Yes, the phrase “Shams & Rumi: the fragrance of axis mundi” poetically captures how their encounter became a spiritual pivot point, but it is not a literal historical term. The “axis mundi” is a mythological concept—the cosmic center connecting heaven and earth—and Shams-i Tabrizi and Jalal al-Din Rumi’s relationship is often described as a living example of such a sacred meeting point, where divine love and human friendship fused. This article unpacks the historical facts, the symbolic resonance, and why the metaphor of fragrance fits their story so well.
Who Were Shams and Rumi?
Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–1273) was a Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic born in Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan) or possibly Vakhsh (in Tajikistan), depending on the source. His family fled the Mongol invasions and eventually settled in Konya, in Anatolia (modern Turkey), where Rumi became a respected religious teacher. Shams-i Tabrizi (c. 1185–1248) was a wandering dervish from Tabriz (in Iran), known for his intense, uncompromising spiritual insight. Historical accounts, such as those in Aflaki’s Manaqib al-Arifin (Virtues of the Knowers of God), describe Shams as a seeker who challenged conventional religious practice and sought a soulmate who could understand his radical devotion.
Their first meeting, traditionally dated to 1244 in Konya, transformed Rumi from a conventional scholar into a ecstatic poet. Rumi’s Divan-i Shams-i Tabrizi (The Works of Shams of Tabriz) is a collection of over 40,000 verses, many of which are signed with Shams’s name, as Rumi felt his own identity dissolved into his beloved friend. This dissolution of self is central to the “axis mundi” metaphor—a point where the individual ego meets the divine.
What Is the Axis Mundi in World Mythology?
The axis mundi is a cross-cultural symbol found in many mythological systems. It represents the center of the world, the point where the cosmic realms—heaven, earth, and underworld—intersect. Examples include:
- Yggdrasil in Norse mythology, the world tree connecting the nine realms.
- Mount Meru in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, the sacred mountain at the center of the universe.
- Mount Olympus in Greek mythology, home of the gods.
- The Milky Way in various traditions, seen as a celestial path or axis.
In Sufi thought, the axis mundi is often internalized as the qutb (spiritual pole), the highest saint of an era, through whom divine grace flows to the world. Shams and Rumi, in their intense companionship, are sometimes viewed as embodying this pole—a human axis where the divine fragrance becomes perceptible.
Why “Fragrance”? The Symbolism of Scent in Sufism
The metaphor of fragrance is deeply rooted in Sufi poetry and Islamic mysticism. The Quran mentions the “breath of the Merciful” (nafas al-Rahman) as a divine breeze that revives hearts. In Sufi practice, the remembrance of God (dhikr) is often compared to inhaling a sweet perfume that purifies the soul. Rumi’s own poetry uses scent repeatedly—rose, musk, ambergris—to evoke the presence of the beloved. For example, in his Mathnawi, he writes of the soul as a garden where the “fragrance of union” arises when the ego dies.
Shams himself was reportedly known for his piercing gaze and his habit of speaking in riddles, which some accounts describe as a “fragrance” of divine knowledge that unsettled his listeners. The idea that their meeting released a “fragrance” suggests an intangible, yet powerful, spiritual influence that spread far beyond their personal bond—a scent that still lingers in Rumi’s poetry read worldwide today.
The Historical Meeting: Fact and Legend
The exact details of Shams and Rumi’s first meeting are shrouded in legend. One popular story, recounted in Aflaki’s hagiography, says that Rumi was surrounded by books when Shams asked, “What is this?” Rumi replied, “You cannot understand this.” Shams then pointed to the books, and they burst into flames, saying, “Now you understand.” This story symbolizes the transcendence of book-learning in favor of direct mystical experience. However, historians note that Aflaki wrote a generation later and mixed hagiography with history. What is certain is that the two men became inseparable for a period, and their companionship caused scandal among Rumi’s students, who resented Shams’s influence. In 1246, Shams disappeared—possibly murdered by jealous disciples, or perhaps he left voluntarily. Rumi’s grief led to an outpouring of poetry and the founding of the Mevlevi Order (the Whirling Dervishes), where the whirling dance symbolizes the soul’s journey around the axis of divine love.
How Their Relationship Became a Symbol
In Sufi theology, the concept of fana (annihilation of the ego) and baqa (subsistence in God) is central. Rumi’s relationship with Shams is often interpreted as a human mirror of this process: Rumi lost himself in Shams, and through Shams, he found God. This is why they are seen as a “fragrance of axis mundi”—their bond created a point where the divine and human intersected. The Mevlevi order institutionalized this by making the whirling dance a meditation on the cosmic axis, with the sheikh (spiritual guide) as the pivot. Today, visitors to Konya can see Rumi’s tomb, which is considered a pilgrimage site—a physical axis mundi for many Muslims and spiritual seekers.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that Shams and Rumi were lovers in a romantic sense. While their poetry is full of erotic imagery, this is a standard Sufi metaphor for the soul’s longing for God. Their relationship was spiritual mentorship and intense friendship, not physical romance. Another misconception is that Shams was Rumi’s teacher in a formal sense; rather, they were mutual catalysts. Rumi was already a scholar, but Shams ignited his poetic and ecstatic expression. Finally, some modern New Age interpretations claim they were “twin flames” or a literal manifestation of the axis mundi; these are metaphorical readings, not historical facts. The axis mundi is a mythological symbol, not a physical location or a person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Shams and Rumi actually meet in 1244? Yes, most historical accounts, including Aflaki’s, date their first meeting to 1244 in Konya, but the exact circumstances are legendary. Some scholars question the precise year, but the meeting is accepted as historical.
Why did Shams disappear? The reasons are uncertain. Some sources say he was murdered by Rumi’s jealous disciples, while others claim he left voluntarily to avoid conflict. Rumi’s son, Sultan Walad, wrote that Shams was killed, but no definitive evidence exists.
Is the “axis mundi” a real place? No, it is a mythological and symbolic concept found in many cultures, representing the center of the world or the connection between realms. It is not a physical location.
What is the significance of Rumi’s poetry today? Rumi’s poetry, especially the Mathnawi, is considered a masterpiece of Sufi literature and is widely translated. It emphasizes love, tolerance, and the search for the divine, which resonates with modern readers beyond religious boundaries.
Are the Whirling Dervishes related to Shams and Rumi? Yes, the Mevlevi Order, founded after Rumi’s death, uses the whirling dance as a meditation on divine love, inspired by Rumi’s ecstatic states. The dance symbolizes the soul’s rotation around the axis of God.
Conclusion
The phrase “Shams & Rumi: the fragrance of axis mundi” is a poetic synthesis, not a historical term. It captures the essence of their story: a meeting that became a cosmic pivot, releasing a spiritual fragrance that has endured for centuries. While the axis mundi is a mythological symbol, the historical reality of their friendship and its impact on Sufism and world literature is undeniable. Their legacy invites us to consider how human relationships can become gateways to the divine, a theme that continues to inspire seekers across cultures.
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