Rumi's Masnavi - The thread has become single. Do not now fall into error if thou seest that the letters K and N are two.’

The thread has become single. Do not now fall into error if thou seest that the letters K and N are two.’

رشته یکتا شد غلط کم شد کنون ** گر دو تا بینی حروف کاف و نون‌‌

K and N are pulling like a noose, that they may draw non-existence into great affairs.

کاف و نون همچون کمند آمد جذوب ** تا کشاند مر عدم را در خطوب‌‌

Hence the noose must be double in (the world of) forms, though those two (letters) are single in effect. 3080

پس دو تا باید کمند اندر صور ** گر چه یکتا باشد آن دو در اثر

Whether the feet be two or four, they traverse the road, like the double shears (which) makes (but) one cut.

گر دو پا گر چار پا ره را برد ** همچو مقراض دو تا یکتا برد

Look at those two fellow-washermen: there is apparently a difference between that one and this:

آن دو همبازان گازر را ببین ** هست در ظاهر خلافی ز آن و ز این‌‌

The one has thrown the cotton garments into the water, while the other partner is drying them.

آن یکی کرباس را در آب زد ** و آن دگر همباز خشکش می‌‌کند

Again the former makes the dry clothes wet: ’tis as though he were spitefully thwarting his opposite;

باز او آن خشک را تر می‌‌کند ** گوییا ز استیزه ضد بر می‌‌تند

Yet these two opposites, who seem to be at strife, are of one mind and acting together in agreement. 3085

لیک این دو ضد استیزه نما ** یکدل و یک کار باشد در رضا

Every prophet and every saint hath a way (of religious doctrine and practice), but it leads to God: all (the ways) are (really) one.

هر نبی و هر ولی را مسلکی است ** لیک تا حق می‌‌برد جمله یکی است‌‌

When slumber (heedlessness) overtook the concentration (attention) of the listener, the water carried the millstones away.

چون که جمع مستمع را خواب برد ** سنگهای آسیا را آب برد