major theme of this Book,
Baha'u'llah, moreover, has specifically characterized as "the breath of
life unto all created things", as "the mightiest stronghold", as the
"fruits" of His "Tree", as "the highest means for the maintenance of order
in the world and the security of its peoples", as "the lamps of His wisdom
and loving-providence", as "the sweet-smelling savour of His garment", and
the "keys" of His "mercy" to His creatures. "This Book", He Himself
testifies, "is a heaven which We have adorned with the stars of Our
commandments and prohibitions." "Blessed the man", He, moreover, has
stated, "who will read it, and ponder the verses sent down in it by God,
the Lord of Power, the Almighty. Say, O men! Take hold of it with the hand
of resignation... By My life! It hath been sent down in a manner that
amazeth the minds of men. Verily, it is My weightiest testimony unto all
people, and the proof of the All-Merciful unto all who are in heaven and
all who are on earth." And again: "Blessed the palate that savoureth its
sweetness, and the perceiving eye that recognizeth that which is treasured
therein, and the understanding heart that comprehendeth its allusions and
mysteries. By God! Such is the majesty of what hath been revealed therein,
and so tremendous the revelation of its veiled allusions that the loins of
utterance shake when attempting their description." And finally: "In such
a manner hath the Kitab-i-Aqdas been revealed that it attracteth and
embraceth all the divinely appointed Dispensations. Blessed those who
peruse it! Blessed those who apprehend it! Blessed those who meditate upon
it! Blessed those who ponder its meaning! So vast is its range that it
hath encompassed all men ere their recognition of it. Erelong will its
sovereign power, its pervasive influence and the greatness of its might be
manifested on earth."

THE KITAB-I-AQDAS

In The Name Of Him Who Is The Supreme Ruler Over All That Hath Been And
All That Is To Be

1 The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of
Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws,
Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the
world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good;
and whoso is deprived thereof hath gone astray, though he be the author of
every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime
statio