“The Congress of Birds” is an influential 12th-century Persian epic poem, originally titled Mantiq-ut-Tayr, or “The Language of the Birds.” Written by Farid al-Din Attar, this work is a foundational text in Sufi literature, offering an allegorical narrative. It explores the spiritual journey toward enlightenment and self-discovery through the quest of various birds. The poem’s significance lies in its symbolism and its influence on allegorical storytelling within Islamic philosophy and Persian poetry.
The Author and His Masterpiece
Farid al-Din Attar, born around 1142 in Nishapur, northeastern Iran, was a 12th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic. His professional name, Attar, signifies “perfumer” or “apothecary,” a trade that involved knowledge of herbs and medicine. He was known as an expert pharmacist. Attar traveled extensively as a young man, visiting regions like Egypt, Syria, Arabia, India, and Central Asia before settling back in his hometown.
Attar composed 45,000 rhyming couplets and several prose works. Mantiq-ut-Tayr, his celebrated work, is written in the masnavi form, a poetic structure characterized by rhyming couplets, spanning over 4,500 lines. Rumi was later inspired by Attar and adopted this poetic form. The poem’s title is derived from the Quran, referencing Prophet Solomon’s ability to understand the speech of birds. Attar’s writing was rooted in 12th-century Persian Sufi thought and mysticism.
The Allegorical Journey
The narrative of “The Congress of Birds” begins with a gathering of birds who realize they lack a sovereign and decide to seek a king. The wise Hoopoe, acting as a spiritual guide, proposes they embark on a perilous journey to find the legendary Simorgh, a mythical symbol of the divine. Each bird represents human qualities and flaws, such as pride, fear, and attachment, which pose obstacles on the path to enlightenment. Many birds offer excuses, like the Nightingale’s love for the rose or the Parrot’s desire for immortality, reflecting human reluctance to undertake the spiritual quest.
The journey involves traversing seven arduous valleys, each representing a stage of spiritual development and testing the birds’ resolve. These valleys present unique challenges that must be overcome.
The Seven Valleys
The Valley of the Quest requires renouncing worldly possessions and ego.
The Valley of Love abandons intellect for emotional commitment.
The Valley of Knowledge renders worldly understanding useless.
The Valley of Detachment necessitates shedding all attachments.
The Valley of Unity reveals the interconnectedness of all existence.
The Valley of Bewilderment overwhelms the seeker with the vastness of divine reality.
The Valley of Poverty and Annihilation involves the dissolution of the self and complete absorption in the divine.
As the journey progresses, the number of birds dwindles, with many perishing or giving up due to the difficulties. Out of thousands, only thirty birds ultimately reach the Simorgh’s dwelling.
Profound Spiritual Themes
The birds’ journey in the poem symbolizes the Sufi path toward divine truth and enlightenment. Each valley represents a stage in the spiritual seeker’s progress, emphasizing the transformation required to achieve unity with the divine. The narrative illustrates the Sufi concept of self-discovery, where the ego, or nafs, must be dissolved to attain spiritual liberation. This process involves overcoming internal weaknesses and attachments that hinder spiritual growth.
The poem addresses the nature of God, portraying the divine not as an external entity but as the totality of existence, residing within all creation. The ultimate realization occurs when the thirty surviving birds reach the Simorgh, only to discover that the Simorgh is their own collective reflection. This revelation is a play on words, as “Simorgh” in Persian can mean “thirty birds” (si morgh). This allegory conveys that the seeker and the sought are fundamentally one, and divine truth lies within oneself.
The narrative elements directly connect to these deeper philosophical concepts. Challenges in each valley represent internal battles individuals must confront. The dwindling number of birds illustrates the demanding nature of the spiritual path, where perseverance is paramount. The poem guides the reader to understand that the journey is one of internal transformation, leading to a realization of the unity of being and the divine within.
Its Enduring Impact
“The Congress of Birds” has left an enduring legacy, significantly influencing Persian literature, Sufi thought, and broader world literature. Its allegorical structure and themes of spiritual enlightenment have made it a masterpiece, translated into many languages and studied globally. The poem’s narrative structure and symbolism have inspired numerous artists, writers, and spiritual seekers across centuries and cultures.
This work continues to resonate in contemporary times, with modern adaptations in various art forms, including graphic novels, plays, and music. Its message of unity, self-discovery, and the human quest for meaning remains relevant. The poem’s ability to explore complex spiritual ideas through an accessible narrative ensures its place as a foundational text that transcends its original cultural and historical context.