آسمانی بس بلند و پر ضیا ** آفتاب و ماهتاب و صد سها
A sky very lofty and full of light, sun and moonbeams and a hundred stars.
از جنوب و از شمال و از دبور ** باغها دارد عروسیها و سور
From the south-wind and from the north-wind and from the west-wind the gardens have (the appearance of) wedding-feasts and banquets.
در صفت ناید عجایبهای آن ** تو درین ظلمت چهای در امتحان
Its marvels come not into (are beyond) description: why art thou in tribulation in this darkness?
خون خوری در چارمیخ تنگنا ** در میان حبس و انجاس و عنا
(Why) dost thou drink blood on the gibbet of this narrow place (the womb) in the midst of confinement and filth and pain?”—
او بحکم حال خود منکر بدی ** زین رسالت معرض و کافر شدی 60
It (the embryo), in virtue of its present state, would be incredulous, and would turn away from this message and would disbelieve it,
کین محالست و فریبست و غرور ** زانک تصویری ندارد وهم کور
Saying, “This is absurd and is a deceit and delusion,” because the judgement of the blind has no imagination.
جنس چیزی چون ندید ادراک او ** نشنود ادراک منکرناک او
Inasmuch as its (the embryo's) perception has not seen anything of the kind, its incredulous perception would not listen (to the truth);
همچنانک خلق عام اندر جهان ** زان جهان ابدال میگویندشان
Just as in this world the Abdál speak of that (other) world to the common folk,
کین جهان چاهیست بس تاریک و تنگ ** هست بیرون عالمی بی بو و رنگ
Saying, “This world is an exceeding dark and narrow pit; outside is a world without scent or colour”:
هیچ در گوش کسی زیشان نرفت ** کین طمع آمد حجاب ژرف و زفت 65
Naught (of their words) entered into the ear of a single one of them, for this (sensual) desire is a barrier huge and stout.
گوش را بندد طمع از استماع ** چشم را بندد غرض از اطلاع
Desire closes the ear (and hinders it) from hearing; self-interest closes the eye (and hinders it) from beholding,
همچنانک آن جنین را طمع خون ** کان غذای اوست در اوطان دون
Even as, in the case of the embryo, desire for the blood which is its nourishment in the low abodes
از حدیث این جهان محجوب کرد ** غیر خون او مینداند چاشت خورد
Debarred it from (hearkening to) the news of this world: it knows no breakfast but blood.
قصهی خورندگان پیلبچه از حرص و ترک نصیحت ناصح
Story of those who ate the young elephant from greed and because they neglected the advice of the sincere counsellor.
آن شنیدی تو که در هندوستان ** دید دانایی گروهی دوستان
Hast thou heard that in India a sage espied a party of friends?
گرسنه مانده شده بیبرگ و عور ** میرسیدند از سفر از راه دور 70
Left hungry, lacking provisions, and naked, they were coming from travel on a far road.
مهر داناییش جوشید و بگفت ** خوش سلامیشان و چون گلبن شکفت
His wisdom's love was stirred (within him), and he gave them a fair greeting and blossomed like a rose-bush.
گفت دانم کز تجوع وز خلا ** جمع آمد رنجتان زین کربلا
“I know,” he said, “that anguish has gathered upon you from this Karbalá (of suffering) in consequence of hunger and emptiness;
لیک الله الله ای قوم جلیل ** تا نباشد خوردتان فرزند پیل
But, for God's sake, for God's sake, O illustrious company, let not your food be the young of the elephant!
پیل هست این سو که اکنون میروید ** پیلزاده مشکرید و بشنوید
The elephant is in this direction that ye are now going; do not tear in pieces the elephant's offspring, but hearken (to me).
پیلبچگانند اندر راهتان ** صید ایشان هست بس دلخواهتان 75
The young elephants are on your road: to hunt them down is what your hearts desire exceedingly.
بس ضعیفاند و لطیف و بس سمین ** لیک مادر هست طالب در کمین
They are very weak and tender and very fat, but their mother is searching (after them and) lying in wait.
از پی فرزند صد فرسنگ راه ** او بگردد در حنین و آه آه
She will roam a hundred leagues' distance in quest of her children, moaning and making lament.
آتش و دود آید از خرطوم او ** الحذر زان کودک مرحوم او
Fire and smoke issue from her trunk: beware of (hurting) those pitied (cherished) children of hers!”
اولیا اطفال حقاند ای پسر ** غایبی و حاضری بس با خبر
O son, the saints are God's children: (both) in (their) absence and presence (He is) well aware (of what befalls them).
غایبی مندیش از نقصانشان ** کو کشد کین از برای جانشان 80
Do not deem absence (from Him) to be the result of imperfection on their part, for He takes vengeance for the sake of their spirits (which are one with Him).