M6:1582 — آن ترش‌رویی مادر یا پدر / حافظ فرزند شد از هر ضرر

Translation: That sour-facedness (tursh-rūyī) of a mother or father / Became the protector (hāfiz) of the child from every harm. Meaning: This verse suggests that the stern or displeased demeanor of parents, though seemingly harsh, serves as a safeguard for the child, ultimately protecting them from various dangers and benefiting their well-being.

Mowlana, in this verse, points to a deep and paradoxical truth: the sour-facedness or sternness of a mother or father, which appears unpleasant and even hurtful, is in reality the protector and guardian of the child from every harm and danger. I have emphasized in my lectures that these seemingly harsh expressions, which at times resemble a grief that brings tears, ultimately lead to the child's joy and happiness. This offers a clear illustration of the fact that not every apparent joy is good, nor is every bitterness or adversity evil. Just as the tearful rain of a cloud makes the meadow laugh, or the tear-like wax of a candle illuminates a home, so too does a certain severity or strictness, born of compassion and benevolence, sow the seeds of future felicity. A child does not always see the smiles of their parents; sometimes they also encounter their rebuke and sternness, and indeed, they must, for these are ultimately for their benefit. We live in a world that exhibits a strong inclination towards superficial joys and a disregard for sorrows and hardships. Yet, Mowlana teaches us that true delight and pleasure are sometimes hidden within these very sorrows and earnest strictures, much like a treasure found in ruins. This verse invites us to contemplate how many of life's pains and unpleasant experiences are, in truth, our guardians and guides toward growth and perfection; just as the sternness of a parent prevents a child from falling into the pit of ignorance and error.

Key takeaways

• Apparent obstacles or sternness can inwardly be guardians and guides to ultimate good.
• Parental sternness symbolizes profound care and foresight for the child's well-being.
• True benefit is sometimes hidden behind outwardly unpleasant appearances.
• Hardships and limitations can prevent greater harms and dangers.
• This verse critiques superficial views of pain, emphasizing the hidden good within it.