Rumi's Tales from the Silk Road: A Pilgrimage to Paradise

by Kamla K. Kapur

The 13th century Sufi poet Rumi traveled in a landscape divided between the Persian and Byzantine empires, and his works express the passions, fables, and faith of both worlds. In this book, Rumi enthusiast Kamla Kapur reworks some of his writings into 30 tales of wit, wisdom, and faith. The basis for her stories is Reynold A. Nicholson’s translation of Rumi’s six-volume Mathnawi, an epic mystical poem of more than 25,000 verses. Kapur brings this dense, intimidating work into a far more readable form, putting her own spin on the stories yet remaining true to Rumi’s vision. In charming tales such as “The Witch of Kabul” and “Moses Learns a Lesson,” she brings Rumi’s verses to life as clever fables. Pilgrimage to Paradise gives readers one of Persia’s greatest literary treasures in an accessible form that enlightens as it entertains.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Spirituality

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Kamla K. Kapur (aka Kamal Kapur) was born and raised in India, and is a citizen of the United States. She got her Bachelor's in English Honors from India, and her Masters' Degree in literature from Kent State University, Ohio,USA. She also took classes in creative writing from the University of Iowa, and the University of California in San Diego. During her time in the USA, many of her poems were published in prestigious American journals and quarterlies.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her collection of Hindu tales called Ganesha Goes to Lunch, Kamla Kapur does a huge favor for the curious but easily intimidated student of Hinduism and its vast corpus of literature. She presents a small but representational anthology of myths and tales that she has, with her poet’s sensibility, distilled and paraphrased so that the Western reader is charmed rather than overwhelmed. In Rumi’s Tales from the Silk Road, Kapur does the same thing for fans of Rumi, the 13th century Sufi Mystic, selecting her favorite stories from Rumi’s voluminous collection of spiritual parables and rewriting them with more clarity and structure than the originals. Now it’s no longer necessary to study these tales. One can just enjoy them. In one of his poems Rumi writes, “If the nut of the mystery can't be held, at least let me touch the shell.” Reading Kapur’s work makes me feel like I am touching the shell.

[Suditi Jindal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many, I have lived and loved in awe of Rumi. I feel every quote and every poem flowing out of Rumi's pen sings of my predicament. I took up reading this book with the intent of being immeresed in the essence of Rumi. I was a tad disappointed there. However, Kamala's style of writing is easy and smooth. It flows like the gentle trickle of a clear stream in a deep forest-obscure but audible!

[Disha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound is Rumi and profound are the interpretations done in this work by Kamla. Loved every tale, which seemed too simple and yet too deep in the interpretration and the analysis. Brings you closer to the almighty!

[Gayatri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book could not put it down!

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient wisdom from Persian Sufi mystic retold for a modern audience, these delightfully told stories deal with universal themes including suffering, contentment, humility, taming the ego and death.

[Tellatale · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's written well enough.
And it's on Rumi - and I find his philosophy, poetry, life fascinating - enough said.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was interesting to read parables from another religion, but ultimately as a non-religious person there wasn’t too much I could take from this.

[Fiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!!

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely bedtime stories of Rumi. Wonderful retellings.

[Naoise · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fables are underwhelming at best, and plain stupid most of the times.

[Burning Gem · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book with interesting stories. Concept was all stories was to accept fate and live life as it comes. Recommended for teenagers and children.

[Harish Narayanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great read for rumi lovers

[Vinay Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

rumi rocks !!!