Guidance and Esoteric Meaning

Ginans illustrate the higher realm and provide insight to the true meaning of life. They distinguish righteousness and provide clarity to the pathway to enlightenment, the soul’s transitions, its role and functions, as well as other sacred gnoses. However, the meaning presented in ginans can be hidden from those who do not seek for it. Ginans evoke awareness in a variety of contexts ranging from cosmology, eschatology, salvation, enlightenment, and meditation. They consist of various themes and teach important moral lessons. Some ginans refer to religious festivities and others refer to divine love and devotion.

Esoteric Knowledge Can Be Found in The Deeper Meaning of Ginans

As a form of poetic literature, ginans contain a wealth of spiritual knowledge and guidance for the soul in the physical world. Ginans provide motivation for enlightenment. It is said that ginans has the power to rejuvenate the soul into everlasting life. Therefore, even though Ginans are often an outwardly practice of the faith (zahir), they provide the vessel through which the inner meaning of the faith (batin) can be understood.

Realization is Present for Those Who Seek

Ginans came to follow the Satpanthi tradition; Satpanthi means the “true path”. They assist in efforts to become closer to the Divine light. They hold spiritual secrets and contain vast collection of esoteric knowledge. While the text of Ginans remains important, the musicality of its performance level and ritualistic practice are both important as well. For it is the rhythm which helps to contextualize and put into the practice the messages that are conveyed in the ginans.

Sources:

• Asani, Ali. Ecstasy and Enlightenment: the Ismaili Devotional Literature of South Asia (London, 2002).

• Kassam, Tazim R. Songs of Wisdom and Circles of Dance: Hymns of the Satpanth Ismaili Muslim Saint (Albany, 1995).