M6:1220 — رنگ سبزت زرد شد ای قرع زود / زانک از گلگونه بود اصلی نبود

This beyt is part of a larger section where Rumi criticizes those who rush into spiritual leadership or claim profound knowledge without undergoing the necessary gradual development and inner purification. Rumi contrasts their hasty, inauthentic 'growth' with the slow, deliberate processes of creation, such as the six days of creating the heavens, the nine months of human gestation, or the forty mornings of Adam's formation from clay. These natural processes emphasize patience and deep-rooted development.

The 'gourd' (قرع) imagery is central. Gourds are known for their rapid, sprawling growth, often climbing over other plants or structures. The 'green' color signifies a superficial appearance of life and vibrancy. However, Rumi points out that this greenness was 'from rouge' (گلگونه), meaning it was applied externally, a mere cosmetic. Because it 'had no root' (اصلی نبود), it quickly turned 'yellow' – a sign of decay and death. This metaphor powerfully conveys the idea that spiritual progress built on outward show, borrowed knowledge, or unearned authority is unsustainable and ultimately reveals its hollowness.

The couplet serves as a warning against spiritual pretense and a call for genuine, inner transformation that is cultivated over time, rather than adopted as a facade.