Concept

The Paradox of Spiritual Striving and Regression in Attar's Mokhtar Nameh (Chapter 27, Poem 34)

In Poem 34 of Chapter 27 in Attar's Mokhtar Nameh, the poet explores the paradoxical nature of spiritual wayfaring (soluk). He posits that a lifetime spent in continuous journeying—much like the ceaseless rotation of the heavens—only leads to being overturned and thrown into turmoil. The poem asserts that the more a seeker exerts effort in such wayfaring, the further behind they are left at every moment. This highlights the limitations of human striving and emphasizes the inescapable state of bewilderment (heyrat) and inadequacy when confronted with the infinite mystic path.

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Updated 2026-07-05

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Humanities

Literature

Persian Literature Prerequisite Course