Spiritual and Philosophical Literature in Garhwali Language

Spiritual and Philosophical Literature in Garhwali Language
Bhishma Kukreti

Whenever there will be talk, discussion of philosophical literature or spiritual literature in Garhwal or Garhwali, Dhol sagar will be first chapter , which has to be discussed first. However, there is least knowledge about the importance and reality of Dhol Sagar among Garhwalis. Garhwalis think that Dhol Sagar is related and for Auju or Das caste. In fact, Dhol Sagar and other such literature is our real heritage of spiritualism, philosophical concept, the height of our religious thinking. Since, Dhol-Sagar and suc literature was sung and protected by Auji society, less attention was given to these marvelous pieces of oral literature, which is more than thousand years available literature in Garhwali and of Garhwal.
The Dhol Sagar is about the talk or discussion between lord Shiva and his wife Parvati about origin of galaxy and pain of human beings as is in Vigyan Bhairav
Parvati--are auji nahi sas nahi as
Nahin giri nahin kavilas
Sarvat dhund dhundkaram
Tai din ki utpati boli de
Shivji---hami onkar tain dhaudhokar
Nad-bund hami kvato, hami binto
Narakar nirnkar hamro naun
Nirakar te sakar sristi rachi lei
Rachi lei naukhand prithavi
You all will be surprised that Dhol Sagar contains the following subjects

1- The creation and concept of this galaxy
2-The creation of seven continents and nine main regions of the earth
3- Solar system and galaxy
4-Sixteen types of decoration, make up or Shrigar
5- Thirty two types of jewels and jewelries
6- Forty six types of Ragas or musical modes
7-Thirty six types of Raganiyan or transformation of musical modes
8-36 Musical Instruments
9-The chronological development of life and biological progression in this world
10-Sanyas and how to take it
11- Explanation of Yoga
12-Tal and their importance in our life

Dhol Sagar is nothing but expansion of Samved, the extract of philosophies of all Shat Darshan (Six Hindu Philosophies- Two Mimansa or Vedant Darshan, Vaishishiki, Nyayashastra, Shankhyaki, Patanjali’s Yogasamhita ), Upnishads, Gorakhvani, Nad-Bhairav, Vigyan Bhairav. Gorakhvani or the preaching of Guru Gorakhnath is the main source of creation of Dhol Sagar and other such oral literature
Since, there is description of music and musical instruments and make up science in this philosophical science, the modern Garhwalis did not write much about it and never did any attempt to popularize Dhol Sagar out of Garhwali societies except some references provided by Mohan Babulkar, Abodh Bandhu Bahuguna , madna Chandra Bhatt, Dr Shanti Prasad Chandola.

Keshav Anuragi is called the main source of bringing Dhol Sagar in lime light among Intellectuals of Garhwal and other societies. Dr Vishsnu Datt Kukreti is called the master of Dhol Sagar and other such literature. Recently, Recently, in Shailvani Kotdwara, Vijay Das has written in details about Dhol Sagar and other such Garhwal’s original philosophical oral literature.

Uttam Das of Savali Tihri is progressing marvelously for popularizing Dhol Sagar .
Apart from Dhol Sagar, following oral philosophical , spiritual manuscripts of Garhwal in Garhwali language of past are also discovered by researchers as Dr Vishnu Datt Kukreti:

1- Dhol Sagar
2- Damau Sagar
3-Ukhail
4-Bairi Binash
5- Jogeshwari Sakhi
6-Ghat Staphana
7-Nadbud
8-Chaudiyabeer Masan
9-Samain
10-Indrajal
11-Kamrup jap
12-Saidwali
13-Mahavidya
14-Narsingh ki Chauki
15-Ath Hanmant
16- Bhairavali
17-Narsingwali
18-Chhidrawali
19- Anchharwali
20-Mochwali
21- Rakhwali
22-Maimda Rakhwali
23-Kali Rakhwali
24-Kalua Rakhvali
25-Dain Rakhwali
26-Jur Todi archival
27-Mantrawali
28-Fodibayali
29-Kurmastak
30-Ganit Prakash
31-Sankracharj bidhi
32-Dariyau
33-Olyachar
34-Bhavuna Beer
35-Mantra Goril kai
36-Panchmukhi Hanuman
37-Bhairvastak
38-Dadiya Mantra
39-Saub Jadu Ukhel
40-Sabdiyan
41-Ap Raksha
42-Chudamantra
43-Chudail ko Mantar
44-Dakhan Disha
45-Lochda ki Baidai
46-Hauri mantar
47- Guru Paduka
48-Shrinath ko Suklesh
49-Nath nighantu
50-Daint sanghar

Dr Vishnu Datt Kukreti proved that these types of literature was available in Garhwal before year 750AD .
An example of such spiritual and philosophical prose is :
om namoh guru ko juhar
Vidya ku namsakar
Kala kalua, kali rati
Toi hankaro re kalua adi raati
Hatai gosa ko deemad leejai
Turant mero kaj kari deejai
Mero satur bairi ko mush baithi
Charai hat paun bantho
Nali gali ko bantho

Copyright @ Bhishma Kukreti, Mumbai, India 2009.