Sandesh Rasak (Hindi: सन्देश रासक) is an epic poem written around 1000–1100 by Abdur Rahman in Apabhramsha. It is the considered to be the version of Apabhramsha that gave rise to western Indian languages like Lahnda, Punjabi and Sindhi. The author, like Kabir, was a weaver.
Contents
The manuscripts of the book were discovered in Jain libraries by Muni Jinavijaya. According to Muni Jinavijaya, the work was written before the conquest by Ghori in 1192, when Multan was still a major Hindu pilgrimage center. The manuscripts include Sanskrit explanations by a Jain scholar in Sam. 1465.
Theme
This epic poem is inspired by Meghaduta of Kalidasa.
The author invoked God using an expression that combines Hindu and Muslim perspectives:
माणुस्सदुव्वविज्जाहरेहिं णहमग्गि सूर ससि बिंबे।
आएहिं जो णमिज्जइ तं णयरे णमह कत्तारं।
O citizens, salute the creator who is saluted by men, gods, vidyadharas, the sun and the moon.
Cultural influence
It is the very first and the only work by a Muslim in Apabhramsha. and is a precursor of Baba Farid and books like Padmavat of Jayasi.
It is the first book that refers to a vernacular work based on Ramayana.
Two of the verses were quoted by Acharya Hemachandra (1088-1173).