Poem No. 15 He Came To Know Himself Sachal Sarmast Introduction to the poet: Sachal Sarmast is a saint-poet. He has a sublime place in mystic poetry like BaBa Farid, Bullah Shah, Sultan Bahoo. He wrote unique poems and verses enriched with creditable thought contents. He propounded his own ideas of social values, morality and beliefs. He was also a great supporter of mysticism. He saw the existence of God everwhere in the Universe. And it is an essential element of mysticism. His poetic style and poetic technicalities are marvelous. He was called "Sachal" which means pure and real, lintroduction to the Poem ) Sachal Sarmast is actually a Sindhi poet. He wrote the poem "He Came to. Know Himself” originally in Sindhi language. However it was translated into English to aware the English students of his thoughts Sachal gives an idea of love of God, He mentions the extraordinary significance of love of God. He gives reference to a mystic experience of a saint, Mansur. He was in deep love of God and his experience of love was so intimate and unusual that he even went to say, "I am God." His this statement was totally opposed to the teachings of Islam. He became mad in his experience and his thinking moved to a quite wrong side, Therefore he was sentenced to death. The poet has given Mansur as a reference to strengthen his own idea of love of God. However, the real massage of the poem is love for the creator. The poet tells that a true lover of God sees nothingexcept Almighty God. Like Mansur Hallaj, who was hanged to death because of his own views about God, He is willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of God's love. He also wants to be humiliated like Hazrat Yusaf (A.S) who was cheaply sold as a slave. The poet.says that only by loving God you will know Him and if you know Him you will know yourself. Summary & Critical Appreciation The poet believes that love of God is a foundation of faith. He says that without God's love faith is no more. He finds himself drowned in God's love. He is wishing to be hanged in his love like Mansur Hallaj. Mansur was deeply indulged in love for Almighty God. He went to the heights of God's love that he went to say "I am God." Therefore he was sentenced to death by the court of that time. In the eyes of the poet Mansur is an ideal for him. He wishes to be hanged like Mansur as a sacrifice in God's love. This is poet's immense love for God. The poet also wishes'that he like Hazart Yousaf (A.S) is humiliated in the bazaar of Egypt on a cheap price as a slave. The poet also bélieves that only by loving God a man will know Him, and’if he knows Him, he will know himself. The poet has propounded the basic norms of mysticism in his poem. Paraphrase Lines 1-6 He came in this world to know Himself. He had nothing else in view. He got entangled in love to be able to realize this beauty. He came down from heaven to earth to pour a shower of love. Lines7-12 He became Mansur Hallaj to mount the gallows just to have his head cut off. He was sold in the bazaar of Egypt as a slave. When Sachal speaks of his temporary stay at rent places, he just speaks the truth.Explanation Lines 1-6 He came to know. Himself Naught else had He in view To be able to realize this He got enmeshed in love He alighted from high heaven To pour a cascade of love Reference to the context: These lines have been taken from the poem "He Came to Know Himself originally written by Sachal Sarmast and afterwards translated into English. The poet describes a mystical experience of love. He believes that knowledge of one's ownself leads to.the knowledge of God. Lovers of God have to render great sacrifices for the sake of love. Mansur Hallaj was a great lover of God in Sachal's eyes. ‘ Explanation: The poet tells that a man comes in this world with a purpose. His arrival on earth is not futile. His creation is not purposeless and useless. He has been sent to know himself. Love plays a vital role in this behalf. Love for God helps man to be a regular worshipper and indulging in meditation when he carries on his journey of love. He comes closer and closer to Almighty God. At last this love causes union of soul with His soul. Man thought of loving the Creator. This noble intention was accepted by God. He came down to the devoted soul and filled his heart with love. Now he became completely a different thing. The blessing of love made him sacrificing and brave. He became so close to the Creator that he got rid of all fears. He became a saint. Lines 7-12 Became Mansur to mount the gallows Just to have His head cut off He treaded the bazaars of Egypt