batch.motif.sufi-persian-mystics-rumi-davis-gutenberg-l709-l760
---
record_id: batch.motif.sufi-persian-mystics-rumi-davis-gutenberg-l709-l760
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
passage_locator:
label: EDITORIAL NOTE / INTRODUCTION / V. ANALYSIS OF THE RELIGION OF LOVE / I.
LIFE; lines 709-760
start: '709'
end: '760'
translation: 'The Persian Mystics: Jalálu''d-dín Rúmí'
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: 'The passage gives a biographical account of Jalálu''d-Dín Rúmí: his birth
at Balkh, his family''s departure and settlement, a prophecy of his future fame
by Farídu''d-Dín ''Attár, stories of visionary and marvellous childhood abilities,
his later teaching role, founding of the Maulavi dervish order with music and
religious dance, his explanation of dance at funerals as rejoicing over the spirit''s
release from the body, his ecstatic turning around a pillar while dictating poetry,
and his marriages.'
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Jalálu'd-Dín Rúmí is said to have been born at Balkh in 1207 A.D. / 604 A.H.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Bahaū-'d-Dín left Balkh with his family and settled at Nishapur after conflict
or jealousy involving the reigning king.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: At Nishapur, Farídu'd-Dín 'Attár gave young Rúmí the Asrarnama and told his
father that the child would become famous throughout the world.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: After the destruction of Balkh, the family went to Qonia, where Rúmí acquired
the name meaning “the Roman.”
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Wonderful stories of Rúmí's childhood include visions, teaching playmates
philosophy, and flying into celestial regions at six years of age.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: After his father's death, Rúmí took the professorial chair and founded the
Maulavi order of dervishes, authorising music and religious dance.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: Rúmí explained singing and dancing at a funeral as rejoicing when the human
spirit is released from the body and flies back to its Source.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: Daulat Sháh reports that Rúmí held a pillar in the Maulavi house and turned
around it when “drowned in the ocean of Love.”
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:9
text: The passage states that Rúmí often dictated poetry while turning around the
pillar.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:10
text: A quoted poem addresses a “Soul” and a “Cedar” as revolving, mentions a well
of Light, and says Morning Stars exult while revolving.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:11
text: Rúmí married Gevher, called Pearl, at Lerenda in 1226 A.D.; she bore two sons
and died early. He married again, and his second wife survived him.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Jalálu'd-Dín Rúmí / Jalál
description: Main biographical subject; born at Balkh, later associated with Qonia,
described as visionary child, teacher, founder of the Maulavi dervishes, and ecstatic
poet.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Bahaū-'d-Dín
description: Rúmí's father, described as learned and as leaving Balkh with his family.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Reigning king
description: A king whose innovations were allegedly attacked by Bahaū-'d-Dín, or
whose jealousy is given in another account as the cause of departure.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Farídu'd-Dín 'Attár
description: Celebrated Sufi who gave Rúmí the Asrarnama and foretold his worldwide
fame.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Human spirit
description: In Rúmí's explanation, the human spirit is released from the cage and
dungeon of the body and flies to its Source.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Gevher / Pearl
description: Rúmí's first wife; bore two sons and died early in life.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Second wife of Rúmí
description: Rúmí's second wife, who survived him.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
roles:
- id: role:1
label: biographical subject
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage narrates Rúmí's life, actions, sayings, poetry, and marriages.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:11
- id: role:2
label: marvellous child
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Stories of his childhood include visions, philosophical teaching, and flight
into celestial regions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: religious founder and teacher
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He took the professorial chair and founded the Maulavi dervish order.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: ecstatic poet
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage describes him turning around a pillar and dictating poetry in
ecstatic conditions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: role:5
label: learned father and family leader
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: He is called learned and is described as leaving Balkh with his family.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: royal antagonist or source of conflict
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The king is connected with the offense or jealousy that led to the family's
departure.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: Sufi giver of book and prophecy
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: "'Attár gives the Asrarnama and predicts the child's future fame."
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:8
label: liberated spirit
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The spirit is described as set free from bodily imprisonment and flying to
its Source.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: spouse
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:7
basis: The passage identifies Gevher and a second wife as Rúmí's wives.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: cage and dungeon of the body
literal_form: cage and dungeon
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: flight to the Source
literal_form: wings its flight to the Source
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:3
label: pillar of turning
literal_form: pillar in the Maulavi's house
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:4
label: ocean of Love
literal_form: ocean of Love
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:5
label: revolving motion
literal_form: turning round the pillar; revolving
associated_figures:
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:6
label: Cedar
literal_form: Cedar
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:7
label: well of Light
literal_form: well of Light up-bubbling springs
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:8
label: Morning Stars
literal_form: Morning Stars
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Family departure from Balkh
summary: Bahaū-'d-Dín leaves Balkh with his family and settles at Nishapur after
conflict or jealousy involving the king.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: "'Attár's gift and prophecy"
summary: At Nishapur, 'Attár gives young Rúmí the Asrarnama and predicts that he
will become famous throughout the world.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Marvellous childhood
summary: At six years old, Rúmí is said to see visions, teach playmates philosophy,
and fly into celestial regions.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Funeral dance explanation
summary: Rúmí justifies music and dance at funerals by describing death as the release
of the spirit from the body and its flight to the Source.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Ecstatic revolving and poetic dictation
summary: Rúmí holds a pillar, turns around it, and is described as dictating poetry
while in an ecstatic state of Love.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: scene:6
label: Marriage and family
summary: Rúmí marries Gevher, who bears two sons and dies early; he later marries
a second wife who survives him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:6
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Departure from homeland after royal conflict
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: The family leaves Balkh after an offense to, or jealousy by, the reigning
king and later moves onward after Balkh's destruction.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents a biographical migration rather than a full mythic
departure narrative.
- id: motif:2
label: Marvellous child with visions and celestial flight
taxonomy_refs:
- miraculous_child
- ascent
basis: At six years of age, Rúmí is said to see visions, teach philosophy, perform
marvellous feats, and fly into celestial regions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage reports these as “wonderful stories” and qualifies them with
“if we are to believe,” so historicity is not asserted.
- id: motif:3
label: Spirit released from bodily prison and returning to Source
taxonomy_refs:
- ascent
- return
basis: Rúmí describes the spirit as freed from the cage and dungeon of the body
and winging its flight to the Source whence it came.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage gives an explanatory image for funeral rejoicing; it is not
a detailed afterlife journey map.
- id: motif:4
label: Ecstatic revolving in divine love
taxonomy_refs:
- divine_beloved
- mystical_quest
basis: Rúmí is described as drowned in the ocean of Love, turning around a pillar,
and producing poetry with images of revolving Soul, Cedar, Light, and Morning
Stars.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames this as Sufi ecstatic practice and poetic production;
the exact object of Love is not explicitly defined in the extracted lines.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 709-713
quote_or_summary: Rúmí is born at Balkh on September 30, 1207 A.D., or 604 A.H.;
his father is Bahaū-'d-Dín.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 713-718
quote_or_summary: Bahaū-'d-Dín, a learned man, gives offense to the king according
to one account, while another account cites royal jealousy; he leaves Balkh with
his family and settles at Nishapur.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 718-721
quote_or_summary: At Nishapur, Farídu'd-Dín 'Attár presents young Rúmí with the
Asrarnama and tells his father the child will become famous throughout the world.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 721-724
quote_or_summary: After the destruction of Balkh, the family goes to Qonia, where
the poet acquires the name Rúmí, interpreted as “the Roman.”
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 724-728
quote_or_summary: Wonderful childhood stories say that at six Rúmí saw visions,
taught playmates philosophy, and performed feats such as flying into celestial
regions.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 728-731
quote_or_summary: After his father's death, Rúmí takes the professorial chair and
founds the Maulavi dervish order, where he authorizes music and religious dance.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:7
type: quote
locator: lines 731-737
quote_or_summary: Rúmí says that when the human spirit, after imprisonment in the
body, is set free and flies to the Source whence it came, the event calls for
rejoicing, thanks, and dancing.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; brief summary of quoted speech used.
- id: ev:8
type: quote
locator: lines 741-744
quote_or_summary: Daulat Sháh reports a pillar in the Maulavi house and says that
when Rúmí was “drowned in the ocean of Love” he held it and turned around it.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation included.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: lines 744-745
quote_or_summary: Rúmí not infrequently dictated much of his poetry while turning
around the pillar.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: lines 752-757
quote_or_summary: A quoted poem calls “Come,” addresses the Soul and the Cedar as
revolving, and mentions a well of Light and Morning Stars exulting while revolving.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: lines 758-760
quote_or_summary: In 1226 A.D. Rúmí marries Gevher, called Pearl, at Lerenda; she
bears two sons and dies early; Rúmí marries again and his second wife survives
him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/sufi/project-gutenberg/persian-mystics-rumi-davis.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary used.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The biographical and symbolic details are explicit in the passage. Motif
assignments are candidate mappings to supplied taxonomy refs and require human
review, especially where Sufi devotional language is being aligned with broad
motif families.
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: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly compare the material with another named text, tradition, or motif corpus.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:sufi-persian-mystics-rumi-davis-gutenberg__l709-l760
passage_sha256=e9c76c9da115e0ef194eda6c2c906b0bc372f8c4b40fbee80b4e1af68be2fae8