mutāba'at kardan-e-nasārā vazīr rā
How the Christians followed the vizier.
dil bado dadand tarsāyāñ tamām
ḳhud che bāshad quvvat-e-taqlīd-e-'ām
The Christians all gave their hearts to him: what (how great),
indeed, is the strength of the (blind) conformity of the vulgar!
dar darūn-e-sīna mehrash kāshtand
nā.ib-e-'īsāsh mī pindāshtand
They planted love of him within their breasts,
they were regarding him as the vicar of Jesus.
uu ba-sirr dajjāl-e-yak-chashm-e-la'īñ
ai ḳhudā fariyād-ras ne'mal-mu'īñ
He inwardly (in reality) was the accursed one-eyed Antichrist.
O God, do Thou (hear and) answer the cry (of those in trouble) —what a good helper art Thou!
sad hazārāñ dām-o-dānāst ai ḳhudā
mā chu murġhān-e-harīs-e-be-navā
O God, there are myriads of snares and baits,
and we are as greedy foodless birds.
dam-ba-dam mā basta-e-dām-e-navem
har yake gar bāz-o-sīmurġhe shavem
From moment to moment we are caught in a fresh snare,
though we become, each one, (like) a falcon or a Símurgh.
mī rihānī har dame mā rā-o-bāz
sū-e-dāme mī-ravem ai be-niyāz
Every moment Thou art delivering us,
and again we are going to a snare, O Thou who art without want!
mā darīñ ambār gandum mī kunem
gandum-e-jam' āmada gum mī kunem
We are putting corn in this barn, (and then)
we are losing the corn that has been garnered.
mī neyandeshem āḳhir mā ba-hosh
kiiñ ḳhalal dar gandumast az makr-e-mūsh
(Why), after all, do not we consider with intelligent mind
that this damage to the corn arises from the deceitfulness of the mouse?
muush tā ambār-e-mā hufrah za dast
vaz fanash ambār-e-mā vīrāñ shudast
Since the mouse has made a hole in our barn,
and our barn has been ravaged by its guile,
avval ai jaañ daf'-e-sharr-e-mūsh kun
vāñ-gahāñ dar jam'-e-gandum josh kun
O soul, in the first place avert the mischief of the mouse,
and then show fervour (zeal) in garnering the corn.
ba-shino az aḳhbār-e-āñ sadr-e-sudūr
lā-salātattamma illā-bil-huzūr
Hear (one) of the sayings related from the Chiefest of the Chief (the Prophet):
No prayer is complete without ‘presence’ (concentration of the mind on God).
gar na mūshe duzd dar ambār-e-māst
gandum-e-a'amāl-e-chil sāla-e-kujāst
If there is no thievish mouse in our barn,
where is the corn of forty years' works (of devotion)?
reze reze sidq har roze charā
jam' mī nāyad darīñ ambār-e-mā
Why is the daily sincerity (of our devotions)
not being stored, bit by bit, in this barn of ours?
bas sitāra ātish az aahan jahīd
vaañ dil-e-sozīda pazraft-o-kashīd
Many a star (spark) of fire shot forth from the iron (of good works),
and that burning heart received (it) and drew (it) in;
lek dar zulmat yake duzde nihāñ
mī nehad añgusht bar istārgāñ
But in the darkness a hidden thief
is laying his finger upon the stars,
mī kushad istārgāñ rā yak-ba-yak
tā ki nafrozad charāġhe az falak
Extinguishing the stars one by one,
that no lamp may shine from the (spiritual) sky.
gar hazārāñ daam bāshad dar qadam
chuuñ tu bā maa.e na-bāshad hech ġham
Though there be thousands of snares at our feet,
when Thou art with us there is not any trouble.
har shabe az dām-e-tan arvāh rā
mī rihānī mī kunī alvāh rā
Every night Thou freest the spirits from the body's snare,
and dost erase (the impressions on) the tablets (of the mind).
mī-rihand arvāh har-shab ziiñ qafas
fāriġhāñ az hukm-o-guftār-o-qisas
The spirits are set free every night from this cage,
independent, neither ruling nor ruled by anyone.
shab za zindāñ be-ḳhabar zindāniyāñ
shab za daulat be-ḳhabar sultāniyāñ
At night prisoners are unconscious of their prison,
at night governors are unconscious of their power.
ne ġham-o-andesha-e-sūd-o-ziyāñ
ne kHayāl-e- fulān-o-āñ fulāñ
There is no sorrow, no thought of gain or loss,
no fancy of this person or that person.
hāl-e-'ārif iiñ buvad be-ḳhvāb ham
guft iizad hum-ruqūdun ziiñ maram
This is the state of the ‘árif (gnostic), even without sleep: God said,
(Thou wouldst deem them awake) whilst they slept. Shy not at this.
ḳhufta az ahvāl-e-duniyā roz-o-shab
chuuñ qalam dar panja-e-taqlīb-e-rab
He is asleep, day and night, to the affairs of the world,
like a pen in the hand of the Lord's control.
āñ-ki uu panja na-bīnad dar raqam
fe'l pindārad ba-jumbish az qalam
One who sees not the hand in the writing thinks (that)
the act (of writing proceeds) from the pen by means of movement.
shimma-e-zīñ hāl-e-'ārif vā-numūd
ḳhalq rā ham kHvāb-e-hissī dar rubūd
He (God) hath shown forth some part of this state of the ‘árif,
(in as much as) the intellect too is carried off (overtaken) by sleep of the senses.
rafta dar sahrā-e-be-chūñ jān-e-shāñ
rūh-e-shāñ asūda-o-abdān-e-shāñ
Their souls are gone into the desert that is without
description: their spirits and bodies are at rest;
vaz safīre baaz daam andar kashī
jumla rā dar dād-o-dar dāvar kashī
And with a whistle thou leadest them back to the snare,
leadest them all (back) to justice and to the judge.
fāliq-ul-isbāh isrāfīl vaar
jumla rā dar sūrat aarad zaañ dayār
Like Isráfíl (Seraphiel), He (God) who causes the dawn to break
brings them all from those lands (of spirit) into (the world of) form.
rūh-hā-e-munbasit rā tan kunad
har tane rā baaz ābastan kund
He embodies the spirits divested (of body),
He makes each body pregnant (laden) again (with actions and works).
asb-e-jān-hā rā kunad aarī za ziiñ
sirri-annaum-akH-ul-mautast iiñ
He makes the steed of the souls bare of saddle:
this is the inner meaning of Sleep is the brother of Death;
lek bahr-e-āñkī roz āyand baaz
bar nehad bar paash pāband-e-darāz
But in order that they may return in the daytime,
He puts a long tether on their leg,
tā ki rozash vākashad zaañ marġh-zār
vaz charāgāh āradash dar zer-e-bār
So that in the daytime He may lead it back from that
meadow and bring it from the pasture (to go) under the load.
kaash chuuñ as.hāb-e-kahf iiñ ruuh rā
hifz karde yā chu kashtī nuuh rā
Would that He had guarded this spirit as the
Men of the Cave or as the Ark of Noah,
tā aziiñ tūfān-e-bedārī-o-hosh
vā rahīde iiñ zamīr-o-chashm-o-gosh
That this mind and eye and ear might be delivered
from the Flood of wakefulness and consciousness!
ai basā as.hāb-e-kahf andar jahāñ
pahlū-e-tū pesh-e-tū hast iiñ zamāñ
Oh, in the world there is many a Man of the Cave beside you,
before you, at this time
ġhaar baa-ū yaar baa-ū dar surūd
mohr bar chashmast-o-bar goshat che suud
The Friend is with him, the Cave is in converse with him;
but your eyes and ears are sealed, (so) what does it avail?
mutaba'at kardan-e-nasara wazir ra
How the Christians followed the vizier.
dil bado dadand tarsayan tamam
KHud che bashad quwwat-e-taqlid-e-'am
The Christians all gave their hearts to him: what (how great),
indeed, is the strength of the (blind) conformity of the vulgar!
dar darun-e-sina mehrash kashtand
naib-e-'isash mi pindashtand
They planted love of him within their breasts,
they were regarding him as the vicar of Jesus.
u ba-sirr dajjal-e-yak-chashm-e-la'in
ai KHuda fariyaad-ras ne'mal-mu'in
He inwardly (in reality) was the accursed one-eyed Antichrist.
O God, do Thou (hear and) answer the cry (of those in trouble) —what a good helper art Thou!
sad hazaran dam-o-danast ai KHuda
ma chu murghan-e-haris-e-be-nawa
O God, there are myriads of snares and baits,
and we are as greedy foodless birds.
dam-ba-dam ma basta-e-dam-e-nawem
har yake gar baz-o-simurghe shawem
From moment to moment we are caught in a fresh snare,
though we become, each one, (like) a falcon or a Símurgh.
mi rihani har dame ma ra-o-baz
su-e-dame mi-rawem ai be-niyaz
Every moment Thou art delivering us,
and again we are going to a snare, O Thou who art without want!
ma darin ambar gandum mi kunem
gandum-e-jam' aamada gum mi kunem
We are putting corn in this barn, (and then)
we are losing the corn that has been garnered.
mi neyandeshem aaKHir ma ba-hosh
kin KHalal dar gandumast az makr-e-mush
(Why), after all, do not we consider with intelligent mind
that this damage to the corn arises from the deceitfulness of the mouse?
mush ta ambar-e-ma hufrah za dast
waz fanash ambar-e-ma viran shudast
Since the mouse has made a hole in our barn,
and our barn has been ravaged by its guile,
awwal ai jaan daf'-e-sharr-e-mush kun
wan-gahan dar jam'-e-gandum josh kun
O soul, in the first place avert the mischief of the mouse,
and then show fervour (zeal) in garnering the corn.
ba-shino az aKHbar-e-an sadr-e-sudur
la-salatattamma illa-bil-huzur
Hear (one) of the sayings related from the Chiefest of the Chief (the Prophet):
No prayer is complete without ‘presence’ (concentration of the mind on God).
gar na mushe duzd dar ambar-e-mast
gandum-e-a'amal-e-chil sala-e-kujast
If there is no thievish mouse in our barn,
where is the corn of forty years' works (of devotion)?
reze reze sidq har roze chara
jam' mi nayad darin ambar-e-ma
Why is the daily sincerity (of our devotions)
not being stored, bit by bit, in this barn of ours?
bas sitara aatish az aahan jahid
wan dil-e-sozida pazraft-o-kashid
Many a star (spark) of fire shot forth from the iron (of good works),
and that burning heart received (it) and drew (it) in;
lek dar zulmat yake duzde nihan
mi nehad angusht bar istargan
But in the darkness a hidden thief
is laying his finger upon the stars,
mi kushad istargan ra yak-ba-yak
ta ki nafrozad charaghe az falak
Extinguishing the stars one by one,
that no lamp may shine from the (spiritual) sky.
gar hazaran dam bashad dar qadam
chun tu ba mae na-bashad hech gham
Though there be thousands of snares at our feet,
when Thou art with us there is not any trouble.
har shabe az dam-e-tan arwah ra
mi rihani mi kuni alwah ra
Every night Thou freest the spirits from the body's snare,
and dost erase (the impressions on) the tablets (of the mind).
mi-rihand arwah har-shab zin qafas
farighan az hukm-o-guftar-o-qisas
The spirits are set free every night from this cage,
independent, neither ruling nor ruled by anyone.
shab za zindan be-KHabar zindaniyan
shab za daulat be-KHabar sultaniyan
At night prisoners are unconscious of their prison,
at night governors are unconscious of their power.
ne gham-o-andesha-e-sud-o-ziyan
ne kHayal-e- fulan-o-an fulan
There is no sorrow, no thought of gain or loss,
no fancy of this person or that person.
haal-e-'arif in buwad be-KHwab hum
guft izad hum-ruqudun zin maram
This is the state of the ‘árif (gnostic), even without sleep: God said,
(Thou wouldst deem them awake) whilst they slept. Shy not at this.
KHufta az ahwal-e-duniya roz-o-shab
chun qalam dar panja-e-taqlib-e-rab
He is asleep, day and night, to the affairs of the world,
like a pen in the hand of the Lord's control.
aan-ki u panja na-binad dar raqam
fe'l pindarad ba-jumbish az qalam
One who sees not the hand in the writing thinks (that)
the act (of writing proceeds) from the pen by means of movement.
shimma-e-zin haal-e-'arif wa-numud
KHalq ra hum kHwab-e-hissi dar rubud
He (God) hath shown forth some part of this state of the ‘árif,
(in as much as) the intellect too is carried off (overtaken) by sleep of the senses.
rafta dar sahra-e-be-chun jaan-e-shan
ruh-e-shan asuda-o-abdan-e-shan
Their souls are gone into the desert that is without
description: their spirits and bodies are at rest;
waz safire baz dam andar kashi
jumla ra dar dad-o-dar dawar kashi
And with a whistle thou leadest them back to the snare,
leadest them all (back) to justice and to the judge.
faliq-ul-isbah israfil war
jumla ra dar surat aarad zan dayar
Like Isráfíl (Seraphiel), He (God) who causes the dawn to break
brings them all from those lands (of spirit) into (the world of) form.
ruh-ha-e-munbasit ra tan kunad
har tane ra baz aabastan kund
He embodies the spirits divested (of body),
He makes each body pregnant (laden) again (with actions and works).
asb-e-jaan-ha ra kunad aari za zin
sirri-annaum-akH-ul-mautast in
He makes the steed of the souls bare of saddle:
this is the inner meaning of Sleep is the brother of Death;
lek bahr-e-anki roz aayand baz
bar nehad bar pash paband-e-daraaz
But in order that they may return in the daytime,
He puts a long tether on their leg,
ta ki rozash wakashad zan margh-zar
waz charagah aaradash dar zer-e-bar
So that in the daytime He may lead it back from that
meadow and bring it from the pasture (to go) under the load.
kash chun ashab-e-kahf in ruh ra
hifz karde ya chu kashti nuh ra
Would that He had guarded this spirit as the
Men of the Cave or as the Ark of Noah,
ta azin tufan-e-bedari-o-hosh
wa rahide in zamir-o-chashm-o-gosh
That this mind and eye and ear might be delivered
from the Flood of wakefulness and consciousness!
ai basa ashab-e-kahf andar jahan
pahlu-e-tu pesh-e-tu hast in zaman
Oh, in the world there is many a Man of the Cave beside you,
before you, at this time
ghaar ba-u yar ba-u dar surud
mohr bar chashmast-o-bar goshat che sud
The Friend is with him, the Cave is in converse with him;
but your eyes and ears are sealed, (so) what does it avail?
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