Parmayogi
Sh. Som Nath Dhar
Parmayogi
Sh. Som Nath Dhar
Parmayogi Sh. Som Nath Dhar was
born on 27-Nov-1935 in Anantnag district of
Jammu & Kashmir. His parents, father Pandit
Maheshwar Nath Dhar and mother Smt. Dhanwati
Dhar were tremendously religious and simple
human beings. He had a sister and has a younger
brother, Dr. D N Dhar who is equally religious
and probably one of the best Persian scholars of
the country. Parmayogi was employed in J&K
Education department from where he retired as a
Senior Lecturer (English) in 1993. He was very
well known and respected throughout the length
and breadth of the state for teaching even
complex literature in a simple to understand
format. That was the greatness of him as a
Teacher. He left for the heavenly abode on
30-Nov-09. He is survived by his wife, Smt Roopa,
two daughters, Smt Meena Dhar (who is working as
a Sr. Accounts officer in AG’s office, Jammu),
Smt Jeeta Peshin (Officer in State Bank of
India, Jammu) and two sons, Sh. Sunil Dhar (SAP
Practice Lead for Price Waterhouse Coopers for
Mumbai region) and Sh. Kamal Dhar (working as a
Sr. Manager in Accenture at Bangalore).
From his childhood, Parmayogi
was into religious studies and would spend lot
of time in spiritual and religious activities
and discourses. In 1992 he joined “Self
Realization Fellowship” of Paramguru
“Paramahansa Yogananda”. Although the family was
a bit hesitant due to the fact that he would
have to meditate 6-7 hours daily at such an age,
he was pretty clear that he wanted to attain the
self realization and needed a Guru for this
purpose. He was well read and studied all the
religious texts (Mahabharata, Shri Bhagwadgitaji,
Ramayana, Upanishadas, Puranas, Veds and various
other religious scriptures including Holy Bible,
Japji Sahab and Holy Quran to understand the
similarities between various religions). His
Yogic studies and meditation took him to an
altogether different world. After completing all
the Kriyas in Self Realization Fellowship he
went to his last Guru Sh. Shibendu Lahiriji
Maharaj and with his blessings completed the
last (2300) kriya in September’ 09. Guruji
Shibedu Lahiriji Maharaj is a master of Kriya
Yoga and he selected Somnathji among all the
disciples present in Benares and gave him the
last kriya. Even Guruji conducted a langar in
memory of Dhar sahab at Banaras on 8-Jan-10
which was attended by thousands of saints and
the family members. He was well versed in Hindu
rituals and Poojas and Pandits conducting Pooja,
Mekhul & marriages would love him as he
encouraged and gave them moral support in their
activities rather than showing he knew better
than them.
Relationships and leadership
which is very important in modern corporate
world and for what training is imparted to their
leadership team spending millions of dollars and
efforts in so many forums was ingrained
naturally in Parmayogi. He was a born leader. He
was General Secretary for the Sr. Lecture’s
Association. For those who have lived in Jammu
in 1970s & 1980s, SRML Hr. sec School would
always have violent fights between various
groups of students. When Parmayogi was posted in
the institution, one day same trouble erupted.
While most of the respected authorities, decided
to stay locked (and rightly so), he went to the
students, communicated the divine words of Lord
Krishna contained in Bhagwatgitaji. The effect
was electric and seen to be believed. The
students stopped the fighting, touched his feet
and that day marked the end of battles in the
institution. It was possible because he had a
pious heart and that is what endeared him to one
and all.
Parmayogi virtually took a
sanyas (while still living at home with the
family) in 1992 and remained in that state till
his last day. For him there was no difference
based on caste, creed, religion or status in
society. He felt that till such time we do not
take care of weaker sections of society we will
not be able to reach God. He would always be
busy with spiritual thoughts and convey the
essence of Bhagwadgitaji and Yoga in simplest
terms. He was respected across the spectrum and
commanded respect from one and everyone, child
and old. He believed in simplicity and would
lead a simple life which embodies the spirit of
Lord Krishna’s sermon to Arjuna in the
Mahabharata better known as Shri Bhagwadgitaji.
He would welcome one and all and would respect
even children with hand folded namaskar and
bowing of head. When his children would ask him
why he bowed his head even to children, he would
saintly say that he is bowing his head to God as
all of us are embodiment of God.
Parmayogi has written about 200+
Kashmiri Bhajans and 150+ English poems. At the
age of 74 he attained Self Realization.
Courtesy:
Sh. Kamal Dhar
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