M6:1130 — شهسواران در سباقت تاختند / خربطان در پایگه انداختند

Translation: The champion horsemen galloped forth in rivalry; the sluggish ones cast themselves down at the starting post. Meaning: This verse illustrates the stark contrast between earnest, high-spirited seekers (the champions) who strive for spiritual progress, and the lazy, unambitious individuals (the sluggish ones) who abandon the journey at its very outset.

This verse, situated within the narrative of the "backward-going horse," vividly portrays the divergent aspirations of humanity on the path of spiritual journeying. Before this beyt, Rumi recounted the tale of a horse that would only move backward, drawing from it a profound lesson: that one should not attempt to uproot or annihilate the carnal faculties of the soul, such as lust and anger. Instead, they must be tamed and re-directed towards their true, ultimate destination. Here, Rumi delineates two distinct groups of people: one that succeeds in mastering this "horse" and advancing towards the goal, and another that utterly fails.

The shahsavārān (champion horsemen or spiritual knights) are those whose souls are like swift, docile steeds, galloping with fervent zeal towards their spiritual aim, excelling in this divine "competition" (sabāqat). They are the practitioners of sayrān-i ḥubb (the journey of love) and garm-ravī (rapid, ardent progression), traversing a path that might span seven hundred years as if merely stepping from one side of a prayer rug to the other. This mirrors the swift journey of Moses (Mūsa-yi Kalīm) to the Majma' al-Baḥrayn (the meeting of two seas), where his physical travel was perceived with such speed. These individuals, rather than denying or suppressing the self, harness its energies for elevation, understanding that any faculty, if properly oriented, can serve a higher purpose.

In stark contrast stand the kharbatān. Rumi himself defines kharbat as a "lazy, big-bellied duck, like a bumblebee" – a creature that is slow, sluggish, and devoid of high ambition. These individuals neither tame their inner nafs-horse nor redirect it toward the goal. Instead, they "cast themselves down" (andākhtand) at the pāy-gah, the very starting point, ceasing all effort. Due to their lack of resolve and comfort-seeking, they fail to take a single step, thereby forfeiting the opportunity for sayrān-i ḥubb.

In this beyt, Rumi effectively underscores the distinction between "people of high resolve" (ahl-i himmat) and "those without resolve" (bī-himmatān). The shahsavārān ardently compete towards the light, while the kharbatān remain trapped in their initial darkness, not necessarily due to incapacity, but primarily due to a lack of will and an unwillingness to strive. This serves as a potent reminder that in spiritual journeying, the resolve of men and women, like a swift steed, plays a crucial role, without which even latent potentials remain unactualized.

Key takeaways

• Rumi categorizes humanity into two groups: shahsavārān (high-spirited, earnest seekers) and kharbatān (lazy, uninspired individuals).
• The shahsavārān actively strive and advance with spiritual zeal in the path of truth and competition.
• The kharbatān collapse at the very outset of the journey, ceasing all movement and effort.
• This verse emphasizes the paramount importance of 'resolve' (himmat) and 'effort' in spiritual endeavor.
• Instead of eradicating carnal faculties, Rumi advocates for taming and properly directing them for the 'journey of love' (sayrān-i ḥubb).
• Rapid and ardent progression (garm-ravī) is characteristic of the champions, enabling them to traverse vast distances in an instant.