Write Up / Reviews
Shlok
(Slok) is a term derived from Sanskrit which means a hymn of praise,
verse, stanza, a saying (specially the epic stanza, consisting of two
verses, each of sixteen syllables.)
In Indian Ismaili
literature there are two Granths (long Ginans with independent titles)
know as Saloko: Saloko Moto (Long Slokas) attributed to Pir Shams
(r.a.) consisting of 240 stanzas and Saloko Nano (Short Slokas)
attributed to Pir Sadardin (r.a.) consisting of 120 stanzas. Both the
Granths are recited in the same way. The language of these two Granths
is Gujarati and theme is piety and religious life.
In Saloko
Moto the author talks about the presence of the Light of the Divine in
heart; characteristics of a Satpanthi (one who follows Satpanth i.e.
the True Path); Divine love; silent dhikr; barakat of prayer-house;
harm of telling lie, hypocrisy and backbiting; practice of faith; five
evils; Iman; Dasond; preaching; looking for faults in others;
preserving the secret of faith; infatuation for the body and the world;
false accusation; virtue of forgiveness; Shukarvari (Friday) Bij;
keeping away from other’s women; Chhanta; obedience; and the qualities
of his disciples Chandrabhan and Surbhan.
In Saloko
Nano the author dwells on the matters of Divine love, silent dhikr,
light of faith; sacrifice for faith and beloved; light of Imam in the
heart; five evils; merit of Satpanth; self-control; obeying the command
of Imam etc.
For the text of these two Granths we have
relied on “12 Granths 105 Ginans” published by Mukhi Lalji Bhai Devraj
from The Khoja Sindhi Chhapkhanu, Mumbai in s.v.1960 (approximately
1903 AD).
A glossary and a list of important topics with references of the paths have been given at the end.
|
