DEATHS OF MANSUR AND SARMAD—A BRIEF COMPARISON

DEATHS OF MANSUR AND SARMAD—A BRIEF COMPARISON

Both Mansur and Sarmad were executed  by the Rulers of those times after  being incited by the clergy class for perpetuation of Sharia. Both of them willingly annihilated their bodies-self in the love for Allah. A comparison of the circumstantial narrative is charted below for these great souls.

 History is replete with incidents in which other mystics were eliminated by the ruling establishments due to defiance in the conventional socio-religious beliefs of those times.

a)      Socrates who proclaimed “to know thyself” was poisoned for condemning “might is right” (by authorities of City of Athens);

b)      Jesus was crucified  for being understood as the “son of God” or “Living Master” (by Jewish –Roman establishment);

c)       Guru Arjan Dev Ji for preaching Santmat /Gurbani (by Mogul King Jahangir);

d)      Guru Teg Bahadur for protesting against forced conversions of Hindus to Islamic faith (by Aurangzeb)

 There could be many such instances in the History.   

Similarities and differences of beheading Mansur and Sarmad are given below.    

Mansur	Sarmad
Sufi of 9th century skinned alive, body parts were amputated in Baghdad, before hanging.	Sufi of 17th century was beheaded (1662AD) in Jama Masjid, Delhi.
King and clergy acted in unison against him	King and clergy acted in unison against him
Mansur was executed by King of Baghdad for proclaiming “I am the Truth” for realizing the Reality during transcendental experiences in state of unawareness.	Was executed by Aurangzeb, due to Sarmad’s proximity with Aurangzeb’s brother Dara Shikoh who was aiming to succeed Shah-jahan. Dara was killed by Aurangzeb, who then summoned Sarmad as to how he could bless Dara as King. Sarmad replied that “Dara has been bestowed with ‘eternal kingdom’ instead of transitory empire that Aurangzeb is striving for”.
1)      He used to utter “I am the Truth” or “anal Haq” in meditative trance which defied conventional belief of Sharia. 2)      He was cautioned by the King not to offend clergy, but in his mystical ascensions he continued to proclaim “anal Haq” in unawareness. 3)      He never said “anal Haq” in state of awareness	1)      Remained naked throughout life- that “he had nothing to hide; those with ‘Sins’ conceal them under clothing” --- this is what Sarmad told Aurangzeb, when asked to dress. 2)      Would speak half of Kalma ‘La illah’—No God---and not full kalma ‘La illah ill-Allah’ (no God but God alone exists). Sarmad’s view was that he was short of totality of realization. “I am still absorbed with the negative part. Why should I tell a lie?" 3)      Aurangzeb ordered execution of Sarmad for defying Sharia for speaking half kalma.
1)      Legends say “Upon execution every drop of Mansur’s blood was loudly heard proclaiming “anal Haq”. 2)      The implied meaning of “anal-Haq” is that the Truth is realized when the being is unaware of the body self and there is Oneness of love with Allah. Mansur’s message was that the body cannot diminish sublime love for Allah. =============================== Baba Bulle shah on Mansur आप इशारा अख दा कीता, तं मधुआ मंसूर ने पीता //सूली चढ़ के दर्शन लीता, होया इश्क कमाल // एसे नेहों दी उलटी चाल (When the Lord made a sign with his eyes, Mansur drank the wine of love. Mounting the gallows, he saw the Beloved – Love then reached its pinnacle! Perverse is the way of this love!) Kulliyat-i-Bulleh Shah, kafi 20	1)      Legends say—when the executioner advised Sarmad to cover his face before beheading, He refused.---- Sarmad said “my Realization is complete now, because veil of body or fear of remaining in the body has vanished”. The body was the only curtain between him and Allah. (The executioner also represents Allah.) 2)      Thereafter his head was severed from the body. 3)      Sarmad’s slain body took the severed head in its hand, and started dancing, and then his mouth uttered the full kalma.