M6:3455 — پس عماد الملک گفتش ای خدیو / چون فرشته گردد از میل تو دیو

Translation: Emad al-Molk then said to him, "O Khadiv, How a devil becomes an angel by your mere inclination." Meaning: This verse captures Emad al-Molk's initial flattery towards Khwarazmshah, portraying the Shah's gaze as so potent it can transform even a devil into an angel, a prelude to his hidden criticism.

In my analysis of this verse, I consider it the opening gambit of Emad al-Molk's deception. He begins by subtly flattering the Shah, praising the transformative power of his gaze and will: "Emad al-Molk laid the groundwork; he began to prepare the ground." He tells the Shah that his alchemical gaze can beautify even impurities, turning a devil into an angel. This statement, while outwardly laudatory, is intrinsically a trick to influence the Shah's mind. Rumi masterfully demonstrates how "enchantment" and "seduction" work within Khwarazmshah's heart. This is precisely where "words have an effect," and a single sentence can "make the horse appear worthless in the Shah's sight." Emad al-Molk's preparatory words act like a biased matchmaker (dallaleh) who, driven by ulterior motives, can sell a Yusuf for the price of three yards of coarse fabric. Here, we encounter the contrast between two modes of perception: the "eye of the present" (chashm-i ḥāl) which sees only the surface and the immediate moment, and the "eye of consequence" (chashm-i maʾāl) which considers the outcomes and inner realities. By praising the Shah's "eye of the present," Emad al-Molk subtly primes him to accept his own biased "eye of consequence." This verse imparts a crucial lesson on the power of language, the influence of speakers (both benevolent and malicious), and the necessity of insight and foresight (ʿaql-i dūr-andīsh) to avoid being swayed by appearances or glib words, lest we fall prey to the "rotten nut" of this world.

Key takeaways

• The profound power of language and its influence on perception and decision-making.
• The deceptive nature of flattery as a tool for manipulation and influence.
• The crucial distinction between the 'eye of the present' (seeing the immediate surface) and the 'eye of consequence' (foresight).
• The necessity of insight to see beyond appearances and avoid deception.
• Rumi emphasizes that words shape our inner world and alter our perception of reality.