Category: The Jewelled Garden

In this poem by the early 14th c. mystic Janabai, Vitthal refers to a particular manifestation of the god Vishnu. For more about Janabai, see this post. If the Ganga Continue Reading →

It should be understood that Abdullah Ansari here speaks of friendship with God, or as he puts it, with Divine Truth. For more about this early Sufi, see this post. Continue Reading →

Shih-te (9th c. CE) was a lay Buddhist monk and poet who was a dharma companion of Han Shan and Feng Kan. For more about him see this earlier post. Continue Reading →

When Khwaja Abdullah Ansari (1006–1088 CE), who came to be known as the Pir of Herat, was in his late twenties, he had a decisive experience. At a sema, a Continue Reading →

Shaikh Ahmad Jami (1048 – 1141 CE) was born in Namagh, Persia, and died in Jam, in what is present day Afghanistan. He came from a farming family, and was Continue Reading →

In this short poem, perhaps we recognise ourselves as the seekers who, in spite of all our efforts, overlook the obvious Truth. For more about Allama Prabhu, see this post. Continue Reading →

Khwaja Abdullah Ansari (1006–1088 CE) was known as the Pir of Herat, and was a student of Shaikh Abbul Hassan Kharqani. O GodYou know why I am happy:     It is because Continue Reading →

This short verse by Ayn al-Quzat Hamadani might make readers think of the tale posted here. For more about the poet, see this earlier post. He Who splashed a thousand Continue Reading →

In these verses from his Book of Wisdom, the 13th c. CE Alexandrine Sufi and poet Ibn Ata’illah advises us that our spiritual progress is not necessarily in our hands. Continue Reading →

Kalidasa (4th – 5th c. CE) was a classical Sanskrit playwright and poet, considered one of India’s foremost dramatists. Very little is known about his life, save that he was Continue Reading →