The Triumphal Sun, livre ebook

This is a book on Rumi's life, his poetry, his thought, and his influence. Rumi's work forms one of the pillars of the Sufi orders, particularly the Mevlevi order, better known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes. In this book Rumi emerges not only as a spiritual master, but also as a fully human being grounded firmly in the Koran and in classical Islamic mysticism.

The light of the Divine Sun, in its Beauty and Majesty, manifested itself for Rumi through the person of Shams of Tabriz. Transformed by this light, consumed by this fire, Mowlana Rumi saw the world in a new light. Everywhere he perceived God's Grandeur and his Grace.

The book also discusses the theological premises upon which Rumi's work rests, his attitude to the problems of free will and predestination, and his analysis of the mystical stages and stations. The book not only gives a very rich analysis of Rumi's language and poetical art, but also a picture of medieval Konya, whose features the mystical poet transforms and transfigures.

Foreword by Ehsan Yarshater
Preface
I The Outward Setting
The Historical Background
Biographical Notes
Poetic Tradition, Inspiration, and Form
II Rumi's Imagery
The Sun
The Imagery of Water
The Symbolism of Gardens
Imagery Inspired by Animals
Children in Rumi's Imagery
Imagery from Daily life
The Imagery of Food in Rumi's Poetry
Imagery connected with Diseases
Weaving and Sewing
Divine Calligraphy
Pastimes of the Great
Koranic Imagery
Imagery taken from History and Geography
Imagery taken from Sufi History
The Imagery of Music and Dance
III Rumi's Theology
God and His Creation
Man and his position in Rumi's Work
Mowlana's Prophetology
The Spiritual Ladder
The Story of the Chickpeas
The Idea of Love in Rumi's Work
The Problem of Prayer in Jalaloddin's Work
IV Mowlana* Jalaloddin's Influence in East and West
Notes
Bibliography
Index of Proper Names
Index of images and technical terms
Index of Koranic quotations and Prophetic Traditions