Rumi's Masnavi - One dervish said to another, “Tell (me), what was thy vision of the Presence of God?”

One dervish said to another, “Tell (me), what was thy vision of the Presence of God?” 420

گفت درویشی به درویشی که تو ** چون بدیدی حضرت حق را بگو

He replied, “My vision was ineffable; but for the sake of argument I will briefly declare a parable thereof.

گفت بی‌چون دیدم اما بهر قال ** بازگویم مختصر آن را مثال

I beheld Him with a fire on His left, and on the right a stream (like) Kawthar:

دیدمش سوی چپ او آذری ** سوی دست راست جوی کوثری

On His left an exceedingly world-consuming fire, on His right hand a sweet river.

سوی چپش بس جهان‌سوز آتشی ** سوی دست راستش جوی خوشی

One party put forth their hands towards the fire, (while) another party were rejoicing and intoxicated (with desire) for that Kawthar.

سوی آن آتش گروهی برده دست ** بهر آن کوثر گروهی شاد و مست

But ’twas a very topsy-turvy (mystifying) game in the path of every one doomed to perdition or blessed with salvation. 425

لیک لعب بازگونه بود سخت ** پیش پای هر شقی و نیکبخت

Whoever went into the fire and sparks was emerging from the midst of the water;

هر که در آتش همی رفت و شرر ** از میان آب بر می‌کرد سر

Whoever went from the middle towards the water, he was at once found to be in the fire;

هر که سوی آب می‌رفت از میان ** او در آتش یافت می‌شد در زمان

Whoever went towards the right (hand) and the limpid water would put forth his head from the fire on the left;

هر که سوی راست شد و آب زلال ** سر ز آتش بر زد از سوی شمال

And he who went towards the fiery left, would emerge on the right.

وانک شد سوی شمال آتشین ** سر برون می‌کرد از سوی یمین