M1:188 — «کای لطیف استاد کامل معرفت / فاش اندر شهرها از تو صفت

Translation: O subtle master, perfect in knowledge (of your craft), Your fame is spread across the cities. Meaning: This verse is part of the envoys' flattery of the goldsmith, deceitfully praising his mastery and widespread fame in his craft to lure him to the king.

I have emphasized that in the Masnavi, "one action gives rise to another" (kār az kār khīzad). The chain of events is neither accidental nor merely narrative; each occurrence serves as a prelude to another, with a distinct purpose and outcome. This verse, ostensibly a praise of the goldsmith, is in fact a "kiss of death" that lures him towards his destruction. The king's envoys, by "putting watermelons under his arm" (a Persian idiom for flattering), draw him into a pit of which he remains unaware. They tell him: "You yourself do not know, you are world-famous. Everywhere, people speak of you, your name flows everywhere, and you are a master of knowledge, a perfect master of this goldsmith's art." These words are not uttered out of sincerity, but to "deceive" (ghurūr dādan) the goldsmith, to beguile him.

The unfortunate goldsmith, imagining that he will achieve "kingship, glory, and mastery" (mulk-o ʿizz-o mih-tarī) and a high position in the king's court, abandons his family and city. He embarks joyfully on a journey that is, in reality, his journey to death. He does not know that the gold and robes given to him are not gifts, but his "blood-money" (khūn-bahā), the recompense for the blood that is soon to be shed. This is the "ill-fate" (sūʾ al-qaẓā) that Mowlana speaks of: an individual, with their own feet and full consent, walks towards a dreadful destiny that has been laid out for them. I interpret this as akin to Judas's kiss, which outwardly appeared as affection but was, in essence, betrayal and a precursor to death.

Mowlana demonstrates here how avarice and deceit alienate a person from their true self and blind them to reality. The goldsmith seemingly moves towards status and wealth, but in reality, he steps towards annihilation. This is a crucial point: worldly ambitions and desires sometimes become veils over bitter realities and a grim destiny, leading humanity unknowingly into the trap of death and transience.

Key takeaways

• The false praise of the goldsmith serves as a prelude to his deception.
• Deceit, coupled with greed for wealth and status, lures the goldsmith to his death.
• This event exemplifies the 'kiss of death': an outwardly welcoming yet lethal invitation.
• The principle of 'one action leads to another' (kār az kār khīzad) is at play: a seemingly benevolent act conceals a sinister end.
• The goldsmith willingly walks towards 'ill-fate' (sūʾ al-qaẓā).