M6:3765 — عشق صورت در دل شه‌زادگان / چون خلش می‌کرد مانند سنان

Translation: The love of form within the hearts of princes, When it pricked, was like a spearhead. Meaning: Even in the hearts of the powerful, an attachment to worldly forms and outward appearances eventually turns into a sharp, piercing pain.

In this verse, Rumi, with profound insight, delves into the deceptive nature of ‘ishq-i ṣūrat (love of form)—an attachment to the world's appearances rather than its underlying reality. The term khalish here signifies not a superficial itch, but a painful, penetrating sting. Rumi himself clarifies this, stating that khalish is like sinān (a spearhead), emphasizing the sharp, deep wound such love ultimately inflicts upon the soul. This underlines the torment and affliction that merely formal affections inevitably bring.

Even the hearts of shahzādegān (princes), symbols of worldly power and status, are not immune to this wound; wealth and authority offer no shield against the perils of such spiritual allure. In fact, their elevated position might even render them more susceptible to these profound temptations. Immediately following this verse, Rumi speaks of the tears and regrets of these princes: “Tears poured from each, like clouds, / They bit their hands and cried, ‘Alas!’” This deep remorse stems from their belated realization of the bitter truth of their formal love. They ultimately concede, “We see now, but the King saw from the beginning; / How many times did that Peerless One adjure us!” This part of the narrative serves as a parable for the warnings issued by prophets and saints.

The Peerless King (a reference to God or His representatives) foresaw the ultimate outcome of this path from the very start, cautioning against it. Yet, the princes, immersed in superficial pleasures, disregarded these warnings until they themselves experienced the spearhead-like sting of love of form. Here, Rumi arrives at a pivotal and foundational teaching of the Masnavi: the invaluable role of prophets and saints lies in their ability to perceive and reveal the “end of the road.” While our ordinary intellect fixates on the present and succumbs to outward appearances, prophetic foresight illuminates the ultimate consequences of actions. Religion, at its core, is meant to cultivate our eternal life and expose the “final outcome” of our deeds, rather than merely organizing our transient worldly existence. This verse concisely, yet profoundly, underscores the importance of heeding warnings about the fleeting nature and detrimental results of earthly attachments.

Key takeaways

• Love of worldly forms and appearances, despite its initial allure, ultimately transforms into a deep and painful wound in the heart.
• Even those with power and high status (princes) are not immune to the suffering caused by such love; worldly authority offers no protection.
• The term khalish here signifies a burning penetration and sting, not a superficial itch, with sinān (spearhead) emphasizing its painful, deep nature.
• Regret and remorse are the inevitable consequences of disregarding divine warnings about transient, worldly loves.
• Prophets and saints reveal the “end of the road”; their foresight transcends the superficial, present-focused perspective of ordinary humans.