The Spiritual Journey in Expressing Love
In the works of Haci Bektash Veli, especially in the rhymed accounts of sainthood (velayetnameler), the concept of love goes beyond a mere romantic feeling; it represents a profound journey aimed at attaining divine love. Expressions like the line “bowing down is to the Divine” (secde-gehim Ûlû'dur meğer kim) in the source text, symbolize the poet’s submission and turning towards God. This love requires a maturation process involving detachment from worldly ties, self-discipline, and seeking divine mercy. Expressions like “I was dead, I have been resurrected” (mürde idim dirildim) in the poems depict this transformation as rebirth – meaning the annihilation of the ego with its previous flaws and deficiencies, and attaining a new spiritual existence.
Literary Techniques and Metrical Harmony
The works of Haci Bektash Veli are remarkable both for their content and for the literary techniques employed. As stated in the source text, the poet mastered Arabic and Persian thanks to his madrasa education and skillfully used the aruz meter. However, this usage is not merely a technical skill but also serves to enhance the harmony of the poem and strengthen its depth of meaning. The use of word groups like dünyâ-dünya or yaınµ-yaıni in the poems is shaped as much by aesthetic concerns as it is by the necessity of meter. The technique of vasl (ulama) facilitates the flow between words, bringing vitality to the poem, while rhyme and refrain create a pleasing rhythm. In particular, benefiting from techniques such as bronze rhyme (tunç kafiye) and pun (cinas) enriches the poem’s richness.
Rhyme and Refrain: Keys to Harmony
The rhymes and refrains used in the velayetname not only offer aesthetic beauty but also strengthen the meaning of the poem and increase its memorability. While some instances, such as the application of eye rhyme (göz kafiyesi), prioritize spelling and deviate from classical understanding, generally an attempt is made to preserve phonetic harmony. The rhyming of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish words reveals the richness of language, while rhymes formed with words chosen from the same language support semantic integrity. For example, creating a rhyme by bringing together words of different origins such as “memlû” and “su” creates an unexpected harmony and adds layers to the poem. Thanks to these literary techniques, the works of Haci Bektash Veli continue to be treasures that are read and inspiring for centuries.