M3:141 — من به تبلیغ رسالت آمدم / تا رهانم مر شما را از ندم

This couplet is spoken by the wise old man who has come to warn the villagers about the dangers of hunting elephant calves. He frames his advice not as mere opinion, but as a divine 'message' (رسالت) — implying it carries significant weight and truth. His intention is purely benevolent: to 'deliver' (رهانم) them from 'regret' (ندم). This regret will inevitably follow if they continue their destructive practice of killing young elephants, which will provoke the wrath of the adult elephants and lead to their downfall.

The sage's words here highlight a recurring theme in the Masnavi: the importance of heeding spiritual guidance and prophetic warnings to avoid self-inflicted suffering. He is acting as a messenger, much like a prophet, conveying a truth that, while perhaps unwelcome, is ultimately for their own good. The story will soon show that those who ignore his warning indeed fall into deep regret and ruin.