Boat in the Sea Metaphors in Rumi's Poetry

Rumi has beautifully used the Sufi metaphor "Boat in Sea" on numerous occasions throughout his vast poetic works. Taking clue and guidance from its Biblical references, "Boat in Sea" in Islamic beliefs and Sufism, as well as in Rumi's poetry, is in reference to a wandering Sufi and Dervish's mystical trip out of dry land to the water, meaning escaping the dehumanizing atrocities of our daily materialistic lives while out on the boat in a peaceful Sea. But Rumi goes further by cleverly pointing out to the fact that while it's a noble Sufi cause for a Dervish to renounce fame and fortune and take refuge in a boat on the sea, he/she must also realize that the Sea is not always as peaceful as it seems. Rumi argues poetically that the Sea is often a very dangerous place, or a "Force of Chaos" to paraphrase its Biblical metaphorical symbolism.

Rumi teaches us that the strength and condition of a Sufi's boat is always determined by a Dervish's determination and strong will to survive this mystical trip out in the "Sea of Chaos". Rumi is at his best when he poetically compares a Sufi and Dervish to a Boat, and our materialistic and void of compassion World as the highly unpredictable and volatile Sea. In sum, Rumi challenges all of us, the so called civilized MAN of 21st century, to slow down from our hectic day to day busy schedules, to take a deep breath, and to ponder deep upon the underlying mystical question: Will the sea drown our boat, or will we be able to safely reach the shore?

!مپرس از کشتی و دریا بیا بنگر عجایبها
که چندین سال من کشتی درین خشکی همی رانم
مولانا

Don't ask about the boat and the ocean
come and witness the wonders:
For some years now
I've been sailing my boat
on the dry land!

کشتی و شب و غم و ما میرانیم
در بحر خدا بفضل و توفیق خدا
مولانا

The boat, the night, the sadness
and I'm sailing
in the Sea of Love
With God's blessings and grace.

چو تخته تخته بشکستند کشتیهادرین طوفان
چه باشد زورق من خود که من بی پا وبی دستممولانا


Board by board
the boats are being shattered
by this violent storm.
In what condition
will my boat be
if I'm finding my own self
to be so shattered?



درین دریا چه کشتی و چه تخته
درین بخشش چه نزدیکان و چه دورانمولانا


In His Sea,
a boat and a board are equally sailing.
By His Mercy,
His deniers and the ones closest to Him
are equally blessed.



در کشتی و دریایی خوش موج و مصفایی
زیری گه و بالایی ای زیر و زبر برگومولانا
The boat is smoothly sailing
in the calm waves and fine waters
of this ocean,
coming up or going down
once in a while.
Refrain yourself
from turning this boat upside down.





گوید دریا که زکشتی بجه
در رو در آب مصفای منمولانا


The Sea is calling on you:
Jump off the Boat!
Submerge yourself deep
into my fine waters!