The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-12
Abdul Bin Abdulia. Fakir.

! Travellers in India quite frequently en-
| counter native fakinrs who stroll about
/ the country in a state of almost complete
/ nudity their bodies covered with dust
| and ashes and their hair smeared with
soft clay and matted into long ropes
| reaching sometimes below the waist. Some
! of these fanatics perform acts of self
! torture, which seem marvellous; but as a
| rule they are exceedingly careful not to
! hurt themselves. They live upon aims
! wheedled from the lower classes of ma
| tiyes and from misguided Europeans. The
major portion of their time is spent in
sGuatting upon their heels, trying to look
| wise, and haling a fragrance which is
sometimes accepted as the odor of sane
tity.
But there are other fakirs in India Of
quite a different sort from those who
stroll about the streets and infest the
temples and bathing-ghats along the river
banks. They seldom appear III the larger
cities or towns. but seclude themselves in
the jungles and mountains or on the out
skirts Of small village. They are Clearly
and abstemious, spend much time in fast
ing and prayer, and affect an exalted
standard of moral purity.
To this class belong the mystic Abdul
bin Abdulla, a Mohammedan Punjabee.
It was the good fortune of the writer
10 meet him in Bombay and TO obtain
from him a brief description of his life and
ms reasons for wearing constantly about
o'2 pounds Of iron chains and other orna-
ments.
Abdul bin Abdulla said he was born
OF Arab parents who migrated 10 India
about fifty years ago. He is now nearly
sixty years Of age and his friends and
admirers declare it is within his power
inv -, l. q
he considers Il proper to die 1t is but
just to him however, to say that he does
not admit the truth Of this declaration.
although he does not deny it. Many years
agO-how many he said he did not know
he began the study Of religious philaso-
ply under the tuition of a Iohammedan
fakir in one Of the villages Of northern
India. He was taught that in order TO
acquire occult power and secure an emf
nently satisfactory position in paradise L
was necessary, not only 70 refrain from,
INDUCING in human passions. and appe-
tites. but 70 conquer and drive them out
OF the flesh: that the most effective meth
Cd Of securing this result was 70 nortify
and torture his body, and thus obtain
absolute control over all its sensations.
lis teacher outlined a course OF train
ing Tor him, and then departed from the
village leaving him 10 work out his szi-
walton alone. Failing to accomplish what
he had expected, ne evolved a system OF
his Own, which he felt confident would
bring about the desired results. This vas
q gradual development OF his muscular
power. acccmpanied by & persistent Re
preston u the senses. lie began by
wearing about his neck a heavy iron
ring, 70 H1leh ne attached from tine .
time as much iro1 as ne could carry con
ven.ent.y. Later on these weights were
replaced tT heavy cable chains the
lower ends q which were fastened BY
rings 70 his arms and ankles
When seen by the wri-sr he had accu-
INFLATED chains and other metallic orua-
uents aggregafinE IN weight twenty-folr
maaucs. OF 81 English pounds Tnss {
enormous load Vas never removed. bgt
~as worn night and day II fact. The
mass Was s. securely welded - the neck (
ankle. and arm rings that 4 seemed In /
possible 70 take Z from his body VITA
eut using a Gle or steel saw he assured 1
those who talked With I'M thar hrs par I
pose vas 20 add q Ats burden, Dnt1 tie 4
total weight was ffry mau16s. o. nearly 4
80 pounds: that as soon as he had a.
com9tishe5 this he would have fulalssa i
MS mission upon earth ard sogsa .eass 4
his BODY forever he declared that - !
felt IN pain or tzconvsnisz-e IN carrying
his load but rather enjoyed K. As 4 Re-
minded h2n - rae great hiss "a store
FOR alrn II par4d5se--g azalagson star
Pa. Uncle Waters awful foollsa ss5us
Ely qua
way. jimmy
lie <oG's lel ne po.2t = =. hlz-" I.