour that "Owais of Qarn is one of the best followers in kindness and kindness (Qarn was a village in Yemen)". Once upon a time, the Holy Prophet ﷺ used to turn his blessed face towards Yemen and say that "the happy air of mercy comes from the century". It is said that Hazrat Owais Qarni was a lover of Rasoolullah ﷺ in absentia. But for two reasons he could not attend the service of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. There was dominance. There was so much in the memory of God that he did not even know about himself and the world. The second reason was that his mother was old, weak, and blind. He did not get time and leisure from his service. They used to run away from people. They roamed the mountains and deserts like crazy. They used to graze people's camels and did not go to anyone's house. It is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) handed over his mattress to Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and asked them to go to Yemen and wear it to a man from the Qarn tribe named Owais. And tell him to pray for my nation. Then, after the death of the Prophet ﷺ, both passed away. And conveyed the message of Hazrat Muhammad Rasoolullah ﷺ to Owais Qarni. Hazrat Owais Qarni raised his hand and prayed for the forgiveness of the Muhammadan Ummah ﷺ and a voice came from the unseen that the people of Bani Rabi 'and the sheep of Egypt forgave the sinners of the Muhammadan Ummah ﷺ for you equal to the number of their hairs. The circumstances, perfections, and miracles of Hazrat Owais Qarni are innumerable and beyond measure. Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to receive esoteric blessings in absentia. That is why they were called Owaisi. Some God-fearing and pure-hearted people are convinced that the inner grace reaches the Reshi's in absentia through Hazrat Owais Qarni. And that is why Rishi belonged to the "Oveyssi" series. It was written in a book that “On the night of Ascension, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw a man of great splendour in the upper world and asked Jibreel Amin who he is. Jibreel Amin (peace be upon him) said that this is his Ummati. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) asked when he would come into the world. Jibreel Amin said that he has come and lived in Qarn. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: We will meet him. Jibreel Amin said: No ruling.

حضرتسﷺ تہ اُویسؒ قرنس تم زہ تتے یلہِ میجائے

بوکھ نہ حکم باوت کرنس کر بندن توشہ خدائے

That Hazrat Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Hazrat Owais Qarni when they both met there. But they were not allowed to speak or report. O God, provide for your servants the way of life. This also indicates that Hazrat Owais Qarni is counted in the circle of the Reshiyan, that is, in receiving the blessings in absentia without meeting. Hazrat Owais Qarni was martyred in the battle of Sifeen on 3 Rajab 20 AH.

3. Hazrat Zulka Reshi رحمۃ اللہ علیہ

Hazrat Zulka Reshi was one of the great Reshi's of old. He lived in a village called Dandak in the Pargana forest of Hamal. He spent his whole life in worship and austerities. They used to break their fast by eating wild fruits. Hazrat Shaykh-ul-Alam says:

ڈنڈک ونک زُلکا ریشی کژھ پھل کہت کرن سوی

پختہ بہکت آس مکہت گوی تت مہ درد تو دیوے

Zulka, a resident of Dandak forest, used to worship, work hard and worship in the love of God by eating the fruits of silk bushes. He was a true lover of God and was saved and sent to God. Oh God, take me there too.

4. Hazrat Miran Reshi رحمۃ اللہ علیہ

Hazrat Miran Reshi was one of the Reshi's of old times. He used to worship in the mountains of Safapur and meditate at the place of Rishi Vani. He was always fasting and would break his fast with a glass of water. He was suicidal. He was 83 years old. They were counted among the so-called famous Reshi's. When he passed away, his body was blessed and I don't know where it flew away. Hazrat Shaykh-ul-Alam says:

رش ون ہند میران ریشیؒ! چندرہ ساسس ان جل چوی

ادہ دیہ ہت آکاش گوی تُت مہ ورد تو دِوَے

This means that Miran Reshi, a resident of Rishwani, ate bread and drank water for a thousand months. And all these eighty-three years were spent in worship and remembrance of God. Then he found the place where he went to heaven with his body. O give me that rank and status too.

5. Hazrat Ramu Reshi رحمۃ اللہ علیہ

Hazrat Ramu Rishi was known as Ruma Rishi. The leaders of the Kashmiris, free from hatred and excellence in worship and piety. The author of Waqia Kashmir writes that Ramu Rishi was one of the people on the other side of the river Jihan. Travelled the world, went on Hajj seven times. They met great friends of God. When Raja Jaishankar went to conquer India, he too came with his army on a tour of Kashmir and secluded himself in a cave in the village of Ramuha Pulwama which is still known by his name. Satisfied with wild herbs and greens. They did not eat meat or any kind of grain. Didn't talk to anyone. At the end of his life, he used to drink milk and only skin and bones were left on his blessed body. 

Dawar Reshi, Sheeban Reshi, and Angun Reshi served them. After a while, they both died and they spent time alone and the mountain goats came automatically. They would take milk according to their needs. When the fire was needed, mouth water would be found on the branch of a tree and the blowing branch would start burning and the fire would be ready. At some time, He would go for walks in the Yaron forests and wild animals would walk with them. No man dared to go to them. When he went on a tour of Punjab, he became a recluse in the Nagarkot area for many years.

One day Thohar's fork got stuck in his hand and he got injured. And his poison caused severe pain. The intensity of the pain came out of his tongue, "It's a very bad thorn, its seed is lost." God's Power The name of Thohar remained nowhere in Punjab for sixteen years. At the end of his life, his body and limbs became sluggish, and then Lederman Reshi used to serve him. When Mahmud Ghaznavi’s set up camp in Kashmir, he heard of his accomplishments and went to meet him and waited at the door of the cave. Keep reading "اطیعو اللہ و اطیعو الرسول و اولامر منکم". Reshi said, "Your mentor Sheikh Abul Hassan Kharqani threw me into the river as a child." When I took the plunge, the world of heaven opened up to me. That is why I met you with the exception of brotherhood. Give me a chance now The Sultan asked me to pray for the victory of the war. Rishi said that after this victory, the key to Somnath's victory was given to you. Then he cut a piece left from his saddle and gave it to the king and said, "If this piece is attached to your flag, your sword will not be blunt anywhere." He writes that one-day Reshi suffered from the severe winter cold. When he felt very cold, he said, "Why is the sun hidden from us?" At that time the sun came out and the cold began to subside and for six years there was no snow in Kashmir and no cold in winter. It is said that Ramu Reshi was 322 years old and with each passing year, his teeth would come out and new ones would appear. He disappeared from the cave in the time of Raja Jagdev Daata.

6. Hazrat Luderman Reshi رحمۃ اللہ علیہ

He was a resident of Gadda Sotho. Growing up in the youth of God's help, he left the world and became a Muslim with the help of his brother Plasman Reshi and Ramu Reshi. He tried so hard to worship, to be pious, and to remember God that the secrets of both worlds were revealed to him. For forty years he has never eaten anything without wild greens. Nor did he keep in touch with anyone. After the disappearance of Ramu Reshi, he went on a tour of India and spent a few years in the service of Sirhang Reshi at Mount Shawalak. When he returned to Kashmir. So, there was a group of Rishis with them who all became isolated in the cave of Risari Ari. And there he continued to worship God for many years. After some time, they returned to India and some were buried in the same cave. Luderman Reshi was 130 years old and was buried in the same cave.

7. Hazrat Plasman Reshi رحمۃ اللہ علیہ

Hazrat Plasman Reshi was the brother and disciple of Luderman Reshi. Ramu Rishi's eyes were also on him. He achieved a very high status by determining the stages, and locations of treatment of his brother Lederman Reshi. He was more than a brother in cannon and silent worship. They did not eat anything during the day and did not sleep at night. They used to break the fast by licking the white bark of the trees. They hid in caves for years and did not show their faces to anyone. Sometimes they would be isolated in the cave of Boma Zoha. People used to come there to see him often. It is said that Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated in Bumzu Cave for one year. And his friends and devotees gathered there to meet him. One of his friends had gone on Hajj. There, on the same day of Eid, he saw Plasman Reshi walking in Mina Bazaar. This was revealed on his return. The point is that plasma Reshi had a large device in the discovery and miracles and in the fixed house. Many people benefited from them and gained a higher level of spiritual power. In caves and caverns, they engaged in worship and devotion to God. It is said that before he became a Muslim, he had two sons named Khalasman Reshi and Yasman Reshi. When Hazrat Plasman Reshi passed away at the age of one hundred and eighteen years, the beard of Yasmin Reshi had turned completely white and some of the hairs of Khalasman Reshi had also turned white. Not a single hair of Hazrat Plasman Reshi had turned white. Hazrat Plasman Reshi is buried in Kariwa Bijbihara.

8. Hazrat Khalasman Reshi (Kilas) رحمۃ اللہ علیہ

He was the son of Hazrat Plasman Reshi. After receiving training from his father, he became fully acquainted with the places of conduct and reached the level of virtue and perfection. After the demise of his Murshid, he went to Mount Shawalak and returned to Kashmir after receiving further training from the disciples of Sirhang Reshi, who were great Rishis. He had overcome his desires by committing suicide. Avoided delicious and enjoyable things. He died in the time of Sultan Shams-ud-Din and was buried with his father Hazrat Plasman Reshi in Kariwa Bijbihara.

9. Hazrat Yasman Reshi رحمۃ اللہ علیہ

He was the brother of Hazrat Khalasman Reshi, God-fearing, pious, forsaken of pleasures and lusts. He spent most of his life in the company of beasts and beasts in the woods, hidden from public view. If a man saw him in the forest, he was afraid. One day the people who went to the forest saw that the blue cow (wild cow) came to him automatically. She took the milk. And after giving, the cow went back. It is also said that the lion rode wherever he wanted to go. For a time after the death of his brother Khalasman Reshi, he used to sit on his grave next to it (which protects the tomb of an elder). He died in the last reign of Sultan Alauddin and was buried beside his brother.

10. Hazrat Soran Reshi رحمۃ اللہ علیہ

He was one of the disciples of Hazrat Khalasman Reshi. He worked very hard in worshiping God. For forty years he sat in a cave in Kanar, a village in Pargana Nagam, and ate nothing but rotten leaves of wild greens. One day Sultan Shamsuddin's son Sultan Jamshed went to the forest to hunt. Suddenly he reached the shrine of Reshi. Waited a long time at the mouth of the cave. But Hazrat Soran Reshi did not pay any attention and did not open the door. The prince was heartbroken and returned to everyone. Arriving in the city, he sent a widow, Nanda Pakhan Badkar, who was unparalleled in beauty, beauty, and cunning, to read this strip so that in any case, he could trap Soran Reshi in a trap and get him out of the seat of Reshiyan. Randi sat at the door of Hazrat Soren Reshi and called out, "I have sent one of the maidens of heaven to serve you. Open the door and honor me for your service." Hazrat Soran Reshi, according to the saying "When death comes, the eyes become blind", opened the door and allowed him to enter.