Dear Gilberto,
You wrote: <> But at the same time, among the many different religious discussions one can have, some "smell" different. <>
Below is a excerpt from a brief compilation I did in 2003 which I think of as Baha'u'llah's "smell test"... References below.
Lovingly, Sandra
"Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! Rain down, I beseech Thee, from the clouds of Thine overflowing grace, that which shall cleanse the hearts of Thy servants from whatever may prevent their beholding Thy face, or may prevent them from turning unto Thee, that they may all recognize Him Who is their Fashioner and Creator. Help them, then, O God, to reach forth, through the power of Thy sovereign might, towards such a station that they can readily distinguish every foul smell from the fragrance of the raiment of Him Who is the Bearer of Thy most lofty and exalted name, that they may turn with all their affections toward Thee, and may enjoy such intimate communion with Thee that if all that is in heaven and on earth were given them they would regard it as unworthy of their notice, and would refuse to cease from remembering Thee and from extolling Thy virtues." (Baha'u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah, p. 159)
"We verily behold your actions. If We perceive from them the sweet smelling savor of purity and holiness, We will most certainly bless you." (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 307)
"We intend only to impart unto you the truth, that ye might be informed thereof and be of them that lead a godly life. Beware lest ye give ear to the words of those from whom the foul smell of malice and envy can be discerned; pay no heed to them, and stand ye for righteousness." (Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 200)
"How vast the number of the loved and chosen ones of God who have lamented and moaned by day and by night that haply a sweet and fragrant breeze might blow from the court of His good-pleasure and dispel altogether the loathsome and foul-smelling odours from the world. However, this ultimate goal could not be attained, and men were deprived thereof by virtue of their evil deeds, which brought upon them the retribution of God, in accordance with the basic principles of His divine rule. Ours is the duty to remain patient in these circumstances until relief be forthcoming from God, the Forgiving, the Bountiful." (Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 177)
"If Thou smellest from any one the smell of the love of Thy Lord, offer up Thyself for him, for We have created Thee to this end, and have covenanted with Thee, from time immemorial, and in the presence of the congregation of Our well-favored ones, for this very purpose." (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 283)
"Say: From My laws the sweet smelling savor of My garment can be smelled, and by their aid the standards of victory will be planted upon the highest peaks. The Tongue of My power hath, from the heaven of My omnipotent glory, addressed to My creation these words: "Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty." Happy is the lover that hath inhaled the divine fragrance of his Best-Beloved from these words, laden with the perfume of a grace which no tongue can describe." (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 332)
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