Precept, Ascendency and Meaning in Sub-Continental Mysticism: A Post-Structural Analysis of the Poetry of Baba Ghulam Farid and Baba Guru Nanak

The poetic works of Baba Ghulam Farid and Baba Guru Nanak, two major figures in Sub-continental mysticism, use language to articulate mystical experience in ways that transcend conventional binaries and destabilize fixed meanings. Drawing on post-structuralist theories from Derrida and Foucault, the paper examines how these poets' metaphysical utterances challenge power structures and create a dynamic space for spiritual interpretation. The analysis shows that their precepts on spiritual ascendency and meaning construction foster a fluid, interpretive tradition within Sub-continental mysticism.

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Abstract

This paper explores the intricacies of mystical precepts, the concept of spiritual ascendency, and the construction of meaning within the poetic works of two seminal figures of Sub-continental mysticism: Baba Ghulam Farid and Baba Guru Nanak. Drawing from post-structuralist theoretical frameworks, especially the works of Derrida and Foucault, the study interrogates the interplay of language, signification, and power structures in the articulation of mystical experience. By employing textual analysis, the paper uncovers how the metaphysical utterances of these poets transcend conventional binaries, destabilize fixed meanings, and foster a dynamic space for spiritual interpretation in the sub-continental mystical tradition.