M4:1874 — در پناه پنبه و کبریتها / شعله و نورش برآید بر سها

This beyt continues Rumi's analogy of spiritual growth, comparing it to the kindling of a fire. The 'cotton and kindling' (پنبه و کبریتها) represent the humble, often unseen, initial supports for a nascent spiritual flame. Just as a fire starts small and requires simple fuel, the journey of the seeker begins with subtle stirrings and basic practices. The 'Pleiades' (سها) is a cluster of stars, often used in Persian poetry to denote great height or a distant, brilliant object. Therefore, the phrase 'ascend to the Pleiades' signifies that this initially small flame will eventually reach immense spiritual heights, illuminating the 'dark world' (عالم تاریک) mentioned in the next couplet (M4:1875). This imagery reinforces the idea that profound spiritual transformation often starts from modest beginnings, echoing the earlier comparison of the seeker's soul to a 'worm' that transforms into a 'dragon' (M4:1870) or a faint 'spark' that becomes a blazing 'fire' (M4:1871-1872). It's a message of hope and potential, emphasizing that even the smallest inner light, when nurtured, can achieve celestial radiance.