Tablet of the Holy Mariner (Lawh-i-Malláhu'l-Quds):
Study Compilations

by Aziz Mboya

Study the Tablet of the Holy Mariner that ye may know the truth, and consider that the Blessed Beauty hath fully foretold future events. Let them who perceive, take warning! — `Abdu'l-Bahá

Abstract:

Introduction: The Tablet of the Holy Mariner, a mystical tablet, was revealed in 1863 on the fifth day of Naw-ruz, a few weeks before Bahá'u'lláh declared his Prophethood and mission on the first day of Ridvan; in fulfilment of prophecies in the era of Moses, prophecies in the era of Christ, prophecies in the era of Muhammad, and prophecies in the era of the Bab. The first part of the tablet speaks of the forthcoming declaration of Bahá'u'lláh. A number of symbolic terms used related to the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh include: "the Holy Mariner", "The ark of eternity", "the deathless tree" and "the Maid of Heaven". At the following link is a brief compilation on qualities needed to understand the Holy Writings and their inner meanings. Brief compilations on various symbolic and other terms used in the tablet and related references (e.g. Maid of Heaven, Arabian Youth, Youth, descent, mansions, eternity, Countenance, Chosen Ones, the two classes of Prophets, Manifestations, Temples, Signs, pre-existence of Prophets, Face of God, Cord of God, Firm Handle, Revelation, Testimony, and so on) can be found by clicking on the associated links.

The latter part of the tablet is about one Maiden of the Maid of Heaven's handmaidens, who is commanded to descend from the mansions of eternity (to earth). As reflected in Prayers and Meditations CLXXXIV, "handmaidens" is a symbolic term used to refer to God's Chosen Ones, who are pre-existent and are one of the two classes of Prophets that appear in major dispensations (for example, the Holy Imams in the era of Muhammad, referred to in many places in the Quran). They are also referred to as "divine assayers" and "immortal temples" in the Tablet of the Holy Mariner revealed in Persian, a parallel narrative to the Tablet of the Holy Mariner revealed in Arabic. A compilation of references on these Messengers from Bahá'u'lláh's major works can be found in Chapter 3, which the reader can go to directly before reading Chapters 1 and 2.

The text of the tablet is in bold italic, references are in black regular font, and comments are in blue. The amount of commentary is limited, in many cases relying on references, or brief compilations, from which the reader can infer the meaning of particular passages; some related portions of specific passages and references being highlighted in red. The references are taken primarily from the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Independent Prophet; also including references from the writings of Abdu'l-Bahá, the Bab, the Quran, the Holy Imams, and the Bible.

Custom formatting and colors by the author.