T
itle: Socio-Cultral and Religious Traditions of Kashmiri Pandits(
ISBN: 0-9772193-8-0)
Author: Piyaray Raina (Saddhak) <
[email protected] >
Review by: Bansi Pandit< http://sanatana-dharma.tripod.com/>
"Socio-Cultral and Religious Traditions of Kashmiri Pandits" by Piyaray Raina reveals basic features of the vast and varied Kashmiri Pandit heritage. The style of this book is simple and easily understandable. The author introduces the religious beliefs and practices of Kashmiri Pandits in an interesting, useful and meaningful manner, especially for younger generation, which seeks scientific reason and approach in the study and acceptance of their own ancestral heritage.
The book is divided into two sections. Section I describes Vedic concepts of gods (
Devas) and nature of humans, post Vedic religious philosophies - especially
Vedanta and
Shaivism, which are essential to understand the spirit behind the ritual practices and various
stuties (recitations) in the
Karmkanda (rites and rituals) followed by Kashmiri Pandits. Section I further includes social customs, festivals, Kashmiri saints, temples, pilgrimages and
Panchang (Kashmiri Pandit calendar). Section II describes in detail karmic rituals and various stuties of gods in Sanskrit, Hindi and Kashmiri. All karmic actions (
kriyas) and hymns have been written in Roman and Devnagri script, along with translations in English. Detailed instructions have been included for performance of the rituals. Shortcuts and suggestions wherever possible have been included. Some of the traditions followed by Hindus outside Kashmir, now followed by Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora, have also been included along with original traditions. Also included are key to pronunciation, glossary,
gotras (ancestor or originator of family), traditional poems and songs and several other useful appendices.
Kashmiri Shaivism, the ancestral religious tradition of Kashmiri Pandits, is free from restrictions of caste, creed, and gender. Any devout aspirant can have access to both the theory and practice of this philosophy. Kashmiri Shaivism does not advocate a life of renunciation (
Sannyasahood) or profession of monks, but recommends an active householder's life with daily practice of worship, yoga and meditation (
Karmkanda). In Kashmiri Shaivism, practice of religion is considered more important than theological debates and discussions. Thus,
Karmkanda is the heart of Kashmiri Shaivism. Although scholarly volumes have been written about Kashmiri Shaivism, there is very little available on the
Karmakad aspect of this tradition that would benefit the general masses. The author fulfills this great need of our times.
This book has been formatted in such a way that even a cursory navigation through various chapters will significantly benefit the reader. For those who wish to derive the maximum benefit for this work for the performance of the Karmkanda, the author suggests that they learn recitations properly and if possible prepare their own
Puja book to avoid rambling through the pages of this book while performing rituals.
I believe this book is an effective tool to preserve Kashmiri Pandits? religious and cultural heritage by imparting basic religious and cultural knowledge and teaching skills necessary to perform the associated rites and rituals. I recommend this book as a reference manual on Kashmiri heritage for all Kashmiri Pandit households.
To obtain a copy of this book, or to send your questions or comments, please contact the author at < [email protected] >
