From the place (object) of view, O (thou who art the) kernel of Existence, there arises the difference between the true believer and the Zoroastrian and the Jew.
از نظرگاهست ای مغز وجود ** اختلاف مومن و گبر و جهود
The disagreement as to the description and shape of the elephant.
اختلاف کردن در چگونگی و شکل پیل
The elephant was in a dark house: some Hindús had brought it for exhibition.
پیل اندر خانهی تاریک بود ** عرضه را آورده بودندش هنود
In order to see it, many people were going, every one, into that darkness.1260
از برای دیدنش مردم بسی ** اندر آن ظلمت همیشد هر کسی
As seeing it with the eye was impossible, (each one) was feeling it in the dark with the palm of his hand.
دیدنش با چشم چون ممکن نبود ** اندر آن تاریکیش کف میبسود
The hand of one fell on its trunk: he said, “This creature is like a water-pipe.”
آن یکی را کف به خرطوم اوفتاد ** گفت همچون ناودانست این نهاد
The hand of another touched its ear: to him it appeared to be like a fan.
آن یکی را دست بر گوشش رسید ** آن برو چون بادبیزن شد پدید
Since another handled its leg, he said, “I found the elephant's shape to be like a pillar.”
آن یکی را کف چو بر پایش بسود ** گفت شکل پیل دیدم چون عمود
Another laid his hand on its back: he said, “Truly, this elephant was like a throne.”1265
آن یکی بر پشت او بنهاد دست ** گفت خود این پیل چون تختی بدست
Similarly, whenever any one heard (a description of the elephant), he understood (it only in respect of) the part that he had touched.
همچنین هر یک به جزوی که رسید ** فهم آن میکرد هر جا میشنید
On account of the (diverse) place (object) of view, their statements differed: one man entitled it “dál,” another “alif.”
از نظرگه گفتشان شد مختلف ** آن یکی دالش لقب داد این الف