Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Monday, Dec 17, 2007
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version
Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Monday, Dec 17, 2007 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Mentor
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Books Columns - Stories Retold Web Extras - Comment Ecstatic lives 
The questioning minds of every century have given rise to great philosophies and powerful movements. All along, “the struggle to discover and to emphasise the need for tolerance, and love of fellowmen is the original blueprint of human existence,” writes Subhra Mazumdar in Spiritual Masters of Ancient & Medieval India ( www.magnamags.com ). “The rich tapestry of Indian society has always been able to absorb new inhabitants, new rulers, new religions and thus even new thoughts and ideas,” notes the intro. The book devotes chapters to a range of masters, from Krishna to Kabir, from Mahavira to Mirabai. In a chapter on Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the author mentions how in places such as Samarqand or Baghdad ‘groups of mystics and travelling mendicants were an integral part of medieval lifestyle.’
These mystics were popular among people because the learned Ulema were generally employed by the State and followed ‘a more dignified and intellectual style’, far removed from the commoners, reasons Mazumdar. “The Sufis were those who had chosen the ascetic path, but were not restrained by any connection to a State regulation or employment conditions. They professed that they were carrying the message of god in their hearts.” Theirs was a life of spiritual ecstasy, meditation, and abandonment of official restrictions, describes Mazumdar. “To experience states of inner quietude they would perform dhikr, or long periods spent reciting the divine name or any of the attributes of divinity. Some of these Sufis even ventured into music and poetry…” Rich content. D. MURALI More Stories on : Books | Stories Retold | Comment
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