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Raja Harischandra
INCREDIBLE AND AMAZING SACRIFICES OF
RAJAH HARISH CHANDRA (THE MUKHI OF TRETA YUGA)
AND HIS WIFE SATI TARA RANI LOCHNA
FOR THE SAKE OF SATPANTH RELIGION.

RAJA HARISH CHANDRA was a king of AYODHYA NAGAR in India. He was a true and sincere rule. HE had a wife; SATI TARA RANI LOCHNA was a staunch follower of SATPANTH religion and RAJA HARISHCHANDRA became a most devout follower of SATPANTH. Even the angels envied RAJA HARISHCHANDRA for his sincerity, truthfulness and integrity.

It so happened that one of the religious saints, namely VISHWAMITRA, took an initiative to test RAJAHARISHCHANDRA'S integrity and nobility. By trickery VISHWAMITRA snatched possession of RAJA HARISHCHANDRA'S kingdom and the king's status was drastically changed. The king, SATA TARA RANI LOCHNA and their prince ROHIDAS were thrown out of their castle and into the streets.

In spite of having given up his kingdom, RAJA HARISHCHANDRA still remained in debt and owed VISHWAMITRA a certain amount of gold. Therefore according to the prevailing law, there was no alternative but that both RAJA HARISH CHANDRA and SATA TARA RANI be auctioned as slaves. RAJA HARISHCHANDRA was sold to a devil. SATA TARA RANI LOCHNA was sold to a rich family of AYODHYA as a servant.

Both RAJA HARISHCHANDRA and SATA TARA RANI had boundless faith in SATPANTH religion (The Religion of the 'NOOR'). They were not disheartened by the turn of events but on the contrary, were gay and contented because of their IMAN. VISHWAMITRA could not tolerate the steadfastness of RAJA HARISHCHANDRA and SATA TARA RANI and therefore plotted to do them both harm. With his prayer power VISHWAMITRA adopting the shape of a poisonous snake bit Prince ROHIDAS when he was having his pastime in the garden.

When SATA TARA RANI knew this she was much grieved and eventually she managed to take he one and only, beloved son for AGNIDAH or CREMATION. RAJA HARISHCHANDRA had been placed by his devil master on service at the SHAMSHAN or CEMETRARY to collect dues from the people who came for cremation. SATA TARA RANI had no money to pay the SHAMSHAN dues and therefore was forced to keep her clothing as security with her husband, who was in charge.

While STA TARA RANI was performing AGNIDAH, CREMATION ceremony for her beloved son ROHIDAS, VISHWAMITRA, with his TAP (or BANDGI) managed to compel showers to fall from the sky. Consequently the body of ROHIDAS was insufficiently cremated and half of the body remained unburnt. VISHWAMITRA at this point, played a very dangerous role by making it seem that, not he, but SATA TARA RANI was the one to have killed the royal prince whom she was now cremating. The Devil was bluffed by VISHWAMITRA and he ordered RAJA HARISHCHANDRA to kill SATA TARA RANI.

RAJA HARISHCHANDRA was compelled to follow the Devil's instructions and for 'SAT'-TRUTH'S sake RAJA HARISH CHANDRA raised a sword to kill SATA TARA RANI. But while the RAJAJI'S sword was raised to kill the RANI, at that moment, instantly! SHRI VISHNU (MOWLA ALI) appeared in 'NOORANI SWARUP'!! SHRI VISHNU blessed RAJA HARISCHANDRA and SATA TARA RANI. KUVAR ROHIDAS was brought back to life.

MOWLA BAPA appointed RAJA HARISH CHANDRA as the MUKHI of SEVEN CRORE JIVS.

SHAIKH FARIDUDDIN ATTAR, one of the well known poets and Sufis of Persia describes in his 'PANCHINAMA' (A CONFERENCE OF BIRDS), the glory of the PHOENIX: a bird with thousand holes in its beak for singing mystical music, it creates fire by swinging its own wings to burneth itself to death - for the sake of an exalted and glorified better life. SHAIKH ATTAR says that O Momin, be happy to dignify your RUH (SOUL) by the sacrificing of your mortal life in the true and sincere love for your MURSHID KAMIL HAZAR IMAM. Absolutely devote your life in love for your MURSHID KAMIL HAZAR IMAM.

At the battle of KARBALA true Momins went with MOWLANA SHAH HUSSEIN despite knowing their lives were to be sacrificed for SHAHADAT: the MOMINS most willingly, cheerfully embraced SHAHADAT, sacrificing the mortal life for the glorified ETERNAL EVERLASTING LIFE.

The immortal life sketches, the Great, Marvelous history of our beloved PROPHET MOHAMMED and of our HOLY IMAMS give tremendous inspiration to our lives. Their great and amazing sacrifices for human welfare, their love to save human souls from the disastrous influences of this material world , and their utilizing efforts to bring happiness to MOMINS in this and the next worlds have been so unique, so remarkable and are written on the GOLDEN PAGES OF IMMORTAL HISTORY.

HAZARAT MOWLANA SHAH IMAM HUSSEIN (A.S) , although he being the master of the universe, in order to impart everlasting impressions and teachings to the world for the sake of 'THE TRUTH' he sacrificed everything. His life and his history immensely inspires on a deep understanding of the true religion: the significance of prayers, tolerance and benevolence.

In similar spirit, RAJA HARISH CAHNDRA, SATA TARA RANI and KUNIVAR ROHIDAS, for the sake of SATPANTH religion gave away everything. When their sacrifices reached a peak, KHUDAWIND HAQQ 'NOOR-EN-ALLAHNOOR' appeared and graced RAJA HARISHCHANDRA his NOORANI DIDAR, awarding him the immortal title of MUKHI OF SEVEN CRORE RUHANIS. RAJA HARISCHANDRA, SATI TARA RANI LOCHNA and KUNVAR ROHIDAS became highly fortunate to be granted AMARPAD, meaning, non-fading, everlasting eternal glory: MOKSH, MUKTI and NOORANI DIDAR. Spiritually, in the ETERNAL WORLD, these great dignified RUHANIS are glorified eternally with the 'RUHANI TAJ' on their heads- the scriptures of the great religions give references on this point.

About this age of FARTAL VELA, our HOLY OIR SADARDIN has mentioned in GINAN-E-SHARIFF: -

ISA JUG MAHE TO KASANI NAHI,
HASNA BAHOT APAAR.

'O MOMINS, IN THE PRESENT AGE, there is no taste, no linking; if there is any it is but in a most insignificant manner. O MOMINS, be happy! There is much to rejoice in adopting and following the SATPANTH religion.

PIR MABAP has again in another verse of Ginan-E-SHARIFF that the GAIETY of life, the 'Red letter day' for MOMINS in the present age is because:

EJI ANAND ANAND KARIO RIKHISARO,
AVAL SHAH TAME PAAYA.

O MOMINS, REJOICE! REJOICE! YOU HAVE
RECOGNIZED OUR KHUDAVIND HAQQ, HAZAR IMAM.

How FORTUNATE we Ismailis are!!!

GINAN: ' EJI AMAR TE AYO MORE SHAHJIJO EMUALLAH'
BY PIR SADARDIN SAHEB
(AND EXPLANATION)

Our tradition holy ginan recited on the occasion of the new appointment of MUKHIS and KHAMEDIAS which refers to the great services and sacrifices of RAJA HARICHANDRA and SATI TARA RANI LOCHNA for satpant religion.

EJI AMAR TE AAYO MORA SHAH JIJO EMUALLAH,
HUKAM TE MOTEO E NA JAE HOJIRE - SUNIO BHAIJI JI EMU ALLAH

EJI AMARE TE SIDHA PANCHE PANDWA EMUALLAH,
MATA KUNTA E BHALERA HOJIRE - SUNIO BHAJI

EJI AMARE TE SIDHA TARA RANI LOCHNA EMUALLAH,
RAJA HARICHANDRA ROHIDAS HOJIRE - SUNIO BHAJI

EJI HARICHANDRA PUCHHE TARA LOCHANA EMUALLAH,
RANI MUNE SAPNUTAR LADHO HOJIRE - SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI SAPNA MANHE EVADU ME (N) JANIYU EMUALLAH,
TARA RANI PIYARIE PADHARYK HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI BHAL BHALERA RAJA PADSHAH EMUALLAH,
MARE NAKOI PIYAR TANO THAM HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI KHADAND KADHINE RAJA UBHA THAYA EMUALLAH,
RANI MUNE THAD E DEKHAD HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI RANI VINOVE AAPNA SHAJINE EMUALLAH,
SAMI RAJA LAJA RAKHANHAR HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI LADOO BIJORA NIPNA NARANGIYU EMUALLAH,
MA (N) S TE NIPNA VIRA DRAKSH HOJIRE - SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI GHUGHRI MAHE (N) THI MOTIDA NIPNA EMUALLAH,
PURIU TE NAGAR VELNA PAAN HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI TARE KHADANG MELINE RAJA BESI RAHYA EMUALLAH
RANI MUNE PANTH PANTH E DEKHAD HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI BHAL BHALERA RAJA PADSHAH EMUALLAH,
HEE PANTH KHANDA KERI DHAR HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI PAHELA TE DIJE KAYA KADAJA EMUALLAH,
PACHHE DIJE PINDI KERO MANS HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI DAAN TE DIJE GHODO HANSLO EMUALLSH,
KUNVAR TE DIJE ROHIDAS HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI AJODHA NAGARI KERO RAJPAT EMUALLAH,
TARA RANI NA SHANGAR HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI

EJI PIR SADARDIN BOLEA VENTI EMUALLAH,
SAMI RAJA TU (N) TARIE TARANHAR HOJIRE- SUNIO BHAIJI
JI EMUALLAH

EXPLANATION OF THE ABOVE GINAN-E-SHARIFF

(In addition to the above traditional Holy Ginan 'EJI AMAR TE AYO MORE SHAHJIJO,' there is another Holy Ginan by PIR SADARDIN, 'EJI SEJADIE SUTO RAJA NINDHRA DHARI, TARA RANI ORASE RAYNA PAYJI' which gives most interesting life sketches of SATI TARA RANI LOCHNA and RAJA HARISHCHANDRA. The Holy Ginan 'SEJADIE SUTO RAJA NINDHRADHARI' describes how devotedly and with purified heart SATI TARA RANI LOCHNA observed and followed SATPANTH religion; it also tells us of how SATI TARA RANI managed to bring RAJA HARI CHANDRA in SATPANTH religion-it was her sublime, pure heart, sincerity, devotion and spiritual gains that impressed RAJA HARICHANDRA to adopt the divine 'NOORANI' SATPANTH religion. The explanation below is a summary of the heart-provoking story narrated in both the above stated Holy Ginans.)

PIR SAHEB SAYS: Verily, I say that when the 'AMRA,' THE HOLY FIRMAN, or DIVINE ORDER of MY MOWLA comes from me, I dare refuse to obey it. I would just accept it, bow down, and place my head and eyes upon it. By FARMANBARDARI, PANCH PANDWAS and MATA KUNTA achieved great deal from religion to elevate their mundane and spiritual lives. Similarly, RAJA HARICHANDRA and SATI TARA RANI, by FIRMAN BARDARI and devotion, achieved everything-dignity, glory, immortality of name in history, and THE EXALTED SPIRITUAL LIFE OF MUKTI, HAQIKATI, KHUSHALI, and 'NOORANI' DIDAR...

Once, RAJA HARICHANDRA was relaxing at night in his palace. SATI TARA RANI LOCHNA was taking care of RAJAJI that he may sleep happily, but RAJA HARICHANDA had suspicion in his mind and he only pretended to be asleep. SATI TARA RANI, as usual, thinking that the RAJAJI was asleep prepared to go to DHARAM DWAR, a place where GAT JAMATH assembled for religious ceremonies. She discarded her SOL SHANGAR (her most precious diamonds, pearls, rubies, ornaments, and her most valuable royal dress) , and adopted her DHARAM TANA CHIR or saintly, most simple, inexpensive religious dress. SATI TARA RANI then went to the royal stable and took out her favorite horse called HANSLO. As soon as the horse was ready, she went to KAMAL SWAR the strongest palace gate, which was hard to open. She , therefore , prayed to MOWLA, SAMI RAJA: “O SAMI RAJA TU (N) LAJA RAKHANHAR” ( O MY BELOVED SAMI RAJA, THOU ART THE PROTECTOR OF MY LIFE AND REPUTATION) .

SATI TARA RANI had unshaken, boundless faith in MOWLA, SAMI RAJA just as our Holy PIR SHAMS had: PIR SHAMS Mabaap neutralized the sun and brought it close enough to light a fire to cook meat. PIR SHAMS has said in a Holy Ginan:

HAQ TU (N) PAK TU (N) BADSHAH, MAHERBAN BI YA ALI TUNEI TU (N) RAHEMAN TUN, YA ALI AWAL AKHAR KAJI TUHNI TUNHI TUN
JAL THAL MUL MANDAN HARNARE, YA ALI HUKAM TERA YA ALI TUNHI TUN TE (N) UPAYA TE (N) NIPAYA, SARJANHAR YA ALI TUNHI TUN
YA ALI, YA MOWLA, O SWAMIJI THOU ART KHUDAWIND
HAQQ: THE DIVINE, MERCIFUL, SUSTAINER AND COMPASSIONATE. O MY MOWLA ALI , MY BELOVED MASTER , THE AIR , WATER, ATMOSPHERE—ALL THE CREATION IS UNDER THY ORDER AND TAKES LIFE FROM THY DIVINE “NOOR.”

PIR SHAMS had deep and boundless IMAN (FAITH) in MOWLA ALI. With this IMAN, He was able to fulfill all his desires and perform even miracles when necessary.

SATI TARA RANI LOCHNA, with her strong IMAN, while she arrived at the strong doors prayed: “SAMI RAJA TU (N) LAJA RAKHANHAR.” The strong doors opened on their own and she was able to come out of the palace. She started her journey towards DHARM DWAR and arrived at the river JAMANA. There was high tide and it was dark. It wasn’t possible to go across but she had to cross to reach GAT JAMAT’S meeting place. SATI TARA RANI was positive in her faith: she didn’t for any moment have a fraction of negative thought in her mind or heart. She knew , she had tremendous IMAN and ISHQ that my MOWLA SWAMIJ is with me—He is closer to me that my own veins. And MOWLA RAJA did fulfill all her desires and NEK UMEDS. Purity of heart and prayers with IMAN and ISHQ relying solely and absolutely on MOWLA BAPA truly works a wonder in life.

Once SATI TARA RANI reached the DHARAM DWAR OR GAT JAMATH, all the JAMATH members were present, and the JAMTH ceremonies were started. There were Ginans of the time, prayers and GHATPAT that SATI TARA RANI arranged. SATI TARA RANI was keen to finalize the ceremonies without wasting any time, lest RAJA HARICHANDRA woke up at the palace. SATI TARA RANI and the GATJAMATH SAID PRAYERS AND FOR juro, the horse HANSLO was slaughtered. The JURO, prepared meat, was distributed among the JAMATH present. At the end of the ceremonies, the skin and bones of HANSLO were accumulated , the GATJAMATH said prayers and HANSLO was brought back to life.

Now, about what was unusual this night!! All the time, since SATI TARA RANI had left the palace, RAJA HARICHANDRA had followed her right up to the DHARAM DWAR. RAJA HARICHNADRA had pretended he was asleep, when in fact after SATI TARA RANI’S departure from the palace he had managed to follow her unnoticingly. He reached the DHARAM DWAR and from where SATI TARA RANI had taken off her slippers, RAJA HARICHANDRA took one slipper before returning to his palace.

When SATI TARA RANI was preparing to return to her palace she found that one of her slippers was missing. SATI TARA RANI hurriedly moulded a slipper with wheat flour and asked GAT JAMATH to say prayers. SATI TARA RANI leading the prayers , prayed to MOWLA BAPA:

“O SAMI RAJA TU(N) LAJA RAKHANHAR”
O MOWLA RAJA THOU ART THE PROTECTOR OF MY LIFE AND REPUTATION.

Immediately, from the mould, an exact copyright slipper to her original one was provided. SATI TARA RANI and the GAT JAMATH said many SHUKRANAS to MOWLA BAPA.

“EJI KHADANG KADHINE RAJA UBHA THAYA EMUALLAH,” RAJA HARICHANDRA getting up from his bed, said astonishingly to SATI TARA RANI, “ O SATIJI I had a dream in the night and came to know that you had gone to your parents’ house.” SATIJI said, “O Darling, do not rely on such dreams.” “No, RANIJI the dream that I had could not have been unreal. How dare you say it was unreal.” RAJA HARISCHANDRA showed the slipper of SATI TARA RANI’S which was concrete proof that she had been out of the palace during the night.

“Oh darling you are great. Do not take such trifles as serious. It is going to harm us. I feel pained by such suspicions.” RAJA HARICHANDRA stood up in anger and wrathfully drawing his sword asked SATI TARA RANI to show him the THAL (TRAY) which she had brought back from the GAT JAMATH (PRAYER HOUSE) containing JURO. SATI TARA RANI remembered MOWLA BAPA at this critical moment and said, “O my SAMI RAJA MOWLA help me, protect me. It is your ‘KOL,’ PROMISE.”

Miraculously! All sweets such as LADOO and BIJORA turned into oranges, Meta turned into fresh grapes, GHUGHRI into pearls, and PURI into PAN (green leaves). PIR SADIRDIN has specially referred to this in verses eight, nine and ten of the Holy Ginan.

When RAJA HARICHANRA saw the TAHL full of the fresh fruits and the pearls he was immensely astonished. He quietly seated himself on the sofa-chair and said, “O RANIJI I want to embrace your SATPANTH religion. It is my most sincere desire. I will act and follow absolutely as per JAMATH’S rules. I have seen with my own eyes, when I followed you, all the miraculous, divine ceremonies of GATJAMATH. It was truly amazing!”

“O RANIJI I am prepared to sacrifice everything for sake of SATPANTH, the religion in which the light of God is present.”

SATA TARI RANA said to RAJA HARICHANDRA, “O RAJAJI, SATPANTH is a religion which is very hard to follow. Following SATPANTH is like walking on the sharp edge of a sword. There shall first be a series of Tests.”

“Our SWAMI RAJO MOWLA will demand your life, your flesh, your favorite horse HANSLO, our most beloved and only son ROHIDAS and all of my SOL SHANGARS (SATI TARA RANI’S jewellery, royal decorations and dresses worth CRORES.) Of course, all this will be over and above the kingdom of AYODHYA. All will have to be sacrificed as and when our SWAMI RAJO MOWLA will demand.”

“How will you be able to keep up your faith, Iman and your Ishq, love on our SWAMI MOWLA?”

RAJA HARICHANDRA, his past PUNYA (GOOD ACTIONS) were exceptionally powerful and rich that he most sincerely accepted all the conditions related by SATI TARA RANI LOCHNA. SATI TARA RANI by the consent of her father and other members of the GAT JAMATH approved her husband’s desire of embracing SATPANTH. But before admission, RAJA HARICHANDRA had to go through certain tests. Though a king, he was asked by GAT JAMATH to go for slavery at the Iron Smith’s workshop for some time. Also, he was asked to follow up some VRATS (TEKS), religious traditions and practices. The final test was to fill water in an untreated clay pot supported by a flimsy cotton thread.

When RAJA HARICHANDRA was found perfect in the last tricky and hard test he became eligible for admission in GATJAMATH of SATPANTH. RAJA HARICHANDRA proved himself a worthy and true devout follower of the SATPANTH. He became a “NOOR PARAST” or a lover of SHRI VISHNU VAR DATAR (THE ALI). RAJA HARICHANDRA’S devotion, true sincerity, his purity of heart was supreme. These high virtues elevated his soul to a very high spiritual level.

RAJA HARICHANDRA, SATI TARA RANI and KUNVAR ROHIDAS, by their sacrifices for SATPANTH and boundless love for the “NOOR” of KHUDAWIND HAQQ gained a lot. They were rewarded in such a manner that their names remain immortal in the history of SATPANTH religion. Spiritually, in the eternal world, these great-dignified RUHANIS are glorified eternally with the “RUHANI TAJ” on their heads. RAJA HARISCHANDRA was appointed as the MUKHI of TRETA YUGA for SEVEN CROR RUHANIS. By the devotion and sincere humble services RAJA MUKHI HARICHANDRA, SATI TARA RANI LOCHNA and KUVAR ROHIDAS achieved HAKIQUATI KHUSHALI and “NOORANI” DIDAR.