Ismaili Waez | Anant Akhado | Definition of Panch Bari | Importance of Dua | By Abu Ali Missionary

Описание: This Waez has been done by Rai Abu Ali Missionary on the Topic Anant Akhad, Definition of Panch Bari, & Importance of Dua. Listen and grab as much knowledge as you can from this Sea of Knowledge!!!

Anant Akhado literally means a gathering of unlimited souls in an eternal context. It is a composition of verses dealing with the process of evolution and involution of all souls since time immemorial. Overall, it is an expression of a timeless vision of hope for an individual soul bound to the clogging and hampering of this illusory material existence; to rise beyond it into eternity where it will unite with souls from other periods and ages in a joyous and festive manner, and merge with the ultimate reality as an eternal homecoming. Jampudeep meaning the Indian subcontinent (the physical home of the composer), is in some verses taken as a metaphor for the eternal home. The verses also refer to descriptions of all souls in history and indeed metahistory, how they overcame the influence of time and who were the key personalities that assisted them in the process of achieving eternal salvation.

The key aspect of this eternal struggle for the liberation of the individual soul is the incessant confrontation with the forces of evil which constantly hinder the progress of the soul. Hence, at the cosmic level, there are numerous descriptions about the eternal power creating and sustaining natural armies to combat the forces of evil, triumphantly, and jubilantly overcoming them in the ultimate. Indeed, at the end of each verse there is the phrase, 'Haree anant' which means: Haree(the Lord, the destroyer of evil), is the Master of the unlimited souls, is eternal, is always present and is limitless, giving constant assurance to the reciter about the eternal protection and hope. The most important theme that emerges in this context is the necessity for the Divine; the pure and perfect, to assume physical manifestations, the avataars, in order to protect individual souls against the forces of evil and destruction and to sustain the universes (fourteen mentioned in the text) continuously. In the present age, the avataar is the Imam of the time upon whom praises and tributes are showered throughout the text. Indeed, the text begins with it.

Explicit in the verses is the constant awareness of the insufficiency and the inability of the individual soul by itself to attain this exalted destiny. Hence, there are many verses which are supplications and pleadings of the individual soul for Divine help, protection, grace, and mercy. The verses were composed in the Indian subcontinent in which the inherent culture ascribes the stature of the provider and protector of a household to the husband and that of a dependant and the protected to the wife or woman of the household. Hence a woman or a wife, the naari, is a metaphor for an individual soul; and the husband or the master, the nar, is a metaphor for the Imam. Indeed He is such a husband who will always offer protection and help as long as the individual soul remains a devoted and loyal wife to Him(is faithful to His guidance). He will also fulfill all it's physical and spiritual needs under these conditions. The real understanding and recognition of the Imam cannot be attained except through intense devotion. The composer himself got the understanding as a result of continuously spinning the cotton-like substance into cloth, upon which these verses were inscribed, using his own bodily limbs. It is stated that if an individual soul remains a devoted wife, it will reap the benefits of continuously spinning the cotton-like substance, i.e., those benefits bestowed upon the composer(the inner understanding of the Imam).

In response to the constant grace, guidance, and protection by the Lord through His different manifestations, there is a concomitant responsibility on the part of individual souls to follow the guidance rigorously and intelligently and to live within the moral and religious discipline prescribed for them in order to reach the exalted destiny. This is referred to in many different ways and extensive invaluable practical guidance and wisdom are given. Specifically, the eternal and timeless principles mentioned are: the observance of the tithe being the root of religion and the right of the Imam of the time; observance of three times prayer referred to as the three invitations from the Lord; service and devotion to the Imam of the time; constant deep study of and reflection upon the holy scriptures which include the Farmaans of the Peer; abstinence from backbiting, slander, speaking and thinking evil of someone; steadfastness and firmness on the path of righteousness and avoidance of evil; observance of four virtues i.e., truth, patience, faith, and remembrance of the Lord; and avoidance or control of the five evil vices i.e., carnal desires, anger, greed, the obsessive attraction for the world and pride.