ذات زرش ذات ربانیت است ** نقش بت بر نقد زر عاریت است
The essence of its gold is the gift of Lordship (Divinity): the idol-stamp on the sterling gold is borrowed (unreal).
بهر کیکی تو گلیمی را مسوز ** وز صداع هر مگس مگذار روز
Do not burn a blanket on account of a flea, and do not let the day go (to waste) on account of every gnat's headache.
بت پرستی چون بمانی در صور ** صورتش بگذار و در معنی نگر
You are an idol-worshipper when you remain in (bondage to) forms: leave its (the idol's) form and look at the reality.
مرد حجی همره حاجی طلب ** خواه هندو خواه ترک و یا عرب
If you are a man (bound) for the Pilgrimage, seek a pilgrim (as your) companion, whether he be a Hindoo or a Turcoman or an Arab.
منگر اندر نقش و اندر رنگ او ** بنگر اندر عزم و در آهنگ او2895
Do not look at his figure and colour, look at his purpose and intention.
گر سیاه است او هم آهنگ تو است ** تو سپیدش خوان که هم رنگ تو است
If he is black, (yet) he is in accord with you: call him white, for (spiritually) his complexion is the same as yours.
این حکایت گفته شد زیر و زبر ** همچو فکر عاشقان بیپا و سر
This story has been told up and down (confusedly), like the thoughts of lovers, without foot (end) or head (beginning).
سر ندارد چون ز ازل بوده ست پیش ** پا ندارد با ابد بوده ست خویش
It hath no head, inasmuch as it existed before eternity; it hath no foot: it has (always) been akin to everlastingness.
بلکه چون آب است هر قطره از آن ** هم سر است و پا و هم بیهردوان
Nay, it is like water: every drop thereof is both head and foot, and at the same time without both.
حاش لله این حکایت نیست هین ** نقد حال ما و تست این خوش ببین2900
This is not a story, mark you! God forbid! This is the ready money (presentation, here and now) of my state and yours. Consider (it) well,
ز آن که صوفی با کر و با فر بود ** هر چه آن ماضی است لا یذکر بود
Because the Súfí is grand and glorious (in his spiritual vision): whatever is past is not remembered (does not enter his mind).
هم عرب ما هم سبو ما هم ملک ** جمله ما يؤفک عنه من أفک
We are both the Arab and the jug and the King; we are all: he that has been turned away from it (the Truth) shall be turned away.
عقل را شو دان و زن را نفس و طمع ** این دو ظلمانی و منکر عقل شمع
Know that the husband is Reason, and this wife is the appetitive soul and cupidity: these twain are dark and deniers (of Reason); Reason is the (bright) candle.
بشنو اکنون اصل انکار از چه خاست ** ز آن که کل را گونه گونه جزوهاست
Now hear the origin of their denial, whence it arose: (it arose) from the fact that the Whole hath various parts.
جزو کل نی جزوها نسبت به کل ** نی چو بوی گل که باشد جزو گل2905
The parts of the Whole are not parts in relation to the Whole — (they are) not like the scent of the rose, which is a part of the rose.
لطف سبزه جزو لطف گل بود ** بانگ قمری جزو آن بلبل بود
The beauty of (all) green herbs is a part of the Rose's beauty, the coo of the turtle-dove is a part of that Nightingale.
گر شوم مشغول اشکال و جواب ** تشنگان را کی توانم داد آب
If I become occupied with a difficulty (difficult question) and the answer (explanation), how shall I be able to give water to the thirsty?
گر تو اشکالی به کلی و حرج ** صبر کن الصبر مفتاح الفرج
If you are wholly perplexed and in straits, have patience: patience is the key to joy.
احتما کن احتما ز اندیشهها ** فکر شیر و گور و دلها بیشهها
Abstain from (distracting) thoughts, abstain: thought is (like) the lion and the wild ass, and (men's) hearts are the thickets (which they haunt).
احتماها بر دواها سرور است ** ز آن که خاریدن فزونی گر است2910
Acts of abstinence are superior to medicines, because scratching is an increase (aggravation) of the itch.
احتما اصل دوا آمد یقین ** احتما کن قوت جان را ببین
Assuredly abstinence is the first principle of medicine: abstain, and behold the strength of thy spirit.
قابل این گفتهها شو گوشوار ** تا که از زر سازمت من گوشوار
Receive these words, like the (open) ear, that I may make for you an earring of gold:
حلقه در گوش مه زرگر شوی ** تا به ماه و تا ثریا بر شوی
(Then) you will become a ring in the ear of (devoted to) the Moon that works in gold, you will ascend to the moon and the Pleiades.
اولا بشنو که خلق مختلف ** مختلف جانند از یا تا الف
First, hear (and learn) that the diverse created beings are spiritually different, to yá (Y) from alif (A).
در حروف مختلف شور و شکی است ** گر چه از یک رو ز سر تا پا یکی است2915
Amongst the various letters there is a confusion and uncertainty, though from one point of view they are (all) one from head (beginning) to foot (end).