Interpretation of Rumi Poem - The Master

This is The Final One of Rumi's Series.


Please go through the introductory article
https://www.astrosaxena.com/articles/InterpretationofRumiPoemsQuotesIntroduction to understand the theme of these interpretations of Rumi’s literature.


Rumi’s Poem – The Master.


“Shams, you have been graced with eternal light, look kindly on everyone like the Sun and burn the sorrows of our hearts.

Come like spring reviving the withered plants and melt our frozen hearts.

Open our lips to a prayer to quench the longing for your eternal wine”.

My interpretation – Now, my interpretation of this poem is as follows –

In case, anyone doesn’t know about Shams then Shams Tabrizi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shams_Tabrizi) is Guru/Master of Rumi. If people want to read more about Shams-Rumi relation as Master-Disciple then they may read a beautiful book named “”Forty Rules of Love” by Elif Shafak - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Forty_Rules_of_Love .


There are mainly two ways by which an individual can have The Divine Experience. These are Shaktipaat (Fall of Energy) and Prasad (Grace).


Prasad (Grace) is having direct Divine Experience without any medium in between. Although, it is recommended to have Prasad (Grace) but it can be dangerous too as individual may not be able to handle Divine Energy on his own self and this extreme energy can leave him astray.


Another way of having The Divine Experience is through a Medium like Guru or Master which is named as Shaktipaat (Fall of Energy). That Master works like a vehicle or vessel for The Divine Energy to transmit to the individual or Disciple. As energy is not directly falling on disciple here, so it is safer option. Drawback here is that as Master works as a vehicle, the energy is not pure and gets diluted here.


This introduction was necessary to understand this poem.
As I understood, Rumi is addressing to Shams as a Master who had direct Grace of The Divine Experience. Now, Shams has become eligible to become vehicle for others. Hence, Rumi is requesting Shams to shower his kindness as a Divine Guru. Rumi requests Shams to glow on people like Sun.


Why Sun?


Because Sun never discriminates. It gives equal light to everyone. Only humans can do a mistake of closing down their doors to Sunlight. Likewise, Guru’s grace is available to all. Only we can turn our back towards Guru.


Rumi requests Shams to glow like Sun and burn the sorrows of people.


What is the foundational sorrow?


The feeling of separation from existence or Divine is the most basic sorrow for all of us. When we get the Grace through Guru then we again realize the oneness with Divine and our sorrow is over.


Season of Spring comes after Autumn. Autumn makes plants and trees wither away. Then Spring comes and nature rejuvenates. Rumi is requesting Shams to rejuvenate his dejected disciples, just like spring rejuvenates withered plants. A Guru is supposed to bring life back to the disciples who are losing hope because of lack of guidance and direction. Hence, a Guru is seen as the beginning of Spring season here.


Rumi also requested Shams to melt our Frozen Hearts. Human Hearts basic quality is emotions and care towards others. When we lose these qualities and become hard & unkind towards others then we can say that our heart has become frozen. It is a Guru’s function to melt your heart again and revitalize the heart with qualities of care and emotions. Only Guru can do it because Guru’s love is selfless.


The final line of poem is direct request for Shaktipaat or Fall of Energy from Shams where Shams is requested to transmit the energy of Divine as his disciples are waiting for that divine elixir. In another way, we can say that Shams is requested to inspire the disciples to follow the spiritual path, so that they can reach the status of Shams eventually.


Hope this helps. Thanks,