M6:647 — هر دو گر یک نام دارد در سخن / لیک شتان این حسن تا آن حسن

Translation: Though both may bear a single name in speech, Yet vast the difference 'twixt this 'good' and that. (The Persian word 'حسن' can mean 'goodness' or be a proper name 'Hasan').Meaning: This verse cautions against being misled by superficial resemblances or shared names. It highlights that the inner reality and true worth of two ostensibly similar things can be profoundly different, like two people named 'Hasan' with entirely contrasting characters.

Mowlana, in this verse, addresses one of the most significant challenges to understanding in the world, particularly in the realm of meaning: the deceptive nature of 'homonymy' (اشتراک لفظ) and superficial appearances. This couplet follows his discussion of two types of intoxication (masti) and two kinds of musicians (motreb): one, the physical musician leading to carnal wine; the other, the spiritual musician guiding towards divine wine. Mowlana emphatically states that while we may use the same words like 'musician' or 'intoxication' for both, we must not be fooled by linguistic similarity.

I have often remarked that Hafiz says: 'I am drunk on the enchantment of your eyes, and he on the scent of your locks.' This illustrates that intoxications are manifold. But what Mowlana emphasizes here is that even among spiritual intoxications, there are distinctions: some become intoxicated by the cup-bearer (sāqī), others by the cup itself. These are two distinct paths, both of which can lead to union, yet their quality of journey and delight differ.

To elucidate 'Yet vast the difference 'twixt this 'good' and that' (lik shattān în hosn tā ān hosn), Mowlana himself offers a parabolic tale in the Mathnavi. He recounts a poet who heard of a generous vizier named Hasan, renowned for his lavish rewards. The poet composed an ode, presented it, and received ample recompense. Years later, falling into financial straits again, he composed another poem, hoping for the same generosity, and went to the vizier. Unbeknownst to him, the benevolent vizier had died, replaced by another, also named Hasan, but one who was exceedingly stingy. When the poet awaited his reward, he was told: 'From this Hasan to that Hasan, there's a hundred fathoms of rope' (meaning a vast difference). Mowlana, by recalling this story, states: 'Though both may bear a single name in speech / Yet vast the difference 'twixt this 'good' and that.' The name is the same, but the reality is utterly distinct.

This is a fundamental lesson. 'There is a similarity in words, but look at the difference between heaven and thread.' The Persian word for 'mistake' (eshtebāh) stems from 'similarity' (shabāhat); when we mistake one thing for another, it is often due to their superficial resemblance. This linguistic similarity, in Mowlana's words, is always a 'highwayman' (rahzan), leading one astray. In ancient philosophy, and indeed in contemporary debates, many misunderstandings and sophistries arise from this very homonymy. Words like 'secular' in our time carry multiple meanings, and if these are not differentiated, dialogues remain fruitless.

This discussion leads to the deeper concept of 'soul' (jān) and 'body' (jesm). Mowlana states: 'Bodies are like jars with sealed mouths; look at what is within each jar.' The bodies of humans are like words, and their souls are like meanings. We must not be content with appearances. 'The eye of the body always sees the body; the eye of the soul sees the soul, full of artifice.' One who possesses the insight of the soul penetrates beyond the outward form to perceive the inner truth. Mowlana does not exempt his own Mathnavi from this rule, declaring: 'Thus, from the form of Mathnavi's words / A form that misguides, and a meaning that guides.' This implies that for those who cling to its external form and lack the capacity to penetrate its inner essence, the Mathnavi can be misleading. Yet, for those attuned to meaning, it is a guide – just as the Quran is guidance for some and misguidance for others. 'If your understanding is like the wine of Satan / How could you conceive of the wine of the All-Merciful?' This is an invitation to transcend appearances and open the eye of the heart to discern the profound differences hidden behind superficial similarities.

Key takeaways

• Names and appearances can be deceiving; true reality resides within the essence.
• Homonymy (sharing the same name) is one of the greatest 'highwaymen' of understanding on the spiritual path.
• Spiritual intoxication and the spiritual musician, despite linguistic similarities, are fundamentally different from their physical counterparts.
• To grasp truth, one must transcend the 'eye of the body' that sees only form, and engage the 'eye of the soul' that penetrates meaning's depth.
• Even sacred texts like the Mathnavi or Quran can 'misguide' those who are superficial, but 'guide' those with perceptive hearts.