Kashmir’s forgotten Sanskrit Doyen
(By: Kanwal Krishan Lidhoo)
Pandit Dina Nath Yaksh’s life resembles that of a quintessential Rishi who exemplified what in Indian spiritual thought process is known as Karamyogi. Here was a man with a rare missionary zeal. Very few know about this colossal figure and Sanskrit’s forgotten hero!
The whole of India is indebted to what he did and accomplished and the irony is that his name finds very little mention anywhere. This is evident from the fact that newspapers accorded little or no coverage whatsoever to this encyclopedia and an erudite giant of a scholar. Only eminent Sanskrit scholar, Padam Shri Dr Vishwamurti Shastri of Jammu would recognise his immense contribution and was well aware of his accomplishments and the body of the work completed by him. Barring few publications of small size “homage’’ columns in a local newspaper, no coverage was accorded to this doyen.
He literally put his life on altar to preserve whatever was rediscovered about ancient Kashmir and today’s scholars who are aided and benefitted by the infinite and rare archival treasures of manuscripts and documents at their disposal don’t seem to have any idea about the man who did it for them. Many have capitalised on these to earn millions but rarely have they found courage to even mention a note of thanks in favour of the one who arranged the same for them.
This author of Kashmir Rechords had a rare fortune of visiting the legend in his Subash Nagar residence at Jammu, months before his death in 2004. Although highly infirm, he never did abandon his smile or exhibit discomfiture of any kind and was keen to enter into serious discussions to enlighten us. He was so humble to even mention about the enormity that got carried with his mission.
It is said that he paid for those rarest manuscripts out of the money kept for his daughter’s wedding and even pawned her jewellary and thereby risked and paid for all this throughout his life.
With his demise on 4th October 2004, the legacy of Sanskrit Shastric systems unfortunately came to an end and will require an equally herculean effort to revive again.
Comments
Ramesh Ji Kaw
Remarkable contributions in preservation of Manuscripts and commanding role in promotion of Sanaskrit language and astrology.
Kashmir Rechords
Thanks for a response.
PN Raina
There r many such unsung heroes we hardly respect our legends who despite of limited resources preserved our ancient culture manuscripts history and rituals etc they were concerned about dharma and dedicated to the core and thus commanded respect though we always boast of ancestors of their wisdom courage and knowledge but practically put no efforts to carry forward their Misson only criticism may mata sharda bestow us with knowledge and wisdom remove all negative thoughts
Kashmir Rechords
Thanks Raina Saheb for the valuable inputs.
Neeraj Kumar
Kashmiri Pandits seem to have never been aware of their heroes around them. It’s with a pinch of salt that they have to accept that they are turning materialistic with each passing day. As if this was not enough those who are well endowed with resources and academic degrees refuse to come down from their high towers. And these are the people who grab the attention at the slight pretext and opportunity. They may be actual enemies of the community.