Sufis, Mystics and Yogis of India

Here are the details of the book:

• Author: Bankey Behari
• Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan
• Language: English
• Edition: 2022
• ISBN: 9788172765576
• Pages: 510
• Cover: Paperback
• Other Details: 18 cm x 12.5 cm
• Weight: 390 gm

About the Book:
In this book, the author explores the concept of Formless form worship of the Lord, focusing on three key subdivisions: Sufism, Advaita, Nirakar, and Shabda Upasana. The central theme is the worship of divine attributes (Vibhuti Upasana), where the devotee merges their personality into the Divine, imagining the dissolution of individuality, much like a drop merging into the ocean. The worship discussed includes the Divine Personality (Madhurya Vibhuti) and the Formless, Omniscient aspect (Aishwarya Vibhuti). While the Vedas emphasize the formless aspect, the Bhagavad Gita stresses the Lord's form. The first part of the book presents the sketches of prominent Indian Sufis like Farid, Sarmad, Bullah Shah, Shah Latif, and Nazir. The second part covers Nirakarvadis, Shabdamargis, and Advaita worshippers, including figures like Sankaracharya, Gyaneswar, Nanak, Namdeo, Kabir, and Samarth Ramdas. The book conveys the spiritual legacy of India and features over 100 pages of verses from Sufi saints.

About the Author:
Bankey Bihari was born in Allahabad and began his career as a lawyer, later practicing independently. He became deeply drawn to mysticism and had close connections with Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Ramana Maharshi, Sri J. Krishnamurti, and Sri Aurobindo. After giving up his material possessions, he embraced sannyas and devoted himself to studying and writing on various religious traditions, with particular interest in the Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavata. From 1940, he lived in Brindaban, practicing intense sadhana, with Sankirtan and the Gita as his guiding principles. His goal was to attain a divine vision of Lord Radha-Krishna, and he passed away in 1975.