Brief Explanation: Those who truly surrender themselves to the Beloved will become immortal. Background:
Ahmad-e Jam, also known by his nickname "The Colossal Elephant" (ژنده پىل) due to his status among the scholars and learned men, was a Persian Sufi, Sufi writer, mystic and poet. He also has had tremendous impact on later scholars, among them Nur Din Jami .
This couplet, attributed to Sheikh Ahmad-e Jami, explains that the submission (Islam) in truth, makes us live for ever by the blessing of the Almighty. Whether in peoples' memories, or via their contributions, or in other ways that we do not know of. The idea of submitting to the will of the Almighty is a central theme of revealed religions from the time of our patriarch Adam (peace be upon him). As we navigate the challenges even in this 21st Century, these truths become even more evident that what the Beloved and Merciful Lord revealed for us is truly the source of salvation.
These couplets have extra significance in South Asia, which has been blessed with Sufi saints, mystics, dervishes, scholars and other holy people. The dominant silsilah is the Chistiyyah or Chisti silsilah, founded by the great South Asian Sufi shaykh Khwaja Muʿīn al-Dīn Chisti and developed, among others, by his famous disciple, Sufi scholar and poet, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (May Allah bless them all).
These verses are made extra famous by an incident in which Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, was listening to a poetry recital (qawwali) and upon hearing these lines swooned and lost consciousness. Staying unconscious for three days, he gave up his soul on the fourth day and came to be known as a "Martyr of Love".
To this day, these verses are now considered taboo in qawwali performances, even though the modern qawwalis are a far cry from the original poetry recitations and have become song and dance numbers.
कबीरा खाई कोट कि, पानी पिवै न कोई जाइ मिलै जब गंग से, तब गंगोदक होइ
Meaning:
O Kabir, no one drinks water from the village gutter,
But once it merges with the (holy) Ganga, it takes the form of Ganga itself
Alternatively:
Kabir is just like a village gutter, no one drinks from it
But once he will merge with the (holy) Ganga, he will take the form of Ganga itself
Language: Vernacular Hindi Transliteration:
Kabira Khaai Kot Ki, Paani Piwai Na Koyi Jaai Milai Jab Gang Se, Tab Gangodak Hoye
Video/Audio:
Brief Explanation: Unless we are able to elevate ourself to a higher form, via noble and pious people, we will never become pious as our deeds are lowly like a gutter full of filth. Background: Throughout history, the merits of associating with pious people, wise people and saintly people has been underlined and these couplets (known in local dialect as दोहे dohe ) by the saint Kabir indicates the same.
Is far better than a hundred years of sincere obedience
Language: Persian/Farsi Transliteration:
Yek Zamaney Suhbatey Ba Awliya Behtar Az Sad Saala Ta'at Be Riya
Video/Audio:
Brief Explanation: The friends of God have tremendous spiritual impact on people and the blessings that such company brings cannot be compared even to a hundred years of sincere obedience, let alone insincere obedience. It is important to understand that the companionship of the saint (Wali) is the way to Allah, and not otherwise. Background:
This couplet, attributed to Maulana Rumi, talks about the impact of being with good people even for a short while. Either we can contemplate on their wisdom and receive the blessings of the saying:
“A moment of contemplation is better than seventy years of (involuntary) worship.”
Or we can converse with them whereby:
“A single conversation across the table with a wise person is worth a month’s study of books”.
The reason why I chose mystical poetry is because mysticism is the most sublime form of religious expression, bringing to us the highest wisdom with radiant beauty, yet simple, coherent and piercing enough to reach the hearts of many. Correspondingly, poetry is the highest form of human expression and the most artistic form of literature and an apt vehicle of mystical ideas of many of the world's most renowned mystics.
However, there is a caveat.
Growing up in Kashmir, we came across an anecdote whereby the poem of a well-known poet Mullah Tahir Ghani Kashmiri was the subject of a sermon which he himself was attending as a member of the congregation, unbeknownst to the preacher. The preacher highlighted 17 possible meaning of a particular verse, all logical and linguistically possible much to the amazement of the audience. After the prayers were over, the poet introduced himself, much to the delight of the preacher and expressed admiration for the interpretations, yet regretfully admitting that when he was writing the poem, none of those interpretations crossed his mind. And he himself gave his interpretation, as the 18th one.
Such is the beauty of poetic expression. Poetry, and moreover mystical poetry has many shades of meaning and highly subtle nuances that come into play within the beauty of expression and vivid imagery. Hence no single translation or explanation can do justice to it. It is with this caveat that I make a humble appeal, that rather than going by my explanations, feel free to experience the beauty of the poem as it descends on your own heart and lends meaning to you and your life. Within these words we can feel the presence of the mystics and saints.
Within my poetry, hidden I dwell, like fragrance within rose petals
All who wish to catch a glimpse of me, can do so (only) within my poetry
Alternatively:
Within my poetry, hidden I dwell, like fragrance within rose petals
Anyone desiring to see me, may do so (only) within my poetry
Language: Persian/Farsi of South Asia Transliteration:
Dar Sukhan Makhfi Shudam, Manand e bu Dar Barg e Gul Har ke Khwahad deedanam goo, Dar Sukhan Beenad Mera
Dar Sukhan Makhfi Shudam, Manand e bu Dar Barg e Gul , Har Ke Darad Mayl Deedan, Dar Sukhan Beenad Mera
Video/Audio:
Brief Explanation: An artist, poet, writer or any other form of expert in arts and literature should be primarily known by their work. Since I am not either of them, I chose to remain hidden while sharing wisdom that I come in contact with, across ages and cultures. Background:
This couplet attributed to Zeb un Nissa, the daughter of Aurangzeb inspired me to choose the name مخفي which means "hidden" in Arabic, Persian and Urdu.
The story goes that her poetry was well-regarded and her fame reached far and wide, but people did not know the true identity of the poet with the nom de plume مخفي.
One day a neighbouring king requested Aurangzeb to have the poet (مخفي) sent out to his kingdom so that he may have an audience with him and get to know the poet better. This put him in a quandary as on the one hand a generous king cannot refuse this request, but he could not also send his daughter as it would violate the cultural and religious norms, and also he did not want to be the one who reveals her identity which she had chosen to keep secret.
Failing to find a solution, he asked for her help. She told him to send these verses in response to the neighbouring king's request thus solved the problem in a beautiful manner deserving that of a wise and literate poet that she was.
