In the topsy-turvy world there is many a one of this (kind): a pearl is less than a straw in their sight.
در جهان باژگونه زین بسی است ** در نظرشان گوهری کم از خسی است
Every desert has been named mafáza (place of safety): a name and specious form has ensnared their understanding.
مر بیابان را مفازه نام شد ** نام و رنگی عقلشان را دام شد
In the case of one class of people, the dress makes (a man) known: (if he is dressed) in a qabá, they say that he belongs to the vulgar.
یک گره را خود معرف جامه است ** در قبا گویند کاو از عامه است
In the case of one class of people (the distinguishing mark is) the hypocritical appearance of asceticism; (but) light is needed, that (any one) may be a spy on asceticism (and detect its true character).1475
یک گره را ظاهر سالوس زهد ** نور باید تا بود جاسوس زهد
Light is needed, (a light) purged of cant and noxiousness, that he may know a man without (the evidence of) deed or word,
نور باید پاک از تقلید و غول ** تا شناسد مرد را بیفعل و قول
And enter into his heart by way of the intellect, and behold his real state and not be confined to tradition.
در رود در قلب او از راه عقل ** نقد او بیند نباشد بند نقل
The chosen servants of (God) the Knower of things unseen are, in the spiritual world, the spies on hearts.
بندگان خاص علام الغیوب ** در جهان جان جواسیس القلوب
He (such a one) enters within the heart like a fancy: the mystery of the (real) state is unveiled to him.
در درون دل در آید چون خیال ** پیش او مکشوف باشد سر حال
In the body of the sparrow what power and faculty is there that is hidden from the intellect of the falcon?1480
در تن گنجشک چه بود برگ و ساز ** که شود پوشیده آن بر عقل باز
He who has become acquainted with the secrets of Hú (God), what to him is the secret (inmost consciousness) of created beings?
آن که واقف گشت بر اسرار هو ** سر مخلوقات چه بود پیش او
He whose walk is on the spheres, how should it be hard for him to walk on the earth?
آن که بر افلاک رفتارش بود ** بر زمین رفتن چه دشوارش بود
Since iron became wax in the hand of David, what should wax be in his hand, O man of iniquity?
در کف داود کاهن گشت موم ** موم چه بود در کف او ای ظلوم
Luqmán was a slave in appearance, a master (in reality): servitude was (only) a frontispiece on his outside.
بود لقمان بنده شکلی خواجهای ** بندگی بر ظاهرش دیباجهای
When the master goes to a place where he is not known, he puts (his own) clothes on his slave.1485
چون رود خواجه به جای ناشناس ** در غلام خویش پوشاند لباس
He (himself) puts on the slave's clothes and makes his slave the leader.
او بپوشد جامههای آن غلام ** مر غلام خویش را سازد امام
He goes behind him on the road, as slaves do, lest any one should recognise him (as the master).
در پیش چون بندگان در ره شود ** تا نباید زو کسی آگه شود
“O slave,” says he, “go you and sit in the place of honour: I will take (your) shoes, like the meanest slave.
گوید ای بنده تو رو بر صدر شین ** من بگیرم کفش چون بندهی کهین
Treat (me) roughly and revile me; do not bestow any respect on me.
تو درشتی کن مرا دشنام ده ** مر مرا تو هیچ توقیری منه
I hold neglect of service to be your (proper) service, since I have sown the seed of contrivance by dwelling in a foreign land.”1490
ترک خدمت خدمت تو داشتم ** تا به غربت تخم حیلت کاشتم
Masters have performed these slavish offices in order that it might be thought that they were slaves.
خواجگان این بندگیها کردهاند ** تا گمان آید که ایشان بردهاند
They saw their fill of masterdom and were sated (with it): (hence) they have made ready for (doing) the work (of slaves).
چشم پر بودند و سیر از خواجگی ** کارها را کردهاند آمادگی
On the contrary, these slaves of sensuality have represented themselves as masters of intellect and spirit.
وین غلامان هوا بر عکس آن ** خویشتن بنموده خواجهی عقل و جان
From the master (the spiritual man) comes the practice of self-abasement; from the slave (the sensual man) comes naught but slavishness.
آید از خواجه ره افکندگی ** ناید از بنده بغیر بندگی
So topsy-turvy, then, are the arrangements between that world and this world. Know this (for sure).1495
پس از آن عالم بدین عالم چنان ** تعبیتها هست بر عکس این بدان
Luqmán's master was aware of this hidden state (of Luqmán); he had seen signs (thereof) in him.
خواجهی لقمان از این حال نهان ** بود واقف دیده بود از وی نشان