گر بمیرد این چراغ و طی شود ** خانه‌ی همسایه مظلم کی شود
If this lamp dies and is extinguished, (yet) how should the neighbour's house become dark?
نور آن خانه چو بی این هم به پاست ** پس چراغ حس هر خانه جداست455
Inasmuch as without this (lamp) the light in that house is still maintained, hence (it follows that) the lamp of sense-perception is different in every house.
این مثال جان حیوانی بود ** نه مثال جان ربانی بود
This is a parable of the animal soul, not a parable of the divine soul.
باز از هندوی شب چون ماه زاد ** در سر هر روزنی نوری فتاد
Again, when the moon is born from the Hindú, Night, a light falls upon every window.
نور آن صد خانه را تو یک شمر ** که نماند نور این بی آن دگر
Count the light of those hundred houses as one, for the light of this (house) does not remain (in existence) without (the light of) the other.
تا بود خورشید تابان بر افق ** هست در هر خانه نور او قنق
So long as the sun is shining on the horizon, its light is a guest in every house;
باز چون خورشید جان آفل شود ** نور جمله خانه‌ها زایل شود460
Again, when the spiritual Sun sets, the light in all the houses disappears.
این مثال نور آمد مثل نی ** مر ترا هادی عدو را ره‌زنی
This is (only) a parable of the Light, not a (complete) similitude; for you (it is) a true guide, for the enemy (of the Light) a highwayman.
بر مثال عنکبوت آن زشت‌خو ** پرده‌های گنده را بر بافد او
That evil-natured person resembles the spider: he weaves stinking veils (cobwebs).
از لعاب خویش پرده‌ی نور کرد ** دیده‌ی ادراک خود را کور کرد
Of his own gossamer he made a veil over the Light: he made the eye of his apprehension blind.