Citation:

Noreen, M., Ali, R. I., & Saeed, R. I. (2022). The Alchemy

of Spirituality: A Comparative Analysis of Rumi and Shelley's Poems
The Alchemy of Love and Hymn to Intellectual Beauty. Global
Language Review, VII(I), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.31703/glr.2022(VII-
I).01

§ DOI: 10.31703/glr.2022(VII-I).01 § URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/glr.2022(VII-I).01

§ Vol. VII, No. I (Winter 2022) § Pages: 1 ‒ 10

The Alchemy of Spirituality: A Comparative Analysis of Rumi and

Shelley's Poems The Alchemy of Love and Hymn to Intellectual Beauty

Munnzza Noreen Abstract: A Comparative Study that aims to highlight

PhD Scholar, Department of English, the mystic notions and the similarities within the poetic
Government College University, approaches of the poets: Rumi and Shelley with
Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. reference to their poems The Alchemy of Love (1926)
and Hymn to Intellectual Beauty (1817). The Alchemy of
Rana Imran Ali Love by Rumi and Hymn to Intellectual Beauty by
Faculty of English, Virtual University Shelley can be seen as profound echoes of spirituality.
of Pakistan, Lahore, Punjab, The study’s analytical framework, by implementing
Pakistan. Osho’s spiritual (mystic) philosophy, endeavors to
Email: r.imranali@gmail.com illustrate the similarities and dissimilarities in their
Amna Romaisa Saeed

ideological beliefs and the rationale behind them by
keeping in view their unique spiritual dimensions. The
MPhil English Literature, Lahore
mystic ideas shared by the two poets diminish the
Leads University, Lahore, Punjab,
cultural, religious, and geographical differences,
Pakistan.
expressing that spirituality pervades far beyond these

§ p-ISSN: 2663-3299 limited boundaries of human intellect. This study

encourages comparative examination of Eastern and
§ e-ISSN: 2663-3841 Western poets and is capable enough to open new
§ L-ISSN: 2663-3299 horizons for research in the realm of World literature
across the globe.

Key Words: Beloved, Divine, Intellectual Beauty, Poetic Ideologies, Spirit, Transcendental
Existence

Introduction poems are considered masterpieces of the
selected poets. The selected poems are
The paper aims to study a comparison
evident in highlighting a similar bent of mind
between the poetic and philosophic stances
of both of these poets. Rumi and Shelley have
of Persian mystic poet Rumi and English
the soul of a mystic. They both are found
Romantic poet Shelley through examination
exploring the existence of a mighty spirit in
of their poems The Alchemy of Love (1926)
their poetry. They both attribute the spirit as
and Hymn to Intellectual Beauty (1817). Hymn
a compassionate, benevolent source of the
to Intellectual Beauty by Shelley and The
creation and maintenance of the whole
Alchemy of Love by Rumi is highly pragmatic
universe. However, they explore this infinite
poems preaching the fundamental poetic
source of existence in their own unique ways.
ideologies of both of the poets. Both of these
Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi Rumi
 Munnzza Noreen, Rana Imran Ali and Amna Romaisa Saeed

aka Mawlana Rumi (1207-1273) was a mystic towards the themes of their poetry. Most
Persian poet, Islamic scholar, jurist, and Romantic poets like Blake and Wordsworth
theologian who belonged to Balkh (now (early Romantics) are mystic poets due to
Afghanistan). He later settled in Konya, their belief in the existence of a
Turkey. Rumi’s poetry is full of his ardent transcendental divine soul in nature. We
love and appreciation for his spiritual mentor need to align ourselves to this to understand
Shams Tabraiz that’s why Rumi’s poetic the truth of existence. The very aspect of
collection is named after Shams and is known pantheism revolves around this. Shelley's
as Divan e Shams. Rumi's mystical stance case, however, is a bit different. He was not
shows an authentic bent towards the source an ardent follower of Christianity like Blake;
of truth and towards the core of life and rather, he was an atheist. He was an
existence. As Shahram Shiva in his book, The influential intellect of his time as well.
Untold Story of Rumi states, “Rumi is a Shelley's radicalism lies in his debunking
powerhouse. It's important to understand of the conformist notions of his
that his immense global popularity is due to contemporary society. In his poetry, he has
him being a totally unique and very authentic tried to explore a relationship between the
personality.” (Shiva, 2018) intellect and the cosmos. This search for that
Rumi's essence of teachings as a poet, cosmic bond with human existence can be
philosopher, and scholar is of the soul's found in his poems like Ode to the West
evolution. The soul needs to reach maturity Wind, Ozymandias, and Hymn to Intellectual
to understand the transcendental truth and Beauty. The very aspect of exploration turns
Love as cosmic echoes. Rumi uses the term out like an echo of spirituality in his poetic
'cooked' for this process of maturation of the conscience. This has been received as the
soul. “The process of Soul Evolution or soul's echo to reach the paramount of its
ascension is a slow process and could take at existence. The appreciation of Intellectual
the very least several lifetimes with best of Beauty in the ode sounds like the soul
candidates. Hence the term slow cooking chanting of the beauty it has been
that Rumi uses is also meant to suggest a long accustomed to within its first encounter with
process." (Shiva, 2018) This is the spiritual its own self.
practice that takes the soul to ascension. The
realization of your own self and the Literature Review
recognition of your soul are the prime factors
Rumi`s world is neither entirely like a Sufi,
that contribute to this ascension. The
Hindu, Jew nor like a Christian’s world; it is
ascension that has been achieved by Rumi
an infinite stage of a greatly involved human
from the teachings of his mentor Shams and
being (Bashiri, 2008). Rumi was among those
the ascension that is being depicted through
poets, who whirled in the Love of God.
his poetry. Akbarzadeh et. al (2013) in their
Singing and dancing with the ecstasy of this
study, classify Rumi among the "Camp of
Love, they spent their whole lives. His whole
Meta-naturalists" and who contemplates "the
life was fully ecstatic like a mystic poem
love in God and movement toward him the
(Pukar, 2000). We can find elements of
major factor in the meaningfulness of life and
optimism and hopefulness in Rumi`s works,
described death as part of life and what
which show ecstasy in Rumi’s poetry
makes the evolution of soul possible."
(Ahmadi, 2014).
Shelley was a young intellectual poet
Akbarzadeh et. al (2013) classify Rumi
who belonged to the group of later Romantic
and Heidegger on their ideas on death, the
poets. The title of Romantics specified for
meaning of life, spirituality, and soul in
this group was due to their radical tendencies

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The Alchemy of Spirituality: A Comparative Analysis of Rumi and Shelley's Poems The Alchemy of Love
and Hymn to Intellectual Beauty

Camps of "Meta-Naturalists" and atheism, and this has changed the entire
"Naturalists" respectively in their shape of this belief (Lee, 2012).
comparative research on them. Rumi believes In Hymn to Intellectual Beauty and Mont
death to be not the "breaking off or the end Blanc, which were written in 1816, during
of life" rather a beginning of "Eternal life" – a Shelley's stay in Geneva. Each of the poems
necessity for soul’s evolution – while depicts a picture of Shelley's strong faith in
Heidegger does not take into regard “the an immortal, transcendental and
problem of God and soul” in analyzing the compassionate 'Spirit', which is hidden in its
reality, life, meaning, and death majesty, unity, and saintly actions of man
(Akbarzadeh et. al, 2013). (Sullivan, 2004).
Sardar Mohammad (2014) infers by the Shelley's works normally try to explore
comparative study of Blake and Rumi that the reality of that hidden transcendental
both of the mystic poets have existence through the images of magic,
indistinguishable beliefs on most of the spirits, and ghosts, however still, he is unable
strands of mysticism. Rumi believed religion to reach the fundamental meanings of these
as an essence of the cosmic and metaphysical images, which are the creation of his
feeling that is not possible to be expressed intellect, and even he also tried to search that
except with the words of Love. When this benevolent, intelligent and universally
Love of God reaches its ultimate heights, it powerful spirit in his rebellious days of
melts the religion into itself (Ahmadi, 2014). Oxford (Lee, 2012).
Qasim and Ahmad (2020) reveal various
Love is also the name of compassion in
elements and types of Love found in the
humanity. Death is like a gateway to reach
poetry of Rumi and Blake, asserting that
this reality. A true life that lies after this.
Rumi declares "Human Beings" to be the
Imagination and Love have the potential to
subject of his Love and Blake holds a similar
discover a new world between life and death.
belief thinking a human deserves Love
We are all blessed with goodness internally,
whether he is "heathen, Turk or Jew." (Qasim
but the ways to explore this depend on our
& Ahmad, 2020).
will (Spurgeon, 1913). In Hymn to Intellectual
Rumi and Whitman, as two mystic poets, Beauty, Shelley is intended to explore the
believe that human beings, nature, and the ‘Divine Spirit’. This word is frequently liked
entire universe are the reflections of God. and celebrated by Shelley like a prayer in his
These are images of spiritual unity poems, which to some extent shows a
(Golkhosravi, 2004). The fact cannot be doctrinal bent of Shelley’s mind (Lee, 2012).
contradicted that Rumi's message of
harmony, unity, and Love is as effective in Theoretical Framework
present times as it was in his life, and his
message has never been eclipsed throughout The theoretical frame of reference for this
the centuries (Bashiri, 2008). study lies deep into the spiritual paradigm
with reference to the mystic perspective of
Although Shelley belongs to the category
Rumi and Osho. Mysticism or spirituality and
of those poets who altered the inherent
religion are two different domains yet lead to
meaning of the word 'God' by enhancing the
the same directions of self-realization and
scope of mystic aspects for upcoming
self-purification. As Golkhosravi states,
generations of seekers and readers, skeptics,
“Mysticism is not a religion in itself, but is
and theologians (Lee, 2012). Rumi had moved
rather the most vital element in all religions,
from animate to inanimate and out of reach.
rising up in revolt against cold formality and
He was simply matchless. (Pukar, 2000).
religious torpor.” (Golkhosravi, 2014) In the
Shelley's spiritual stance is more inspired by

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 Munnzza Noreen, Rana Imran Ali and Amna Romaisa Saeed

history of mysticism, the ultimate goal of a contributors to English romantic poetry. The
mystic is to explore the relationship between life and works of the English Romantic poet
man and the absolute divine existence, which Shelley reflect his strong romanticism.
Rumi addresses as 'beloved' and Shelley as Shelley deals with unconventional paradigms
'intellectual beauty'. Philosophically and in his poetry. These unconventional
ontologically, their very existence is paradigms show a zest for the beauty and
addressed as transcendental being. truth of human existence. This rebellious
Rumi, through his poetry has advocated nature of Shelley has left deep traces on the
the spirit of Love as a harmonious pull to history of English romantic poetry. Shelley's
reach the ultimate. Rumi teaches Love, verses are full of lyricism, beauty, and mystic
compassion, and patience to win the mystic content. He has a prophetic soul. This
insight. His poetic domains are an apt prophetic vision of Shelley has a universal
representation of his spiritual philosophy. As appeal in it.
far as the matter of Osho’s perspective is Mawlana Jalal-ad-Din Muhammad
concerned it is very near to the stance of Balkhi, known as Rumi, is a 13th-century
Shelley. He, like Shelley, was against the Persian mystic poet, who is truly one of the
orthodoxy of his religion and political most passionate, mystic, and philosophical
policies. He always advocates courage, poets in the entire history of nations. His
mindfulness, and meditations which are spiritual poetry is originally the outcome of
more or less near to Shelley’s thinking his inspirations for Shams Tabraiz, who was
paradigm. Osho's account of his mystic a spiritual mentor and instructor of Rumi.
philosophy comprises almost 600 works. His After meeting Shams, he was transformed
book The Inner Journey (1997) is a into a seeker of truth and Love. His poetry
comprehensive elaboration of self-realization focuses on different and diverse topics,
and gaining insight into the phenomenon of related to love, spirituality, and philosophy of
spirit. being. His poetic stance has a universal
Osho is a modern mystic whose ideas appeal in it.
and life have impacted millions of people Shelley’s selected poem for comparative
from all areas of life. Osho (1997) expresses analysis is Hymn to Intellectual Beauty, in
how Love cannot be found in material which we find the poet searching and
artifacts but only in the "Beloved". He exploring the existence of a spirit which,
intimates that "Love is not something to be according to Shelley is impliedly dealing with
obtained from the outside. Love is the music every phenomenon of human life. He accepts
of your inner being. Nobody can give you that this spirit he addresses as Intellectual
Love. Love can arise within you, but it cannot Beauty covers each and everything and
be obtained from the outside. There is no inculcates into every field of this universe. It
shop, market, no salesman from whom you visits humans in certain moments and makes
can purchase Love. Love cannot be them realize its existence by bringing hope
purchased at any price. Love is an inner into the darkest moments of human lives.
flowering. It arises from some dormant However, by calling the 'spirit': Intellectual
energy within, yet all of us search for Love on Beauty, Shelley has tried to confuse it with
the outside. But all of us search for Love in the materialistic color of intellect.
the beloved. Rumi’s selected poem for the
comparative analysis is The Alchemy of Love,
Analysis and Discussion which deals with the same existence which
Percy Bysshe Shelley is one of the major encircles the whole universe, but the entire
poem encapsulates the whole philosophy of

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The Alchemy of Spirituality: A Comparative Analysis of Rumi and Shelley's Poems The Alchemy of Love
and Hymn to Intellectual Beauty

exploration of the truth into the Love for the the divine spirit passionately. He also urges
ultimate reality. According to Rumi, this its company to stay forever. He has an earnest
search for ultimate truth is a quest to reach desire for living in the company of his Beloved
the emblem of Love. In the poem, Rumi forever. Shelley also seems thankful to the
believes that this transcendental being, his spirit (God) that He bestows His grace on
beloved, like Shelley's intellectual beauty, mankind and unities all opposites. As Bashiri
comes from another world and visits human (2008) says, “The world of Rumi is neither
beings. Rumi believes that this transforms exclusively the world of a Sufi, nor the world
everyone to whom it touches, and it removes of a Hindu, nor a Jew, nor a Christian; it is the
all the troubles. Shelley also acknowledges highest state of a human being--- a fully
that his intellectual beauty brings hope for evolved human”.
humanity in the dark moments of their lives, Shelley is startled when he realizes the
while for Rumi it brings Love. Rumi in the presence of the spirit of Intellectual Beauty
poem believes that it removes all the working everywhere in the universe so calmly
distinctions and brings unity for everything and peacefully. He screams and clasps in
and everyone. ecstasy when he realizes this presence of the
Shelley considers Intellectual Beauty as unseen spirit of beauty. For instance, in
an unseen power that visits the human heart Hymn to Intellectual Beauty, he says:
at rare times. This unseen power is pervading “Sudden, thy shadow fell on me;/I shrieked,
the whole universe. This power gives sacred and clasped my hands in ecstasy.” (59-60)
effects on beings upon whom it shines. Rumi is evoked by the blessings of his
Rumi's Beloved or Divine Spirit is also Beloved. He showers his grace equally to
beautiful, graceful, and pure. He exists everyone. Rumi seems to feel ecstatic with
beyond stars and space. He loves His creation the idea. For example, in the poem, The
without any discrimination. He sends His Alchemy of Love, Rumi says: "Bringing joy/ to
light on a peasant and a king, equally. This is ruler and ruled/ to peasant and king.” (14-16)
how both of these poets, despite the Shelley is hopeful that the spirit of
diversion in religion and belief, explore the Intellectual Beauty would liberate this world
same transcendental truth behind the from the forces of hatred, superstition, and
existence of the universe. fear. He believes that this force awards
Shelley tries to identify the divine spirit human beings benefits that are uncountable.
as Intellectual Beauty, which is invisible, but Like Shelley says in his poem Hymn to
it is pervading in the whole universe, and it Intellectual Beauty: “Unlinked with hope that
visits the human heart at rare times. Rumi thou wouldst free/This world form its dark
also realizes the existence of the divine spirit. slavery," (69-70) Rumi's poem is also full of
According to RUMI, the divine spirit is at all hope and about the mercy of divine power.
times a source of blessing for the one He He is hopeful that all human troubles and
touches. Both of the poets, however believe sorrows have been solved in the presence of
that it cannot be seen or visualized by the divine spirit (God). Rumi's words
material perception. illustrate his hope in The Alchemy of Love as:
Shelley's devotion and sincerity of "Mundane concerns, / troubles, and
expression can be measured when he urges sorrows/Dissolve in your presence,” (11-13).
this Intellectual Beauty to stay with him for “Rumi therefore, ‘longs to look’ at His face by
his whole life. He has felt calm in the looking to ‘orchard and rose garden’”, as
presence of intellectual beauty and he wants Qasim and Ahmad (2020) express in their
to enjoy this calmness his entire life. Rumi's comparative study of Rumi and Blake.
sincerity can be seen when he is talking about Shelley considers that intellectual beauty

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 Munnzza Noreen, Rana Imran Ali and Amna Romaisa Saeed

is unseen and invisible. It exists beyond his blessings. It confers divine status in human
perception. He accepts this in his poem beings. Shelley exemplifies it in his poem
Hymn to Intellectual Beauty: “The awful Hymn to Intellectual Beauty as: “for some
shadow of some unseen power/Floats though uncertain moment lent./Man were immortal,
unseen among us,” (1-2) Rumi also and omnipotent,” (38-39) Rumi also believes
acknowledges that divine spirit exists beyond that divine spirit can turn evil into good and
the world. It is something that lives beyond it can also confer human beings sacred
the stars or in another world. Rumi illustrates character. Rumi presents it in these words in
this point in his poem The Alchemy of Love his poem The Alchemy of Love: "All that is
as: "You come to us/ from another world/ profane/ becomes sacred again.” (30-31)
From beyond the stars/ and void of space.” Shelley thinks that Intellectual beauty's
(2-4) Rumi does not seek connection with light can eliminate all our fears, hate, and
earthly items; instead, he seeks to unite his despair. It can lend grace and truth to human
soul with the almighty. (Qasim & Ahmad, life. For instance, Hymn to Intellectual Beauty
2020) shows it as: "Why man has such a scope For
Intellectual beauty is a mysterious power love and hate……../ (23-24) Thy light
for Shelley. It can be compared to anything alone……..(32) Give grace and truth to life’s
that captures the poet's attention because of unquiet dream.” (36) Rumi also believes that
its grace and mysterious nature. Like Shelley Divine spirit can eliminate all human sorrows
proves in his poem Hymn to Intellectual and troubles with His mercy and blessings.
Beauty as: "Like aught that for its grace may Rumi’s poem The Alchemy of Love represents
be / Dear and yet dearer for its mystery.” (11- it as: “Mundane concerns, troubles, and
12) Rumi also thinks that the 'divine spirit' is sorrows/dissolve in your presence.” (11-13)
a mysterious power. Because it belongs to a Rumi ponders how, when God's love rise to
place that is beyond the poet's perception. He its ultimate destiny, religion seems to vanish
thinks that it may exist in an unseen world. in itself as he opines: "the religion of love is
Shelley believes that his spirit of apart from all religions: for lover the (only)
Intellectual Beauty lends sacred character to religion and creed is God.” (Ahmadi, 2014)
all human beings it shines. Human beings Shelley's zest for divine Love is shown
and their thoughts acquire a sacred when he desires for intellectual beauty's Love
character. Shelley writes these words to prove and asks Him that only the Love of
his point in his poem Hymn to Intellectual Intellectual Beauty can make his (Shelley)
Beauty: "Spirit of beauty, that dost existence meaningful on earth. Rumi also
consecrate/ With thine own hues all thou desires heavenly Love. He thinks that the
dost shine upon/ of human thought or form," essence of Love that the heavenly spirit
(13-15) Rumi also thinks that the divine power brings with Him can transform a person. The
(God) bestows His blessings on all human divine spirit's Love merges things that exist in
beings without any discrimination of caste, this world or not. The instance can be found
color, and religion. He transforms all those, in his poem The fact cannot be contradicted
whom he touches with His Love and grace. that Rumi's message of harmony, unity, and
Rumi represents this idea in his poem The Love is as effective in present times as it was
Alchemy of Love as: “You transform all/ who in his life, and his message has never been
are touched by you.” (9-10) / “You are the eclipsed throughout the centuries (Bashiri,
master alchemist.”(22) 2008). "Through your loving/existence and
Shelley is of the view that if intellectual non-existence merge."(27-28)
beauty permanently stays within the human Shelley believes that a Divine unifying
heart, it gains immortality and heavenly spirit is present in everything in this world.

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The Alchemy of Spirituality: A Comparative Analysis of Rumi and Shelley's Poems The Alchemy of Love
and Hymn to Intellectual Beauty

He refers to this unifying natural force in his whole world. He uses the word 'God'
poem Hymn to Intellectual Beauty. He metaphorically. The presence of this unseen
searches this unifying spirit in ghosts and power can be felt. This power has sensory
demons. Rumi's pantheist spirit is also effects on man. It visits man at rare times. He
reflected when he says that God's Love can be searches for this power in nature, Love,
seen in the sky, earth, heart, and soul of every beauty, and freedom.
being. While Shelley's search still continues, The Concept or movement of Pantheism
Rumi has reached the ultimate reality. took prominence in the 18th century whose
Shelley's search lies in the way that he followers believed that in nature, God exists
personifies himself with the material entities. everywhere. Everything in the whole universe
Shelley’s intellect and his extraordinarily is collectively considered as “God”. Shelley
powerful mind intervene right at the moment talks about this power in his poem Hymn to
when he is to reach the ultimate reality. He Intellectual Beauty. He regards it above all
starts asking for the physical existence. As an things. He perceives Divine Beauty as human
intellectual scholar, he is scornful towards beauty, from here comes his concept of
religion as he thinks it brings the idea of pantheism. He does not know who is this
distinctions among human beings. beauty actually is? It is basically a creation of
Shelley compares the spirit of Intellectual his mind. This makes him an atheist because
Beauty with clouds that appear and disappear he is not clear about his concept of the
in the sky. Another description supposes the existence of this spirit, which he calls
haunted places that Shelley visited in search Intellectual Beauty. However, his belief in the
of ghosts and spirits. "When winds are existence of Intellectual Beauty shows his
wooing/ All vitals that wake to bring/News of bent of belief in this way he can be termed as
birds and blossoming,” (56-58) Rumi also a “The Muse of the Soul.”
portrays the transcendental picture of the Shelley possesses a mind which is
heavenly being; of his Beloved in his poem. convinced by facts and reason. He thinks that
Rumi called his heavenly spirit as pure and as with this glorious mind he can explore the
beautiful that it can never be measured by realities of life. He believes that there is an
human perception. Rumi says in his poem, ultimate reality that controls the whole
The Alchemy of Love; "Transcendent, pure, of universe. But when he tries to search for the
unimaginable beauty,” (5-6) ultimate reality in this world, he failed
The tag of atheism was imposed on because of his intellectual and materialistic
Shelley since his childhood. He was called a bent.
mad Shelley or atheist because he rebelled He thinks that there exists a soul that
against existing patterns of society and controls the whole world. But when he is
religion. Some people argue that Shelley was about to find it, his mind intervenes in it, and
a shy and sensitive boy in his childhood, he relates it to that unseen power of his mind.
however, there is another concept that His heart is inspired by this soul, but his mind
Shelley was of an independent temper, and demands the physical presence of that power,
he loved liberty. Perhaps this Love for liberty that's why he searches for Intellectual Beauty
and skepticism of Shelley is interpreted as in demons, ghosts, and spirit.
'atheism' by the world.
He cannot realize the presence of
Shelley does not accept any religion. He Intellectual Beauty because of his material
is against Christianity because his intellectual intellect. He tries to explore that Intellectual
power does not believe in the theories and Beauty in physical objects like clouds, music,
beliefs of Christianity. He thinks that there and the summer wind. This imaginative
exists an unseen power that governs the

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 Munnzza Noreen, Rana Imran Ali and Amna Romaisa Saeed

faculty of his mind takes him away from Conclusion

ultimate reality and he does not find a power
Although the stance of Rumi and Shelley is
that rules the whole world. It seems that he
quite similar, the spiritual approach of Rumi
wants to see, or existence of that soul.
is a bit clearer than Shelley's. Shelley's
Shelley had Love and sensation of that extraordinarily powerful mind time and
Intellectual Beauty but his intellectual power again intervenes in his spiritual journey and
searches that beauty in material things. He demands the physical and material existence
did not reach that level, where he realized the of that spirit Shelley termed 'intellectual
presence of the Divine soul. But he had a soul beauty'. Another thing that has caused
through he received sensation of that higher hindrance in Shelley’s reach to the ultimate
soul. Rumi has reached that plane, where he reality is his atheistic spirit. However, he was
can realize the presence of that Divine Power. a prophetic atheist.
But he depicts Divine Spirit in material things
Rumi has got the reality that to reach the
for the common man. Shelley, though limited
source of ultimate truth we do not need mind
and chained by his intellect, we can say also
but soul. The relation of man with that
possesses a mystic and prophetic soul just
transcendental truth is developed with the
like Rumi.
connection of the soul, not of the mind.
Rumi is one of the great souls, and one of According to Rumi's philosophy, one has to
the great spiritual teachers. He shows us our surrender one's will to the will of that Divine
glory. He wants us to be more alive, to wake Spirit (God), Rumi termed as Beloved. To
up…… He wants us to see our beauty, in the some extent, Shelley also was aware of this
mirror, and in each other. Rumi’s message can fact as a pantheist, but again the intervening
be stated in many ways. It is the core of every of his material mind could not let him
religion. (Barks, 2009) surrender to that 'spirit' he acknowledged in
Shelley is a mystic in his approach like his poetry but could not understand it fully.
Rumi. His expression is sincere in his They both believe that this spirit is graceful,
feelings, and he feels joy in the presence of a which is another similarity of their stances.
spiritual being as Rumi does. Rumi perceives However, the presence of a mystic soul in
Divine Spirit as hope that dissolves all Shelley cannot be denied. Just like Rumi,
sorrows and sufferings of humanity. Shelley Shelley has also tried to explore the 'spirit' in
also interprets Intellectual Beauty as a source different material objects like clouds, trees,
of hope which diminishes human fears, hate, rain, and air. Like Rumi, Shelley has also
and despair. admitted in the selected poem that, the
Shelley's approach is also transcendental 'Intellectual Beauty' is the source of light and
just like Rumi's. However, time and again, hope in this world and He is controlling the
Shelley seems to labor regarding the identity system of the entire universe. Shelley admits
of that Divine Beauty, which leads to his that this Intellectual Beauty (Divine Spirit)
concept or approach towards transcendental visits men in the moments when they are in
existence. Shelley believes that Intellectual distress. Rumi too believes that his Beloved
Beauty is a mysterious power that makes mends the broken hearts, and soothes the
humans immortal when he showers His light shattered souls. Rumi reckons that the way to
of pure Love on them. Rumi too has faith in approach his Beloved is Love. A way he
that Divine Spirit that lives beyond stars and learned from his master Shams Tabrizi.
purifies everyone equally with His grace and While the problem with Shelley arises with
Love. the fact that he has tried to explore God by
getting himself detached from religion and

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The Alchemy of Spirituality: A Comparative Analysis of Rumi and Shelley's Poems The Alchemy of Love
and Hymn to Intellectual Beauty

by following the way of liberty and freedom radicalism has made them think, believe and
of thought. Moreover, concerning their enact in a liberal way. It has given rise to free
ideologies, another similarity between Rumi will which has made them both unique from
and Shelley is their radicalism. This the rest and similar to each other.

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 Munnzza Noreen, Rana Imran Ali and Amna Romaisa Saeed

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