خواجهاش میداشتی در کار پیش ** بهترش دیدی ز فرزندان خویش
His master used to prefer him (to all others) in the work (of service) and deem him better than his own sons,
ز انکه لقمان گر چه بنده زاد بود ** خواجه بود و از هوا آزاد بود
Because Luqmán, though he was slave-born, was the master (of himself) and was free from sensual desire.
گفت شاهی شیخ را اندر سخن ** چیزی از بخشش ز من درخواست کن1465
A certain king said to the Shaykh (spiritual Director) in conversation, “Ask me to bestow some bounty upon thee.”
گفت ای شه شرم ناید مر ترا ** که چنین گویی مرا زین برتر آ
He answered, “O King, are not you ashamed to say such a thing to me? Come higher!
من دو بنده دارم و ایشان حقیر ** و آن دو بر تو حاکمانند و امیر
I have two slaves, and they are vile, and those two are rulers and lords over you.”
گفت شه آن دو چهاند این زلت است ** گفت آن یک خشم و دیگر شهوت است
Said the King, “What are those two? This is a mistake.” He replied, “The one is anger and the other is lust.”
شاه آن دان کاو ز شاهی فارغ است ** بیمه و خورشید نورش بازغ است
Regard as a king him that is unconcerned with kingship, him whose light shines forth without moon or sun.
مخزن آن دارد که مخزن ذات اوست ** هستی او دارد که با هستی عدوست1470
(Only) that one whose essence is the treasury (of spiritual truths) possesses the treasury: (only) he that is an enemy to (his own) existence possesses (real) existence.
خواجهی لقمان به ظاهر خواجهوش ** در حقیقت بنده، لقمان خواجهاش
Luqmán's master (was) like a master outwardly; in reality he was a slave, and Luqmán was his master.
در جهان باژگونه زین بسی است ** در نظرشان گوهری کم از خسی است
In the topsy-turvy world there is many a one of this (kind): a pearl is less than a straw in their sight.