Ancient poems as a means of Revelation, in an early Tablet by Bahá’u’lláh

Abstract

This paper offers a personal translation of a Persian Tablet revealed by Bahá'u'lláh in the 'Iraqí period. The Tablet is rich in quotations from ancient Iranian poets. Our paper examines the importance of poetry in the history of the Faith and in its Writings. It analyzes the quoted poems and the many poetical metaphors used in the Tablet. It ends with a short commentary on the contents of the Tablet: detachment is a fundamental prerequisite for attaining "unto the divine Presence."