Rumi's Masnavi - If I become occupied with a difficulty (difficult question) and the answer (explanation), how shall I be able to give water to the thirsty?

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 شوم مشغول اشکال و جواب ** تشنگان را کی توانم داد آب‌‌

If you are wholly perplexed and in straits, have patience: patience is the key to joy.

گر تو اشکالی به کلی و حرج ** صبر کن الصبر مفتاح الفرج‌‌

Abstain from (distracting) thoughts, abstain: thought is (like) the lion and the wild ass, and (men's) hearts are the thickets (which they haunt).

احتما کن احتما ز اندیشه‌‌ها ** فکر شیر و گور و دلها بیشه‌‌ها

Acts of abstinence are superior to medicines, because scratching is an increase (aggravation) of the itch. 2910

احتماها بر دواها سرور است ** ز آن که خاریدن فزونی گر است‌‌

Assuredly abstinence is the first principle of medicine: abstain, and behold the strength of thy spirit.

احتما اصل دوا آمد یقین ** احتما کن قوت جان را ببین‌‌

Receive these words, like the (open) ear, that I may make for you an earring of gold:

قابل این گفته‌‌ها شو گوش‌‌وار ** تا که از زر سازمت من گوشوار

(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.

حلقه در گوش مه زرگر شوی ** تا به ماه و تا ثریا بر شوی‌‌

First, hear (and learn) that the diverse created beings are spiritually different, to yá (Y) from alif (A).

اولا بشنو که خلق مختلف ** مختلف جانند از یا تا الف‌‌

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). 2915

در حروف مختلف شور و شکی است ** گر چه از یک رو ز سر تا پا یکی است‌‌

From one aspect they are opposites, and from one aspect they are unified; from one aspect they are jest, and from one aspect they are earnest.

از یکی رو ضد و یک رو متحد ** از یکی رو هزل و از یک روی جد