Note 266 — THE BOOK OF THE MESNEVĪ (continued 3)

There are seven different Persian games of backgammon. The second of the seven, the one mentioned by the poet, is called “Plus” (Ziyād). At each throw of the dice, one is added, arbitrarily, to each number shown on the two, ace becoming deuce, &c. The poet likens the body to this supposititious number, the soul alone being real.