M6:3584 — از ره پنهان ز عینین پسر / می‌کشید آبی نخیل آن پدر

Translation: From a hidden path, from the two eyes of the son, that father, like a palm, would draw water. Meaning: This verse illustrates how a father could derive vital energy and spiritual nourishment in a subtle, non-physical way, simply through the sight of and ocular connection with his son.

In this verse, Mowlana presents a profound image of non-material, spiritual sustenance. He likens the father to a tall, fruit-bearing palm tree, yielding sweet dates. But the question arises: whence does this palm draw its nourishment? From the soil? From subterranean waters? No, Mowlana's answer is striking: "From a hidden path, from the two eyes of the son, that father—a palm—would draw water."

This palm (the father) would drink water from his son's eyes. That is to say, the mere exchange of glances between father and son became sustenance for the father, rendering him fruitful. This is not merely a poetic description of a father's joy, though undoubtedly, the sight of a worthy child is one of life's rare delights, providing immense spiritual nourishment. Yet, Mowlana points to something deeper.

I want to emphasize that this interpretation transcends simple human emotions. Mowlana here reminds us that nourishment is not always material, tangible, or visible. We should not, whenever "food" and "sustenance" are mentioned, seek bulky, palpable morsels. Sometimes, a mere "sight" or a "gaze" is itself the food, becoming the source of persistence and fertility.

This concept is articulated with greater clarity elsewhere in the Masnavi. Mowlana, in Book Three, speaks of the nourishment of angels and the spiritual elect (abdal-e haqq):

Gabriel’s strength was not from a kitchen; It was from beholding the Loving Creator.

Gabriel, the powerful angel whose immense strength is described in the Quran and traditions, was he nourished by physical food? No, "it was from beholding the Loving Creator." A mere "vision" and "beholding" of God provided him with strength and power. The spiritual elect also draw their sustenance "from God, not from food or platter.". Therefore, what we observe in this verse concerning the father and son is a human example of a more general principle in Mowlana's worldview: sustenance can be entirely non-material, deriving from vision, perception, and spiritual connection. This is the deeper meaning Mowlana wishes to unveil through this narrative.

Key takeaways

• Nourishment is not always material; sometimes, a glance or a vision itself is sustenance.
• The father is likened to a palm tree, flourishing and drawing vital energy through ocular connection with his son.
• This narrative is a human instance of a broader principle in Mowlana's worldview: non-material sustenance.
• Mowlana's expansive concept of "strength" includes divine vision for angels and the spiritual elect.
• The profound value of deep spiritual and emotional connections as a source of life.