Rūmī’s Mathnawī, Book Two
The Transformation of Blood to Milk and the Transfiguration of the Senses
In: Journal of Sufi StudiesIndiana University Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana USA
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Abstract
Early in Mathnawī Book Two appears a heavily-debated hemistich: “An interval was needed in order that the blood might turn to milk.” Here Rūmī uses three distinct means to introduce the notion of “Transfiguration of the Senses”: a religious conceit; an allegory – in fact, a common Persian-language proverb; and a brief explanation of Ḥusām al-Dīn’s spiritual ascension. Lacking familiarity with Rūmī’s symbolic language and the transfigurational concept he wishes to introduce, commentators have been unable to reconcile the proverb with the account of Ḥusām al-Dīn’s ascension. To further complicate the issue, Aflākī attributes the delay to the grief of the recently widowed Ḥusām al-Dīn. Here, using textual, contextual and intertextual analysis, we decode Rūmī’s symbolic language and explain “The Transfiguration of the Senses,” as well as Ḥusām al-Dīn’s role as its catalyst. Our findings also lead to a revised chronology of Ḥusām al-Dīn’s spiritual journey and his relationship with Rūmī.
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Rūmī’s Mathnawī, Book Two
The Transformation of Blood to Milk and the Transfiguration of the Senses
In: Journal of Sufi StudiesIndiana University Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana USA
Search for other papers by Sassan Zand Moqaddam in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Mehdi Nourian in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Early in Mathnawī Book Two appears a heavily-debated hemistich: “An interval was needed in order that the blood might turn to milk.” Here Rūmī uses three distinct means to introduce the notion of “Transfiguration of the Senses”: a religious conceit; an allegory – in fact, a common Persian-language proverb; and a brief explanation of Ḥusām al-Dīn’s spiritual ascension. Lacking familiarity with Rūmī’s symbolic language and the transfigurational concept he wishes to introduce, commentators have been unable to reconcile the proverb with the account of Ḥusām al-Dīn’s ascension. To further complicate the issue, Aflākī attributes the delay to the grief of the recently widowed Ḥusām al-Dīn. Here, using textual, contextual and intertextual analysis, we decode Rūmī’s symbolic language and explain “The Transfiguration of the Senses,” as well as Ḥusām al-Dīn’s role as its catalyst. Our findings also lead to a revised chronology of Ḥusām al-Dīn’s spiritual journey and his relationship with Rūmī.
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 404 | 38 | 3 |
| Full Text Views | 85 | 11 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 165 | 23 | 0 |