M6:2899 — معده نان را می‌کشد تا مستقر / می‌کشد مر آب را تف جگر

Translation: The stomach pulls bread to settle within itself; the liver's thirst pulls water. Meaning: This couplet illustrates the principle of homogenetic attraction at a physical level, demonstrating how various elements in the cosmos draw to themselves that which is akin to their nature.

This couplet, along with its kindred verses, points to one of the most fundamental laws governing existence: the law of attraction between like kinds. This principle is not confined to the realm of spirit and meaning but is plainly visible in the world of bodies and instincts. Just as every particle in the cosmos "attracts its own kind, like amber and straw," so too does the stomach pull bread to settle within it, and the parched liver calls for water. This mutual attraction is evident not only in the physical sphere but also in our senses and perceptions; the eye is drawn to beauty, and the mind and nose seek out pleasant aromas.

These material analogies serve as a bridge to a deeper, more profound concern for Rumi: spiritual attractions and pulls. From his perspective, we find ourselves in a vast marketplace of pulls and attractions; many things in this world draw us towards themselves and seek to acquire us. But the crucial question is: to whom do we sell ourselves, and at what price? Is the value we assign to ourselves commensurate with our exalted station?

Inspired by Quranic teachings and prophetic wisdom, Rumi emphasizes that the only true and worthy "Purchaser" is God. He is the one who buys the souls and possessions of believers, offering paradise and His own vision in return. «Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties in exchange for Paradise.» This is a transaction in which, even if you outwardly give something away, you are in fact elevating it to its highest possible rank, like copper that breaks before the alchemical touch and transforms into gold. Here, the words of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) find their meaning: «How bad is the trade that you consider this world to be the price of your soul,» meaning, what a poor bargain it is to deem this world worthy of your essence, to sell yourself cheaply.

Rumi, through this expression, warns the audience against underestimating their own worth and selling themselves to fleeting, earthly attractions. He himself says elsewhere: «O you whose intellect, wisdom, and discernment are your servants / Why then do you sell yourself so cheaply?» He supplicates to God, saying: «From these attractions, O God, keeper of secrets / Grant us refuge in Your own graceful attraction / You are dominant over all attractors, O Purchaser / It is fitting that You buy back the distressed.» This prayer is the manifestation of a profound gnosis: that while the world is full of attractions, the attraction of divine grace and guardianship prevails over all these pulls, and only He can "buy back" the distressed and redeem them from misguidance.

Key takeaways

• The Law of Homogeneous Attraction: Existence is founded upon the mutual pull of like components, both physical and spiritual.
• Material Attractions as Metaphor: The stomach's pull for bread and the liver's for water are instinctive examples hinting at higher spiritual attractions.
• The Marketplace of Worldly Attractions: We exist in a world filled with diverse pulls that seek to draw us in and claim us.
• Exalted Value and the True Purchaser: Human existence is precious, and God alone is the worthy and true Buyer, offering Paradise and His own vision as recompense.
• Warning Against Selling Oneself Cheaply: One must not barter their intrinsic worth for the fleeting attractions of the world, but rather seek divine grace to be liberated from such false pulls.