Mevlânâ Celâleddîn-i Rûmî (1207-1273), commonly known as Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic. His works have transcended national and ethnic borders, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest spiritual masters and poets in history. Rumi's influence spans across cultures, and his poetry is celebrated for its profound spiritual insight and universal themes of love, unity, and the quest for divine truth.
Key Aspects of Rumi's Life and Work:
1. Early Life
- Rumi was born in 1207 in Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan) or Wakhsh (in present-day Tajikistan), in the region of Greater Khorasan, which was part of the Persian Empire at the time.
- His family fled the Mongol invasions and eventually settled in Konya (in present-day Turkey), which was then part of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum—hence his name "Rumi," meaning "from Rum."
2. Spiritual Journey
- Rumi was a devout Muslim and a respected Islamic scholar. His life took a transformative turn when he met the wandering dervish Shams-i Tabrîzî (Shams of Tabriz), who became his spiritual mentor and close friend.
- Shams' influence led Rumi to delve deeply into Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, and to express his spiritual experiences through poetry and dance.
3. Literary Works
- Rumi's most famous work is the *Masnavi-ye Ma'navi* (Spiritual Couplets), a six-volume poem considered one of the greatest works of Sufi literature. It is often referred to as the "Quran in Persian" due to its spiritual depth.
- Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi (The Works of Shams of Tabriz) is a collection of lyrical poems dedicated to his beloved mentor, Shams.
- Rumi's poetry is characterized by its themes of divine love, the soul's longing for union with God, and the dissolution of the ego.
Episode 4
