The being of Man is a jungle: be on your guard against this being, if you are of that (Divine) Breath.
بیشهای آمد وجود آدمی ** بر حذر شو زین وجود ار ز آن دمی
In our being there are thousands of wolves and hogs; (there is) goodly and ungodly and fair and foul.
در وجود ما هزاران گرگ و خوک ** صالح و ناصالح و خوب و خشوک
To the disposition that is preponderant belongs the decision (as to what you are): when the gold is more than the copper, it (the mixture) is gold.
حکم آن خور است کان غالبتر است ** چون که زر بیش از مس آید آن زر است
The manner of acting that preponderates in your nature—in that same form you must needs rise (from the dead).
سیرتی کان بر وجودت غالب است ** هم بر آن تصویر حشرت واجب است
At one hour a wolf enters into Man, at another hour a moon-like beauty with the face of Joseph.1420
ساعتی گرگی در آید در بشر ** ساعتی یوسف رخی همچون قمر
Good and hateful qualities pass from bosoms into bosoms by a hidden way;
میرود از سینهها در سینهها ** از ره پنهان صلاح و کینهها
Nay, indeed, wisdom and knowledge and excellence pass from Man into the ox and the ass.
بلکه خود از آدمی در گاو و خر ** میرود دانایی و علم و هنر
The stumbling (restive) horse becomes smooth-paced and docile; the bear dances, the goat also salaams.
اسب سکسک میشود رهوار و رام ** خرس بازی میکند بر هم سلام
Volition has passed from human beings into the dog, so that he has become a shepherd or a hunter or a guardian (of the house).
رفت اندر سگ ز آدمیان هوس ** تا شبان شد یا شکاری یا حرس
Into the dog of the Companions (of the Cave) there passed from those comers (to the Cave) a (moral) disposition, so that he had become a seeker of God.1425
در سگ اصحاب خوبی ز ان وفود ** رفت تا جویای الله گشته بود
At every moment a (different) species bursts up in the breast: now a devil, and now an angel, now wild beasts.
هر زمان در سینه نوعی سر کند ** گاه دیو و گه ملک گه دام و دد
From that marvellous jungle, where is (dwells) the wise Lion, there is a hidden way to the breasts which ensnare (the spiritual prey).
ز آن عجب بیشه که شیر آگه است ** تا به دام سینهها پنهان ره است
O you who are less than a dog, steal the spiritual pearl from within—from within (the breasts of) them that know God.
دزدیی کن از درون مرجان جان ** ای کم از سگ از درون عارفان
As you (must) steal, at any rate (let it be) that lovely pearl; as you are going to bear a burden, at any rate (let it be) a noble one.
چون که دزدی باری آن در لطیف ** چون که حامل میشوی باری شریف
How the disciples understood that Dhu ’l-Nún had not become mad, (but) had acted with intention.
فهم کردن مریدان که ذو النون دیوانه نشده است قاصد کرده است
The friends went to the prison (to inquire) about the story of Dhu ’l-Nún, and expressed an opinion concerning it,1430
دوستان در قصهی ذو النون شدند ** سوی زندان و در آن رایی زدند
Saying, “Perchance he does this purposely, or there is some (deep) wisdom (in it): he is an exemplar and a shining light in this religion.
کاین مگر قاصد کند یا حکمتی است ** او در این دین قبلهای و آیتی است
Far, far be it from his sea-like (profound) intelligence that madness should prompt him to folly!
دور دور از عقل چون دریای او ** تا جنون باشد سفه فرمای او
God forbid, in view of the perfection of his (spiritual) attainments, that the cloud of sickness should cover his moon!
حاش لله از کمال جاه او ** کابر بیماری بپوشد ماه او
He has gone into the house (and taken refuge) from the wickedness of the vulgar: he has become mad on account of the infamy of the sane.
او ز شر عامه اندر خانه شد ** او ز ننگ عاقلان دیوانه شد
From (feeling) the disgrace of the dull body-serving intellect, he has purposely gone and become mad,1435
او ز عار عقل کند تن پرست ** قاصدا رفته ست و دیوانه شده ست
Saying, ‘Bind me fast and with the tail of a cow smite me on head and back, and do not dispute this (matter),
که ببندیدم قوی و ز ساز گاو ** بر سر و پشتم بزن وین را مکاو
That from the stroke of the part (of the cow) I may gain life, as the murdered man (gained life) from the cow of Moses, O trusty ones;
تا ز زخم لخت یابم من حیات ** چون قتیل از گاو موسی ای ثقات
That I may be made happy by the stroke of a part of the cow; (that I may) become well (whole), as (in the case of) the murdered man and the cow of Moses’.”