Dara Shikoh: The Traveller

The Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh (1615-1659 CE),  the elder son of the Emperor Shah Jehan,  was the student of a Sufi of the Qadiri order, and the following short poem gives a flavour of his thought.  For more on Dara Shikoh, see this earlier post.  In the last line, the poet refers to himself as ‘Qadiri;’ the author naming himself is characteristic of a certain style of poetry in the east, and Hazrat Inayat Khan also incorporated his name in the last line of songs he composed.

Traveller

The more a traveller is unencumbered,
The less he feels worried and anxious in his journey.

You too are a traveller in this world;
Be certain of this, if you are awake to hear.

One’s dissatisfaction corresponds to his riches–
Heavier is the turban with a large number of folds.

Drive ego away from you, for
Like the load of conceit and arrogance, it is also a burden.

So long as you live in this world, be independent:
Qadiri has given you warning.

One’s dissatisfaction corresponds to his riches

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