M6:2435 — آن یکی شاخش فرو شد در زمین / چشمهٔ دارو برون آمد معین

Translation: One of its branches sank into the earth, / A spring of medicine then clearly emerged. Meaning: This verse, part of the Jewish traveler's dream, describes how one of the mountain's branches, after a divine manifestation, sinks into the ground, from which a clear, healing spring then gushes forth.

This verse, from a profoundly rich section of the Masnavi, embodies a deep spiritual experience; it is not merely an external account of natural phenomena. This scene unfolds within the dream of the Jewish traveler, where, following a divine manifestation of light upon Mount Tor, the mountain splits into three branches. Here, Mowlana subtly transcends the language and narrative of Moses himself to represent the true nature of mystical experiences.

I insist that these extraordinary events are, first and foremost, internal and visionary occurrences. When the Quran states, "wa kharra Mūsā ṣaʿiqan" (Moses fell unconscious), it must be understood that this unconsciousness stemmed not from a literal, objective observation, but from the intensity of an inner, spiritual encounter. Mount Tor, in external reality, remained in its place; it is Moses who, in his trance, perceives the mountain's transformations. Here, we encounter the same logic: the mountain is transformed within the realm of the dream, under the light of divine tajallī.

The image of one branch of the mountain sinking into the earth and a spring of "medicine" gushing forth is a profound symbol of the transformative effects of divine light. Just as in the preceding verse, another branch sweetens bitter sea water, here a spring with healing properties emerges. This reveals to me that divine manifestations are always accompanied by goodness and blessings, by sweetness and by healing. This "spring of medicine" is the very blessing of the "waḥy-i mustaṭāb" (blessed revelation) that Mowlana speaks of. Revelation, here, is not merely linguistic utterance, but a silent command and indication; a force that transforms nature, heals wounds, and unveils truth.

I find the simplistic interpretations that label these branches as symbols of prophethood or walāyat (sainthood) to be insufficient, and I set them aside. Mowlana, in this section, is more concerned with a direct description of the power of divine manifestation and its effects on the reality of existence. He wishes to convey that wherever divine light shines, springs of healing and sweetness will open. This perspective, especially within the narrative of a Jewish person's dream, underscores a broader understanding of divine grace that is not confined to one particular religion or path; rather, its manifestation and effects are universal and pervasive. This is precisely why Mowlana concludes this narrative by stating: "Hich kāfir-rā ba khwārī mangarīd / Ke mosalmān mordanash bāshad umīd" (Never look down upon any unbeliever / For he might die a Muslim, there is hope). This is where our view, of the pluralism of salvation, originates.

Key takeaways

• Divine manifestations can transform reality within dreams and inner experiences, not necessarily in the tangible world.
• Divine light is always accompanied by healing and blessings, capable of bringing forth springs of medicine from the depths of being.
• Revelation and inspiration are not merely words; they are silent, transformative forces that impact both nature and the soul.
• Mowlana dismisses superficial and forced symbolic interpretations of mystical experiences, remaining faithful to the essence of the experience itself.
• Divine grace and favor are not limited to one religion or creed; springs of healing and sweetness can emerge from any spiritual path.