The Metaphor of the World as a Mother in Section 24 of Sanai's Hadiqat
In Section 24 of the Hadiqat al-Haqiqah, Sanai employs a provocative metaphor of the world as a mother to condemn human greed and material attachment. He argues that since the physical world is our origin and mother, seeking her as a sweetheart (delbar) or taking her as a spouse is akin to spiritual incest—an act of extreme moral and spiritual transgression. To guide the seeker's relationship with the material world, Sanai introduces secondary metaphors: treating the world like a die (qur'ah) that one casts aside or picks up without permanent attachment, and recognizing that even dangerous worldly entities, like a venomous snake, can serve a protective function, such as guarding the sandalwood tree.
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Humanities
Literature
Persian Literature Prerequisite Course