Paragraph 206

We were surprised exceedingly when We observed that his one purpose was to make the people realize that all these learnings were possessed by him. And yet, I swear by God that not one breath, blowing from the meads of divine knowledge, hath ever been wafted upon his soul, nor hath he ever unraveled a single mystery of ancient wisdom. Nay, were the meaning of Knowledge ever to be expounded unto him, dismay would fill his heart, and his whole being would shake to its foundation. Notwithstanding his base and senseless statements, behold to what heights of extravagance his claims have reached!

In this paragraph, the fourth of ten that looks at this "certain man, reputed for his learning and attainments", Baha'u'llah turns His attention to this man's character.

The first thing that catches our attention is the adverb, "exceedingly". He wasn't just surprised. Baha'u'llah was "surprised exceedingly". Why?

As so often is the case, we don't really know. How can anyone know the mind of a Manifestation? But we suspect it has to do with this man motivations. He wasn't concerned about educating people. He wasn't interested in raising the spiritual state of those who followed him. He wasn't even thinking about guiding people to the Messenger of God, nor even God Himself. No. His only purpose was to boost his own ego.

It seems only natural that this would surprise someone whose very essence was a lack of ego.

And this isn't speculation on Baha'u'llah's part. It is something He actually observed. He saw it, clear as day. He saw this man's behaviour and discerned his motives.

The second point that caught our attention is this man's lack of understanding. He obviously does not possess true knowledge, according to Baha'u'llah, Who has read his book. In fact, so far is he from true knowledge that if he were to encounter it, he would freak out. "...(H)is whole being would shake to its foundation."

To better understand this, we need to look all the way back to paragraphs 14 and 15. There He points out that this man's behaviour, similar to other religious fanatics throughout history, "can be attributed to naught save the petty-mindedness of such souls as tread the valley of arrogance and pride..." Baha'u'llah goes on to say, "Leaders of religion, in every age, have hindered their people from attaining the shores of eternal salvation, inasmuch as they held the reins of authority in their mighty grasp. Some for the lust of leadership, others through want of knowledge and understanding, have been the cause of the deprivation of the people."

In other words, this man's "lust for leadership" has prompted him to ignore the truth. His ego has convinced him to attack anything that might cast a shadow on how others perceive him. As He says in paragraph 28, "With all their power and strength they strive to secure themselves in their petty pursuits, fearful lest the least discredit undermine their authority or blemish the display of their magnificence." This man, "reputed for his learning and attainments", exemplifies these warnings. And were he to gain a bit of true knowledge, he would then see himself as one of those described in that next sentence, one of those "voracious beasts (that) have gathered and preyed upon the carrion of the souls of men."

We can clearly see how his egotism has carried him away to those "heights of extravagance". These claims that he alone knows all these sciences "necessary" for understanding the Miraj shows that he lacks the detachment needed to "attain the shores of the ocean of true understanding".

Contrary to this, Baha'u'llah never claims that anything other than detachment and purity of heart are needed to recognize these truths. Later, in paragraphs 213 to 219, He will go into more depth as to what this entails.