Indian Antiquary Vol 04

SR No.: 032496
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 410
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
to the human race, and the best words are those which are the fewest and the most instructive."
On being asked to appoint a worthy successor, he uttered the name of Chelebi Hisâmal-din; the question being thrice repeated, he gave the fourth time the same reply. Being questioned concerning his son Sultan Vulud, he replied, "He is a hero, there is no necessity for any injunction about him." Then Chelebi Hisâm-al-din asked the Mullâ whom he wished to pray over his corpse at the burial, and he said, "Sheikh Çadr-al-din." He expired at sunset on the 5th of the month Jomâdi II. A. H. 672 (18th December A.D. 1273), at the age of 68 years according to the Muhammadan, or 66 according to the Christian reckoning, at Koniah, i.e. Iconium, in Asia Minor, where he had spent the greater portion of his life, and from its being in the Turkish dominions he obtained the surname of Rami.
The above Sultan Vulud was also a poet, and died at Koniah, A.H. 712 (1312). He is called Behâ-al-din, of the same name with Jellal-al-din's father, who, when our poet was yet a boy, being displeased with the government of Khowarizmshah, determined to emigrate for ever from the district of Balkh, under the pretence of going on a pilgrimage to Mekkah. Accordingly he departed with this son and went first to Nishapûr, where they made the acquaintance of Sheikh Farid-al-din A'ttar, who had gathered around him many disciples, and who discovered the precocious talents of the boy, presenting him with the Esrárnámah and uttering the prediction :
گفت زودا كاين پسر غوغا کند آتش اندر سوخته جانان کند
"How quick, he said, will this unruly lad Throw burning fire on anxious souls!" Both father and son continued their travels in the company of a valuable guide and spiritual teacher, Sayyid Tarmad, whose sobriquet was Burhân; with him they visited the holy shrines of Mekkah and Jerusalem. They had not completed one half of their intended tour, however, when he took leave and advised them to settle in Turkey. Accordingly Behâ-al-din took his son Jellal-al-din to Koniah, where they established themselves and ceased their wanderings. At that time 'Alla-al-din, the Seljukide, governed the country; he was so pleased with
[OCTOBER, 1875.
the company of Beha-al-din that he became his disciple; when his father died Jellâl-al-din took his place, but he soon got tired of worldly honours, and, abandoning his position, dedicated himself wholly to spiritual life :
:
ليك ناهد فضل و تدریسش پسند مرغ طبعش داشت پروازی بلند عز و جاهش در نظر بیهوده بود جذبۂ غیبی دلش ربوده بود
"But schools and honours pleased him not; His nature's aspirations were more high, His pomp and glory seemed but folly to himself,
Attraction of the spirit-world held his heart." He sought consolation in the society of kindred spirits, the chief of whom were Shamsal-din Tabrizi-whose name appears at the end of almost every ode of his Diwan in token of affection, because Jallâl-al-din himself acknowledged him as his spiritual guide-and His â m-al-din.
Shams-al-din Tabrizi, whose full name is Mullânâ Shams-al-din 'Ali Ben Målak Dà d Tabrizi, appears to have been a restless character and an innovator. He travelled about much and made many enemies. When Shamsal-din arrived at Koniah for the first time, he paid a visit to Jallal-al-din, who happened to be sitting near a tank with several books near him; he asked what they were, and on being told that they were called Kyl wa Kál, he said, "What have you to do with them ?" and threw them all into the water. The Mullâ exclaimed with a sigh, "O Dervish, what have you done? Some of these were my father's compositions, which cannot be replaced!" Hereupon Shams-aldin put his hand into the water and pulled out all the books, one after the other; and lo, not one of them was wet. Jellal-al-din was much astonished, but Shams-al-din rejoined, "This is joy and ecstasy: what do you know of these spiritual matters ?" And their intimacy began from that day.
Shams-al-din was constantly roaming about. He wore a robe of coarse black cloth, and took lodgings in the caravanserai at whatever place he happened to arrive. He came to Koniah A.H. 642 (A.D. 1244), but could not remain there on that occasion longer than one year, as an attempt was made on his life. At that time Jellal-al-din Rumi saw his friend for the