The Journey of the Soul: A Rare English Translation and Interpretation of Rumi’s First Masnavi Poem
Rumi’s Masnavi — Book One — Poem 1: “Reed Flute”
The Masnavi is a celebrated Persian poem by the renowned poet and mystic Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi. With over 25,000 verses across six books, it is considered a masterpiece of Islamic mysticism and a significant work of Persian literature. It has been compared to the Quran due to its presentation of Rumi’s teachings, which provide insights into the nature of the human soul, the path towards spiritual enlightenment, and the divine. Though Rumi passed away before completing the final book, the Masnavi remains an influential and treasured work in Sufi literature, conveyed through poetry and storytelling.
The opening verses of this poem “Reed Flute” describe the reed flute, which is a symbol of the human soul. The reed flute is made from a reed cut from a riverbank, and its separation from the river represents the separation of the soul from its divine source. The reed flute’s sound expresses the soul’s longing to return to its origin.
Listen to the reed flute, how it tells a tale
Complaining of separation, it tells of love’s travail
Literal Translation
Listen to this reed, as it laments
Of separations, it tells its tale
Interpretation The flute is a metaphor for the human soul’s longing to return to its divine source. The reed flute’s lament represents the soul’s pain and separation from its origin. The reed flute’s notes express the heart’s yearning and are only understood by those with a spiritual conscience and understanding. The message is that the path to divine knowledge and understanding is through the heart and the soul’s longing for the divine. Rumi invites the reader to listen and understand the reed flute’s tale and to join in its lament, for it speaks to the pain of all conscience human hearts.
Saying, “Since I was cut from the reed bed
In my passionate grief, men and women shed tears in dread”
Literal Translation
I have been cut off from the land of existence
Both men and women have lamented for my separation
Interpretation The verse expresses the idea that the human soul has been taken away from the garden of non-existence (a metaphor for the spiritual realm), and as a result, the soul is grieving and mourning in deep anguish, along with men and women who share his pain. Rumi is essentially saying that the pain of separation from the Divine is so intense that it affects everyone and everything, and that this feeling of longing and sorrow is shared by all who seek to be reunited with the Divine.
I wish to rend my breast, in agony and woe
To tell the pain of yearning, and the longing’s throe
Literal Translation
I want to shatter my breast, piece by piece, from the separation
So that I can describe the pain of longing’s yearning
Interpretation This verse expresses the intensity of the speaker’s longing for the divine and his willingness to go to great lengths to express and show the pain and agony of separation from it. The metaphor of rending one’s breast suggests a profound sense of desperation and an urgent need to communicate the depth of this longing. The verse also highlights the paradoxical nature of spiritual yearning, which involves both pain and pleasure of expressing it, as the speaker desires to describe the pain of the longing’s yearning. Overall, the verse conveys the idea that the experience of yearning for the divine is both intense and transformative.
Every one who is far from his own essence
Longs that union day and night in absence
Literal Translation
Whoever stays away from their own origin
Seeks their reunion to that realm/region
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi is highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself and one’s origins. He suggests that when someone strays from their essence or their true nature, they will inevitably seek to return to it and reunite with it, just as a person who is separated from their beloved will seek to be reunited with them. Rumi is emphasizing the idea that our true essence or nature is our connection to the divine, and that we must strive to maintain that connection by staying true to ourselves and our innermost being. Only by doing so can we hope to achieve a state of wholeness and unity with the divine, which is the ultimate goal of spiritual seekers.
I have lamented in every assembly
I have become the companion of both the miserable and the happy
Literal Translation
I became mournful in every group I am in touch with
I got mixed/associated with the wretched and the joyful
Interpretation The verse expresses the speaker’s experience of being in different social situations where they have expressed their sorrow and grief. The speaker claims to have lamented and expressed their sadness in every gathering or assembly they have been in, and as a result, they have become a companion to both the miserable and the happy. The verse may suggest that the speaker has found empathy and connection with people from all walks of life and is comfortable in both their misery and happiness. It also reflects the idea of spiritual unity, where everyone is connected and part of a larger whole, further reflecting Monism and Pantheism.
Each one who thinks themselves my friend and true
Knows not my secrets, nor my essence through
Literal Translation
Everyone become my companion through their own presumption
They didn’t ask about my secrets from my surrounds
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi points out that everyone has their own perception of him and forms their own opinions based on their own biases and beliefs. However, he emphasizes that the true secrets and depths of his heart are not revealed to others merely by their assumptions or opinions. The verse highlights the idea that true understanding of a person requires more than just superficial judgment or conjecture based on preconceived notions.
My head is not unaware of my cry and woe
But eyes and ears fail to know it and show
Literal Translation
My head is not far from my lament
But the light is not present eyes and ears
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi is expressing his inner anguish and pain. He says that his cries of sorrow and lamentation are not far from him, meaning that they are a constant presence in his life. However, he notes that despite this, the eye and ear are not able to perceive the depth of his suffering or the intensity of his emotions. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the limitations of human perception and understanding, even in the face of profound personal experiences and emotions. The light of the divine, represented in the verse by the light missing from the eyes and ears, is not something that can be perceived through external means or material, but must be discovered within oneself.
The body’s not veiled from the soul, nor the soul from the body’s sight
But few can see the soul, with discernment, clear and bright
Literal Translation
The body is not concealed from the soul, and the soul is not veiled from the body’s sight
But the one who can see the soul with proper discernment is rare
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi is exploring the relationship between the body and the soul. He suggests that although the soul is closely connected to the body and vice versa, the true essence of the soul cannot be seen or fully understood by merely observing the body. The body and the soul are interconnected, but the soul’s true nature is beyond the physical realm and requires a deeper understanding to perceive.
This is not the sound of the flute, but the fire
If one lacks this fire, it’s not a real desire
Literal Translation
This sound is fire, not wind
Whoever does not have this fire, has no wind
Interpretation In this verse, Maulana Rumi is using the metaphor of a flute to describe the human soul. He suggests that the sound of the flute (lament of the soul) is not created by the wind blowing through it, but by the fire burning within it (nature of the reed of the flute). This fire represents the passion and yearning that exist in the human soul, which (when lamenting for divine separation) give rise to the sound of the flute. The wind represents the external factors that can influence us, but the true source of our passion and desire comes from within us (soul desire). The verse suggests that those who do not have this inner fire, this passion and desire, are like the wind, without substance or purpose, wandering here and there.
Love is the fire that falls in the reed
Passion is the surge that falls in the mead
Literal Translation
That’s fire of love is in the reed
That’s boiling of passion is in the wine (falling from the reed)
Interpretation This verse by Maulana Rumi describes the essence of love and passion as a divine force that ignites within the soul of a conscious person. The metaphor of fire and boiling is used to convey the intensity and power of these (longing) emotions. The reed and the mead/wine are both symbols of the human heart, which can be receptive to the flames of love and passion. This fire of love is not something that can be controlled or contained; it is a force that takes over and transforms the individual. The boiling passion is also not something that can be held back or restrained, it is a force that surges and overflows. Maulana suggests that the fire of love of soul and the boiling passion of the as the by-product of fire of the soul are interconnected, and when they meet, they create a powerful force that can lead a person to enlightenment.
The one who breaks away from friendship is not our friend
His curtains are the curtains we tear apart and rend
Literal Translation
He who cuts off from friendship is not a competitor to us
His curtains are our curtains which we tear
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi emphasizes the importance of true friendship and loyalty to the divine. This verse powerfully expresses the idea that those who turn away from the divine, represented here by the “Beloved and Friendship”, are not true friends or companions to themselves or to us (to Rumi) either. Instead, they have cut themselves off from the spiritual connection that binds us all, and their separation creates a sense of loss or damage to the fabric of reality itself, represented by the image of torn curtains.
Like a reed, that with poison and antidote is filled
Like a reed, that with music and longing is thrilled
Literal Translation
Like a reed that has seen both poison and antidote
Like a reed that has witnessed both breath-making and desire
Interpretation In this verse, Maulana uses a metaphorical comparison of the soul’s journey towards spiritual purification to the journey of a reed. The reed, which is used to make musical instruments like the flute, goes through a process of being cut, dried, and hollowed out in order to create a beautiful sound. Similarly, the soul goes through a process consisting of several steps (depending on the individual) in order to reach a state of spiritual enlightenment and produce beautiful expressions of love and devotion. The verse suggests that just as the reed experiences both bitterness/poison (zahri) and healing (tiryaq) in its journey, the soul also goes through moments of struggle and moments of solace in its journey towards spiritual realization. Ultimately, the verse implies that the difficulties of the spiritual path are a must and that the reward of reaching the destination is worth it.
The reed speaks and spills blood in its path
Tales of love that turn one into a madman
Literal Translation
The reed narrates of a bloody path
It narrates stories of individuals turning into madmans
Interpretation In this verse, Maulana uses the metaphor of a reed flute to represent the human soul that has been separated from the divine. The reed speaks and spills blood in its path, which can be interpreted as a reference to the pain and suffering experienced by the soul in its separation from the divine. The “tales of love” refer to the spiritual journey of the soul towards the divine. The love that Maulana speaks of is not romantic love, but rather the love of God. The struggles of divine unity path could turn one into a madman, which can be interpreted as a reference to the ecstatic experiences of the Sufis (apparent whirling dances) on their spiritual path. In Sufism, the madness of love is seen as a desirable state, as it is believed to be a sign of the soul’s proximity to the divine. It also means that the flute narrates stories of the hardships one face to become the madman that the world perceives them to be.
This conscious state is only for the senseless one
For the tongue has no buyer except for the ear, none
Literal Translation
This conscious state is not for anyone but the unconscious one
For the tongue has no customer other than the ear
Interpretation In this verse, Maulana is highlighting the importance of being in a state of surrender and letting go of one’s ego and sense of control. He is saying that one can only truly understand and receive the teachings of the divine when they become empty of themselves (ego) and allow themselves to become like a vessel that can be filled with divine knowledge. The tongue, which represents one’s own words and thoughts, has no value or meaning unless there is someone to listen to and understand it which have no value because that state can’t be understood through words, just as one’s consciousness has no purpose unless it is used to connect with the divine.
Our grief turned days into nights
Days accompanied by sorrows and plights
Literal Translation
In our grief, days have become nights
Days have become companions with burning pains
Interpretation In this verse, Maulana is expressing the intensity of his pain and grief. He says that his grief has become so intense that days and nights have merged into each other and there is no distinction between them. The pain of separation has become so consuming that it has overshadowed everything else. The line “Days accompanied by sorrow and plights” suggests that the speaker’s pain is not just emotional but also physical, as if his heart is burning with grief. The verse conveys a sense of despair, as if the speaker has lost all sense of time and normalcy, and is consumed by his pain.
If days have passed, don’t worry, don’t cry
You stay as the one who is not pure as I
Literal Translation
If days have passed, go, saying there’s no fault
You remain, O one, who is not as pure as you should be
Interpretation This verse speaks about the idea of letting go of the past and not dwelling on it. The first line encourages the reader not to worry or cry over the past, as it has already passed and cannot be changed. The second line addresses the reader directly, urging them to stay as they are, even if they are not as pure or faultless as they should be. The implication is that everyone has flaws and imperfections, and it is important to accept oneself for who you are and move forward rather than becoming stuck in regret or self-blame. The verse also suggests that being imperfect is not necessarily a reason to feel ashamed or inadequate.
Whoever besides the fish is satisfied with water
Whoever is without provision, his day becomes late
Literal Translation
Anyone who is content with water except for a fish
Anyone who lacks provisions, his day will be delayed
Interpretation This verse highlights the importance of finding satisfaction and contentment in one’s life. The metaphor of a fish and water is used to illustrate this point — just as a fish cannot survive without water, a person cannot be truly satisfied without finding what they need in life. The second part of the verse emphasizes the importance of being prepared and having the necessary provisions to navigate through life. Without provisions, one’s journey will be delayed and hindered. Overall, the verse encourages us to seek contentment and prepare ourselves adequately for the journey of life.
No raw thing can ever know what it is to be cooked
So we must keep our words brief and say farewell
Literal Translation
It is impossible for any raw thing to find the state of being cooked, Therefore, one should keep the words brief and say goodbye
Interpretation In this verse, Maulana Rumi is using a metaphor to convey that just as raw food cannot comprehend the taste of cooked food, an immature person cannot comprehend the depth and complexity of spiritual knowledge and experiences. The word “cooked” here refers to someone who has gone through spiritual transformation and has gained knowledge and wisdom. On the other hand, the word “raw” refers to someone who lacks such knowledge and experiences. Therefore, Maulana is advising that it’s better to keep our words brief and not delve into the subject of spirituality with those who lack understanding or experience. It’s better to say goodbye to such conversations and people and focus on one’s own journey of spiritual growth.
Break free from chains, be free, O son of man
Why stay bound by chains of silver and gold, can’t you understand?
Literal Translation
Break the bond, be free, O son
How long will you stay bound by chains of silver and gold?
Interpretation Maulana Rumi is using the metaphor of chains of silver and gold to refer to materialistic desires that keep humans bound and unable to achieve true freedom. He is calling upon the reader to break free from these chains and attain true freedom by letting go of materialistic desires and focusing on the spiritual path. By reminding the reader that they are the sons of man, he is emphasizing the importance of recognizing one’s humanity and the potential for spiritual growth and transformation that lies within each person.
If you pour the sea into a jug so small
How much of it can you take? Not much at all
Literal Translation
If you pour the sea into a jug
How much will fit into one day’s luck?
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi uses the metaphor of pouring the vast sea into a small jug to illustrate the limitations of our human capacity. The sea represents the vastness of knowledge, wisdom, and experiences that exist in the world, while the jug represents our limited ability to comprehend and contain it. The verse implies that no matter how much we try to acquire knowledge or experience, our capacity will always remain limited, and we can only grasp a small fraction of what exists in the universe. Therefore, we should remain humble and recognize the vastness of creation, and our limitations as human beings.
The greedy eye’s jug did not fill up
Until the contented shell was not filled up
Literal Translation
The jug of the greedy eye did not become full
Until the contented shell was not filled
Interpretation In this verse, Maulana Rumi uses a metaphor to convey the message that those who are greedy and never content with what they have, will never find satisfaction. Just like the eye, which is always looking for more and never satisfied, no matter how much it sees, it never becomes full. Similarly, a greedy person’s desire for material possessions and wealth is insatiable and can never be fulfilled. On the other hand, those who are content and satisfied with what they have, are like the satisfied shell that is full, and their needs are met with what they have, rather than what they want. The verse thus serves as a reminder to avoid greed and cultivate contentment in one’s life.
Whoever’s robe is rent by love’s embrace
from every fault and greed is purged and chaste
Literal Translation
Anyone whose garment is torn by love
becomes free from all greed and fault
Interpretation This verse describes how the transformative power of love can purify a person’s soul and help them transcend their worldly desires and attachments. In the context of the poem, Maulana Rumi is suggesting that those who are truly devoted to the path of love and spiritual awakening will be purified by their devotion, shedding their egotistical tendencies and attachments to material possessions. By embracing love, the individual is able to overcome their worldly attachments, and, in doing so, achieve spiritual purity and enlightenment.
Be joyful, oh love of our sweet desire
Oh doctor of all our maladies entire
Literal Translation
Be happy, oh love of our sweet desire
Oh doctor of all our reasons
Interpretation In this verse, Maulana Rumi addresses love as a healer who can cure all the afflictions of the heart. He encourages the reader to rejoice in the presence of love, as it is the solution to all their troubles. Love is portrayed as a physician who understands the root of all their problems and can prescribe the right treatment. The verse can also be interpreted as an invitation to embrace the transformative power of love, which has the potential to heal all wounds and make us whole again.
O cure for our disgrace and badness
O you, our Plato and Galen!
Literal Translation
O cure for our dishonour and shame
O you who are our Plato and Galen
Interpretation In this verse, Maulana Rumi addresses the beloved as the cure for their disgrace and badness, referring to the idea that love has the power to heal and transform. He then refers to the beloved as Plato and Galen, two ancient Greek philosophers who were known for their wisdom and knowledge. By addressing the beloved with these titles, Maulana Rumi is suggesting that the beloved is not only a source of emotional healing but also of intellectual and spiritual guidance.
Body of clay, from love, ascended to skies
The mountain started to dance and became lively
Literal Translation
The body of clay, due to love, went beyond the skies
The mountain began to dance and became active
Interpretation This verse speaks about the transformative power of love. The body, which is made of earth, is usually associated with heaviness and gravity. However, through the power of love, it becomes light and is able to rise beyond the skies. Similarly, the mountain, which is known for its solidity and immobility, begins to dance and becomes lively due to the force of love. This verse is a metaphor for the transformative effect of love on everything that exists. It suggests that love has the power to transform the mundane into something transcendent, and the inert into something lively and active.
Behold, love descended on Mount Sinai
Intoxicated mount, and Moses donkey stuck, oh my!
Literal Translation
Love, O lovers, came like the mountain of the soul
Mount Sinai was intoxicated and Moses’ donkey was struck by lightning
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi compares the experience of love to the event of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. Just as the mountain was filled with divine presence and power, the lovers’ souls are filled with the presence and power of love. The image of the mountain being intoxicated suggests that the mountain was overcome and intoxicated by the presence of God, which reflects the overwhelming effect of love on the lover’s soul. Similarly, the image of Moses’ donkey being struck by lightning represents the transformative power of love, which can strike unexpectedly and transform even the most unlikely of individuals. Rumi is emphasizing the transformative power of love and its ability to bring about radical change in the lover’s life.
With lips of a reed, if you were my mate
Like a reed, I would speak what I contemplate
Literal Translation
If I were to be paired with you, my beloved
I would repeated the the sayings (secrets)
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi expresses the depth of his desire to be united with his beloved. He imagines himself as a reed, which in Persian culture is a symbol of love and longing, and he wishes to speak all his feelings and thoughts to his beloved. The metaphorical language in this verse highlights the intensity of his passion and the yearning he feels to express it fully. The use of the word “darling” emphasizes the intimacy he desires with his beloved, and the reference to the reed suggests that he wants to be so closely joined with her that they become one voice. Overall, this verse conveys a sense of longing and desire for connection, as well as the frustration of not being able to fully express oneself.
Whoever from their fellow beings is separated
Becomes tongueless, despite having a hundred songs
Literal Translation
Anyone who is separated from companionship
Becomes without a tongue, although he has a hundred melodies
Interpretation This verse emphasizes the importance of social connection and companionship. It suggests that being disconnected from others can make a person lose their voice, despite having many things to say. This may refer to the idea that human beings are social creatures and need interaction with others to fully express themselves. The metaphor of losing one’s tongue suggests that without social connection, a person’s ability to communicate and share their ideas becomes impaired. Therefore, the verse urges us to cherish our relationships with others and to stay connected to those around us.
Gone is the flower and the garden has passed
Don’t listen anymore, to the nightingale’s song that’s past
Literal Translation
When the flower has gone and the garden has passed
Don’t listen to the nightingale’s song from then that’s past
Interpretation This verse speaks about the transitory nature of life and the impermanence of all things. It uses the image of a flower that has withered and a garden that has passed to represent the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The nightingale’s song, which is usually associated with the beauty of the garden and the flower, is also a reminder of the transience of life, as it too will eventually cease to sing. The message of the verse is to remind us to appreciate the beauty of the present moment, because it will soon be gone.
All is the beloved, and the lover is a veil
The beloved is alive, and the lover is dead/frail
Literal Translation
All is the beloved and the lover is a curtain
The beloved is alive and the lover is dead
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi emphasizes the concept of unity between the lover and the beloved. He suggests that the lover is merely a veil or covering that separates them from each other. In other words, the lover’s ego and individuality separate them from the beloved. On the other hand, the beloved is all that exists, and the lover is only a reflection of the beloved. The lover is seen as dead, because they have given up their ego and have become nothing in comparison to the beloved. Meanwhile, the beloved is alive and vibrant, because they represent the ultimate reality, which is divine and eternal. In summary, this verse is an expression of the Sufi concept of unity of existence, which emphasizes the oneness of all things and the dissolution of the ego in the presence of the divine.
When there is no desire for love in him,
He becomes like a bird without wings, woe to him
Literal Translation
When there is no desire for Him in love
He remains like a bird without wings, woe to him
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi emphasizes the importance of mutual love and yearning in a relationship. He likens the absence of love’s yearning for someone to a bird without wings, which is a helpless and sorrowful state. Without the presence of mutual love and yearning, a relationship is incomplete, and one’s emotional and spiritual growth will be stunted. Therefore, Rumi urges lovers to be passionate and actively seek out the fulfillment of their yearning for one another, which is essential for a meaningful and fulfilling relationship.
How could I be conscious of what’s ahead or behind?
When my beloved’s light is absent, and I’m left blind
Literal Translation
How can I have consciousness of before and after
When there is no light of my beloved before and after me
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi expresses the idea that without the light of his beloved, he cannot have a clear understanding of his surroundings, whether they are in the past or in the future. The word “hush” refers to consciousness or awareness, and “nur-e yar” means the light of the beloved. The metaphor of light is often used in Sufi poetry to represent divine guidance, enlightenment, or spiritual insight. Thus, the absence of the light of the beloved represents the absence of divine guidance or spiritual insight, which leads to a sense of disorientation or confusion. Rumi suggests that only through the guidance of the beloved can one have a clear perception of reality, both in the present moment and in the past and future.
عشق خواهد کاین سخن بیرون بود
آینه غماز نبود چون بودA lover needs that this word be spoken out,
The mirror won’t show, unless there’s a doubt.
Literal Translation
Love desires that these words/secrets be uttered,
The sly of the mirror won’t be there if there is no sorrow.
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi uses the metaphor of a mirror to describe the beloved's or the divine's face. The mirror is a symbol of the lover’s heart and reflects the image/perception of the beloved/human. The mirror is not sly/cunning/deceiving when it reflects their beloved's inner self, and this is because the Divine doesn’t conceal the blush/reflection of the face of the beloved. The blush is a sign of spiritual modesty or humbleness on the part of the lover, and it is the same quality that enhances the beauty of the beloved.
آینهت دانی چرا غماز نیست
زآن که زنگار از رخش ممتاز نیستYour mirror doesn’t have a sly expression,
Because it can’t be distinct from your rosy complexion.
Literal Translation
Your mirror knows why it’s not sly,
Because the clapper is not outstanding on its face.
Interpretation In this verse, Rumi uses the metaphor of a mirror to describe the relationship between the individual and the divine. The mirror represents the individual’s heart, which reflects the divine beauty, just as a mirror reflects the face. The word “غماز” (sly, treacherous) in the first line of the verse, implies that the mirror does not deceive the individual by distorting or altering their reflection. The reason why the mirror is not sly or treacherous is that the dirt on the face of the individual is not distinct from the surface of the mirror. This means that the individual’s heart needs to be cleansed and purified of any impurities to reflect the divine beauty. The verse suggests that the purity of the heart and the clarity of the reflection are essential to the individual’s spiritual journey towards union with the divine and its reflection.
*** END OF MY MEDIOCRE WORK ***
