M6:14 — مه فشاند نور و سگ عو عو کند / هر کسی بر خلقت خود می‌تند

Translation: The moon scatters light, and the dog barks; / Each acts according to its own nature. Meaning: This verse asserts that every being, from the sublime to the mundane, acts in accordance with its inherent nature and creation, and one's actions do not impede the other's.

This couplet, nestled within the broader discourse on prophets' and saints' divine invitations and their encounters with the denial and opposition of lesser souls, unveils a fundamental truth in Mawlana's worldview: every being, from the most exalted to the most humble, acts according to its inherent nature and creation. This preordained disposition does not impede the work of others.

I firmly believe that Mawlana here offers not merely a description of the world, but a profound psychological and existential instruction. The moon symbolizes luminosity, perfection, and divine grace; its function is to radiate light. The dog, used here as a symbol of a low-minded, protesting being, barks and creates nuisance. Can the barking of a dog alter the path or nature of the moon? Never! The moon continues to shed light, and the dog continues to bark. Each 'acts according to its own nature' (literally, 'spins on its own creation'); that is, they weave the fabric of their existence and act in accordance with what they were created to be.

This is not a system of opposition, but one of profound equilibrium. As Mawlana elaborates elsewhere, 'Divine decree has assigned a service to everyone, / Testing their essence according to it.' Divine providence, the wise management of the cosmos, has appointed every being to a specific task, testing it according to its intrinsic nature. The existence of seemingly contradictory and even harmful elements is part of this sagacious design. Just as vinegar and honey, despite their contrasting tastes and temperaments, blend in sekanjebin (a Persian sweet-and-sour drink) to create a beneficial 'third entity,' so too do the world's opposing elements complete the cosmic order. Divine wrath (symbolized by vinegar) and divine grace (by honey) are both pillars of this world, and neither can be eliminated.

Mawlana's lesson here is that we should not be deterred from our essential path by the 'barking of dogs'—that is, by opposition, denial, and slander. He who is tasked with radiating light must shine, and he whose work is protest and nuisance will revolve in his own sphere. Just as Noah, peace be upon him, preached for nine hundred years while his people's denial grew, yet he did not cease his proclamation. For, as Mawlana asks, 'Do caravans ever turn back from their path / Because of the barking and clamor of dogs?' No, the caravan proceeds on its journey, and the moon continues to shed its light. Our duty is to act according to 'our own creation,' oblivious to the clamor and discord of our surroundings. This is the lesson of steadfastness, self-knowledge, and trust in the divine wisdom pervading the universe.

Key takeaways

• Every being acts according to its inherent nature and disposition, without being affected or hindered by others.
• The presence of opposites and seemingly undesirable elements in the world is part of divine wisdom, maintaining cosmic equilibrium.
• The seeker must not be deterred by opposition or the 'barking of dogs' from their essential path and purpose; the caravan proceeds regardless.
• The lesson of this verse is steadfastness and perseverance in radiating light and fulfilling one's intrinsic duty.
• Self-knowledge and understanding one's place in the order of creation are key to grasping this wisdom and refraining from complaint.