M6:3656 — رغبتی زین منع در دلشان برست / که بباید سر آن را باز جست

Translation: A desire, from this prohibition, arose in their hearts / That they must seek out its secret. Meaning: The father's prohibition unexpectedly ignited a fervent desire in the princes' hearts to discover the secret of the forbidden castle, because human nature tends to covet what is denied.

In this allegorical tale by Mawlana, a king forbids his sons from approaching a certain forbidden castle. Yet, this prohibition, intended by the father to protect them from harm, yields a completely contrary outcome. I contend that Mawlana here points to a fundamental psychological truth deeply rooted in human nature: A desire, from this prohibition, arose in their hearts / That they must seek out its secret. That is to say, the father's warning, this very prohibition, only sharpened the princes' ardor. Had the father not uttered these words and not cautioned them against that castle, it is entirely possible that their inclination would never have turned towards it, nor would they have paid any attention to that obscure and distant stronghold. A castle that, prior to this interdiction, was not even known or recognized, but was 'well-concealed.'

This is a point Mawlana himself elucidates more directly: Who is it that refrains from what is forbidden? / For 'Man is covetous of what is forbidden.' This Arabic adage, though not a Hadith but a general truth about people, manifests itself here in its most exquisite form. Such is the nature of humanity: it does not refrain from what is forbidden; rather, when one is prohibited from something, one does not submit to the prohibition but becomes even more avid. The desire to uncover what is hidden and forbidden does not diminish; it ignites, drawing man towards seeking out the secret of that forbidden mystery. This is a profound insight by Mawlana into the human psyche, expressed here with absolute clarity.

Key takeaways

• Prohibition, contrary to its initial intent, can ignite desire and curiosity.
• Human nature is intrinsically more covetous of that which is forbidden.
• Denial can spark the urge within the human heart to seek out secrets and hidden matters.
• The dictum 'Man is covetous of what is forbidden' articulates a universal psychological truth.