The Merchant, the Parrot, and the Secret of Spiritual Freedom | Chapter 10 of The Masnavi
Ego-Death and the Soul’s Flight to Freedom in Rumi’s Tale of the Merchant and the Parrot | Chapter 10 of The Masnavi (Book One) Chapter 10 of The Masnavi presents one of Rumi’s most beloved spiritual allegories: the story of the merchant and his caged parrot. What begins as a simple tale about a talking bird becomes a profound meditation on spiritual liberation, ego-death, humility, and the soul’s ascent toward divine union. Through poetic symbolism, Rumi teaches that true freedom cannot be attained through force or longing alone—it requires the silencing of the self, the death of egoic desire, and the awakening of divine intelligence within. To experience the full narrative interpretation and its mystical insights, watch the complete chapter breakdown here: A Merchant, a Caged Parrot, and a Message from India The story begins with a merchant preparing to travel to India. He asks each of his servants what gift they desire upon his return. His parrot—beautiful, intelligent, ...