M6:1116 — گفت هجده هفده یا خود شانزده / یا که پانزده ای برادرخوانده

Translation: He said, "Eighteen, seventeen, or indeed sixteen, Or even fifteen, O my sworn-brother (barādar-khwānda)."

Meaning: A guest, when asked his age, begins to count backwards from eighteen to fifteen, rather than stating a single number. This verse initiates a story Rumi uses to engage his audience and prepare them for a deeper philosophical point.

This particular verse in the Masnavi serves as the beginning of a simple, even entertaining, anecdote that Rumi employs to capture the attention of his audience. The Masnavi is, at times, rich with stories that may not, at first glance, possess profound philosophical depth. However, Rumi masterfully utilizes them as a means to "break the slumber" of his listeners and prepare them for more profound insights. This specific tale of counting age backward, in itself, does not carry a deep philosophical weight. Yet, immediately following it, Rumi introduces the highly significant narrative of the "backward-moving horse." That horse, which instead of advancing, recedes, is a potent metaphor for the human soul (nafs) which, if not properly guided, can regress or, in Rumi's words, "go backward." Therefore, this verse ought to be understood as a preamble, paving the way for a much deeper discussion on self-knowledge and the cultivation of human instincts, rather than being the core of that discussion itself. Rumi, indeed, acknowledges that at times, the expediency of the moment necessitates engaging the audience's mind with simpler tales, thereby creating an opportunity to present loftier wisdom.

Key takeaways

• Rumi occasionally employs seemingly simple stories to entertain and capture the audience's attention.
• This verse serves as an introduction to a deeper narrative about the soul's regression or the taming of instincts.
• Rumi uses non-philosophical storytelling to prepare the mind for mystical insights.
• He considers the expediency of the moment, breaking the audience's slumber with engaging tales.