SCIENCE OF THE SELF AS DEPICTED IN THE STORY OF THE SNAKE-CATCHER:

RŪMĪ ’S MATHNAWĪ IN CONTEXT

Abstract

The self is always become a central concept in the mysticism tradition, nonetheless for Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī (d.1207). Through Mathnawī, Rūmī uses metaphors to presents man’s multi-layered self. He communicates through stories with great potential to be developed into various forms of visual and performing arts. Through his creative imagination, and using elements from Persian mystical literature Rūmī presents his messages in an attractive and tangible form. Adopting metaphors and symbols he pictures various faces of nafs (self) relating each face to an individual animal. “The Snake Catcher’s tale” is an excellent artistic display of man’s battle with his animal self. It offers a complex religious subject in an easy-to-digest manner that can be visualized and set into play