TREATMENT OF DENGUE FEVER; ALLOPETHIC, HOMEOPATHIC, HERBAL, FOOD AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

         

             

           Dengue fever is caused by four closely related serotypes DV1, DV2, DV3 DV4 virus of genus flavivirus. Dengue fever is on the rise in world, present in almost all continents with special outbreak in tropical and sub tropical region.  

               According to World Health Organization dengue has increased 30 folds worldwide in the last 50 years.  About 3 billion population of the world is vulnerable to dengue fever. It is present in about 112 countries of the world. Every year about 350 million people are infected with dengue virus resulting in deaths of 25,000 people. Unfortunately, no medicine for treatment is available. Many countries are making Herculean efforts to develop anti-dengue vaccine; many are at the stage of animal trial and some have reached to human level tests. It is expected that vaccine will be launched in 2014 or 2015. In the mean time, we have to look for other methods of treatment:        

Allopathic Treatment:

              Dengue fever has four type according to intensity, body resistance, type of virus and number of attack; Benign Dengue which is almost asymptomatic; Dengue fever(DF); Dengue Hemorrhage Fever(DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS):

               

ASPIRIN

IPUBRUFEN

In case of dengue fever, patient should be given complete bed rest. Paracetamol(anti pyretic drug) and cold water dressing should be used to lower the temperature. Never

DICLOPHENIC

give patient Aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid), Ibuprofen, Ponstan ,Diclophenic as they increase the risk of bleeding. The patient must be given liquid profusely.

           

           In case of DHF, the above treatment is given to the patient, however, antipyretic medicine is not must effective in case of DHF. Vomiting, nausea, anorexia is accompanied by high grade fever and pains in DHF. Vomiting leads to dehydration so ORS (oral rehydration salt) and fruit juices must be given to the patient. Patient must be monitored and treated carefully if need glucose drip should be applied.

                In case of DSS, glucose drip is mandatory and sometime blood transfusion is carried out.

Homeopathic Treatment

               

        Dr Tajammal Hussain Bukhari told an effective dengue control prescription from homeopathy.  Bryonia, Rhustox, Ipecoc, China, Eupaturrium 30 Crotalis 200 are given once in a day. Sri Lankan homeopathic doctors prescribe Blancha Tincture, it increases platelets count.

Herbal Treatment

1. The juice of papaya leave is given to patient. This food therapy had been in use since Jahangir’s period.

2. There was a woman in Lahore whose all family was suffering from Dengue. She went to a Hakim (Doctor of Herbal medicine) who prescribed: “Add mint, aniseed, cardamom in water and boil and then cool it. Use this liquid extract in place of ordinary water. All his family recovered in a day or so. Then the lady went from hospital to hospital to tell people this herbal treatment.

 

Food Therapy

 

1. Give patient a mixture of apple juice by adding a little lime juice, it is said to increase platelets counts.

2. Citron is considered an effective food therapy by many nutritionalists.

3. Guava is also effective food.

4. Tomato has been reported by many to be efficacious.

5. In Sri Lanka, patient is given sugarcane juice with addition of small amount of beet juice and lemon juice.  

Psychological Therapy

         Dengue fever dreads disastrously and anxiety, fear, distress grip the patient alarmingly, making him “Denguephobiac”.It reminds me a German maxim: “Fear a mouse and he will become a wolf.”Out of 230 million infected people each year, only 20% develop any symptom and only 1 million are hospitalized. Among the 20% who shows symptom, 15% develops dengue fever which is not fatal and remaining 5% gets dengue hemorrhage fever which is serious. And among these 5% only 1% dies (more exactly 0.87%).So there is no need to get panic which is more dangerous than dengue.

             Take the example of snake-bite. Only 10% land snakes are poisonous but snake bite deaths are more than 10% as most people die from “fear” rather than poison. So, shed the fear. Take another example from two English idioms- “Cat has nine lives” but “care killed a cat”. Dread is disastrous so there is no need to turn ‘hypochondriac’ and ‘denguephobiac’ as there is a maxim in medical science: “Two and two are not four, it is twenty two.” It means if there is malady of intensity “two” and you have a dread  and make it to the tune of “two”. The total malady will not be of the value of “four” but will be “twenty-two”. So, shed off the fear and trust on God. It is how one can detonate dengue dread!

              My father Nazar Hussain(an English poet and writer) used to say: “Think you are rich, rich you become; think you are wise, wise you become; think you are healthy, healthy you become….” So ask yourself that I am healing, I am getting better, I will fight with this disease…you will be healthy soon. If you don’t believe me, try it, you will get the answer.

NOTE: SCIENTIFIC PROOF OF ABOVE MENTIONED HERBAL AND FOOD THERAPIES IS NOT AVAILABLE.BUT MANY PEOPLE REPORTED THEM EFFICACIOUS; “VOICE PEOPLE, VOICE DIEM.”

MYSTERY OF HAKIMON KA MAQBARA AND LALA RUKH’S TOMB, HASAN ABDAL

MYSTERY OF HAKIMON KA MAQBARA AND LALA RUKH’S TOMB, HASAN ABDAL

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

      We reached Hasan Abdal from Abottabad to see Gurdwara Panja Sahib at about 8 am. But due to prayer time of Sikhs, guard asked us to come at 10 am. We became worried thinking, how to spend about two hours? Perhaps, the guard judged anxiety on our faces, he suggested: “In the meanwhile, you can see the meditation place of Baba Wali Qandhari(RA) and Hakimon ka Maqbra( tomb of persons expert in eastern herbal medicines). Both places are at a stone’s 

through from Gurdwara.”

       First we saw meditation chamber of Baba Wali Qandhari (RA), then came out of the sacred room. In the front of the Holy Place, there were cart sellers, selling usual things which are often sold on darbars (tombs of saints). We asked one of them: “Where is Hakimon ka Maqbara?”The cart seller quickly raised his hand and pointed towards the tomb and said: “there it lies!”

         There was an iron bar gate behind that a lush green thick forest, with a few ravaged structures, was visible. On entering the main gate, wife said: “It is a small but beautiful garden.” We all looked around and felt that it was a pleasant and picturesque place to visit. On the entrance, the Archaeology Department has installed Informational Board, both

 in Urdu and English. I read both versions and then kept on explaining it, whatever we saw next. There is a vast brick roadway almost dividing the garden into two parts. On our left side, there was an octagonal pinkish structure with four arched entrance. There was no grave inside the tomb. In fact, this mausoleum with water tank on western side was constructed by Khawaja Shams ud din Khawafi, the Governor of the Punjab, in 1589 AD for himself.

 The two brothers; Hakim Abdul Fateh Gilani and Hakim Hamam had extraordinary competency in eastern medicine. Their proficiency bestowed them a respectable position in Akbar’s court. Both brothers had direct access to Akbar. Hakim Hamam was closer and favorite of the two for Emperor Akbar. When they died, they were buried in this garden on the order of Akbar, setting aside the wish and efforts of Khawaja Shamsuddin who built it for himself.

 After the burial of Hakims, this garden came to be known as Hakimon ka Maqbara. In Ain-i-‘akbari , there is mention of the town( Hasan Abdal) and is also written that Shams ud din built a vault for himself in which lies Hakim Abdul Fateh buried. Akbar visited the town on his way back from Kashmir is also mentioned.

                   Amsar Hussain uttered in surprise; “What type of tomb is this, where there is no grave.”  During Sikh rule (1799-1849), the graves of venerated hakims (doctors of eastern medicine) were leveled and this octagonal sepulcher was used as the munshi khana (vernacular office). Now, it is crypt without graves. On one side, there was excess to upper recesses as well as the roof through staircase but now they are all blocked. Zawar Hussain advised: “Archaeology department should install an epitaph of the two hakims inside this octagonal tomb.” Amsar Hussain nodded his head in acknowledgement and said: “Their bodies are still there, the Sikhs have leveled the upper part of the graves to use it as clerk office. Thus, the installation of epitaph and reconstruction of the outer part of the grave will lessen the loss incurred by the Sikhs.”

                   Then we came out of the vault and went westward, there was a small water tank which had many fish. Tank showed lack of cleanliness and repair. From there we went through brick pavement towards eastern side. There were much type of plants especially Cyprus and flowers on each side of the way. At the end, we saw a square boundary with a wooden door.

We opened the door and entered the premises. There was a grave built on high platform in almost centre of the site. The structure was built by limestone, bricks and lime mortar. Surface was decorated with colourful fresco (painting on wall plaster) paintings which are now disappearing due to weathering and lack of repair work. Nisar Hussain asked: “Who is lying in the grave?” This is a tomb of Lala Rukh, member of Royal family of the Mughal Emperor Humayoun. Perhaps she was died here at Hasan Abdal ongoing or coming back from Kashmir.

                   Some writer says Empress Noor Jehan was buried here. It is recorded historical fact that Noor Jehan(wife of Emperor Jahangir) went to Kashmir along with Jahangir. There is a town Ittar Shisha(scent glass) between Mansehra and Balakot 

and people say that once bottle of rose scent of Noor Jehan fell here and broken apart and the place came to be known as Ittar Shisha. There is another tradition that once Noor Jehan fell ill while gong to Kashmir. Her eyes got severe infection and she could not see anything. Jahangir got worried and didn’t sleep the whole night. Next day a fakir (saint) came to pass there. Jahangir told him his worry. The fakir advised: “Clean her eyes with river water”, flowing near his halt. Noor Jehan did so and recovered completely.

 That place is come to be known as Nain Sukh(soother of eyes) and still exist near Kashmir. Many people suffering from eye disease go there and wash their eyes with river water and get recovery. The above traditions show that Noor Jehan came in this area and was sick. Perhaps these traditions are behind the belief that Noor Jehan was buried here. Otherwise, Noor Jehan died on 17^th December, 1645 and was buried at Shahdara Bagh in Lahore in a tomb she had built herself.

                     Lala Rukh means red face, Mughal had white colour and during fever, face often becomes red. There is great possibility that any Mughal princess might be travelling towards Kashmir and fell ill during the course and latter on died here and people remembered her with red face which might be the outcome of fever or otherwise. So they might start her calling as Lala Rukh. Her real name might be a different one.  It was a prestigious garden where its builder and Governor of the time could not find the place of burial. Then, how could an ordinary person got burial here instead of a dignitary one. This point also favors that any Mughal princess is buried here. Further, the construction of tomb depicts typical Mughal architecture style. So, there is great likelihood that any Mughal princess is buried here and her real name is different from Lala Rukh.

        Some researchers say British were charmed by Thomas More’s imaginary heroine and might have mistakenly named the place as such. Thomas More says he patterned his heroine after the Emperor Aurangzeb’s daughter, but historian says none of the Emperor’s daughters had name of Lala Rukh. Thus the identity of the occupant of tomb is unknown. Again if it was an imaginary princess then how imagination transformed into a real grave of illustrious features; separate enclosure, high plate form of variegated sand stone, use of limestone and burnt bricks laid in lime mortar and above all thick plastered surface decorated with colourful fresco having floral design of red and green colour. The tomb wall is square having each side of 100 feet with beautiful pillars at four corners and rich plantation---all indicates the presence of a illustrious personality and celebrity of the time inside the tomb. Who was more distinguished other than the royal princesses for whom the Greater Mughal built structure like Taj Mahal.

             The modern writers, who thinks identity of the occupant of the tomb is unknown, refer this mausoleum as Saroo Wala Maqbra(Cypress Tomb) as many cypress trees are present there.

             Whosoever is lying in the garden tomb is the lucky one as it is one of the most amazing places I have ever visited because the person who built it for himself couldn’t get opportunity to be buried here; the persons, who were actually buried here, have lost their graves and the grave which still exists has lost identity of the occupant person! What a strange happening! So, this tomb should better be called Strange Tomb.

CONFLICT OF TRADITIONS, ABOUT SPRING OUTBREAK AT HASAN ABDAL, RELATED TO BABA WALI KANDHARI RA AND BABA GURU NANAK.

 CONFLICT OF TRADITIONS, ABOUT SPRING OUTBREAK AT HASAN ABDAL, RELATED TO BABA WALI KANDHARI RA AND BABA GURU NANAK.

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN             
On returning from Abbottabad, we halted at Hasan Abdal to see meditation place of Hazrat Baba Wali Kandhari (R.A), Hakimon ka Maqbra and Gurdwara Panja Sahib – The three most renowned historical sites of Hasan Abdal. During journey, my eldest son Amsar Hussain asked the importance of Gurdwara Panja Sahib. I told him that once Baba Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, came here and an incidence took place which resulted in a hand print mark of Baba Guru Nanak on a stone, still lying in the Gurdwara. Thousands of Sikhs come from all over the world to see that hand print. Zawar Hussain asked, “Who was Baba Guru Nanak?­­­”. Baba Guru Nanak  is the founder of Sikhism,born on 15th April, 1469 in the house of Mehta Kalu (Patwari)  in Rai bhoi ki Talvandi now Nankana Sahib near Sheikhupura. He was the first of the ten Sikh Gurus to whom Sikh believes that Sanctified spirit of Guru Nanak descended upon each of the nine subsequent gurus when they embellished Guruship.

                 From childhood, Baba Guru Nanak was interested in divine subjects. One can understand his interest in deity that in village school, he astounded his teacher when he described symbol of first letter of alphabet, which is straight and upright in Persian and Arabic, to be indicating the unity and oneness of God.                  

                   Many miraculous events are attributed to Guru Nanak. Rai Balu, a local landlord, reported that once Guru Nanak was sleeping and a poisonous cobra provided shade to save him from the scorching Sun.   I t is also reported by a resident of Sacha Soda who was travelling with me from Lahore on Sargodha Express that once in early days of Baba Guru Nanak’s life, his father gave him camels loaded with cereals to take them and sell out the cereal . He sat out for a trade journey. Within a few days, He returned back. His father was astonished on his early return and asked what the outcome of business deal was?  Nanak replied, “He had made a sucha soda (a true deal)”. His father inquired more details. He said, “When he was passing near a village, he saw people dying of hunger, consequently, he distributed all the cereals among the poor and returned”. Later on, that village got the name of Sucha Soda and is still present near Sheikhupura.

                  It is reported by Prof Naseer Habib now in UK about Guru Nanak that he was in confinement (jail) and Zaheer uddin Babar( the founder of Mughal Dynasty) invaded India and came pass there. He released Guru Nanak and in gratitude Guru blessed him; “Go and enjoy as your seven descendents will rule over the throne”.

                   Another miraculous event related to Guru Nanak happened when he was 30 years old. One day he didn’t return after ablution (Wazzu), his clothes were lying on the bank of stream/river_Kali Bein. The villagers assumed that he had been drowned in the stream. Daulat Khan Lodhi, the governor of the Punjab for whom Baba Guru Nanak had worked for, ordered to drag the stream to search his body but with no avail. The villagers left the stream in a confused manner; some proclaimed he was dead, other said he was alive. After three days, he reappeared and flabbergasted everyone. He didn’t speak to any one for a day. The next day he broke the silence and pronounced: “There is neither Hindu nor Mussulman (Muslim) so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God’s path. God is neither Hindu nor Mussulman and the path which I follow is God’s”. Guru Nanak reported that he had been taken to God’s Court and was served with a cup of nectar (amrita) and was given command: “This is the cup of adoration of God’s name. Drink it. I am with you. I bless you and raise you up. Whoever remembers you will enjoy my favour. Go, rejoice of My Name and teach other to do so. I have bestowed the gift of my name upon you. Let this be your calling.”

                      After this proclamation, Nanak got mentioning in the accounts as a Guru and thus a new religion Sikhism got birth. Here Nisar questioned,” What is the religious book of Sikh?” Guru Granth Sahib, a vast collection of verses written in Gurumukhi script. It is reported that once Baba Guru Nanak went to Pak Pattan and sought permission from Gadi Nasheen( keeper of a saint’s tomb) of Hazarat Baba Farid Shakar Ganj RA to be allowed to add some verses of Baba Farid RA in his book that he was granted.

                      Guru Nanak then travelled on foot with a Muslim companion Bhai Mardana in all over India and in nearby countries in five different journeys (udasi) from 1500 to 1524. My youngest daughter Sadaf Fatima asked: “what he taught to the people”. The core and crux of his teaching has three parts ; first Vand kay  Chakko_ helping others especially needy ones ; second Kirat Karo_ earn living honestly ; third Naam Japna_ Meditating  God’s name to control 5 evils to eliminate suffering and live a happy life. Basic principles of Sikhism are Truth, Equality, Freedom, Justice and Karma. Zawar Hussain asked about the numbers of Sikh. There are about 23.8 million Sikhs in the world and about 21 million (i.e. 9%) live in India. Nisar suddenly asked: “How many Sikhs live in Pakistan?” They are about 20000 in Pakistan. Sadaf asked: “Why Sikhs are called Sikhs….all laughed but mother ordered them to be quiet. The word Sikh means students or disciple or follower so Sikh means the disciples of Guru Nanak.

                     Amsar asked: “When did Guru Nanak came to Hasan Abdal”? Probably in his third journey (1514-1518) which lasted for 5 years during which he visited Kashmir, Sumer Parbat, Tashkand, Sikkim, Tibet, Nepal, etc.

                    kirtan. On hearing, many followers gathered there.

  In the meanwhile, prayer time of Sikhs in Gurdwara ended and we were allowed to enter for a short period. First, we went down stairs, there was a fresh water tank having many fish quite visible and a rock. An elderly and three young Sikhs were standing in the water near the sacred rock. We sought their permission to see the sacred rock having hand print of Baba Guru Nanak. They allowed but advised us to cover your heads with any cloth. Then one by one we went near the rock, having a hand print of Baba Guru Nanak, underneath a spring of water was gushing out. Here I asked the elderly Sikh about the story behind this hand print. He said Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana came to Hasan Abdal in Baisakh Samwat in 1521. They sat under a cool shady tree and started reciting

                   This practice annoyed the local saint Baba Wali Qandhari (R.A) who was meditating in the nearby top of hill. There was a spring of water on the top of hill. Guru Nanak sent Bhai Mardana thrice to fetch water from Baba Wali Qandhari (R.A). But he refused to give water rather said, “Why don’t you ask your master for water whom you serve.” Mardana went back to Guru Nanak and told the whole conversation. On hearing, Guru Nanak asked: “Oh, Mardana! Repeat the name of God! The Almighty and drink the water to your heart content.”

                  The Guru put aside a big rock and pure fountain of water sprang up and began to flow endlessly. Bhai Mardana quenched his thirst. On the other hand, fountain of Baba Wali Qandhari RA dried up. On witnessing this he threw a rock in rage towards Guru from the top of the hill. Guru Nanak stopped the down hurling rock with his hand that left behind his hand print on the rock for ever. On seeing this, Baba Wali Qandhari became Guru’s devotee. So the matter ended in truce.

                     Later on, a Gurdwara was built containing sacred rock on the spot where Baba Nanak stayed. After hearing this tradition, we had a cursory look of the Gurdwara as our allotted time was vanishing.

                  

The above mentioned is a sikh tradition. Muslims had their own tradition about the eruption of springs. A shepherd named Hasan, was a Gujar and had reared many buffalos. One day a faqir (saint) Abdal came to him and requested for milk. Hasan apologetically said that her buffalos were dry. So he was unable to fulfill his desire. The faqir Abdal laid hand on one of them and asked him to milk. He did so and got milk and presented a copious draught. Abdal satiated his thirst and in gratitude said, “What could he do for him? Hassan replied

there ware straitened circumstances due to dearth of water. On hearing this, saint Abdal struck the nearby hills at two places and as a result, two springs surged out.

                  On hearing the both traditions, all my children asked, “Which one is the right one?” I replied it is very hard to discriminate between the two at this juncture. There are many factors which must be taken into consideration before drawing any conclusion.

               First, one has to put aside one’s religious alignment with Baba Wali Kandhari in case of Muslim and with Guru Nanak in case of Sikh to reach the truth but it is very hard task to become unprejudice as religion like soil (country) stains every fabric of one’s body, mind and soul. Second, during 7^th century AD, a Chinese traveler Hiouen Thsang visited this area and reported a sacred spring of Elapatra about 70 li to the northwest of Taxila that is identical to one of the current site of Gurdwara Punja Sahib. If the quoted date of travel of Thsang is right then the spring existed before Hazarat Baba Wali Qandhari and Baba Guru Nanak. So we have to recheck and research the exact date of arrival of Thsang.

 

                  

Third, William Finch travelled in this area in between 1608-1611 and mentioned in his travelogue: “There existed a pleasant town with a small river and any many water tanks in which many fishes with golden rings in their rose. The water is so clear that you may see a penny in the bottom.”  Finch record just proved the existence of water tank, clear water and presence of fish that we have seen in Gurdwara and in Hakimon ka Maqbra.

                   Fourth, saints have their own traditions and obligations. One rarely finds two saints quarrelling and that too on such a petty issue of sip of water. Fifth, saints are self less people, inclined only toward good and serve the people to please God. They undergo a hectic expedition first to minimize their main (ego) and then to diminish it forever. Self annihilation, self control and search of Supreme Soul;

 are their coveted utmost goals. When they achieve, they get nirvana, enlightenment, divine light, mukti, etc. and it is how a tiny droplet of water becomes the part of magnanimous, colossal and boundless ocean. Now! Can anyone dare to accept an egoistic attitude from a reverend saint? Then how is it possible that Baba Wali Qandhari (R.A) tumbled heavy stone in a rage to kill someone. The saints kill their self and rescue other; it is their training, temperament and tradition.

                 Sixth, the period of stay of Wali Qandhari at Hasan Abdal is 1406-1416AD when he was meditating at an altitude of 714 meter. According to folklore saint Wali Qandhari  (R.A)  was popularly known as Baba Hasan Abdal.It shows his popularity among masses that a city was recalled on his name. Then he left this area and died and buried in village Baba Wali near Qandhar (Afghanistan). However, according to Sikh tradition, Guru Nanak visited Hasan Abdal in 1521. So there is difference of period of about 100 years between the two.There might be another person with whom this incidence took place (If the above mentioned dates are correct).

                  Seventh, if we look the etymology of Hasan Abdal, some valid clue can be drawn for the veracity of above two traditions. Hasan means pious, good, beautiful whereas Abdal means group of saints entrusted management of the world by God. So the whole word means “pious saints”. And everyone knows that both the personalities were pious and saints. It may be reason behind the name Hasan Abdal. Furthermore, this explanation provides an amicable harmony till the further research is made by the historian.

                In one of my article, I wrote: Hasan Abdal-a place of miracles. Now, keeping in mind the etymology, I will say Hasan Abdal is the place of saints.

NOTE ; FURTHER RESEARCH IS REQUIRED TO PROBE THE TRUTH AND REMOVE THE CONTRADICTION OF DATES, EVENTS, ETC.IT IS A HUMBLE EFFORT TO START DEBATE AND TO INSTIGATE RESEARCHERS.

GURDWARA PANJA SAHIB,HASAN ABDAL

              GURDWARA PANJA SAHIB,HASAN ABDAL

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

                

       

On returning from Abbottabad, we halted at Hasan Abdal to see meditation place of Hazrat Baba Wali Kandhari (R.A), Hakimon ka Maqbra and Gurdwara Panja Sahib – The three most renowned historical sites of Hasan Abdal. During journey, my eldest son Amsar Hussain asked the importance of Gurdwara Panja Sahib. I told him that once Baba Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, came here and an incidence took place which resulted in a hand print mark of Baba Guru Nanak on a stone, still lying in the Gurdwara. Thousands of Sikhs come from all over the world to see that hand print. Zawar Hussain asked, “Who was Baba Guru Nanak?­­­”. Baba Guru Nanak  is the founder of Sikhism,born on 15th April, 1469 in the house of Mehta Kalu (Patwari)  in Rai bhoi ki Talvandi now Nankana Sahib near Sheikhupura. He was the first of the ten Sikh Gurus to whom Sikh believes that Sanctified spirit of Guru Nanak descended upon each of the nine subsequent gurus when they embellished Guruship.

            

  From childhood, Baba Guru Nanak was interested in divine subjects. One can understand his interest in deity that in village school, he astounded his teacher when he described symbol of first letter of alphabet, which is straight and upright in Persian and Arabic, to be indicating the unity and oneness of God.                  

                   Many miraculous events are attributed to Guru Nanak. Rai Balu, a local landlord, reported that once Guru Nanak was sleeping and a poisonous cobra provided shade to save him from the scorching Sun.   I t is also reported by a resident of Sacha Soda who was travelling with me from Lahore on Sargodha Express that once in early days of Baba Guru Nanak’s life, his father gave him camels loaded with cereals to take them and sell out the cereal . He sat out for a trade journey. Within a few days, He returned back. His father was astonished on his early return and asked what the out come of business deal was?  Nanak replied, “He had made a sucha soda (a true deal)”. His father inquired more details. He said, “When he was passing near a village, he saw people dying of hunger, consequently, he distributed all the cereals among the poor and returned”. Later on, that village got the name of Sucha Soda and is still present near Sheikhupura.

             
 It is reported by Prof Naseer Habib now in UK about Guru Nanak that he was in confinement (jail) and Zaheer uddin Babar( the founder of Mughal Dynasty) invaded India and came pass there. He released Guru Nanak and in gratitude Guru blessed him; “Go and enjoy as your seven descendents will rule over the throne”.

                   Another miraculous event related to Guru Nanak happened when he was 30 years old. One day he didn’t return after ablution (Wazzu), his clothes were lying on the bank of stream/river_Kali Bein. The villagers assumed that he had been drowned in the stream. Daulat Khan Lodhi, the governor of the Punjab for whom Baba Guru Nanak had worked for,ordered to drag the stream to search his body but with no avail. The villagers left the stream in a confused manner; some proclaimed he was dead, other said he was alive. After three days, he reappeared and flabbergasted everyone. He didn’t speak to any one for a day. The next day he broke the silence and pronounced: “There is neither Hindu nor Mussulman (Muslim) so whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God’s path. God is neither Hindu nor Mussulman and the path which I follow is God’s”. Guru Nanak reported that he had been taken to God’s Court and was served with a cup of nectar (amrita) and was given command: “This is the cup of adoration of God’s name. Drink it. I am with you. I bless you and raise you up. Whoever remembers you will enjoy my favour. Go, rejoice of My Name and teach other to do so. I have bestowed the gift of my name upon you. Let this be your calling.”

                      After this proclamation, Nanak got mentioning in the accounts as a Guru and thus a new religion Sikhism got birth. Here Nisar questioned,” What is the religious book of Sikh?” Guru Granth Sahib, a vast collection of verses written in Gurumukhi script. It is reported that once Baba Guru Nanak went to Pak Pattan and sought permission from Gadi Nasheen( keeper of a saint’s tomb) of Hazarat Baba Farid Shakar Ganj RA to be allowed to add some verses of Baba Farid RA in his book that he was granted.

                      Guru Nanak then travelled on foot with a Muslim companion Bhai Mardana in all over India and in nearby countries in five different journeys (udasi) from 1500 to 1524. My youngest daughter Sadaf Fatima asked: “what he taught to the people”. The core and crux of his teaching has three parts ; first Vand kay  Chakko_ helping others especially needy ones ; second Kirat Karo_ earn living honestly ; third Naam Japna_ Meditating  God’s name to control 5 evils to eliminate suffering and live a happy life. Basic principles of Sikhism are Truth, Equality, Freedom, Justice and Karma. Zawar Hussain asked about the numbers of Sikh. There are about 23.8 million Sikhs in the world and about 21 million( i.e. 9%) live in India. Nisar suddenly asked: “How many Sikhs live in Pakistan?” They are about 20000 in Pakistan. Sadaf asked: “Why Sikhs are called Sikhs….all laughed but mother ordered them to be quiet. The word Sikh means students or disciple or follower so Sikh means the disciples of Guru Nanak.

                     Amsar asked: “When did Guru Nanak came to Hasan Abdal”? Probably in his third journey (1514-1518) which lasted for 5 years during which he visited Kashmir, Sumer Parbat, Tashkand, Sikkim, Tibet, Nepal, etc.

                     

 In the meanwhile, prayer time of Sikhs in Gurdwara ended and we were allowed to enter for a short period. First, we went down stairs, there was a fresh water tank having many fish quite visible and a rock. An elderly and three young Sikhs were standing in the water near the sacred rock. We sought their permission to see the sacred rock having hand print of Baba Guru Nanak. They allowed but advised us to cover your heads with any cloth. Then one by one we went near the rock, having a hand print of Baba Guru Nanak, underneath a spring of water was gushing out. Here I asked the elderly Sikh about the story behind this hand print. He said Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana came to Hasan Abdal in Baisakh Samwat in 1521. They sat under a cool shady tree and started reciting kirtan. On hearing, many followers gathered there.

                   

This practice annoyed the local saint Baba Wali Qandhari (R.A) who was meditating in the nearby top of hill. There was a spring of water on the top of hill. Guru Nanak sent Bhai Mardana thrice to fetch water from Baba Wali Qandhari (R.A). But he refused to give water rather said, “Why don’t you ask your master for water whom you serve.” Mardana went back to Guru Nanak and told the whole conversation. On hearing, Guru Nanak asked: “Oh, Mardana! Repeat the name of God! The Almighty and drink the water to your heart content.”

                  The Guru put aside a big rock and pure 

fountain of water sprang up and began to flow endlessly. Bhai Mardana quenched his thirst. On the other hand, fountain of Baba Wali Qandhari RA dried up. On witnessing this he threw a rock in rage towards Guru from the top of the hill. Guru Nanak stopped the down hurling rock with his hand that left behind his hand print on the rock for ever. On seeing this, Baba Wali Qandhari became Guru’s devotee. So the matter ended in truce.

                     Later on, a Gurdwara was built containing sacred rock on the spot where Baba Nanak stayed. After hearing this tradition, we had a cursory look of the Gurdwara as our allotted time was vanishing.It was really a pleasant, informative and memorable visit.

HASAN ABDAL; A PLACE OF MIRACLES

 HASAN ABDAL; A PLACE OF MIRACLES       

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

We came to Abbotabad from Islamabad via Taxila. The route was short, entertaining due to Khanpur Lake and informative due to Hattar Industrial state. But the road was in very bad condition. So, on return, we decided to try another route. We planned to go to Hasan Abdal and then M-2 for Islamabad. Hasan Abdal was about 69 km from Abbottabad on Silk Road. There road was good, curly at 

some places, having heights and deeps thus making journey a pleasant task. It was a mountainous way and there was thick plantation on each side of road. Silk Road is historically important trade route but it has lot of rush that is why I call it Shahrah-e-Rush instead of Shahrah-e-Resham. To avoid traffic jam, we left Abbottabad at 6.30 am and reached Hasan Abdal at about 8 am.

              Hasan Abdal is a historic city in Attock district. It has an elevation 1010 ft and population of about 54,200 (2007) and is 40km from Rawalpindi and about 60 km from Islamabad via Burhan Interchange through motorway.

            

It is famous for Gurdwara Panja Sahib where there is a rock containing hand print of Baba Guru Nanak underneath is the spring of water containing fish. Thousands of Sikhs pay visit all around the years and especially during Besakhi. For Sikhs, it is one of the holiest place along with the Golden Temple Amritsar and birth place of Nankana Sahib. First, we tried to see this hand print of Baba Guru Nanak but the official of Auqaf Department said, “It is not allowed for Muslim to enter the Gurdwara due to security threat and secondly it is the prayer time of the Sikh. It aroused our curiosity to see the meditation way of the Sikh. We requested him to have complete thorough scrutiny of the family and he said that at 10 am their prayer will end and we will allow you to have cursory look of the sacred rock. In the meantime you can see the meditation place of Hazarat Baba Wali Qandhari(RA). On hearing the name of Baba Wali Qandhari our heart filled with joy and reverence as my father Subedar(Rtd) Nazar Hussain was an ardent follower of Hazarat Wali Qandhari. He used to narrate many stories of Kiramat(miracles of the saints). So we went to see the holy place. It was just a few steps from the Gurdwara. There was a corridor, at the end, stairs went downward and there was a small room where Hazarat Baba Wali Qandhari RA used to meditate. Our heart, mind and soul filled with joy and respect. We found an opportunity to pray and raise demands in the Court of Almighty Allah for his benign recognition.

 From there we went to see the Garden of Cypress(Hakimon ka Maqbra and Lala Rukh Tomb). It was built by Shamsuddin Khawafi, Governor of the Punjab during Akbar reign. When two favorite Hakims (doctors of Ayuvedic medicine) died, Akbar ordered their burial here. Hakim Abdul Fateh Gulani and Hakim Hamam were competent in eastern medicine. Hakim Hamam was more favorite of the two for the emperor Akbar.

             The garden/mausoleum had many 

cypress tree, flower, etc and typical make of Mughal architecture. There was an octahedral structure of two storeys where two Hakims were buried but during Sikh regime, graves were leveled and the tomb was used as the Munshi Khana. Besides the octahedral structure, there was a small pond with fishes. Few steps away, there was a square walled structure with wooden door. Almost in the centre, there was a raised structure on the top of it, there was a grave of Lala Rukh, a princess of Mughal family, who died there while going or coming from Kashmir. 

The squared structure had four column  on each corner. It was a beautiful structure but eroding due to lack of proper care.

               From there, we went a few steps towards the nearby hill where Hazarat Baba Wali Kandhar RA used to meditate in loneliness. We reached the parking area and the guard of parking told that it would take about an hour to reach the top of the hill. In the scorching sun of early July, it was not possible for us to go up to hill with little children. So, we contended 

ourselves by just seeing the coloured flags waving on the top of mountain and prayed there and returned to Gurdwara as 10 am was approaching. On reaching Gurduwara, security guard checked us to his satisfaction and we were allowed to enter the Gurdwara.

 There we saw a stone having print of Baba Guru Nanak’s hand and a middle aged Sikh told the story which will be described in the separate article on Gurdwara Panja Sahib in detail. Below the rock, clean cool water was flowing and many fish were present in the water. From there, we saw the outer structure of Gurdwara as our allotted time was ending. Then we left the Gurdwara and started our journey towards Islamabad. After 5-10 minute we reached Tipu Sultan Choke 

where a magnanimous building of Cadet College attracted us. It is the first cadet college in Pakistan, established by the government of Punjab on the initiative of General Ayub Khan Commander in Chief at that moment. It was primarily a feeder institution for services Academics. It has a large area comprising about 100 acre. It was opened in 1954. It is imparting education of secondary level, intermediate, O-level and A-level. It’s motto indicates its objectives “Second to none”. Studying here is a great privilege and honour. It imparts quality education, grooms characters, strengthens physical abilities and sharpens brain. That is why it earns a lot of respect in the Education arena of Pakistan. One can see the long queue of its alumni to judge its level of education. I will quote a few; Khalid Shameem Wynee ex-Chairman joint Chief of Staff Committee; Abbass Khattak ex-chief of Air staff; Javed Ashraf Qazi ex-Minister of Education; Iftikhar Ali Khan ex-secretary Defence etc. From there, we moved towards Burhan Interchange to go ahead for Islamabad.

           On returning, scene, stories, surprises and miracles (kiramats) were flashing on my mind screen; the miracles of Hazarat Baba Wali Kandhari RA when he struck the rock and two springs sprouted and barren thirsty area turned to lush green and water rich place; Baba Guru Nanak miraculous initiation of spring and handprint story; the incredible competency in eastern medicine of Hakims forced Akbar to issue order to bury them in a place made by Governor of Punjab for himself; the education miracles of the Cadet College Hasan Abdal……. Suddenly the movie of Hasan Abdal ended and a flashing statement appeared on my mind.

           Hasan Abdal- a land of miracles.