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ed of nails. They meditate for long periods sitting without any
movement in one position and hold their breaths for enormously
long time.
Professor D. S. Sarma, the author of numerous Hindu books says:
“The higher phase of self-control is detachment. We have not only
to overcome what is evil in life but also to become independent of
what is good. For instance, our domestic affections, our family
ties, our love for home and friends are good in themselves. But, as
long as, we are passionately attached to these earthly things, we
are only on the lower rungs of the spiritual ladder.” 55
The Sufis too believe in complete abstinence from worldly
pleasures and deprive themselves of the blessings of Allah. It is
mentioned in Irshaadul-Mulook, “According to some Sufiya, it has
been learnt from experience that thirst is a deceptive desire.
Therefore, whoever develops the habit of drinking less water at
the time of thirst; Allah will quench his thirst until he gains the
ability of abstaining from water for several months at a time. He
will not even have the desire to drink water. Despite this, his
physical health will not deteriorate in anyway whatsoever. His
body will be sustained by the moisture acquired from the food he
eats.” 56
We find number of stories concerning wandering and starvation
of their Shaikhs mentioned in their books,
1. “He (Khwaajah Abu Hubairah) loved solitude dearly. His
entire life was spent in one room. He would cry so much that
people thought he would die. He abandoned all delicious food.” 57
2. “Khwaajah Shareef Zandani stayed in forest for 40 years,
fleeing from people. He subsisted on the leaves of trees and
whatever he could find in the forest. He loved poverty and
55 ‘The Religion of the Hindus’ by Professor D. S. Sarma, p.12.
56 Irshaadul-Mulook (Eng. Trans.) p.70.
57 Mashaikh-e-Chist (Eng. Trans.) p.125.
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