The Clever Hare, the Lion’s Fall, and the Greater Jihad Within | Chapter 8 of The Masnavi
Outwitting the Ego: Rumi’s Tale of the Hare, the Lion, and the Inner Jihad | Chapter 8 of The Masnavi (Book One) Chapter 8 of The Masnavi presents one of Rumi’s most delightful yet spiritually profound animal parables: the story of a clever hare who uses intelligence and humility to defeat a tyrannical lion. Though playful on the surface, this tale becomes a deep meditation on spiritual discernment, the blindness of pride, the danger of self-deception, and the importance of conquering the “lion within”—the nafs, or ego. Through masterful storytelling, Rumi transforms a fable into a guide for inner awakening, urging seekers to wage the greater jihad: the lifelong struggle against the lower self. For a full exploration of this chapter’s symbolism and teachings, watch the complete video summary here: The Lion’s Tyranny and the Animals’ Desperation The tale opens in a forest ruled by a ferocious lion whose unchecked hunger and aggression terrorize all creatures. Desperate to su...