Write Up / Reviews

These three small Granths attributed to Pir Sadardin (r.a.) comprise the ethical teachings given to the community. In some earlier prints Bavan Bodh (meaning Fifty Two Advices) has not been given a separate name but called as So Kriya (meaning Hundred Deeds); it looks like an introduction to So Kriya. Instead of 52 paths of single lines they are 27 paths of two lines. Sahi Samarani (meaning True Remembrance) has been named as Vel Kriyani i.e. the Vel or creeper of So Kriya. (See Ginan Garath 12, published by H. Gulam Husen Company from Gulam Husen Chhapkhanu, Mumbai, on savant 1965/1908AD.

For the text of these Granths we have relied on…The theme of these Granths is ethical advices to be followed by a devout.

The Bavan Bodh includes the necessity of prayer, attendance and discipline in the prayer hall and observance of the rituals honest earning; avoiding backbiting and jealousy; benefit of eating less; keeping vigil at night and shunning slackness; paying respect to elders; politeness; avoiding lie and abuse; controlling carnal desires and anger; sharing resources without showing off; paying respect the Mukhi; not to remain physically impure; and contemplation on knowledge. At the end it then invites the readers to listen to 100 deeds.

The advises in the So Kriya include physical and spiritual purity; remaining on truth and avoid falsehood; practicing honesty, kindness and compassion; avoiding pride, vanity, greed, anger, slackness and idleness; attendance in Jamatkhana and practice of rituals; humility; serving the guest and consoling the hungry, thirsty and the destitute; returning ill- treatment with best virtue; fair-dealings; avoiding casting evil eye and illicit relationship; not to give false witness; shunning foul language, usury and tobacco; personal hygiene; following the discipline of fast; avoiding dubious dealings and idol-worshiping; keeping good company; not to harass neighbors; not to get involved in argument; not to criticize food; not to commit suicide and not to reveal others’ faults.

Sahi Samarani includes remembrance of Ali; giving good advice; quality of a Brahman, spiritual guide and Jamatkhana; knowledge and meditation; self control; getting up early in the morning and remain clean; Kalima of the Prophet (s.a.s.). At the end it says that he who remains in the thought of the Lord, he performed all hundred deeds.