Category: Tales

It happened once upon a time that Bahlool, the one who was known as a lunatic, was sitting in the cemetery with only the company of a stray dog, when Continue Reading →

It happened once that Mullah Nasruddin received a summons from the Governor of the province where he lived. As he brushed off his turban and hurriedly prepared to go to Continue Reading →

It happened once that Mullah Nasruddin was hurrying to get somewhere and unintentionally bumped into a well-dressed gentleman. The collision apparently disturbed the man, and he said angrily to the Continue Reading →

Mullah Nasruddin always tried to be worthy of his turban, but sometimes he could speak as bluntly as the next person. Once it happened that he was present when a Continue Reading →

It happened once upon a time that the provincial Governor summoned Mullah Nasruddin to his court. “Mullah,” said the Governor, “they say you have a great deal of learning.” Nasruddin Continue Reading →

When Bayazid Bistami, a great Sufi of Iran who came to be known as the Sultan ul Arifeen, or the Prince of the Knowers, was living in Baghdad, he once Continue Reading →

It happened once that the Caliph Harun ul Rashid said to Bahlool, “Do you want to be the Caliph?” Perhaps Harun was feeling discouraged, and was making a serious offer Continue Reading →

It happened once upon a time that a certain rich man gave money for the construction of a mosque. As it was being completed, the rich man stood with some Continue Reading →

It is said that once upon a time a certain Maharajah of pious character desired to build a temple. Therefore he set aside a substantial portion of his wealth, and Continue Reading →

For some background on the Indian mystic Sri Ramakrishna, see this post. Fully awakened souls [said Sri Ramakrishna] are beyond virtue and vice. They realize that it is God who Continue Reading →