M2:1941 — رحمت اندر رحمت آمد تا به سر / بر یکی رحمت فرو مای ای پسر

This couplet appears in a section of the Masnavi where Rumi is describing the nature of true spiritual helpers, the 'lion-hearted men' (شیرمردان), who are pure mercy and justice, responding to the cries of the oppressed like divine grace itself. He emphasizes that just as water flows to the lowest places, divine mercy flows to those who are humble and in need. The preceding couplet (M2:1940) advises: 'If you desire the water of mercy, go and become low / And then drink the wine of mercy, become intoxicated.'

Building on this, M2:1941 urges the seeker not to be satisfied with a limited experience of divine mercy. It is not a finite resource; rather, it is 'mercy upon mercy,' an unending cascade that reaches 'to the very top' (تا به سر), implying its ultimate source and boundless extent. The phrase 'do not stop at one mercy' (بر یکی رحمت فرو مای) is a direct exhortation to continuous spiritual aspiration and receptivity. It warns against spiritual complacency, encouraging the seeker to dive deeper into the ocean of divine grace rather than merely dipping a toe in.

In the broader Sufi context, this beyt highlights the progressive nature of the spiritual path. God's grace is not a one-time event but a continuous outpouring that deepens as the seeker's capacity and humility grow. It encourages constant seeking, reminding us that the wellspring of divine compassion is infinite and ever-available to those who remain open and thirsty for it.