Demystifying Bahá'u'lláh's Tablet of the Holy Mariner:
History, Translations, Interpretations and Analysis

by Hui Bau

About: Welcome! This is a lengthy deepening on the Tablet of the Holy Mariner.

Part I is a compilation which provides background information on the Tablet and is suitable for a general Bahá’í audience as an individual or group deepening. The Tablet is shown without refrains on Part I page A; seeing all of the verses on one page allows you to better visualize of the Tablet’s storyline.

If you are doing this deepening online right now, you may want to download the pdf file for easier reading on a computer screen, and use the suggested online audios below for the appropriate sections (the recordings in the text of the deepening were selected for groups and are too long for individual readers). These are all beautiful Middle Eastern chants/songs which will help you feel a “sense of place” with the readings. Just open four online tabs to youtube.com and search for the titles and pause until needed.

History – “Bahai Visitation Tablet for Baha´u´llah by ERFAN (5) Part1” (published on Sep 19, 2010, 8:46)
St. Ephrem – “Hymn of Light for St. Ephrem”; Mario Haber (in Arabic, published on Jan. 17, 2016, 2:03)
Persian Tablet – “Beautiful Arabic Chant of Naw Ruz Tablet”; Nemat Sobhani (uploaded Mar. 20, 2007, 4:56)
The Tablet and You – “Bahai Melody - Ya Baha'u'l-Abha” (uploaded Nov. 13, 2007, 5:25)

Part II provides interpretations from five authors and is suitable for those who are particularly interested in finding the meaning of the Tablet, with the understanding that none of the interpretations are authoritative. This deepening takes a “unity in diversity” approach to the interpretation of this multi-faceted Tablet.

Part III provides additional background with connections to some of Bahá’u’lláh’s other writings, alternate translations to the Tablet, and my methods of analyzing the Tablet. This section is suitable for those who are deeply interested in the study of the Bahá’í writings.

To print: open the pdf file and check all of the pages with print preview before printing on U.S. legal sized paper (8.5”x14”).

Many thanks to my supportive family and friends, and Jonah Winters and his awesome bahai-library.com. Alláh’u’abhá!
— Hui Bau