M6:634 — گر جهان پر شد ز نور آفتاب / کی بود خوار آن تف خوش‌التهاب

Translation: Should the world be filled with the sun's light, How could that gladly-inflamed warmth ever be deemed worthless? Meaning: This verse argues that the abundance of a precious thing does not diminish its value. Just as the pervasive light of the sun never loses its inherent worth, so too the presence of many enlightened souls does not lessen their esteem.

This beyt articulates a profound philosophical and mystical point that has always been a subject of discussion: does the abundance of a phenomenon diminish its value? Rumi, here, gives a definitive answer: “No, absolutely not.” He offers a tangible, sensory example that is accessible to all: “Should the world be filled with the sun's light, / How could that gladly-inflamed warmth ever be deemed worthless?” If the entire world were inundated with sunlight, would this light, this life-giving and pleasant warmth, become valueless? Certainly not. Sunlight, even if it shines relentlessly day after day, pervading all corners, remains cherished, precious, and indispensable.

Rumi extends this very principle to the realm of meaning and to elevated human beings. Prior to this verse, in the discussion of the 'intoxicated by the Beloved' (sarmastān-i yār), the point was made that even if the saints of truth and the mystics who have attained reality are numerous, this multitude does not detract from their worth. I observe that Rumi sometimes does not explicitly state the logical connections between verses, and it becomes the exegete's task to build these bridges. This beyt continues that very thought: the abundance of spiritually accomplished individuals does not diminish their intrinsic value. An awakened and aware human being is never considered 'worthless,' even if countless others are like them. This stance stands in direct opposition to market and economic logic, which bases valuation on scarcity. But spiritual values are of a different order; their worth is intrinsic, not incidental or dependent on supply and demand.

The ‘gladly-inflamed warmth’ (taf-i khosh-eltehāb) that Rumi speaks of is the inner heat, the passion of love, and the spiritual insight that ignites the being of elevated individuals. This warmth, far from being devalued by its multiplicity, is itself a source of life and illumination for others. It is at this juncture that Rumi prepares his audience for a higher plane of understanding. He wishes to convey that this intrinsic value is not only unaffected by quantity but also serves as a foundation for further spiritual ascent. In the subsequent beyt, he says: “Yet, with all this, step higher.” This means that even this level of value and abundance is not the endpoint, and further horizons for spiritual journeying are open.

Key takeaways

• The abundance of a precious phenomenon never diminishes its true value.
• Spiritual values, unlike commodities, are intrinsic and not dependent on scarcity or multiplicity.
• Rumi uses the metaphor of sunlight to reject the idea that sublime values lose worth due to their prevalence.
• The 'gladly-inflamed warmth' symbolizes the fervor of love and spiritual insight, which does not wane with multitude.
• This verse invites understanding that the presence of noble souls remains precious, even in their abundance.