M6:3311 — ای عجب کو آن دم چون ذوالفقار / آنک کردی عقل‌ها را بی‌قرار

Translation: Alas, where is that breath like Dhul-faqar, that which made intellects restless? Meaning: This verse expresses a yearning for a powerful, piercing utterance or spiritual presence, akin to the legendary sword Dhul-faqar, which could cut through sorrows and stir the intellect from its complacency into a state of restless seeking.

In this verse, Rumi, speaking through the voice of an agitated seeker, articulates a profound longing and lament: the absence of a potent "breath" (dam or nafas) that possesses both liberating and unsettling power. This "breath" is not merely a physical exhalation but symbolizes a forceful utterance, wisdom, or a penetrating spiritual presence capable of transforming individuals and the world.

The metaphor of Dhul-faqar (Imam Ali's legendary sword) is central here. We must, however, resist getting lost in the mythical narratives surrounding the sword. Dhul-faqar, in this context, is significant not for its physical form or historical tales, but for its intrinsic quality of sharpness and its ability to sever and tear apart. Just as the sword Dhul-faqar would cut through the threads of sorrow and untangle complex knots, this spiritual "breath" is capable of eradicating the roots of grief and unraveling intellectual quandaries. This "breath like Dhul-faqar" represents decisive wisdom and a powerful spirit that can dispel confusion and pave the way forward.

The phrase, "that which made intellects restless," holds a crucial insight. This restlessness of intellects is not a negative or blameworthy state. Intellects often fall into a kind of lethargy and self-sufficiency, content with what they already know. But this "breath like Dhul-faqar," like a bolt of lightning, stirs these complacent intellects, dislodging them from their settled state. This restlessness is not born of agitation or distress, but from an awakening and a desire to discover greater truths. It is as if the intellect is roused from a slumber of heedlessness, prompting it to no longer be satisfied with its limited knowledge and to seek beyond. This fervor is the engine driving towards deeper understanding.

This longing for that "breath" is immediately linked to the subsequent "kū kū" (where? where?) question, which Rumi articulates through the voice of the dove in later verses. This "kū" ultimately points to the source of divine attributes—mercy, power, purity, and sagacity. Thus, the yearning for that "breath like Dhul-faqar" is, in essence, a yearning for connection to the sacred fount of wisdom and influence; a desire to find words emanating from that source, possessing the capacity for enlightenment and transformation. This verse implicitly serves as Rumi's invitation to listen to the very breath he has breathed into the Masnavi itself—a breath that, while stemming from his own soul, has its roots in the unseen source and unsettles intellects not for their destruction, but for their constructive awakening.

Key takeaways

• The verse expresses longing for a potent and penetrating spiritual presence or utterance.
• The "breath like Dhul-faqar" symbolizes wisdom that can cut through the knots of sorrow and thought.
• The restlessness of intellects is a positive awakening, a revolt against complacency to seek deeper truths.
• This "breath" emanates from a divine source, pointing to God's attributes of mercy, power, and sagacity.
• Rumi invites the listener to embrace this intellectual restlessness as a path toward profound spiritual knowledge.