This is a reference to people who claim access to esoteric knowledge and
whose attachment to such knowledge veils them from the Revelation of the
Manifestation of God. Elsewhere Baha'u'llah affirms: "They that are the
worshippers of the idol which their imaginations have carved, and who call
it Inner Reality, such men are in truth accounted among the heathen."
61. How many a man hath secluded himself in the climes of India, denied
himself the things that God hath decreed as lawful, imposed upon himself
austerities and mortifications #36
These verses constitute the prohibition of monasticism and asceticism. See
the Synopsis and Codification, section IV.D. 1.y.iii.-iv. In the Words of
Paradise Baha'u'llah amplifies these provisions. He states: "Living in
seclusion or practising asceticism is not acceptable in the presence of
God," and He calls upon those involved to "observe that which will cause
joy and radiance". He instructs those who have taken up "their abodes in
the caves of the mountains" or who have "repaired to graveyards at night"
to abandon these practices, and He enjoins them not to deprive themselves
of the "bounties" of this world which have been created by God for
humankind. And in the Tablet of Bis{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}arat, while acknowledging the "pious
deeds" of monks and priests, Baha'u'llah calls upon them to "give up the
life of seclusion and direct their steps towards the open world and busy
themselves with that which will profit themselves and others". He also
grants them leave "to enter into wedlock that they may bring forth one who
will make mention of God".
62. Whoso layeth claim to a Revelation direct from God, ere the expiration
of a full thousand years #37
The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah will last until the coming of the next
Manifestation of God, Whose advent will not take place before at least "a
full thousand years" will have elapsed. Baha'u'llah cautions against
ascribing to "this verse" anything other than its "obvious meaning", and
in one of His Tablets, He specifies that "each year" of this thousand year
period consists of "twelve months according to the Qur'an, and of nineteen
months of nineteen days each, according to the Bayan".
The intimation of His Revelation to Baha'u'llah in the Siyah-C{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}al of
Tihran, in October 1852, marks the birth of His Prophetic Mission and
hence the commencement of the one thousand years or more that must elapse
before the appearance of the next Manifestation of God.
63. This is that of which We gave you forewarning when We were dwelling in
'Iraq, then later while in the Land of Mystery, and now from this
Resplendent Spot. #37
The "Land of Mystery" refers to Adrianople, and "this Resplendent Spot" is
a reference to Akka.
64. Amongst the people is he whose learning hath made him proud ... who,
when he heareth the tread of sandals following behind him, waxeth greater
in his own esteem #41
In the East, the practice has been for followers of a religious leader,
out of deference, to walk a pace or two behind him.