Chapter C33
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References reflecting the mystical meanings of "garden" in the Holy Texts.
1)
Thou seest me, O God, confounded in Thine earth: if I tell what Thou
hast enjoined on me, Thy creatures turn against me; and if I forsake
what Thou hast enjoined on me on Thy part, I should be deserving of the
scourges of Thy wrath, and far removed from the gardens of nearness to Thee.
No, by Thy Glory, I advance toward Thy good pleasure, turning aside
from what the souls of Thy servants desire: and accept what is with
Thee, forsaking what will remove me afar off from the retreats of
nearness to Thee and the heights of Thy Glory. By Thy Glory, for Thy
love I flinch not from aught, and for Thy good pleasure I fear not all
the affliction in the world: this is but through Thy Strength and Thy
Might and Thy Grace and Thy Favour, not because I am deserving thereof.
-- Provisional Translations, Lawh-i-Sultan (Guardian-Browne)
2)
O thou spiritual youth and merciful young man!
Consider the grace of thy Master; how He hath directed thee to the
fountain of salvation, until thou hast drunk from the salsabil (i.e.,
clear water of life) of the guidance of God, in this holy and rich garden.
Cling to this firm handle
and make thy feet steady in this path, so that the bounties of thy
Supreme Lord may successively pour upon thee and make thee a sign of
His mighty knowledge.
-- `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 256
3)
"We will now mention unto thee Trustworthiness and the station thereof
in the estimation of God, thy Lord, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. One
day of days We repaired unto Our Green Island.
Upon Our arrival, We beheld its streams flowing, and its trees
luxuriant, and the sunlight playing in their midst. Turning Our face to
the right, We beheld what the pen is powerless to describe; nor can it
set forth that which the eye of the Lord of Mankind witnessed in that
most sanctified, that most sublime, that blest, and most exalted Spot.
Turning, then, to the left We gazed on one of the Beauties of the Most Sublime Paradise, standing on a pillar of light, and calling aloud saying: `O inmates of earth and heaven! Behold ye My beauty,
and My radiance, and My revelation, and My effulgence. By God, the True
One! I am Trustworthiness and the revelation thereof, and the beauty
thereof. I will recompense whosoever will cleave unto Me, and recognize
My rank and station, and hold fast unto My hem. I am the most great
ornament of the people of Bahá, and the vesture of glory unto all who
are in the kingdom of creation. I am the supreme instrument for the
prosperity of the world, and the horizon of assurance unto all beings.'
Thus have We sent down for thee that which will draw men nigh unto the
Lord of creation."
This Wronged One hath, at all times, summoned the peoples of the world
unto that which will exalt them, and draw them nigh unto God. From the
Most Sublime Horizon there hath shone forth that which leaveth no room
unto any one for vacillation, repudiation or denial. The wayward,
however, have failed to profit therefrom; nay, it shall only increase
their loss.
-- Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 136-137
4)
In the next passage from Quran
25:22 where the angels (a symbolic reference to the Holy Imams referred
to by Baha'u'llah in the Tablet of Job) say, "There is a barrier forbidden (to you) altogether!"
25:22. The Day they see the angels [Holy Imams] -- no joy will there be to the sinners that Day: the (angels) will say: "There is a barrier forbidden (to you) altogether!"
25:23. And We shall turn to whatever deeds they did (in this life), and
We shall make such deeds as floating dust scattered about.
25:24. The Companions of the Garden will be well, that Day, in their abode, and have the fairest of places for repose.
25:25. The Day the heaven shall be rent asunder with clouds, and angels shall be sent down, descending (in ranks) --
25:26. That Day, the dominion as of right and truth, shall be (wholly)
for (Allah) Most Merciful: it will be a day of dire difficulty for the
Misbelievers.
25:27. The Day that the wrongdoer will bite at his hands, He will say, "Oh! would that I had taken a (straight) path with the Apostle!
-- The Qur'an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 25.
O thou fragrant rose blooming in the Garden of Guidance!
Thank thou God for that He hath removed from off thine eye the
covering, made thee to see the signs of the Kingdom of thy Lord, the
Supreme, filled for thee the cup of bounty and gave thee to drink the
pure wine of fidelity which He hath promised to the sincere in the holy
Books and Tablets.
O thou my dear! The cup of knowledge is overflowing; blessed are they
who partake in draughts! The fountain of life is issuing forth; blessed
are they who drink! The doors of the Kingdom are opened; O what good
news to those who advance! The garden of paradise is drawn near; O what
a pleasure to those who enter! The dove of holiness
is cooing; O what a happiness to those who hear! The gates of Heaven
are open; blessed are they who see! The hosts of angels are standing in
battle order; what a joy to those who gain the victory! The trumpet of life is sounding; how good it is to those who are awake!
As to thee: Realize the bounty of thy Lord as it is, and thank thou thy
Lord and praise Him for that He hath directed thee to the right path.
-- Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 620
5)
In the following passage, the Two Seas ("two bodies of flowing water") are Imam Ali and Fatima (both equal in rank) and the "Pearls and Coral" are their sons Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn.
-- Cited in "Introduction to Shi'i Islam" by Moojan Momen, p. 151-153. See also section 12 in Chapter C3.
The Two Seas
55:19 He has let free the two bodies of flowing water, meeting together:
55:20 Between them is a Barrier which they do not transgress:
55:21 Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
55:22 Out of them come Pearls and Coral:...
55:23. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:24. And His are the Ships sailing smoothly through the seas, lofty as mountains:
55:25. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:26. All that is on earth will perish;
55:27. But will abide (forever) the Face of thy Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor.
55:28. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:29. Of Him seeks (its needs) every creature in the heavens and on earth: every day in (new) Splendor doth He (shine)!
55:30. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:31. Soon shall We settle your affairs, o both ye worlds!
55:32. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:33. O ye assembly of Jinns and men! if it be ye can pass beyond the
zones of the heavens and the earth, pass ye! not without authority
shall ye be able to pass!
55:34. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:35. On you will be sent (O ye evil ones twain!) a flame of fire (to burn) and a smoke (to choke): No defence will ye have:
55:36. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:37. When the sky is rent asunder, and it becomes red like ointment [dawn of a new dispensation, of Baha'u'llah]:
55:38. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:39. On that day no question will be asked of man or Jinn as to his sin.
55:40. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:41. (For) the sinners will be known by their Marks: and they will be seized by their forelocks and their feet.
55:42. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:43. This is the Hell which the Sinners deny.
55:44. In its midst and in the midst of boiling hot water will they wander round!
55:45. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:46. But for such as fear the time when they will stand before (the Judgment Seat of) their Lord, there will be two Gardens --
55:47. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:48. Containing all kinds (of trees and delights) --
55:49. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:50. In them (each) will be two Springs flowing (free);
55:51. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:52. In them will be Fruits of every kind, two and two.
55:53. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:54. They will recline on Carpets, whose inner linings will be of
rich brocade: the Fruit of the Gardens will be Near (and easy of reach).
55:55. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:56. In them will be (Maidens), Chaste, restraining their glances, whom no man or Jinn before them has touched --
55:57. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:58. Like unto rubies and coral.
55:59. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:60. Is there any Reward for Good -- other than Good?
55:61. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:62. And besides these two, there are two other Gardens --
55:63. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:64. Dark green in color (from plentiful watering).
55:65. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:66. In them (each) will be two springs pouring forth water in continuous abundance:
55:67. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:68. In them will be Fruits, and dates and pomegranates:
55:69. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:70. In them will be fair (companions), good, beautiful --
55:71. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:72. Companions restrained (as to their glances), in (goodly) pavilions --
55:73. Then which of the favor of your Lord will ye deny?
55:74. Whom no man or Jinn before them has touched --
55:75. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:76. Reclining on green Cushions and rich Carpets of beauty.
55:77. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?
55:78. Blessed be the name of thy Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor.
-- The Qur'an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 55.
6)
18. O YE DWELLERS IN THE HIGHEST PARADISE!
Proclaim unto the children of assurance that within the realms of holiness, nigh unto the celestial paradise, a new garden hath appeared, round which circle the denizens of the realm on high and the immortal dwellers of the exalted paradise. Strive, then, that ye may attain that station, that ye may unravel the mysteries of love from its wind-flowers and learn the secret of divine and consummate wisdom from its eternal fruits. Solaced are the eyes of them that enter and abide therein!
-- Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words
7)
"Beauties of divine mystery",
"birds abiding within the domains of My Kingdom", "doves dwelling in
the rose-garden of My wisdom" are references to Dependent Prophets of
Bahá'u'lláh.
O thou honoured enquirer! We bear witness that thou didst firmly adhere
unto seemly patience during the days when the Pen was held back from
movement and the Tongue hesitated to set forth an explanation regarding
the wondrous sign, the Most Great Infallibility. Thou hast asked this
Wronged One to remove for thee its veils and coverings, to elucidate
its mystery and character, its state and position, its excellence,
sublimity and exaltation. By the life of God! Were We to unveil the
pearls of testimony which lie hid within the shells of the ocean of
knowledge and assurance or to let the beauties of divine mystery which
are hidden within the chambers of utterance in the Paradise of true
understanding, step out of their habitation, then from every direction
violent commotion would arise among the leaders of religion and thou
wouldst witness the people of God held fast in the teeth of such wolves
as have denied God both in the beginning and in the end. Therefore We
restrained the Pen for a considerable lapse of time in accordance with
divine wisdom and for the sake of protecting the faithful from those
who have bartered away heavenly blessings for disbelief and have chosen
for their people the abode of perdition.
O thou seeker who art gifted with keen insight. I swear by Him Who
attracted the Concourse on High through the potency of His most sublime
Word! Verily, the birds abiding within the domains of My Kingdom and
the doves dwelling in the rose-garden of My wisdom utter such melodies
and warblings as are inscrutable to all but God, the Lord of the
kingdoms of earth and heaven; and were these melodies to be revealed
even to an extent smaller than a needle's eye, the people of tyranny
would utter such calumnies as none among former generations hath ever
uttered, and would commit such deeds as no one in past ages and
centuries hath ever committed. They have rejected the bounty of God and
His proofs and have repudiated the testimony of God and His signs. They
have gone astray and have caused the people to go astray, yet perceive
it not. They worship vain imaginings but know it not. They have taken
idle fancies for their lords and have neglected God, yet understand
not. They have abandoned the most great Ocean and are hastening towards
the pool, but comprehend not. They follow their own idle fancies while
turning aside from God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.
-- Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 106-107
8)
HE IS THE ALMIGHTY LORD!
Lo, this is the garden of Paradise wherein is raised the Voice of God,
the Dominant, the Strong; Here do the immaculate Maids of Heaven dwell,
they whom no eye hath seen save only God's, the Sanctified, the
Well-Beloved; Herein the eternal nightingale singeth on the bough of
the sacred Lote-Tree a song that bedazzaleth the minds, and herein are
the needy led to the haven of wealth, and all men guided to the Word of
God; verily this is a manifest truth.
(Here is the song that the nightingale singeth;)
IN THY NAME THAT IS GOD,
Thou art verily God!
O sacred Monk, ring out the bells, for the day of God hath come, and
the Beauty of the All-Glorious is established on the holy, shining
throne.
Glory to Thee, O God, O Thou who art God,
O
Thou who alone art
God!
O prophet of wisdom, Hud, beat thou upon thy drum, in the name of the
Lord, the Precious, the Bountiful, for the Temple of Holiness is seated
upon His high, unapproachable throne.
Glory to Thee, O God, O Thou who art God,
O Thou who alone art
God!
O Thou beauty of eternity, pluck with the fingers of the spirit at the
strings of Thy lute that is wondrous and Holy, for the Heavenly Beauty
hath come in His garment of glimmering silk.
Glory to Thee, O God, O Thou who art God,
O Thou who alone art
God!
O angel of light, sound thou thy trumpet to herald this appearance, for
the letter HA hath mounted above the letter of pre-existent might.
Glory to Thee, O God, O Thou who art God,
O Thou who alone art
God!
O Nightingale of Praise, sing out upon thy boughs within this garden
and land, the well-beloved Name, for the beauty of the red rose hath
shone from the impenetrable veils.
Glory to Thee, O God, O Thou who art God,
O Thou who alone art
God!
O Thou Dove of Paradise, sing upon the boughs in this wondrous day, when the Lord hath cast His rays upon all creatures.
Glory to Thee, O God, O Thou who art God,
O Thou who alone art
God!....
-- Bahá'u'lláh, Tablet of the Feast of Ridvan (a provisional translation by Ali-Kuli Khan and Marzieh Gail.)
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