Can Kashmiri Pandits come together like the Jews and lay stake to Kashmir?

The Kashmiri Pandits have played a significant role in preserving and advancing ancient knowledge, particularly in the fields of astronomy, philosophy, and spirituality. Their contributions to understanding cosmic events and maintaining precise astronomical calculations are noteworthy.

Kashmiri Pandits have a rich history dating back thousands of years, with some estimates suggesting their presence in the Kashmir Valley for over 5,090 years since the time of Mahabharata. They have been known as guardians of intricate knowledge in various fields, including astronomy, philosophy, and Sanskrit literature.

The community's astronomical expertise is evident in their ability to create precise calendars and predict celestial events. The "Jantri," an annual algorithmic computation, is said to be accurate to the second for solar and lunar events, rivaling modern astronomical calculations that require significant technological investment.

The Kashmiri Pandit tradition also includes the practice of drawing the "Shreeyantra" and mapping the 14 Bhuvans (realms of existence), which are complex cosmological concepts. This knowledge has been passed down through generations, particularly by women in the community.

Historically, Kashmir was a renowned center of learning, attracting scholars from various parts of India and beyond. The region was home to great astronomers and mathematicians who made significant contributions to the field. Some early astronomical sites in the Kashmir region have been studied, suggesting that ancient astronomers recorded observations of supernovae, meteorite impacts, and celestial bodies.

However, the community has faced significant challenges in recent history. The exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the late 20th century has led to a diaspora, making it difficult to maintain and pass on traditional knowledge and practices. The article mentions that only a handful of people in Jammu can still perform certain rituals, and the community is making efforts to preserve their unique civilization, language (Sharda), and cultural practices.

The Kashmiri Pandit community's contributions to fields such as Shaivism, Natyashastra (performing arts), medicine, and science are significant parts of their legacy. Despite the challenges they face, their efforts to maintain their rich cultural and intellectual heritage continue.

Can Kashmiris unite like the Jews?

The Kashmiri Pandit diaspora has shown potential to come together in ways similar to the Israeli diaspora. While the Kashmiri Pandit diaspora has made strides in organizing globally, they face unique challenges in uniting and advocating for their interests compared to the Israeli diaspora model. There are some key differences and challenges:

1. Global organization: The Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKPD) is working to unite Kashmiri Pandits worldwide, similar to how Israeli diaspora organizations function. GKPD aims to bring together community members from various locations, including Jagati township, California, London, Auckland, and Brisbane.
2. Cultural preservation: Like the Israeli diaspora, Kashmiri Pandits are making efforts to maintain their cultural heritage. GKPD collaborates with community organizations to preserve their rich cultural and civilizational heritage.
3. Political advocacy: The Kashmiri Pandit diaspora engages with the Indian government and political parties to address community demands, similar to how the Israeli diaspora advocates for Israel's interests.
4. Challenges in unity: Unlike the Israeli diaspora, which has a strong sense of national identity, the Kashmiri Pandit community faces challenges in maintaining unity. The exodus has led to assimilation into Indian culture, potentially estranging younger generations from their Kashmiri identity.
5. Return and resettlement: While Israel has a strong "right of return" policy, the situation for Kashmiri Pandits is more complex. Attempts at resettlement have faced challenges, with some describing the process as "trapping" rather than genuine reconciliation.
6. Diverse perspectives: The Kashmiri Pandit diaspora, like the broader Kashmiri diaspora, includes diverse viewpoints on issues of return, identity, and political solutions for Kashmir.

The culture:

Kashmiri Pandit culture is rich and distinct, with unique traditions that have been preserved for centuries. Key aspects of their culture include:

Religious Practices

Kashmiri Pandits follow a form of Vedic Hinduism deeply rooted in Kashmir Shaivism, which emphasizes the unity of Shiva and Shakti. Their religious practices involve:

• Worship of various deities, including Vishnu, Lakshmi, and Saraswati
• Observance of festivals like Shivratri (known as Herath in Kashmiri)
• Pilgrimages to sites such as the Amarnath cave and Mata Kheerbhawani temple
• Performance of domestic rituals and ceremonies

Traditions and Customs

• Dejhoor: A distinctive wedding ornament worn by married Kashmiri Pandit women
• Wanvun: Traditional singing integral to religious ceremonies
• Henzae: An ancient form of singing practiced at festivals
• Unique wedding rituals like Duribat and Khir Tabche

Cuisine

Kashmiri Pandit cuisine is characterized by:

• Traditional vegetarian dishes served at weddings
• Use of specific spices and cooking techniques

Attire and Jewelry

• Traditional dress includes items like the kanchuka (tunic) and mekhalā (girdle)
• Use of elaborate jewelry, though some items like the dejihor may be more recent additions

Social Structure

Kashmiri Pandits are divided into three subcastes:

• Guru/Bāchabat (priests)
• Jotish (astrologers)
• Kārkun (historically employed by the government)

Srila Prabhupada's views on land ownership can be summarized as follows:

1. Everything belongs to God: Prabhupada emphasized that all property, including land, ultimately belongs to God (Krishna). Humans are merely temporary custodians or users of God's property
2. Use only what is necessary: People should only use as much of God's property as they require, without encroaching on others or taking more than needed
3. Vedic perspective: Prabhupada cited the Vedic injunction "tena tyaktena bhunjithah," which means to use only what is allotted to you and be satisfied with it
4. Spiritual communism: Prabhupada described this concept as "Bhagavata communism," where everything belongs to God, and people can utilize God's property as much as they require, but not more1.
5. False proprietorship: He criticized the idea of claiming exclusive ownership over land, stating that people are simply "outcomers" or guests on Earth for a short duration
6. Self-sufficiency: Prabhupada encouraged a lifestyle where people could become self-sufficient through land cultivation. He praised the Indian system where families would remain in villages, cultivate land, and produce their own necessities
7. ISKCON land ownership: For his organization ISKCON, Prabhupada established strict rules about land ownership, requiring express permission for any real estate transactions

Conclusion:

In essence, Prabhupada viewed land ownership as a temporary stewardship rather than absolute possession, emphasizing responsible use of resources in accordance with spiritual principles.

References:

1. https://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Property_(Lectures)
2. https://prabhupadabooks.com/conversations/1975/may/with_two_lawyers_and_guest/melbourne/may/22/1975
3. https://vaniquotes.org/wiki/Krsna's_property