In Farid al-Din Attar's Mokhtar Nameh, Poem 55 of Chapter 47 utilizes the candle metaphor to critique self-preoccupation (self-absorption) and highlight the necessity of ego-annihilation (fana) on the spiritual path.

Self-Preoccupation as the Ultimate Obstacle

Attar warns that as long as the mystic is preoccupied with themselves ('sar o kar-e khish'), their ego remains intact, preventing spiritual union. In Persian mystical literature, the candle's wick represents the 'head' (sar), which symbolizes the human ego and self-awareness.

The Illusion of Outward Devotion

The poem questions the value of outward devotion or asceticism:

• 'Standing on one foot' is a traditional symbol of rigorous ascetic practice or constant prayer.
• Attar compares this to a candle standing upright on its single base.
• However, if the seeker remains self-absorbed, this outward effort is futile because they still possess 'a thousand more heads' (multiple layers of ego and pride).

Ego-Annihilat...