M6:2537 — بس شهان آن طرف را کشته بود / یا به حیله یا به سطوت آن عنود

Translation: Many kings in that realm had he killed, / Either by trickery or by the might of that obstinate foe. Meaning: This verse refers to the ruthless, tyrannical power of Sultan Muhammad Khwarazmshah, who had eliminated many rulers either through deceit or brute force.

This verse paints a vivid, albeit terrifying, picture of Sultan Muhammad Khwarazmshah, a figure renowned for his bloodlust and imprudence during an era when the king of Termez, the story's protagonist, lived under his formidable shadow. Here, Mowlana subtly but unequivocally registers his moral judgment of this sanguinary sultan through the epithet ān ʿanūd (that obstinate/malicious one), signifying enmity and belligerence. Khwarazmshah, as historical accounts attest—and indeed, Mowlana's own father fled his tyranny amidst the Mongol upheaval—was a ruler who resorted to ruthless methods to maintain and expand his power. The phrase "Many kings in that realm had he killed" points to the vast scope of his influence and suppression. Rulers under his dominion lived in constant dread, for he harbored no qualms about overthrowing and annihilating other monarchs. This verse highlights his two primary means of achieving such ends: yā ba ḥīla yā ba saṭvat (either by trickery or by might). Ḥīla, meaning stratagem or deceit, reveals the cunning and insincerity inherent in his political dealings. Saṭvat, on the other than, refers to coercive power and brute force, symbolizing overt despotism and the exercise of authority without moral or legal restraint. This potent combination of guile and might crafts a complete portrait of a quintessential autocrat, ruling through both clandestine machinations and overt bullying. Mowlana skillfully employs this historical and social backdrop to heighten the suspense in his narrative. The king of Termez's anxiety upon encountering the distraught jester is not merely personal; it mirrors the widespread fear and terror that pervaded society under the shadow of rulers like Khwarazmshah. Thus, the tales of the Masnavi transcend simple narratives, becoming mirrors reflecting deeper truths of social psychology and the philosophy of power. Mowlana introduces this verse not as a history lesson, but to illuminate the profound dimensions of tyranny and its impact on the collective soul.

Key takeaways

• Tyrannical power is fundamentally built upon both deception (ḥīla) and brute force (saṭvat).
• Even regional rulers live in constant dread under the shadow of a despotic overlord.
• Mowlana, through terms like ān ʿanūd, delivers a moral judgment against oppressive rulers.
• Masnavi narratives leverage historical and social details to delve into deeper psychological analyses of power.
• Individual fear and anxiety frequently reflect broader political and social conditions.