batch.motif.sufi-rumi-mesnevi-book-1-redhouse-gutenberg-l1941-l2055
---
record_id: batch.motif.sufi-rumi-mesnevi-book-1-redhouse-gutenberg-l1941-l2055
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
passage_locator:
label: THE ACTS OF THE ADEPTS / CHAPTER I. / CHAPTER II. / CHAPTER III.; lines 1941-2055
start: '1941'
end: '2055'
translation: The Mesnevi
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'The passage presents anecdotes about Jelāl and Sufi instruction: a disciple
is told that love of a saint entails hardship; a Gnostic tells a rich man to send
riches ahead to God through good works; Jelāl attends the Perwāna’s assembly where
status-conscious scholars debate the chief seat, and Jelāl says it is wherever
the beloved is found. His answer is later associated with an interlocutor’s blindness.
A variant identifies Shemsu-’d-Dīn of Tebrīz as the beloved when Jelāl embraces
him.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A disciple complains to Jelāl about scarce means and many needs; Jelāl tells
him to count Jelāl no longer as a friend, so that wealth may perhaps come to him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: In Jelāl’s anecdote, a disciple tells the Prophet that he loves him, and the
Prophet tells him to put on a steel breastplate and prepare for misfortunes and
straitness.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: A Gnostic adept asks a rich man whether he loves riches or sin more, then
says the man carries sin and calamity with him while leaving riches behind.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The Gnostic tells the rich man to send his riches to God before he himself
goes before God, connecting this with good works found with God.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: The Perwāna holds a large palace assembly with doctors of the law, sheykhs,
pious men, recluses, and strangers.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Some chiefs of the law worry about where Jelāl would sit and agree that they
already occupy their proper places.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: When Jelāl enters the assembly room, he sees the sofa occupied and seats himself
in the middle of the floor.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: Husāmu-’d-Dīn leaves his seat and sits beside Jelāl; many grandees also leave
the sofa for the floor, while some remain seated out of spite and pride.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:9
text: An interlocutor asks where the chief seat is according to Jelāl’s rule and
opinion; Jelāl answers that the chief seat is where one’s beloved is found.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: When asked where his beloved is, Jelāl replies that the questioner must be
blind not to see.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:11
text: Jelāl rises and sings; many join, and the singing becomes so enthusiastic
that nobles tear their garments.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: After Jelāl’s death, the interlocutor goes to Damascus and becomes blind;
he says a black veil seemed to fall over his eyes at the moment of Jelāl’s answer.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: The blinded interlocutor expresses hope that Jelāl will pardon his presumption
and cites the ocean of divine mercy accepting penitence.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: A variant says Shemsu-’d-Dīn of Tebrīz accompanied Jelāl, sat near him on
the floor, and was embraced by Jelāl when asked where his beloved was.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: The variant says this event made Shems a man of mark in Qonya.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Jelāl
description: Teacher and central saintly figure who answers disciples, attends the
Perwāna’s assembly, sits on the floor, speaks of the beloved, sings, and in a
variant embraces Shems.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: complaining disciple of Jelāl
description: A disciple who complains to Jelāl about scant means and extensive needs.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: the Prophet
description: Figure in Jelāl’s anecdote who tells a disciple professing love to
prepare for misfortune and straitness.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: disciple of the Prophet
description: A disciple in the anecdote who says he loves the Prophet.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Gnostic adept
description: A figure who questions a rich man and instructs him to send riches
to God through good works.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: rich man
description: A man questioned by the Gnostic adept about whether he loves riches
or sin more.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Perwāna, Mu’īnu-’d-Dīn
description: Host of the palace assembly who desires Jelāl’s presence.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Mejdu-’d-Dīn
description: The Perwāna’s son-in-law, governor to the young princes, and disciple
of Jelāl who invites Jelāl to the meeting.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Husāmu-’d-Dīn
description: Disciple accompanying Jelāl who is first honored with a seat and then
sits beside Jelāl on the floor.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: chiefs of the law and grandees
description: Assembly participants who occupy the sofa; some leave their seats to
sit on the floor, while some remain seated from spite and pride.
role_refs:
- role:10
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: interlocutor
description: A learned, eloquent, witty, and bold participant who asks about the
chief seat and later becomes blind in Damascus.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Shemsu-’d-Dīn of Tebrīz
description: In the variant, he accompanies Jelāl, sits near him on the floor, and
is embraced by Jelāl as the beloved.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
roles:
- id: role:1
label: spiritual teacher
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
basis: These figures instruct others through rebuke, counsel, or anecdotal teaching.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: interpreter of religious conduct
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:5
basis: Jelāl interprets love and the chief seat; the Gnostic interprets wealth,
sin, and good works.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:3
label: honored guest
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The Perwāna and courtiers receive Jelāl with honor and show him upstairs.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: disciple
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:8
- fig:9
basis: The passage explicitly identifies these figures as disciples or shows them
accompanying a teacher as disciples.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: beloved teacher
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The disciple of the Prophet says, “I love thee,” and receives instruction
from him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:6
label: wealth-holder under admonition
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The rich man is corrected for claiming to love riches while carrying sin
and calamity.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: patron and host
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The Perwāna holds the palace assembly and seeks Jelāl’s attendance.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:8
label: messenger-inviter
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Mejdu-’d-Dīn offers to go and invite Jelāl to the meeting.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: loyal seat-sharer
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Husāmu-’d-Dīn leaves the upper seat to sit beside Jelāl on the floor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:10
label: status-conscious assembly members
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Some chiefs of the law are concerned about precedence and seating before
Jelāl arrives.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:11
label: participants moved to humility
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Many grandees leave the sofa and sit on the floor after Jelāl sits there.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:12
label: questioner later blinded
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: He questions Jelāl about the chief seat and later reports blindness following
Jelāl’s answer.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- id: role:13
label: identified beloved in variant
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: In the variant, Jelāl embraces Shems when asked where his beloved is.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: steel breastplate
literal_form: breastplate of steel
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: riches sent ahead
literal_form: riches sent to God before the owner goes before Him
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: chief seat
literal_form: the chief seat in an assembly, defined by Jelāl as the place where
one’s beloved is found
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:10
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: sofa and floor seating
literal_form: upper sofa seats contrasted with the middle of the floor
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:9
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: black veil over the eyes
literal_form: a black veil seeming to fall over the interlocutor’s eyes
associated_figures:
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: ocean of divine mercy
literal_form: the ocean of divine mercy accepting penitence
associated_figures:
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: beloved
literal_form: the beloved whose location defines the chief seat; in a variant, Shems
is embraced as beloved
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:7
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Jelāl rebukes a needy disciple and narrates hardship as love’s companion
summary: A disciple complains of poverty; Jelāl answers sharply and narrates an
anecdote in which the Prophet tells a disciple who loves him to prepare for misfortunes
and straitness.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Gnostic admonishes rich man about carrying sin rather than riches
summary: A Gnostic adept tells a rich man that he leaves riches behind but carries
sin and calamity, and urges him to send riches ahead to God through good works.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Perwāna’s palace assembly and seating dispute
summary: At a large palace assembly, status-conscious legal chiefs occupy the upper
sofa seats before Jelāl arrives. Jelāl sits on the floor, prompting Husām and
many grandees to sit beside him while others remain seated.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Question of the chief seat and the beloved
summary: An interlocutor asks Jelāl where the chief seat is; Jelāl says it is where
the beloved is found and answers a further question by saying the questioner must
be blind not to see.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Ecstatic singing and garment-rending
summary: Jelāl rises and sings, others join, and the enthusiasm leads nobles to
tear their garments.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:10
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Interlocutor’s later blindness and appeal to mercy
summary: After Jelāl’s death, the interlocutor becomes blind in Damascus, recalls
a black veil falling over his eyes at Jelāl’s answer, and hopes for pardon through
the generosity of saints and divine mercy.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: Variant identifying Shems as the beloved
summary: In a variant, Shems accompanies Jelāl and sits near him. When asked where
his beloved is, Jelāl embraces Shems, after which Shems becomes notable in Qonya.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: love of holy figure entails hardship
taxonomy_refs:
- initiation
- mystical_quest
basis: The Prophet tells a disciple who professes love to prepare for misfortunes
and straitness, and Jelāl applies this frame to his own disciple’s complaint.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents instruction through anecdotes, not a full quest narrative.
- id: motif:2
label: spiritual transmutation of wealth into good works
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_exchange
- divine_judgment
basis: The Gnostic tells the rich man to send his riches to God before his own arrival,
so that good works may be found with God.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage is moral exhortation rather than a developed exchange ritual.
- id: motif:3
label: true honor located with the beloved rather than social rank
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_beloved
- wisdom
basis: Jelāl disregards the occupied sofa, sits on the floor, and defines the chief
seat as wherever the beloved is found.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: The identity of the beloved is explicit only in the variant involving
Shems; otherwise the referent is left unstated in the scene.
- id: motif:4
label: saintly utterance followed by bodily affliction and repentance
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_judgment
basis: The interlocutor is told he must be blind not to see, later becomes blind,
remembers a black veil over his eyes, and seeks pardon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage reports the interlocutor’s own interpretation of the event;
causal mechanism is not independently described.
- id: motif:5
label: ecstatic song producing public rapture
taxonomy_refs:
- annihilation_union
basis: Jelāl sings, many join, and the nobles become so enthusiastic that they rend
their garments.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy fit is interpretive; the passage describes enthusiasm and
garment-rending but does not explicitly name annihilation or union.
- id: motif:6
label: beloved revealed through embrace
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_beloved
basis: In the variant, Jelāl responds to the question about the beloved by casting
himself on Shems’s breast, marking Shems in Qonya thereafter.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: This is a reported variant rather than the primary version of the incident.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 1941-1954
quote_or_summary: A disciple complains to Jelāl about poverty; Jelāl rebukes him
and narrates that the Prophet told a disciple professing love to put on a steel
breastplate and prepare for misfortunes and straitness.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 1956-1970
quote_or_summary: A Gnostic adept questions a rich man about riches and sin, says
he carries sin while leaving wealth behind, and urges him to send riches to God
through good works, citing Qur’ān lxxiii.20.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 1972-2020
quote_or_summary: The Perwāna hosts an assembly; some legal chiefs worry about Jelāl’s
precedence. Jelāl arrives, finds the sofa occupied, sits on the floor, and Husām
and many grandees follow him, while some remain seated from pride.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 2021-2032
quote_or_summary: An interlocutor asks about the chief seat. Others answer by social
setting. Jelāl says the chief seat is where one’s beloved is found, and tells
the questioner he must be blind not to see where the beloved is.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 2033-2035
quote_or_summary: Jelāl rises and sings; many join, and the singing becomes so enthusiastic
that nobles tear their garments.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 2036-2047
quote_or_summary: After Jelāl’s death, the interlocutor becomes blind in Damascus,
recalls that a black veil seemed to fall over his eyes at Jelāl’s answer, and
hopes for pardon through the saints’ goodness and divine mercy.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 2048-2055
quote_or_summary: A variant says Shemsu-’d-Dīn of Tebrīz accompanied Jelāl, sat
near him on the floor, and was embraced by Jelāl when asked where his beloved
was; this made Shems notable in Qonya.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/mesnevi-book-1-redhouse.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is strongly supported by the supplied passage. Motif labels
are cautious and limited to supplied taxonomy where applicable. No comparison
claims were made because the passage does not itself compare the events to an
external text or tradition.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata; no external taxonomy identifiers beyond supplied motif-family labels were added.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:sufi-rumi-mesnevi-book-1-redhouse-gutenberg__l1941-l2055
passage_sha256=40099e716ea38f4a284cfc8d5018c265d467d74a004b3b338662b930b2ad0b10