M6:386 — کین ایاز تو ندارد سی خرد / جامگی سی امیر او چون خورد

Translation: That this Ayaz of yours possesses not thirty intellects, / How then does he receive the stipend of thirty amirs? Meaning: This verse conveys the envious courtiers' complaint to the king, questioning why Ayaz, despite his seemingly ordinary intellect, is granted the stipend of thirty amirs.

This verse, embedded in the pivotal and instructive tale of Ayaz and Sultan Mahmud, brilliantly illustrates the pervasive theme of envy and the profound distinction between outward reason and inner wisdom. Here, the envious courtiers confront the king, questioning how his favorite, Ayaz, who to their eyes possesses no more than a single, ordinary intellect, could possibly deserve the 'jāmagi'—the monthly stipend—of thirty amirs. I must confess, I find this ancient and eloquent term 'jāmagi' far more fitting than the bland modern 'salary,' and I wish for its resurgence.

The complaint is clear: Ayaz's reward, his 'jāmagi,' appears disproportionate to his 'thirty intellects,' or rather, his perceived lack thereof. Yet, Mowlana subtly shifts our focus from this superficial disparity to the true nature of merit and recompense. The king, with his deeper insight, understands that Ayaz's true value lies not in the visible intellect that the courtiers can perceive, but in a hidden sagacity and effectiveness that only he, the ruler, can discern. To illuminate this truth, the king orchestrates a test. He sets out with the thirty amirs on a hunting expedition, and from a distance, spies a caravan. He dispatches the first amir to inquire about the caravan's origin. The amir, filled with self-importance, returns to proudly declare that they are 'from Rey.' But when the king asks, 'And where are they bound?' the amir is left speechless. It is in this moment that the divergence of capacities becomes clear: a truly complete intellect answers not just the immediate query, but apprehends the entire context.

Thus, this verse, while a complaint about apparent inequality, becomes the crucible for discovering a deeper reality. Mowlana teaches us that the true worth of individuals, especially in the divine court or in the eyes of discerning leaders, is not measured by superficial or common standards, but by hidden vision and profound potential. Ayaz's 'jāmagi' is not for his 'apparent intellect,' but for an inner 'grief' or 'discernment' (darygh) that remains invisible to others. Even the subtle use of 'muʿtafik' (sinner/liar) later for the erring amir, though perhaps initially chosen for rhyme, carries a delicate hint of the envious courtiers' inner shortcomings and lack of true insight.

Key takeaways

• Envy obstructs the perception of truth and hidden merits.
• True worth stems from depth of insight and discernment, not superficial displays of intellect.
• Discerning leaders recognize an individual's value beyond common or superficial perceptions.
• Worldly rewards can sometimes reflect a hidden wisdom that only the truly insightful can apprehend.