M6:2430 — نور دیگر از دل آن نور رست / پس ترقی جست آن ثانیش چست

Translation: Another light sprang from the heart of that light; then that second light swiftly ascended and progressed. Meaning: This verse describes the progression and intensification of divine manifestations within a spiritual experience, where a new light emerges from a preceding one and rapidly ascends to higher states.

I believe the Masnavi is a profound record of sacred experiences, and this verse, uttered through the voice of the Jewish traveler, undoubtedly depicts the zenith of one such grand encounter. Here, Rumi, with unparalleled subtlety yet his characteristic depth, speaks of the successive and intensifying manifestations of divine light.

The Jewish traveler's account of seeing Moses on Mount Sinai (Kuh-i Tur) is not an ordinary dream, but a deep visionary experience (mukashafa). He, Moses, and the mountain itself all vanish in the initial light. This "effacement" is in fact the shattering and liberation from self in the face of divine awe, a theme recurrent in the Masnavi. But this is not the end of the story; this initial light itself becomes an "opening of a door" (fath-i bāb) for subsequent manifestations.

Then, from the heart of that very first light, "another light sprang from the heart of that light." This point is profoundly important. Divine light is not a static or singular phenomenon; it is continuous, dynamic, growing from its own essence and evolving. It is as if truth, at each stage of unveiling, itself prepares the ground for deeper revelations. Here, we speak of a light that "swiftly ascended and progressed." This progression is accompanied by "swiftness" (chustī), meaning that this advance in spiritual experience is not slow and gradual, but seems to propel the seeker rapidly toward higher stages, allowing no time for hesitation or delay.

This manifestation and light are of the nature of wahy (revelation/inspiration); not wahy in the sense of segmented, verbal speech, but rather as a "subtle hint" (ishāra-yi khafīya), a "speechless manifestation" that, despite its muteness, commands and forbids, shattering the soul. As the Quran states, qawlan thaqīlan – a heavy word that tears apart the human soul and causes Moses to fall unconscious to the ground. This light is not merely "visible," but "comprehensible" and "impactful." This is why, later in this dream, Mount Sinai melts under Moses's feet, the sea turns sweet, and healing springs flow. These are all objective and transformative effects of this very progression and sequence of light.

This experience demonstrates that divine truth is, at every moment, engaged in "another affair" (kullu yawmin huwa fī shaʾn); and reaching truth is an endless journey through stages of light that spring from one another and are constantly moving towards perfection and ascent. This is not merely an individual experience, but seems to be an exposition of the overall architecture of the world of meaning and the manner in which truth manifests within it.

Key takeaways

• Divine manifestations are continuous and evolving; one light becomes the ground for another.
• Progress in spiritual experience can occur with "swiftness" and intensity, not always gradually.
• This light and manifestation constitute a speechless revelation (wahy) that, with awe and authority, shatters and transforms the soul.
• Divine light also produces objective and material effects, such as healing and changing nature.
• Attaining truth is an infinite journey through stages of light and unfolding revelation.