Read Book Online : http://www.archive.org/stream/persianmysticsja00davirich#page/n3/mode/2up

Download pdf Book : http://ia700301.us.archive.org/30/items/persianmysticsja00davirich/persianmysticsja00davirich.pdf

Sufism has always fascinated me...to me it seem that it was also a reaction to the Ashari theology of seperation of god and man.to the sufis, the world is manifestation of god and there is a true resemlence between attributes of the creator and his creation....another beautiful book rbsi can try and bring for us is "The conversation of the birds" by Attar which tells the story of the birds who went to seek god and had to pass seven valleys of search, love, understanding, detachment, communion, wonder, union and or extinction. finally a small group of 30 reaches the place and after a severe test by the vazirthey are allowed to enter the simorg's (god) portal..only to realize that they were the simorg.shorn of all the outer trappings they saw themselves as they were in the begining.

In this book, the author refers to four theories of the origin of Sufism: An esoteric doctrine of Islam; Reaction of the Aryan mind against the Semitic religion; Neo-platonist influence; and Independent origin. Of these four, a neo-Platonist origin seems more likely. In fact, the word 'Sufi' itself is a derivative of the Greek word 'Sophos'. It started after the Muslim invasion of Syria when they came into contact with the Greek intellectual and monastic traditions. Since practitioners of orthodox Islam - like all orthodox religions - are intolerant of reasoning, it spread eastwards in Iran and Central Asia. The Mongol invasion destroyed much of it in Central Asia and most of the Sufi scholars sought refuge in India. The Delhi Sultans (Als-Tamash, Nasiruddin, Balban, and Alauddin Khilji) not only defended India against repeated Mongol onslaughts but also provided refuge to these scholars. It is unfortunate that this school, which flourished mainly in Iran (and Rum), was extinguished there too afterwards by Shias under the Safavids. Thus the only country where it prospered was India. It is about the only intellectual branch of Islam that is free of the shackles of religious orthodoxy and mythology and this why we hear even today of funadamentalist 'Muslims' - actually terrorists - blowing up Sufi shrines in Pakistan. In this book, the author descibes Sufism as "essentially a religion of Love without a creed or dogma". It believes that "the wise man recognizes the idea of the good within him". I like that. As a child in Etawah, I used to walk past a small Sufi shrine of "Lathi-walay Shah sahib" on my way to school and was always fascinated by his colorful attire, long well-groomed hair, blue smoke arising from the slowly-burning bamboos, and dozens of disciples (mainly women of all faiths) meditating quietly in silence. In a way, the peacefulness was very much like the interior of a Buddhist pagoda I visited in Sri Lanka.

that was a facinating story about the birds and finding god. thanks mita

Practically every religion has produced its particular form of mysticism ...Vedanta in hinduism, Kaballah in judaism, Sufism in islam. They were reaction to the dogmatic theology of that particular religion but we can discern a pattern of influence of these sects on each other. Sufis like early christians called themselves "people of the way", that was built on the premise that the soul of man has been seperated from its maker and has longing to return and be lost in him.The compositions of sufi saints like Ghazali, Attar, Rumi, Hafez and Rabia the lady mystic from Kufa thus always placed supremacy of the heart over mind.

Thank you for the nice commentary. This is also what I gathered by reading the RBSI book posted above. While the concept of the soul could be questioned in modern times, the Sufi movement is free from the dogmas, myths, and rituals of institutionalized religions that have polluted them and done considerable damage to religion itself. On the Indian sub-continent, the Sufi tradition has been dominated by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti and his many descendents and disciples. However, I found the experience of visiting their shrines rather depressing except for the lively Qawwalis. I wonder why is it so?

I think Mita has pointed out something really interesting about Sufism.It is indeed an effort in the direction of the human soul striving to unite itself with the Supreme Being. In that sense it differs from mainstream Islam as the concept of Fanafillah is at cross purposes with it.In fact it is akin to the Hindu concept of Moksha or Nirvana. Sufism has always enchanted me in fact I was born of explicit Sufi blessings only of H Salim Chisti (r.a) of Sikri and I have been reading ,meeting sajjada nasheens of several Sufi shrines all my life.Sufism is a means to experience God in your body right here on this planet. When Islamic mysticism came into contact with the Hindu Yogis it underwent a change. Yoga found it’s way into Sufism.In time the Murshid / Shaikh (Sufi master) began to impart dhikrr zikrr (dhikrr in Arabic) to his chosen disciples.This was pretty much like a Guru mantra.For instance if the Shaikh imparted the shahada (the bedrock of Islam and one of it’s canons “ There is no God but Allah and Mohammad is his prophet) as the zikrr the murid (disciple) may have to recite it with a controlled breathing exercise.While exhaling he’s recite La illa e il llaah and would inhale as he’d recite Mohammad ul Rasool ullah. While on an army campaign with Mohd. Bon Tuglaq Khusrau was enveloped by a sudden sadness he rused to Delhi and heard about the demise of his master Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (r.a.) He rushes to the Shaykh’s tomb and began shrieking “ The sun has gone underground and Khusrau is alive. He blackened his face , tore his garments and lay facedown on the grave reciting his last verse: गोरी सोवे सेज पर , मुख पर डारे केस चल खुसरो घर आपने रैन भाई चहुँ देस (The fair one lies on the couch with black tresses scattered on her face O Khusro go home now,for the nightb has descended on the earth) Scores of riddles , songs melodies and poems are attributed to Khusro and this Tooti-e-Hind (nightingale of India) is a household name.He wrote ghazals, qasidahs, masnavis and rubais alongwith prose in Arabic, Persian and Hindwi and played a pivotal role in the evolution of the Hindustani classical music, both vocal and instrumental.Both the invention of the sitar and table are attributed to him. Qawwali, khayal, naqsh , Gul, Sawan can be attributed to him. His creations including the elaboration of Qaul is the starting point of all sama mehfils to this day and so are several of his compositions which enjoy immense popularity and a pride of place in the world of Hindustani classical devotional music genre. This musician, poet, composer, littterateur enjoyed the patronage of seven Sultans of Delhi.Deeply influenced by the spiritual philosophy of H Nizamuddin Aulitya (r.a.) Khusrau believed in tolerance and affection between people of different faiths. He loved India with all it’s seasons, fruit, trees and flowers and compared it with paradise on earth. Once Khusro’s shaykh and him came across a group of Brahmins engaged in prayer. The Shaykh remarked: ہر قوم راست رہے دینے و قبلہ گاہے (Each people have their own path and direction of prayer) Khusro spontaneously completed the verse: من قبلہ راست، بر ترافے کجکلہے (I have straightened by direction of the cap towards the slanting cap alluding to his Shaykh who wore his cap with a slant) हर आशिके याद अगर दर किबला गर्द बुतकदा आशाकाने दोस्त रबा काफूर ईमान कर नीस्त (Lovers of the beloved take us to the kaaba and to the temple of idols, Lovers of the Friend do not bother with infidelity and faith)

Sufism is nothing but pure Ishq where your beloved is the Almighty.It is akin to Bhakti yoga 'the path of devotion' described in the chapters 7th to 12th in the Bhagwad Gita.

Thank you, Digvijay, for this wonderful commentary on Sufism, Sufis, and Hazrat Amir Khusro.(You could have placed a comma between "Mohd. bin Tughlaq" and "Khusrau "above as I was momentarily misled.) Amir Khusro died within 6 months after the death of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. Your description of sufism as "nothing but pure love" reminds me of a line from the Urdu poet Majaz .... "Ishq hee ishq hai duniya meri". As I mentioned elsewhere, the last thing Sheikh Saleem Chishti desired on his deathbed was a recital by the great Tan Sen. Your knowledge of mysticism in different religions is simply astounding. We will have to meet in Fatehpur Sikri on my next trip to India. Regards.

By all means Asad Uncle. That Sufi shrine is the holiest place in the universe for me alongwith the shrine of my ishhtt devi in Amber (Jaipur).

I am enriched by the discourse....Thankyou Digvijay and Asad and thankyou RBSI for creating this forum.

Thank you, Mita. Now, Digvijay, tell me more about Jalaluddin Rumi. Why he is not that well-known in India as in Turkey? Also please tell me something about Ishhtt Devi of Amber.

About H Jalal ud din Rumi (r.a.) I will have to write a rather long commentary which I shall later in the day. As for my ishtt Devi in Amber she is called Shila Devi by all us Kachhawas and Jessoreshwari by her Bengali priests brought by Raja Maan Singh 1st the brother-in-law and maharaja of Amber. While on a military campaign to Benal as the commander-in-chief of the Mughal army Raja Maan Singh was repulsed by the Raja Kedar of Cooch Behar who ruled sizable portion of Bengal. (You can imagine his strength to be able to repulse Mughal might) The Raja of Amber had a dream and Goddess Durga ordered him giving her location that she is lying in the form of a shila (boulder). Raja Maan Singh retirieved that Shila sought her blessings and was able to defeat Raja Kedar. Raja Kedar offerred the hand of his daughter in marriage to Raja Maan Singh.The Raja brought back the shila with him to Amber and installed her in a temple. He also brought Bhattacharya Brahmins with him in the 16th century who are HER priests to this day. SHE became our ishtt devi henceforth.For me SHE is everything. Four hundred yeas later another Maharaja of Amber now Jaipur with the same name married another princess of Cooch Behar and like his glorious ancestor he too distinguished himself but in the field of sport winning all the world tournaments of POLO in a single year: A grand slam of Polo never really paralleled. Shila Devi is the ishtt Devi of my clan of Kacchawa Rajputs. Her temple was beautified by Maan Singh 2nd and has awesome marble carving in relief and trelliswork of the level you see in Sikri.The event of Maharaja Maan Singh bringing the statue of Shila Devi to Jaipur in the 16th century is celebrated in songs and folklore: सांगानेर को सांगो बाबो , जैपर को हनुमान आमेर की शिला देवी ल्याओ राजा मान

Although it is an ardous task to condense the meaning of Sufism and it’s beliefs in a small write up I have tried to condense it as much as possible.Sufism is after all a topic I love to talk. Surah Fatihah. The opening chapter of the Quran says”Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom,Thou hast bestowed Thy grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray” (1:6-7) Recitation of this verse is part of the five mandatory prayers Muslims offer five times a day. Sufism blossomed forth from earlier pre-Islamic traditions of Christian monks.Sufis are called Auliya Allah (Allah’s friends)Auliya is the plural of the Arabic word Wali, literally meaning a friend. Sufi masters of the 11th and 12th centuries wrote “Sufism was a reality without a name and now a name without a reality” It was corrupted during the pinnacle of the Islamic civilization. Today sadly it is sold as a high end product in 21st century markets where you may see the whirling dervishes of Mevlana (Turkish for Maulana) Jalaluddin Rumi going round and round in the shopping malls of Istanbul and Ankara.Nothing can be any the more paradoxical.as the prophet had stated Al fakhru fakhri : ‘Poverty is my pride’ God loves those who are poor and lonely.They are the ones who have nobody and nothing but their religion Sufism in fact seeks ultimate communion with God Almighty. Sufi philosophy is divided into three stages : Sharia :the outward law, Tareeqa the way the Haqeeqa the truth. Prophet said that Sharia law is my word, Tareeqa my actions and Haqeeqa my inner state. Throughout Islamic history Sufis developed ways suited to their times evolving methods for guiding peoples on the path of righteousness. Sufism represents the vibrancy of Islam in adapting to local customs and tradition. It re-affirms unity of faith and the diversity of devotional expression in the Muslim world. The Sufis originated from about 45 companions of the prophet called the Ashab e Suffa meaning people of the bench.Although the word Sufi dis not exist during the times of the prophet the foundations of tasawwuf, Sufism were laid. Rasool(Pbuh) says ‘ He who hears the voice of the ahl-e-tasawwuf (people of spirituality) and does not say Ameen to their prayers is inscribed before God among those with ghafla heedlessness’ Sufis believe that Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) was the recipient of a two fold knowledge: Ilm-e-Safina or outer knowledge and Ilm-e-Sina or inner knowledge also called Ilm-e-Ladduni or knowledge of the heart.The prophet entrusted his inner knowledge upon ALI (a.s) :Ibn -e-Talib or the title of Imam of the Walis and positioning him as the fountainhead of mystic knowledge. Man Kunto Maula va ALI un Maula ‘I am the master of whom ALI is the master.There is another Hadith I am the city of knowledge and ALI is it’s gate. Sufi masters teach inner purification of the soul. Allah says “Truly he succeeds that purifies it’ (91:9). The classification of spiritual progression is called maqaam or Mystic stations(almost identical to the various chakras described in sanatan dharma). When a Sufi reaches a level of ultimate excellence he achieves fana the highest maqaam where the self ceases to exist .Similar to the drop that merges with the sea. The mystic’s soul merges with the Divine returning to where it came from. Sufis hope to become the perfect servants of Allah so HE may make them HIS khalifas or viceregents on earth.They gain awareness of God by discovering Divine attributes within their own spirit.Ishq-e-Haqiqi or love of God is eternal while Ishq-e-majazi love for all else is illusory. The prophet said “Die before you die” stressing upon the importance of self realization. He further clarified ‘One who knows himself knows God’ Sufis understand that the removal of nafs (or ego) is the the only way to attain a state of wasl (union) with God. Nafs are passions of the lower self that relate to sexual impulses and other human tendancies of greed.Sufis experience dreams, visions and kashf meaning extraordinary forms of revelation that come directly to the heart. Following a stage of Fana the Sufi arrives at the station of baqa a continous existence with God. Mystic communication and the concept of fana and baqa are wonderfully expressed by Mevlana Jalaaluddin Rumi.

...and you talk well dear Digvijay ! : )

A mathawi of Mevlana Rumi tells us a story of a merchant and his parrot. The parrot symbolizes the soul of the merchant engaged in conventional life.When the merchant decides to go to India he asks the parrot if she wants a gift.” I only request that when you see other parrots in India, tell them a parrot who longs for you is in prison by the destiny of heaven” replies the bird. On reaching india the merchant gives the message to the parrots, one of whom trembles and falls dead upon hearing the news.The sympathetic merchant senses that the bird is somehow related to his parrot back home.On returning he tells his parrot the story who also falls down in a corner of the cage. After lamenting the loss of his parrot the merchant throws her out of the cage.But the bird immediately flies to a bough and the surprised merchant wants to know what sort of communication has taken place between the two birds.The parrot replies “ The other parrot by her act said , Die yourself and stop singing so that you may be released to gain freedom” Drunk of Love Sufis experience ‘hal’a state of spiritual ecstacy that can last from moments to days. They believe that hal is not dependent on the mystics efforts but on Divine Graces. Rumi expresses the dynamics of love: Through Love thorns become roses Through love vinegar becomes wine Through love prison become a rose bower Through Love a Devil becomes a Houri Through Love stings are as honey…………………..and so on and so forth Many verses of the Quran talk of the heart as a repository of knowledge. On the day of judgment “The day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, but only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart” Drawing from the great master I shall only use fables to put forth the truth for a ‘veiled mind’ (whether one is into organized religion or else a rationalist applying logic to everything in life or an out and out materialist) cannot understand what one of the greatest Sufi masters of all time had to say. ‘Beat the dog and the lion will behave’ a secret phrase used by the whirling Dervishes.Its interpretation depends upon the word ‘dog’ and ‘lion’It implies Qalb (heart) instead of kalb(dog) and fahid (neglectful) in place of the Fahd (lion) So beat the heart (Sufi exercise) and the negelectful (faculties) behave (correctly). This is a slogan which introduces the ‘beating of the heart’ movements encouraged by the motions and concentrations of the ‘Mevlevi’ Whirling Dervishes. A king’s hawk settled upon a ruin inhabited by owls. They surmised that he had come to drive them out of their homes.”This ruin may seem a prosperous place to you.To me the better place is upon the arm of the king” said the hawk.Some of the owls cried “Do not believe him. He is using guile to steal our home.” The use of fables and illustrations in very widespread among the Sufis and Rumi is the master fabulist of all time. The works of Rumi have the honour to be called the Koran in Pehelvi. Interestingly Rumi said that the teachings of the Koran are allegorical Rumi disregarded dogma to understand religion.The real religion is different from what people think it is.In this world he says there is no equivalent to things which are called the throne of God, the book,angels, the day of reckoning.Similies have been used.So Rumi actually turns organized Islam on it’s head. It was only medieval Persia (or maybe India) in my opinion where he could be revered for saying what he did and get away with it.

Mr. Kushwaha.. सांगानेर को सांगो बाबो , जैपर को हनुमान आमेर की शिला देवी ल्याओ राजा मान.. is well known in Jaipur. I know about Chandpole Hanuman and Shila Mata.. Wondering if you may let me know, where is Sango Babo and by what name he is known.. thanks.

Raja Maan Singh was a multi-faceted personality with varied interests.Other than being an exceptional warrior who distinguished himself in battle ,he started atliers and departments devoted to arts, crafts,literature and the performing arts. Few craft tradition sfor which Jaipur is famous like enammelling (Meenakari), paper making and carpet weaving were introduced by him by extending patronage to skilful artisans from Lahore Sialkot Gujarat and Mutan. He patronized several poets,authors, playwrights and scholars at his court and was fond of music, dance and drama. The seat of Sanga baba in Sanganer (named after him and it predates Jaipur) honours a martyred warrior who had accompanied Raja Maan Singh 1st in his military conquest of Kabul. He was a son of Raja Prithviraj of Amberand used to live in Bikaner.This seat in not a temple as it hasno bell or idol.Here a चित्रपट or painting of the baba is tended by the Ajmera family who are not priests but are from the business community of Maheshwaris.While Sanga baba is shown astride a horse, above him from the left are Kala Bhairav , Shila Mata of Amber and Gora Bhairav. So other than Ma Shila Devi of Amber , Raja Maan Singh brought two other deities as immortalized in the song सांगानेर को सांगो बाबो जैपर को हनुमान आमेर की शिला देवी लायो राजा मान The priests of the Chandpol ke Hanuman however claim that it was their ancestor Jaduram Tiwari of Khijuria village in Mewar who brought this image. The Hanuman brought by Raja Maan Sigh is the Kala Hanuman near the Jal Mahal and is made of the same dark stone as the image of Ma Shila Devi. As for the morphical image of Hanuman on Chandpol Derwaza it is unclear whether it was brought by Raja Maan Singh from Bengal or the Tiwaris from Mewar.It was earlier installed in Barodiya village since the city of Jaipur was non-existent then and it was known as the chabutaray ka Hanuman. This idol came to be strategically located on the western periphery of the main east-west axis adjacent to the huge gateway called Chand Pol and since then it acquired the name of Chand Pol ke Balaji. Both the statues of Ma Shila and Kala Hanuman have tantric powers and are not allowed to the photographed.Bengal and Assam are the seat of Tantra in India.

Thank you Digvijay! I am richly benefitted by your scholarly input on Sufism, whcih has somehow fascinated me. A few years ago, a Sufi saint walked into my office. He was from Ajmer. He handed over sacred Ash and an eight anna coin and blessed me, before leaving. Near my house (in Mysore), there is a holy tomb of a Safi saint. In fact, Tipu Sultan's name was named in honour of a Sufi saint Teepu, who blessed his father, Hyder Ali Khan, of a son, who will be worthy of ruling after him. Sufism had its influence in South too, at least as far as Mysore. I see no difference between the tenets of Hindusim and Sufism -- paths may be different goal is one -- of ultimate realisation. Thanks again.

Digvijay: How come you know so much about all these things? I envy your vast knowledge admiringly.

I agree with Asad!

Mr. Satya many thanks for your kind words. Yes I am aware Tipu was named after a sufi saint of that name just as Salim was too who later assumed the title of Jehangir when he became emperor of Hindustan ( I was also born as a result of the same Sufi saint H Salim Chisti (r.a.) interceding with God to bless my parents with a child) As I stated earlier tasawwuf and sanatan dharma especially vedanta have always enchanted me. Here are in short a few similarities that I have been able to gather: 1) Both observe the restraining of breath 2) Both observe meditation 3) Both observe service and submission to a Pir /Shaykh or a Guru 4) Both observe Fast and penance as a means of purification 5) Both observe Zikr / mantra or recitation of a sacred word or phrase 6) Both use the rosary 7) Both believe in the communion with the Supreme Being 8) Both believe in the tolerance towards other religions ( In fact the Sufis never scoffed upon idol worshippers) 9) Both believe in universal love and Bhakti In fact after a certain level there is no difference among religions. I find those who distinguish between them as so very tiresome.

Thank you Digvijay! You seem to be an ocean of knowledge. You know so much about so many things. From history to religion.. wow.. I am fascinated. :)

I was told that the Parshwanath statue in the Sanghi Digambar Jain temple is Sanga Baba but I could not accept that, due to the history of that temple and Sanganer itself. I am glad I found an authentic answer now. Thank you.