In Book One, Section 76 of the Masnavi, Rumi introduces a central metaphor for the carnal ego (nafs), equating it to an insatiable, hellish dragon ('دوزخست این نفس و دوزخ اژدهاست'). Just as Hell continuously demands more sinners ('هل من مزید'), the nafs cannot be tamed by worldly satisfaction or superficial discipline. This specific metaphor establishes the foundational prerequisite for understanding the nafs as a formidable internal enemy, explaining why the inward spiritual struggle (Jihad al-Akbar) is vastly more difficult and critical than outward, physical warfare (Jihad al-Asghar).