The Boast of Love or the Toil of Union / Hidden Lessons of The Conference of the Birds on True Love
The provincial service of Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) – Zohreh Mozaffaripour, writer, researcher, and literary scholar: Sheikh Attar, in the “Conference of the Birds,” endeavors on one hand to make the birds eager for the journey, and on the other hand, by stating the difficulties each bird expresses, subtly points out the warnings, dos, and don’ts of the journey. For this reason, the birds he chooses to confess their excuses, pretexts, and fault-findings before the wise Hoopoe are very intelligent and clever, so that they can achieve their ultimate and final goal among the birds, and in a sense, he calls for a ‘man of the field’ to undertake this journey.
On this occasion, another bird appears before the Hoopoe, one who boasts of love and plays the game of love.
This bird has a personality similar to a nightingale, but with the difference that the nightingale is caught in superficial love, while this bird is caught in true love and declares that it is truly in love with Simorgh. It has been seeking such a being to sacrifice its life for, and considers itself alone worthy and deserving of this love, having withdrawn from everyone:
Another said: “As long as I live,
I am worthy and deserving of His love.
I have cut myself off from everyone and sat alone,
Constantly boasting of His love.”
The bird tells the Hoopoe: “I have traveled extensively and cut myself off from all creation; I have seen all the people of the world. Now tell me, with whom should I associate, since I have cut myself off from everyone? The work I do (loving) is not for everyone, for I have reached the madness of love, and in loving the beloved, I have so disregarded my life that life is of no use to me and has no value (meaning I am willing to sacrifice my life)”:
Since I have seen all the people of the world,
To whom shall I unite, as I have cut myself off from all?
My work is solely the passion for His love,
And such passion is not for everyone.
I have brought my life to bear in the love of the beloved,
As if my life is of no use.
The bird claims that with this passion for love, the time has now come for it to behold the face of the Beloved, for it has sacrificed its life, and its only wish is to see the face of Simorgh (the king of birds), so that it might drink a cup to His health, embrace Him, and spend its days in peace of mind. The bird’s ultimate wish is to see the Beloved:
The time has come for me to draw a line through my life,
And drink the cup of wine upon the Beloved’s face.
I will brighten my eyes and soul with His beauty,
And in union with Him, put my arm around His neck.
The wise Hoopoe, who had listened carefully and in complete silence to the enamored bird’s words, told him: “You cannot become His companion on Mount Qaf (Simorgh’s abode) by claims and boasts, so it is better not to boast of love, for this task is beyond the ability, thought, and will of anyone, and no one can believe your words in the love of Simorgh”:
He said: “One cannot reach with claim and boast,
A companion to Simorgh on Mount Qaf.
Do not boast of His love with every breath,
For He cannot be contained in anyone’s sack.”
The wise Hoopoe tells him that if the sweet scent of reaching the beloved wafts forth, His manifestation will become clear, and He will call you to Himself, indeed, to His private chamber. So, if you claim to have such love, you must consider the essence of that claim and understand what the true meaning of love is?
Then he tells him: “Your affection and love, by your own admission, are painful and unworthy of Him, because they are not true. Whereas true love and His love for you are a worthy and appropriate task for you”:
If the breeze of fortune arrives,
It will lift the veil from the matter.
Then He will gently draw you into His path,
And seat you alone in His private chamber.
If this is the place of your claim,
The essence of that claim will be your meaning.
Your affection is a torment;
His affection is a task for you.”
