(How is he) whom the vast river takes on its head (surface), like Jesus, saying, ‘In the Water of Life thou art safe from drowning’?”
همچو عیسی بر سرش گیرد فرات ** که ایمنی از غرقه در آب حیات
Ahmad (Mohammed) says, “Had (his) faith been greater, even the air would have carried him safely,
گوید احمد گر یقینش افزون بدی ** خود هوایش مرکب و مامون بدی
Like me, who rode upon the air on the night of the Ascension and sought communion (with God).”
همچو من که بر هوا راکب شدم ** در شب معراج مستصحب شدم
He (Hilál) said, “How is a blind filthy dog that sprang up from sleep and found itself to be a lion?—
گفت چون باشد سگی کوری پلید ** جست او از خواب خود را شیر دید
Not such a lion as any one could shoot; nay, but (such an one that) by the terror of it sword and javelin would be shattered.1190
نه چنان شیری که کس تیرش زند ** بل ز بیمش تیغ و پیکان بشکند
The blind man, (who was) going on his belly, like a snake— (how is he when) he has opened his eyes in the garden and in spring?”
کور بر اشکم رونده همچو مار ** چشمها بگشاد در باغ و بهار
How is the “how” (contingent being) that has been freed from “how-ness” (conditionedness) and has attained unto the abounding life of “how-lessness”?
چون بود آن چون که از چونی رهید ** در حیاتستان بیچونی رسید
He has become a dispenser of “how-ness” in the world beyond locality: all “how's” are (gathered) round his table, like dogs.
گشت چونیبخش اندر لامکان ** گرد خوانش جمله چونها چون سگان
He gives (throws) to them a bone from (the table of) “how-lessness.” Do thou, (being) in the state of pollution, keep silence: do not recite this Súra (of the Qur’án).
او ز بیچونی دهدشان استخوان ** در جنابت تن زن این سوره مخوان
Until thou wash thyself entirely clean of “how-ness,” do not put thy hand on this (Holy) Book, O youth.1195
تا ز چونی غسل ناری تو تمام ** تو برین مصحف منه کف ای غلام
Whether I am dirty or clean, O (spiritual) princes, if I do not recite this, then what in the world shall I recite?
گر پلیدم ور نظیفم ای شهان ** این نخوانم پس چه خوانم در جهان
You say to me, “For the sake of the (Divine) reward, do not go into the water-tank without having washed”;
تو مرا گویی که از بهر ثواب ** غسل ناکرده مرو در حوض آب
(But) outside of the tank there is nothing but earth: no one who does not enter the tank is clean.
از برون حوض غیر خاک نیست ** هر که او در حوض ناید پاک نیست
If the waters have not the grace to receive filth continually,
گر نباشد آبها را این کرم ** کو پذیرد مر خبث را دم به دم
Alas for the longing lover and his hope! Oh, sorrow for his everlasting sorrow!1200
وای بر مشتاق و بر اومید او ** حسرتا بر حسرت جاوید او
(Nay, but) the water hath a hundred graces, a hundred (noble) pities, for it receives the defiled ones (and purifies them)—and peace (be with thee)!
آب دارد صد کرم صد احتشام ** که پلیدان را پذیرد والسلام
O thou Radiance of God, Husámu’ddín, the Light is thy protector from the worst of flying creatures.
ای ضیاء الحق حسامالدین که نور ** پاسبان تست از شر الطیور
The Light and its ascent are thy protector, O Sun who art concealed from the bat.
پاسبان تست نور و ارتقاش ** ای تو خورشید مستر از خفاش
The veil before the face of the Sun, what is it but excess of brilliance and intensity of splendour?
چیست پرده پیش روی آفتاب ** جز فزونی شعشعه و تیزی تاب
The veil over the Sun is just the Light of the Lord: the bat and the night have no lot therein.1205
پردهی خورشید هم نور ربست ** بینصیب از وی خفاشست و شبست
Inasmuch as both (of them) have remained far (from the Sun) and veiled (from it), they have remained either black-faced (like Night) or cold (like the bat).
هر دو چون در بعد و پرده ماندهاند ** یا سیهرو یا فسرده ماندهاند
Since thou hast written part of the story of the New-moon (Hilál), (now) put into words the tale of the Full-moon.
چون نبشتی بعضی از قصهی هلال ** داستان بدر آر اندر مقال
The New-moon and the Full-moon have oneness (with each other): they are far from duality and from imperfection and corruption.
آن هلال و بدر دارند اتحاد ** از دوی دورند و از نقص و فساد
The new-moon is inwardly free from imperfection: its apparent imperfection is (due to its) increasing gradually.
آن هلال از نقص در باطن بریست ** آن به ظاهر نقص تدریج آوریست
Night by night it gives a lesson in gradualness, and with deliberation it produces relief (for itself).1210
درس گوید شب به شب تدریج را ** در تانی بر دهد تفریج را