While preferring (in case of doubt) the stronger of the two (alternative) opinions, do not doubt whether you see the sun when it is shining!
اغلب الظنین فی ترجیح ذا ** لا تماری الشمس فی توضیحها
At that time (when the spirit returns to God) behold your steeds! Ye have made a steed of your own foot.
آن گهی بینید مرکبهای خویش ** مرکبی سازیدهاید از پای خویش
Come, recognise that your imagination and reflection and sense-perception and apprehension are like the reed-cane on which children ride.3445
وهم و فکر و حس و ادراک شما ** همچو نی دان مرکب کودک هلا
The sciences of the mystics bear them (aloft); the sciences of sensual men are burdens to them.
علمهای اهل دل حمالشان ** علمهای اهل تن احمالشان
When knowledge strikes on the heart (is acquired through mystical experience), it becomes a helper (yárí); when knowledge strikes on the body (is acquired through the senses), it becomes a burden (bárí).
علم چون بر دل زند یاری شود ** علم چون بر تن زند باری شود
God hath said, “(Like an ass) laden with his books”: burdensome is the knowledge that is not from Himself.
گفت ایزد یحمل اسفاره ** بار باشد علم کان نبود ز هو
The knowledge that is not immediately from Himself does not endure, (it is) like the tire woman's paint.
علم کان نبود ز هو بیواسطه ** آن نپاید همچو رنگ ماشطه
But when you carry this burden well, the burden will be removed and you will be given (spiritual) joy.3450
لیک چون این بار را نیکو کشی ** بار بر گیرند و بخشندت خوشی
Beware! Do not carry that burden of knowledge for the sake of selfish desire (but mortify yourself), so that you may behold the barn (store-house) of knowledge within (you),
هین مکش بهر هوا آن بار علم ** تا ببینی در درون انبار علم
So that you may mount the smooth-paced steed of knowledge, (and that) afterwards the burden may fall from your shoulder.
تا که بر رهوار علم آیی سوار ** بعد از آن افتد ترا از دوش بار
How wilt thou be freed from selfish desires without the cup of Hú (Him), O thou who hast become content with no more of Hú than the name of Hú?
از هواها کی رهی بیجام هو ** ای ز هو قانع شده با نام هو
From attribute and name what comes to birth? Phantasy; and that phantasy shows the way to union with Him.
از صفت و ز نام چه زاید خیال ** و آن خیالش هست دلال وصال
Hast thou ever seen a subject that shows without (the existence of) an object that is shown: unless there is the road, there can never be the ghoul (which entices travelers to stray from the road).3455
دیدهای دلال بیمدلول هیچ ** تا نباشد جاده نبود غول هیچ
Hast thou ever seen a name without the reality (denoted by the name)? Or hast thou plucked a rose (gul) from the (letters) gáf and lám of (the word) gul?
هیچ نامی بیحقیقت دیدهای ** یا ز گاف و لام گل گل چیدهای
Thou hast pronounced the name: go, seek the thing named. Know that the moon is on high, not in the water of the stream.
اسم خواندی رو مسمی را بجو ** مه به بالا دان نه اندر آب جو
If thou wouldst pass beyond name and letter, oh, make thyself wholly purged of self.
گر ز نام و حرف خواهی بگذری ** پاک کن خود را ز خود هین یک سری
Like (polished) iron, lose the ferruginous colour; become in thy ascetic discipline (like) a mirror without rust.