Mawlana’s Life Journey and the Emergence of the Divan-i Kebir
Mawlānā Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī was a great scholar with a profound understanding of thought and Sufism (taṣawwuf), who migrated to Anatolia in the 13th century. In a turbulent period such as the Mongol invasion, Mawlānā followed in his father’s footsteps and made Konya his center. The Divan-i Kebir emerged as a result of Mawlānā’s intense life experience and, especially, his spiritual encounter with Shams-i Tabrīzī. This work, written in a rich mixture of Arabic, Turkish, and Persian, has reached us through compilations by different scribes in various periods; this underlines the multi-layered structure and deep meanings of the work.
The Transformative Effect of Love: The Dissolution of the Self
One of the fundamental themes of the Divan-i Kebir is the transformative power of love. In Mawlānā’s poetry, love is not merely an emotion, but also a path to transcend the self, discipline the nafs (the lower self), and unite with the Divine. As seen in the source text, the concept of the ‘I’ is constantly questioned, dissolves and disappears; in its place arises the desire to turn towards the ḥaqīqa (inner reality). For Mawlānā, love is a destructive force; by breaking down all prejudices, habits, and egocentric thinking, it elevates the human being to a different level of consciousness. In this process, while the individual loses himself, in fact, he finds the truth and discovers his real self.
Sufi Teachings: From Sorrow to Joy and Salvation
Mawlānā’s teaching is built upon the deep philosophy of Sufism (taṣawwuf). In the Divan-i Kebir, a balance is sought between sorrow (gam) and joy; by learning lessons from sorrows and making sacrifices from pains, a person draws closer to the ḥaqīqa (inner reality). Mawlānā advises focusing not on hardship and affliction, but on love and compassion. The path to salvation is to shed fear and find inner peace; and this is only possible through love. As stated in the source text, the advice ‘Watch the path of the mouth, hear what is said in secret’ represents the deep wisdom and humility of Sufism (taṣawwuf); it is important to be open to learning, to be patient (sabr), and to know oneself.
The Legacy of the Divan-i Kebir: Its Impact on Turkish Literature and Contemporary Interpretations
Thanks to translation efforts led by esteemed figures such as Hasan Âli Yücel, the Divan-i Kebir has been made accessible to today’s readers and the rich heritage of Turkish literature has been preserved. In this way, Mawlānā’s teachings have ceased to be merely a legacy of the past and have been reinterpreted in relation to contemporary life. The Divan-i Kebir, representing the common values of humanity, the universality of love, and the quest for divine love, is read and understood by people from different cultures; this demonstrates the timelessness and depth of Mawlānā’s teaching.