Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Book University has published several books on the great spiritual and cultural heritage of India, conforming with Bhavan's sublime philosophy of "Let noble thoughts come to us from every side".
It is entirely appropriate for the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan to publish the book The Legend of Rumi The Great Mystic and The Religion of Love", authored by Dr. K. Hussain, who is himself a follower of the noble sufi traditions of secularism and humanism.
The book is based upon the "Masnavi" of Rumi, which is an anthology of mystic poems and parables in Persian language, on a wide variety and range of subjects, both spiritual and mundane. The "Masnavi" is universally acknowledged to be an all-time classic, dealing with the theme of "The Religion of Love', as the future Universal Religion of the World.
Though, as stated by the author in his prologue, it certainly seems to have been a formidable task for him, to try to present the great mystic poet's "Masnavi" in its entirety; concerted efforts seem to have been made for presenting effectively in the book, the essence of the Poet's mystic thoughts, distilled from the Poet's magnum opus, which undoubtedly appears to be a rare accomplishment.
I am sure the Book will be a very valuable addition to the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Book University Liberary, so as to spiritually enlighten our highly discerning readers.
Preface
This book on the Legend of Jalalu'Din Rumi, ranked amongst mystic poets, should be welcome for many reasons, not the lest being that it comes from Dr. (Prof) Hussain, a technocrat and an educationalist, with profound sensitivity towards the values of a liberal society.
Jalalu'Din Rumi was born in the beginning of the thirteenth century at Balkh in the northern province of Khorasan. The then Persian empire "extended from the ural mountains to the Persian Gulf, and from the Indus almost to the Euphrates". Rumi came from a reputed and respected family, which even claimed descent from the revered Abu Bakr, the first Caliph of Islam.
Belief in God is central to many of the great religions of the world-Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism. These great religions are not mere mixtures of emotion, dogma and ethics. The essence of religion is not also morality, though religious life stresses on a moral life. But the essence of religion is mysticism. Mysticism is the way of the religious sainits. Pathway to bliss and blessedness is not morality alone, but only when morality serves spirituality and divinity. Plato tells us that a 'good man' is also a 'happy man'. But goodness and happiness are just some ingredients of blessedness. There is, as the parables of Rumi teach, a universality of all mystic experiences stressing the unity of all religions. The life and work of Sufi mystics is a movement within Islam, which presents the sublimity of the relationship of God and man. Sufi mystics express and celebrate the beautiful aspects of this relationship. Rumi says "God hath not created on the earth or in the lofty mountains any thing more occult than the spirit of man".
Dr. Hussain, known for his learning and liberal views on many social issues, has brought out this book comprising of parables and stories of Jalalu'Din Rumi's Masnavi, which is considered to be a world classic. They convey a magnificent panorama of the mystic meaning of all experiences of them phenomenal world and of matters beyond. Dr. Hussain's editorial policy is to present the beautiful mysticism of man-God relationship through the parables and stories of Rumi. One of the parables of Enigma of "I" beautifully tells the whole story.
About the Author
Dr. K. Hussain, Ph.D., F.I.E. (India), during his professional Career spanning over 50 years (1953-2004) as an educationist, an Engineer and as a Peace activist, had written articles/papers for various journals/seminars, based on his wide and varied experiences, which had been compiled into six books namely:-
(i) Engineering Education and Technology Quest for New Horizons. (ii) Beyond the Summit-World Peace and Harmony. (iii) Guldasta-A Bouquest of many Hues. (iv) A Testament of Faith-One Family of God. (v) Louh-o-Qalam (An Anthology of Articles in Urdu). (vi) The Legend of Rumi-The Great Mystic and the Religion of Love. The Integrated Council for Socio Economic Progress and Front for National Progress (Delhi-110092), had given Dr. K. Hussain the following Awards in appreciation of his services in various fields:-
(i) Bharat Vikas Award on 29-12-2001 at Hyderabad. (ii) Mother Teresa Excellence Award on 29-05-2002 at Bangalore. (iii) Lifetime Achievement Award on 27-12-2002 at Hyderabad. and (iv) Rashtra Pratibha Award on 18-12-2003. at Hyderabad.
The Industrial Technology Foundation, Delhi-110092, has given the following Awards:-
(i) Rashtra Shrestha Nidhi Award on 10-06-2004 at Bangalore and (ii) Golden Lifetime Achievement Award on 21-05-2005 at New Delhi.
For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist