Rūmī’s Mathnawī, Book Two: The Transformation of Blood to Milk and the Transfiguration of the Senses
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-l...
| Published in: | Journal of Sufi studies |
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| Authors: | ; |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill
2020
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| In: |
Journal of Sufi studies
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| Further subjects: | B
Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī
B Transfigured Senses B honey B Mathnawī B Blood B Ḥusām al-Dīn B Milk |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | 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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| ISSN: | 2210-5956 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of Sufi studies
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/22105956-BJA10007 |