In Book Five, Section 104 of the Masnavi, Rumi contrasts acquired intellectual learning with direct divine revelation. He explains that the teachings of a perfectly illuminated spiritual master are infused with divine light, whereas deficient scholars rely on acquired knowledge devoid of inner illumination. To illustrate this, Rumi compares human thought and intellect to a rain gutter carrying borrowed, temporary water. In contrast, divine revelation and spiritual intuition are likened to the clouds and the open sky, representing water in its natural, continuous, and pure state. This highlights the superiority of direct spiritual experience and inspiration over mere intellectual acquisition.