M6:3667 — گونه‌گونه خوردنی‌ها صد هزار / جمله یک چیزست اندر اعتبار

Translation: A hundred thousand kinds of diverse foods exist; All are but one thing in true consideration. Meaning: Rumi asserts that myriad varieties of food, despite their apparent differences, are in essence a single entity, serving the singular purpose of alleviating hunger.

This couplet, without a doubt, loudly proclaims one of the Masnavi's most pivotal teachings: Unity (wahdat) is the sole commodity Rumi offers in this book. In his view, the world abounds with deceptive diversities, but if we open the eye of true consideration (i'tibar), all these multiplicities are merely forms of a single truth. This is precisely like the myriad colorful foods we see on a table; although their appearances and tastes differ, in essence and true consideration, they all perform a single, common function: to sate hunger and relieve starvation. Rumi shrewdly asks: once you have eaten one of these foods and are full, do you still desire the others? No! This is decisive proof that by eating one thing, you have, in a sense, consumed all things, because they all shared a common essence.

If someone perceives these hundreds of thousands of edibles as distinct and original entities, Rumi labels them ahval, meaning cross-eyed or squint-eyed. One who suffers from ahval-bini sees a singular truth as fragmented into thousands, becoming lost in the multiplicity of appearances. This is precisely the state observed in the realm of the soul: the nafs-i ammara (the commanding soul) is the multiplicity-creating soul that traps us in the world's diversities. However, the nafs-i lavvama (the reproaching soul) is a step further; here, conflict still exists, but there is also a sign of inclination towards unity. The zenith of perfection is the nafs-i mutma'inna (the tranquil soul), where the battleground ceases, and unity casts its shadow over the soul, rendering multiplicities meaningless. Peace and reconciliation with oneself are the fruits of this unity-attainment. This unity must manifest not only in the essence of the Divine but also within the human soul, liberating it from the shackles of multiplicity.

Rumi's aim, therefore, is not to declare foods one in their literal sense. Rather, he means to convey that their ultimate purpose and function are singular. Just as the forms of the world are but the foam of the ocean of existence—and if you move beyond the foam to the depth, you see all as one singular water—foods too are manifestations of multiplicity that, in their true consideration, resolve into unity. This insight liberates humanity from wandering amidst appearances and leads them to the depth of truths. It is a lesson for emancipation from the captivity of appearances and for reaching the expanse of unity.

Key takeaways

• The essence of all multiplicities in this world is, in truth, one; it is only our 'cross-eyed' perception that sees them as diverse.
• The ultimate goal of all appearances is to fulfill a single, common need, and this unity of function attests to their hidden oneness.
• Being satiated by one thing implies being satiated by all things sharing that same function, which is proof of their underlying unity.
• This couplet is an invitation to transcend the 'commanding soul' (nafs-i ammara), which creates multiplicity, towards the 'tranquil soul' (nafs-i mutma'inna), which finds peace in unity.