Do not listen to what thy fleshly soul says, that this place (of self-mortification) is bad, inasmuch as her doings are contrary (to thy spiritual advancement).
آن چه گوید نفس تو کاینجا بد است ** مشنوش چون کار او ضد آمده ست
Do thou oppose her, for such (is the) injunction (that) has come from the prophets in the world.
تو خلافش کن که از پیغمبران ** این چنین آمد وصیت در جهان
It becomes necessary to take counsel concerning things to be done, so that there may not be repentance in the end.
مشورت در کارها واجب شود ** تا پشیمانی در آخر کم بود
The community said, “With whom shall we take counsel?” The prophets answered, “With intellect, (which is) the Imám (leader).”
گفت امت مشورت با کی کنیم ** انبیا گفتند با عقل امیم
He (the questioner) said, “(But) if a child should come in, or a woman who has no clear understanding or judgement.”2270
گفت گر کودک در آید یا زنی ** کاو ندارد عقل و رای روشنی
“Take counsel with her,” said he (the prophet), “and do the contrary of what she bids (thee), and go thy way.”
گفت با او مشورت کن و انچه گفت ** تو خلاف آن کن و در راه افت
Know that your fleshly soul is woman and worse than woman, because woman is a part (of evil), but your fleshly soul is evil entire.
نفس خود را زن شناس از زن بتر ** ز انکه زن جزوی است نفست کل شر
If you take counsel with your fleshly soul, oppose that vile one (in) whatsoever she may say.
مشورت با نفس خود گر میکنی ** هر چه گوید کن خلاف آن دنی
If she bid you pray and fast-the fleshly soul is a great plotter, she will bring some plot against you to birth.
گر نماز و روزه میفرمایدت ** نفس مکار است مکری زایدت
(When you take) counsel with your fleshly soul concerning (your) actions––whatsoever she tells (you to do), the reverse of that is perfectly right.2275
مشورت با نفس خویش اندر فعال ** هر چه گوید عکس آن باشد کمال
(If) you cannot cope with her and her contumacy, go to a friend and mix with him.
بر نیایی با وی و استیز او ** رو بر یاری بگیر آمیز او
Mind gains strength from another mind: the sugar-cane is made perfect by the sugar-cane.
عقل قوت گیرد از عقل دگر ** نی شکر کامل شود از نیشکر
I have seen (wondrous) things (arising) from the deceitfulness of the fleshly soul, for by her magic she takes away the faculties of discernment.
من ز مکر نفس دیدم چیزها ** کاو برد از سحر خود تمییزها
She will proffer afresh to you promises that she has broken thousands of times.
وعدهها بدهد ترا تازه به دست ** که هزاران بار آنها را شکست
If your life be prolonged even for a hundred years, she will lay before you a new pretext every day.2280
عمر اگر صد سال خود مهلت دهد ** اوت هر روزی بهانهی نو نهد
She utters cold (vain) promises (as though) warm (from the heart); (she is) a witch, she ties up the manhood of a man.
گرم گوید وعدههای سرد را ** جادویی مردی ببندد مرد را
O (thou who art the) radiance of God, Husámu’ddín, come! for without thee no herbs will grow from the brackish soil.
ای ضیاء الحق حسام الدین بیا ** که نروید بیتو از شوره گیا
A curtain has been let down from heaven because of the curse of one whose heart is sorely vexed.
از فلک آویخته شد پردهای ** از پی نفرین دل آزردهای
This destiny only the (Divine) destiny can cure: the understanding of His creatures is stunned at His destiny, stunned.
این قضا را هم قضا داند علاج ** عقل خلقان در قضا گیج است گیج
The lack serpent that was (as) a worm fallen on the road has become a dragon;2285
اژدها گشته ست آن مار سیاه ** آن که کرمی بود افتاده به راه
(But) in thy hand, O thou with (love for) whom the soul of Moses is intoxicated, the dragon or serpent became (as) the rod (in the hand of Moses).
اژدها و مار اندر دست تو ** شد عصا ای جان موسی مست تو
God gave thee command, saying, “Take it; fear not, so that the dragon may become a rod in thy hand.”
حکم خذها لا تخف دادت خدا ** تا به دستت اژدها گردد عصا
Hark, show the white hand, O King: out of the black nights reveal a new dawn!