M2:1075 — لحن داوودی چنان محبوب بود / لیک بر محروم بانگِ چوب بود

This beyt is part of a larger discussion in the Masnavi about how the same phenomenon or blessing can have vastly different effects depending on the recipient's inner state. Rumi uses several examples to drive this point home, following the idea that 'the same water from the same cloud gives a pearl to the oyster and a snake to the snake' (a common Sufi trope). Here, the 'melody of David' (لحن داوودی, laḥn-e Dāvūdī) refers to the legendary beauty of Prophet David's voice, which was said to charm all of creation, even mountains and birds. It represents something universally recognized as beautiful, divine, and beneficial.

However, for the 'deprived' (محروم, maḥrūm), this same enchanting sound is perceived as merely the 'sound of a stick' (بانگِ چوب, bāng-e chūb). This stark contrast highlights the idea that spiritual receptivity is paramount. The 'deprived' are those whose hearts are closed, perhaps due to envy, ignorance, or a lack of spiritual insight, as seen in the broader story of the jealous courtiers (حشم) towards the beloved slave (غلام خاص). Their inner state prevents them from experiencing the true essence of the divine melody, transforming it into something mundane or even irritating. The beyt thus underscores that the value and impact of a blessing are not solely in its inherent quality but also in the beholder's capacity to receive and appreciate it.