HAFEZ
Paradisia
The archetypal garden, Paradise, derives its name and its symbolism from the Old Persian word “paradisia” and the Avestan word “Pardeiza”, which literally means an ornate walled garden. All the elements of the Persian Garden are purposefully employed to create a replica of the celestial or perennial garden on earth where people could relax, indulge in spiritual meditation and connect with beauty of nature.
When your desires are distilled,
you will cast just two votes
To Love More and Be Happy
HAFEZ
Hafezieh - The Resting place of Hafez in Shiraz, Iran
Baba has commented about HAFIZ:
HAFIZ, who is widely known throughout the literary world as a great poet, was also a Qutub, a Perfect Master of his age. There are hundreds of thousands of people in Persia and India who rely upon his work for divine guidance. There are numerous instances in history when momentous decisions were arrived at after consulting the Divan-e-HAFIZ [the collection of HAFIZ's poems]. The practice of referring to it for advice is still very common to this day. Even the answering of the question of HAFIZ's burial was decided after consulting the advice of his own compositions.
Yet there are very few who understand the spiritual secrets which are revealed in his poetry. In fact, Khwaja [the Master] HAFIZ has clearly narrated, one by one, all the stages of spirituality in his Divan. Every complete ghazal refers to a certain spiritual state and stage for one who can understand it.
Online Lord Meher pp 860. 1927
These 3 couplets of Hafiz, some of Baba's favorites, were read to him during his last days in 1969. Now they are framed and on display in Mandali Hall, Meherazad. It was originally taken from a letter written by Meher Baba on December 30, 1921, to Dr. Abdul Ghani Munsiff, a mandali (close disciple) member and childhood friend.
Befitting a fortunate slave, carry out every command of the Master without any question of why or what.
About what you hear from the Master, never say it is wrong, because, my dear, the fault lies in your own incapacity to understand him.
I am the slave of the Master Who has released me from ignorance. Whatever my Master does is of the highest benefit to all concerned.
Hafez's God Realization Poem
Meher Baba loved the poetry of Hafiz for, like no other, he said "it reveals the secrets of the spiritual path." Hafiz did not actually write poetry, but recited his inspirations or sang them. Baba was familiar with the following well-known ghazals, which Hafiz recited the very night he became God-realized.
Online Lord Meher pp 2562. 1947
Last night before dawn
I was given relief from all suffering,
I was given the water of everlasting life.
I drank from the divine goblet,
and I was overpowered by the glory of Divinity.
What a supremely fortunate dawn it was,
and what an auspicious night —
the night of Qadr when I was given the authority of Godhood.
As I swooned away with awe and wonder
at the sight of the Loved Face,
The true meaning of lat and manat was revealed to me.
If my longing is fulfilled, then I am in bliss.
What wonder? For I received what I deserved!
Henceforth, I see my Self reflected in the mirror of the Beloved;
For in it, I see my Real Self.
All this sweet music which pours forth from my pen
Is the reward of my patience, and my quill has become a rod of sugar.
Gabriel [the archangel] gave me the best of news:
I was relieved from the tyranny of material existence.
What a wondrous miracle it is to be the slave of the Master!
I became the dust [of his feet], and he raised me to the Highest!
The Master raised me to the state of Eternity —
He verily gave me Eternal Life.
The moment I fell into the snare of the tresses of the Beloved,
The Master said, "You are relieved from all misery!"
It was by the grace of my Master,
the good wishes of my fellow disciples
that I was given Eternal Release.
Rejoice, rejoice, and again rejoice,
For HAFٍZ has realized the Divine Beloved!
Meher Baba's Interpretation of Hafez's 'God Realization' Ghazal
Online Lord Meher pp 2562.
دوش وقت سحرازغصه نجاتم دادند
واندر آن ظلمت شب آب حياتم دادند
بيخود از شعشعه پرتو ذاتم کردند
باده از جام تجّــلی صفاتم دادند
چه مبارک سحری بود و چه فرخنده شبی
آن شب قدر که اين تازه براتم دادند
بعد از اين روی من و آينه وصف جمال
که در آن جا خبر از جلوه ذاتم دادند
من اگر کامروا گشتم و خوشدل چه عجب
مستحق بودم و اينها به زکاتم دادند
هاتف آن روز به من مژده اين دولت داد
که بدان جور و جفا صبر و ثباتم دادند
اين همه شهد و شکر کز سخنم میريزد
اجر صبريست کز آن شاخ نباتم دادند
همت حافظ و انفاس سحرخيزان بود
که ز بند غم ايّـام نجاتم دادند
Divan-e-Hafez - Ghazal 183