M6:1863 — نه درازی ماند نه کوته نه پهن / گونه گونه سایه در خورشید رهن

Translation: Neither length remains, nor shortness, nor breadth; Diverse shadows become pledged to the Sun (of Truth). Meaning: This verse signifies the effacement of all distinctions, differences, and apparent forms in the singular light of the Sun of Truth. When truth is revealed, no individual attribute or characteristic persists; all are absorbed into its unity.

In this verse, Rumi unveils a fundamental truth: a truth that manifests in the realm of meaning—that 'salt-marsh of meanings' (namaksār-e ma'āni) which is in absolute 'newness' (novi) and on which the dust of 'oldness' (kohnegi) never settles. The newness of that realm is not of the same kind as this world's, for oldness arises from the passage of time, and that realm is beyond time, an 'azal' and 'abad' in the sense of stages transcending temporal limits. There, every moment is new, as Rumi himself states: 'This world becomes new every day, and we are unaware of the renewal in duration.' But this newness in our ephemeral world is subject to aging; it becomes old, because this world is the realm of 'opposites' (aḍdād). Every 'new' thing here has an 'old' as its antithesis. The realm of meaning, however, is 'without opposite, without peer, and without number' (bi-żidd o bi-nadd o adad); it has no opposite, no equal, and admits no multiplicity.

Our verse perfectly illustrates this effacement of opposites and pluralities: 'Neither length remains, nor shortness, nor breadth; / Diverse shadows become pledged to the Sun.' Shadows are symbols of pluralities, forms, and distinctions. Being long, short, or wide are all markers of the multiplicity and individuality of earthly beings. But as soon as the 'Sun' (symbolizing truth and unity) shines forth, these pluralities and distinctions are effaced within it. They become 'pledged' (rahn) to the Sun, meaning their existence and persistence are conditional upon that Sun; they lose their independence and their individual identities. This is the 'oneness' (yak-rangi) that Rumi alludes to in subsequent verses, a oneness that becomes manifest at the Day of Judgment (maḥshar). There, 'unity' emerges from beneath the veil of 'multiplicity,' and everything becomes so manifest and clear that no one can deny the truth.

This effacement in the light of truth signifies the revelation of the inner essence. On the Day of Resurrection, 'the meanings of that world will take on form / our imprints will correspond to our character.' That is, inner meanings and realities will outwardly manifest, and each individual will assume a form commensurate with their 'character' (khaṣlat) and existential nature. In other words, 'the lining will appear on the outside of the garments' (boṭāne ruy-e kār-e jāmehā); what was hidden and concealed within (like the lining of a garment) will become manifest. This stands in complete contrast to our world, which is 'the turn of a hundred colors and a hundred hearts.' This world is a realm of multiplicity; hundreds of languages, hundreds of colors, hundreds of religions and philosophies. In this world, expecting oneness is futile. Yet, Rumi does not despair, stating: 'This is night, and the Sun is on its way'; meaning, even in this night of plurality and rust, the Sun of unity is coming and will eventually rise.

Key takeaways

• In the realm of meaning, everything is perpetually new and untouched by oldness or temporal passage.
• This world is a realm of 'opposites,' where every new thing has an old antithesis, but that higher realm is devoid of such contrasts.
• The Sun of Truth (Unity) effaces shadows and pluralities (differences), leaving no distinction intact.
• The presence of Truth reveals inner realities and dissolves multiplicities, much like the lining of a garment appearing on the outside on the Day of Judgment.
• This world is one of 'a hundred colors and a hundred hearts,' yet the Sun of Unity will ultimately rise.