M6:583 — گربهٔ دیگر همی‌گردد به بام / کز شکار مرغ یابید او طعام

Translation: Another cat keeps roaming on the roof, So that it may find its food by hunting birds. Meaning: This verse illustrates how a creature instinctively seeks its sustenance, in this case through active hunting and self-reliance, having established this method as its habitual approach.

Here, Rumi presents another tableau of seeking sustenance. Earlier, he spoke of a cat accustomed to a certain 'hole' from which it had received food, implying that every creature instinctively turns towards the hand that has fed it. Now, we encounter a different cat: one that no longer adheres to a fixed source, but roams the rooftops, finding its sustenance by hunting birds. This cat embodies an approach where provision is sought not from a constant spring, but through active effort, struggle, and by engaging with the means and causes of the world.

This parable, however, extends beyond animals; Rumi applies it to the human condition. Humankind, too, is inherently and instinctively drawn towards its ultimate source of sustenance and peace. A prisoner's gaze is perpetually fixed on the door, knowing that release lies beyond it. Similarly, our souls, having once received spiritual nourishment from the 'placeless' (lā-makān), always turn their inner eye towards that realm. We spontaneously lift our hands to the heavens and commune with the Divine in solitude. This innate yearning for God, this spiritual cognizance, is woven into our very being; it signifies that we originated from Him and shall return to Him.

Among humans, there exist diverse 'qiblas' (directions of spiritual focus) and myriad paths for seeking sustenance. One dedicates their life to weaving, another performs guard duty for a meager wage. Each individual directs their efforts towards a particular goal, investing their life in a chosen endeavor. Yet, Rumi extols a particular category of individuals whom he labels 'bīkār' (the unoccupied or unburdened); those who have detached themselves from all worldly pursuits and turned directly towards the Placeless. They receive their sustenance without intermediaries, without reliance on worldly means or causes, directly from the hand of Truth. Their primary 'work' is to become a devotee of God, and for this singular task, they have abandoned all other 'works.' They are not like the children of this world who engage in 'tarehālbāzī' (meaningless games) day and night; rather, they are dedicated to the most essential task of their lives.

This distinction precisely mirrors the message conveyed by Jesus in the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was occupied with numerous tasks of hospitality, while Mary sat by Jesus, listening to his words. Jesus told Martha that she was anxious about many things, but Mary had chosen the 'one thing' that was superior to a hundred tasks: to surrender her heart and be present in the Beloved's presence. Rumi, through this feline imagery and the verses that follow, teaches us to perpetually seek that 'one work' which encompasses all others and directly connects humanity to the spring of existence and divine provision.

Key takeaways

• Human nature is intrinsically drawn towards its ultimate source of sustenance and peace.
• Rumi uses the imagery of two types of cats to symbolize two modes of seeking sustenance: from a fixed source and through active hunting/effort.
• Like these cats, humans either seek sustenance directly from the Divine or through worldly means and causes.
• Rumi praises those who have detached from all other pursuits to focus solely on God (the 'unoccupied' devotees).
• The biblical story of Martha and Mary serves as a parallel, highlighting the superiority of choosing 'the one essential work' over numerous auxiliary tasks.
• Our sense of alienation in this world reinforces the indelible memory of our true home and presence with the Divine.