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| WHIRLING DERVISHES Author: Cemil PEKCAN
Translator: Ergin SOZOZ |
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THE ROAD FROM BALKH TO KONYA
Mevlana was born in city of Balkh in Horasan in the year 1207. His father,
Sahaeddin Velah'ti Veled, known as the "Sultan amongst Sultans of the
Learned Doctors of Philosophy", was famed throughout Balkh and Horasan
for the depth of his knowledge and the strength of his morality. He
toiled for the enlightenment of the people. When Mevlana was five years
old, the danger of the Mongols from the East became apparent. Seeing this,
Bahaeddin Veled, like many other learned men, was forced to leave Balkh.
Because he was initially considering making the pilgrimage to Mecca, he
set out with his family towards Baghdad. When they reached the city of
Nishapur, Feridüddin Atar, who had heard of Bahaeddin's fame, came to
visit him. At that time Mevlana was still a child, but Atar presented
him with the book called "Esraname". According to the stories, Mevlana
never allowed that book to leave his side.
Bahaeddin Veled and those accompanying him stayed three days in Baghdad
before visiting the holy places, and passed through Damascus on their
return journey. later they came to Erzincan, Akşehir and finally Larende
(modern Karaman) where they remained for seven years. On reaching the age
of 18, Mevlana Celaleddin was married to Geher Hatun, the daughter of
one of the city's leading personages, the religious teacher Lala
Şerafeddin from Samarkand. Mevlana had two sons from this marriage.
Alaeddin Keykubat, the Seljuk monarch of the period, heard of the fame
of Bahaeddin and invited him to Konya. He met him on the road, brought
him to the city with a great show of respect and accommodated him in the
Atunapa Medrese (theological school). The people of Konya took Bahaeddin
Veled and his family to their hearts. The ruler, too, frequently invited
him to the palace and cherished his visits. When Bahaeddin Veled died in
1231, Mevlana Celaleddin was 24 years old. All the people of Konya and
the state administrators attended the funeral. As a result of his father's
will and the desire of Alaeddin Keykubat, Mevlana took over his father's
office. Mevlana continued his duty until he met one of his father's
former pupils. Seyid Burhaneddin Muhakkik from Tirmiz. After this
meeting, the direction of his life changed, because Burhaneddin from
Tirmiz, having examined him in various sciences and realised that he
was of the same quality as his father, told him: "You are unmatched in
knowledge, an elect personage, but your father had strength. You, too,
leave words alone and look to the possession of your father's strength.
Work for this, achieve it, and light up the world like the sun."
. WHIRLING DERVISHES
. THE ROAD FROM BALKH TO KONYA
. FROM THE MAN FROM TIRMIZ TO SHEMS FROM TABRIZ
. NEW PARTING OF THE WAYS
. THE DEATH OF MEVLANA
. SOME OF MEVLANA'S WORKS:
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