Publisher's Synopsis
DIVAN OF KABIR Selected Short Poems (Sakhis) Translation & Introduction Paul Smith. Kabir (meaning 'great') was born near Varanasi (Banaras), India, in 1398 A.D. and died towards the end of the 15th Century. Kabir strongly denounced the orthodox ways of religions: rituals and ceremonies. His quick wit and razor sharp tongue tore strips off the hypocritical theologians and priests.He proved to the people through the pure logic of the heart the stupidity of believing that religions are different from each other by pointing out the essential sameness in all of them. At a time when the Muslims and Hindus were at each other's throats this was a very brave thing to do, and by doing it he brought an end to their fighting. After many years his Master gave him the experience of God-consciousness and perfected him. Kabir became a Perfect Master or Sadguru himself... experiencing being God and man simultaneously. Here are wonderful words of wisdom (sakhis/poems) from one of the wisest of the wise. Here are lines of love from a Master of Divine Love, and a human being who has lived as all human beings should live, with compassion, honesty and courage. If you want the Truth, no holds barred, it is here, but as we're told; truth is dangerous! These poems change people. You will not be the same! As Kabir says. "Wake up sleepy head!" Introduction that includes a Glossary and a Selected Bibliography. Nearly 700 poems. Large Print (16pt) and Large Format Paperback (7" x 10"). 700 pages. Comments on Paul Smith's translation of Hafiz's 'Divan'. "It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished.." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). "I was very impressed with the beauty of these books." Dr. R.K. Barz. Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University. Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of over many books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Shah Latif, Bulleh Shah, Khushal Khan Khattak, Mahsati, Lalla Ded, Iqbal, Ghalib, Rahman Baba and others, and his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays. amazon.com/author/smithpa
