Part 2 - Lord Jhulelal's teachings to Ruler Mirkshah

Within no time Mirkshah saw Uderolal appearing before him. He said to Mirkshah “Whatever you see around you is the creation of only one god, whom you call ‘Allah’ and the Hindus call ‘Ishwar’.” (Vaswani 2008: 134)

Mirkshah was advised not to pay any attention to what Uderolal said but instead to arrest him and Mirkshah ordered the soldiers to do just that. When the regiment of soldiers started moving towards Uderolal to arrest him, a miracle took place. Suddenly giant waves of water appeared and started coming towards Mirkshah, engulfing the surroundings and drowning the courtiers and Mirkshah. A fire also broke out surrounding the palace in flames closing all the escape routes. It was as if the two elements of nature had come together to warn them of the powers of

Lord Jhulelal. At this time Uderolal told Mirkshah, “Think it over once again, Mirkshah. Your God and mine are the same. Then, why do you persecute my people?” (Vaswani 2008: 134)

Seeing this Mirkshah realised the truth. He pleaded to Uderolal saying, “My Lord, I realise my mistake and I agree to do so”. Once he said this the waters receded, and the fire also died out. Mirkshah bowed respectfully and agreed to treat Hindus and Muslims alike hereafter and told Lord Jhulelal that he will follow his orders. (Vaswani 2008: 135)

As a memory of transformation of Mirkshah, Hindus built a temple, where a flame would burn day in and the day out and water will also be available for a holy sip (Tirth -which means sacred water). Uderolal told Hindus to think of him as the embodiment of water and light. Therefore, in many temples of Jhulelal or Dariyalal a concept of ‘Akhand Jyot’ is seen.

Thereafter Uderoalal appointed his cousin Pagad (Pugar Sahib) as the first Thakur i.e. priest of the religious sect which believes in water God. They are called Daryahi or Dariya Panthi as well. Thakur Pagad followed Uderolal everywhere and he was given the sacred task of building temples and spreading the message of love. Uderolal also gave seven symbolic things to Pagad which are considered as essential elements of this sect. These are Deg (utensil to make sacred Prasad), Teg (sword), Jyot (sacred fire), Mudra (divine ring), Jal ki Jhari (heavenly water in a pot), Khintha (Palav or a sacred cloth), Cheera (ceremonial headgear).

Uderolal thought that his duties and the purpose of manifestation are almost over and he decided to give up his earthly form and discard the human body. Hindus, as well as Muslims, were present to witness this mysterious happening in large number along with representatives of Mirkshah, the ruler. As soon as Uderolal’s soul left the body, Muslims and Hindus both wanted to take charge of his body and build a Turbat or Qaba at the site according to the dictates of Islam, whereas Hindus wanted to build a Samadhi as per Hindu customs. While the debate was going on, there was a heavy downpour of rain and a voice said “Behold! You shall make my shrine acceptable to both Hindus and Muslims. Let its one face be a temple and other a Dargah (shrine). I belong to all of you.

Even today Jhulelal continues to be a unifying force and is revered by both, Hindus and Muslims, though addressed by different names. He is also revered by Lohanas and they call him Dariyalal. When Sindhis meet, they greet each other with:

‘Jhulelal, Bera-Hi-Paar’^[1]

This means Jhulelal is our God who will make you reach salvations. Lohanas also greet each other with ‘Jai Jhulelal. There is a famous devotional song called ‘Ho Lal Meri Pat Rakhiyo’, (Mayur 2004:47) the lyrics of which are as follows:

Ho Lal meri pat rakhiyo bala Jhoole Laalan^[2]
Lal meri pat rakhiyo bala Jhoole Laalan
Sindhri da Sehvan da sakhi Shahabaaz Qalandar
Duma dum mast Qalandar, Ali da pehla number
Duma dum mast Qalandar, sakhi Shahabaaz Qalandar Ho laal meri, ho laal meri

Simple meaning:

Oh the Lord robed in red, protect me
Oh Lord Jhulelal protect me
Oh Lord the friend of the Sire of Sindh and Sehwan
Oh Lord is also known as Shahabaaz Qalandar
Glory to you Oh Lord
You are number one amongst all (you are the best of all)
Oh Lord robed in red.

It is believed by a large number of people in general and also by people of Sindhi and Lohana communities that this devotional song is dedicated to Lord Jhulelal. However, there seems to be some confusion about the same. As per the view of many Sindhi scholars, this song is composed for a Sufi Saint known by name Shahabaaz Kalandar who hailed from Sevan of Sindh region and there appears the name of ‘Jhulelal’ also in the same song. No doubt this devotional song is extremely popular among all strides of people, breaking the barriers of caste, creed and religion.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

A popular Sindhi greeting

[2]:

A popular Sindhi spiritual song