Dear Travelers,
Once again I am back amongst the faithful . . . hopefully the natives are no
more restless than usual. I look forward to reading in -- should the
inspiration arrive, perhaps post a thing or two about the nature of how things
are . . .n't. It might be helpful, even to display what to avoid and how not to
go about it. Maybe lessons in lack of humility. Mine, not yours. But how does
one own such things?
________________________________________________
THE SAGE OF HERAT
It has been told, that during the reign of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazna, there lived
a certain Haidar Ali Jan. His father, Iskandar Khan, wanted to gain the
patronage of the Sultan, so he sent Haidar Ali away to study spirituality under
the guidance of a well known sage.
After Haidar Ali had mastered various exercises and spiritual recitals, taught
in the Sufi schools, his father took him before Sultan Mahmud.
"Mighty Sultan Mahmud," said Iskandar Khan, "I have had my eldest and most
intelligent son specially trained in the ways of the Sufi, so that he might be
given a good position in your court, knowing that you are a patron of
learning!"
Sultan Mahmud did not look up, but just said, "Bring him back in a year!"
Slightly disappointed, but maintaining high hopes, Iskandar Khan sent Haidar
Ali to study the works of the great Sufis of the past and to visit the shrines
of the ancient masters, so that he would be better prepared the following year.
The next year, when he took Haidar Ali back to Sultan Mahmud's court, he said,
"Your Majesty, my son has covered long and difficult journeys and is now more
knowledgeable in Sufi history and classical spiritual exercises. Please have
him tested, so it can be proven that he will be a wonderful asset to your
court."
"Let him," said Sultan Mahmud without hesitation, "return after another year!"
Over the next twelve months, Haidar Ali crossed the Amu Darya river and visited
Bukhara and Samarqand, Qasr-i-Arifin and Tashkent, Dushambe and the turbats of
the Sufi saints of Turkestan.
When he returned to the court, Sultan Mahmud of Ghazna took one look at him and
said, "He may care to come back after a year!"
Haidar Ali made the pilgrimage to Mecca that year. He then traveled to India
and in Persia he consulted rare books and never missed an opportunity to seek
out and pay his respects to the great dervishes of the time.
When he returned to Ghazna, Sultan Mahmud said to him, "Now select a sheikh
(teacher) if he will have you, and come back in a year!"
Another year was over and Iskandar Khan prepared to take his son to the court,
however, this time Haidar Ali showed no interest in going before the Sultan. He
sat at the feet of his sheikh in Herat and nothing that his father could say
would move him.
"I have wasted my time and money, and my son has failed the tests imposed by
Sultan Mahmud," Iskandar Khan cried to his family and friends. He decided to
abandoned his great plans for Haidar Ali and left him alone with his sheikh.
The day preset day for Haidar Ali to present himself at the court came and
went. Sultan Mahmud said to his courtiers, "Prepare for a journey to Herat, for
there is someone in that city I have to meet."
When Sultan Mahmud's entourage entered Herat to the sound of drums and
trumpets, Haidar Ali and his sheikh were sitting in a garden sanctuary near by.
Sultan Mahmud and his courtier Ayaz, approached the sanctuary and took off
their shoes in respect.
"Welcome, Sultan Mahmud," said the Sufi sheikh, and he pointed to Haidar Ali
and said, "Here is the man who was nothing while he was a visitor at your
court, but now, he is worthy of a visit from a king. Take him as your Sufi
counselor, for he is ready!"
Note: This is a true story from the life and studies of Hiravi also called,
Haidar Ali Jan, the Sage of Herat!
_____________________________________________________
Best wishes
ZenDervish
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