Wisdom in Our Elders’ Sayings

Our elders were more than the custodians of memory—they were the living libraries of wisdom, experience, and grace. Through them, the Kashmiri way of life found its moral compass, its rhythm, and its resilience. They carried forward a cultural code that made Kashmir not merely a region on the map but a civilization admired for its depth, beauty, and intellect. Among the many threads of that heritage, the Kashmiri proverb—locally called Kasher-e-Kahwat or Davpit—stands as one of its most enduring treasures.

These old sayings, or Prenin Hanz Kahte, capture the philosophy of generations in a few words. Pithy and poetic, they express complex emotions, moral lessons, and life’s practical truths with striking simplicity. For centuries, elders would drop these idioms in conversation—not merely to advise, but to remind others of life’s deeper meaning. Each proverb distilled an entire worldview, drawn from Kashmir’s spiritual tradition and communal experience, and carried forward by its saints, poets, and ordinary people alike.

No one can say exactly when these sayings first appeared in the Valley, but their survival across centuries is proof of their timelessness. They have traveled through history, from the mystic shrines of Peer Vaer—the abode of saints—to the modest homes of farmers and artisans, surviving wars, famines, and cultural change. The saints and sages of Kashmir, through their teachings and lives, kept these sayings alive, infusing them with the spirit of love, tolerance, and human dignity.

For our elders, a proverb was more than a sentence it was a compass. Through them, they taught how to live wisely, to endure loss, to stay humble in fortune, and to act with compassion. These sayings became the moral fabric of Kashmiri society, guiding communities through both prosperity and peril. In them, the spiritual meets the practical, the poetic meets the profound.

Many Kashmiri proverbs trace their linguistic or philosophical roots to Sanskrit and Perso-Arabic traditions, reflecting Kashmir’s unique position as a confluence of civilizations. Some draw from ancient religious and literary texts, while others spring from daily life folk wisdom shaped by centuries of experience.

In the Kashmiri language, these proverbs form a living museum of human experience. Witty and wise, they carry both indigenous flavor and universal insight. They reveal how Kashmiris see the world—philosophical yet humorous, patient yet perceptive. For instance, when someone says, “Tsari Chu Kande Thare Peth Karar” (The sparrow rests on the thorn bush), it reminds one that comfort and struggle often coexist.

Such sayings are not confined to memory; they still echo in daily conversations, often used by grandparents as gently corrective or affectionate reminders. Their beauty lies in brevity—just one line can sum up an entire situation, leaving little need for elaboration.

Kashmiri history too finds its reflection in these sayings. During the great famine of 1877–79—known locally as Kahat—a line emerged that still resonates today: “Drag Che Cha’lan, Daag Chena Cha’lan” (The famine goes, but its scars remain). In a few words, it captures the enduring trauma of hardship, echoing not only a specific tragedy but the collective memory of survival.

British administrator and historian Sir Walter Lawrence in The Valley of Kashmir, noted how Kashmiris expressed their deepest truths through artistic exaggeration how their proverbs, while concise, carried emotional and philosophical weight. Indeed, in these treasured sayings lies the art of transforming suffering into wisdom.

Even today, the Kashmiri Davpit holds its place in the modern lexicon. It speaks to contemporary struggles as much as to ancient ones. Whether it’s about resilience, justice, love, or human folly, these proverbs retain their relevance in an age that often forgets to listen to its elders. Their meanings may evolve, but their moral heartbeat remains unchanged.

Linguists and scholars have made commendable efforts to preserve this oral legacy. Works such as A Dictionary of Kashmiri Proverbs and Sayings by J. Hinton Knowles, A Dictionary of Kashmiri Proverbs by Prof. Omkar N. Kaul, and Kashmiri Proverbs (in two volumes) by Dr. Raj Kachru, alongside Kashir Davpit by Ghulam Nabi Nazir, stand as monumental efforts to document this heritage before it fades from memory.

Each proverb, in its modest brevity, tells a story about life in Kashmir—its humor, its hardships, its hopes. A few timeless examples illustrate this eloquence:

1. Yeus Kar Harkat, Tas Bani Barket — One who moves, receives blessings.
2. Halin Banan Vukir Thaan, Hiven Hiviy Samkhan — Like-minded people always gather together.
3. Hoon Voraan Te Karvan Pakaan — Don’t pay heed to what is unimportant.
4. Akhis Dazaan Daer Te Byakh Chus Vushnavan Athe — To take advantage of another’s suffering.
5. Ghar Vandhai Ghar Saasa Barre Nearhai Na Zahn, Tchetit Awusai Koh Saasa Che Hue Khaasa Wuchum Na Kanh — There’s no place like home.
6. Khoje Ti Moodh Te Tchaes Te Baleay — Death ends all troubles.
7. Srandan Henz Dab Dab Zandan Henz Shahmat — When the powerful clash, the common man suffers.
8. Akh Karaan Tachi Bachi, Byakh Deva Vachi Vachi — Those who fail to appreciate others grow jealous.
9. Boyie Gou Kaeni Te Baenye Gaiye Tha’in — The brother is hard like stone; the sister soft like butter.

Each of these sayings distills centuries of observation into a few syllables—a hallmark of Kashmiri intellect and empathy. They are, in essence, the poetry of life, spoken not by poets but by the people. As we look ahead in a rapidly changing world, the wisdom of our elders feels more precious than ever. Their words remind us that civilization is not sustained by wealth or power, but by the values we choose to remember. In keeping alive the Kasher-e-Kahwat, we are not merely preserving language—we are preserving the very soul of Kashmir.

Manzoor Akash is educator, author and regular columnist to GK’s Senior Citizens’ Lounge