M1:213 — آنکه کشتستم پی مادون من / می‌نداند که نخسپد خون من

Translation: That one who killed me for something inferior to my essence, / does not know that my blood (my truth) will not sleep. Meaning: One who exploits or destroys a being for an inferior, transient gain fails to grasp that the truth or consequence of that act will not be suppressed or forgotten; it will inevitably demand its reckoning.

Mowlana, in these striking verses, unmasks the nature of 'loves' that are rooted in 'rang'—that is, in transient and superficial attractions. The unfortunate goldsmith, whose fate is narrated here, becomes a victim of such 'rang.' This couplet, therefore, is not a lament of despair but a proclamation of the inevitable law of retribution.

As I have often reiterated, Mowlana does not perceive the world as inherently flawed, thus avoiding a general complaint about existence. Rather, he sees crookedness in human perception and action. Here, the goldsmith's complaint is not against the cosmic order, but against an act committed 'for something inferior to my essence' (mādūn-e man). This 'mādūn' clearly refers to the lesser, superficial elements that led to his demise: on one hand, the goldsmith's transient physical beauty, which faded and lost its allure; on the other, his own greed for wealth and royal status, which blinded him to the truth. These were all 'inferior' to the true essence of his being. The deluded human sacrifices the core of their existence for such 'mādūn,' and this, for Mowlana, is the ultimate ignominy.

The phrase 'my blood will not sleep' (nakhospad khun-e man) carries profound meaning. It is a Persian idiom signifying that the blood of the wronged will not be shed in vain, nor will it be forgotten; it will not rest until justice is served. With this expression, Mowlana declares a cosmic law: every action, particularly one committed with injustice and base intent, will never remain without consequence. This resonates with his other teaching: 'This world is a mountain, and our deed is the cry; / The echoes of our cries will return to us.' What is sown will, sooner or later, be reaped. The oppressor, who harms another for petty and 'inferior' gains, remains ignorant that this act will not be forgotten in the cycle of existence, and its consequences will ultimately catch up with them. This unawareness of the law of karma, in itself, is the height of ignorance.

Key takeaways

• Our actions bear inevitable consequences that will ultimately return to us.
• Sacrificing one's essence and true worth for 'inferior' and superficial gains leads to ignominy and regret.
• The phrase 'my blood will not sleep' emphasizes the enduring truth and consequences of an act, even after apparent demise.
• 'Loves' founded on transient beauty or material wealth ('rang') are ephemeral and lead to separation and retribution.