Since the qibla (the true object) of the soul has been hidden, every one has turned his face to a (different) quarter.
قبله‌ی جان را چو پنهان کرده‌اند ** هر کسی رو جانبی آورده‌اند
Comparison of the different practices and the various aspirations (of mankind) to the disagreement of those who at prayer-time endeavour to find the qibla (direction of Mecca) when it is dark, and to the search of divers (for pearls) at the bottom of the sea.
تمثیل روشهای مختلف و همتهای گوناگون به اختلاف تحری متحریان در وقت نماز قبله را در وقت تاریکی و تحری غواصان در قعر بحر
(They are) like folk trying to find (the direction of the Ka‘ba) and (each) turning in a certain direction which they fancy is the qibla:
هم‌چو قومی که تحری می‌کنند ** بر خیال قبله سویی می‌تنند
When at dawn the Ka‘ba appears, it is discovered who has lost the (right) way;330
چونک کعبه رو نماید صبحگاه ** کشف گردد که کی گم کردست راه
Or like divers under the depth of the (sea)-water, every one (of whom) picks up something in haste:
یا چو غواصان به زیر قعر آب ** هر کسی چیزی همی‌چیند شتاب
In hope of (getting) precious jewels and pearls, they fill their bags with that and this;
بر امید گوهر و در ثمین ** توبره پر می‌کنند از آن و این
When they come up from the floor of the deep sea, the possessor of the great pearls is discovered,
چون بر آیند از تگ دریای ژرف ** کشف گردد صاحب در شگرف
And (also) the other who got the small pearls, and the other who got (only) pebbles and worthless shells.
وآن دگر که برد مروارید خرد ** وآن دگر که سنگ‌ریزه و شبه برد
Even thus in the Sáhira (place of Judgement) a shameful overwhelming tribulation will afflict them (the followers of phantasy).335
هکذی یبلوهم بالساهره ** فتنة ذات افتضاح قاهره
Similarly, every class of people in the world are fluttering like moths round a candle.
هم‌چنین هر قوم چون پروانگان ** گرد شمعی پرزنان اندر جهان
They attach themselves to a fire and circle round their own candle
خویشتن بر آتشی برمی‌زنند ** گرد شمع خود طوافی می‌کنند