In order that they may say to you, not with their lips but implicitly, “Ask this question of the Sea, not of us.”
تا بگویندت به لب نی بل به حال ** که ز دریا کن نه از ما این سال
How should the foam-like (phenomenal) form move without the wave? How should the dust rise to the zenith without a wind?
نقش چون کف کی بجنبد بی ز موج ** خاک بی بادی کجا آید بر اوج
Since you have perceived the dust, namely, the form, perceive the wind; since you have perceived the foam, perceive the ocean of Creative Energy.1460
چون غبار نقش دیدی باد بین ** کف چو دیدی قلزم ایجاد بین
Come, perceive (it), for insight (is the only thing) in you (that) avails: the rest of you is a piece of fat and flesh, a weft and warp (of bones, muscles, etc.).
هین ببین کز تو نظر آید به کار ** باقیت شحمی و لحمی پود و تار
Your fat never increased the light in candles, your flesh never became roast-meat for any one drunken with (spiritual) wine.
شحم تو در شمعها نفزود تاب ** لحم تو مخمور را نامد کباب
Dissolve the whole of this body of yours in vision: pass into sight, pass into sight, into sight!
در گداز این جمله تن را در بصر ** در نظر رو در نظر رو در نظر
One sight perceives (only) two yards of the road; another sight has beheld the two worlds and the Face of the King.
یک نظر دو گز همی‌بیند ز راه ** یک نظر دو کون دید و روی شاه
Between these twain there is an incalculable difference: seek the collyrium—and God best knoweth the things occult.1465
در میان این دو فرقی بی‌شمار ** سرمه جو والله اعلم بالسرار
Since you have heard the description of the sea of non-existence, continually endeavour to stand (depend) upon this sea.
چون شنیدی شرح بحر نیستی ** کوش دایم تا برین بحر ایستی
Inasmuch as the foundation of the workshop is that non-existence which is void and traceless and empty,
چونک اصل کارگاه آن نیستیست ** که خلا و بی‌نشانست و تهیست
(And inasmuch as) all master-craftsmen seek non-existence and a place of breakage for the purpose of exhibiting their skill,
جمله استادان پی اظهار کار ** نیستی جویند و جای انکسار
Necessarily the Lord (who is) the Master of (all) masters— His workshop is non-existence and naught.
لاجرم استاد استادان صمد ** کارگاهش نیستی و لا بود
Wherever this non-existence is greater, (the more manifest) in that quarter is the work and workshop of God.1470
هر کجا این نیستی افزون‌ترست ** کار حق و کارگاهش آن سرست
Since the highest stage is non-existence, the dervishes have outstripped all (others),
نیستی چون هست بالایین طبق ** بر همه بردند درویشان سبق
Especially the dervish that has become devoid of body and (worldly) goods: poverty (deprivation) of body is the (important) matter, not beggary.
خاصه درویشی که شد بی جسم و مال ** کار فقر جسم دارد نه سال
The beggar is he whose (worldly) goods have melted away; the contented man is he who has gambled away (sacrificed) his body.
سایل آن باشد که مال او گداخت ** قانع آن باشد که جسم خویش باخت
Therefore do not now complain of affliction, for it is a smooth-paced horse (carrying you) towards non-existence.
پس ز درد اکنون شکایت بر مدار ** کوست سوی نیست اسپی راهوار
We have said so much: think of the remainder, (or) if thought be frozen (unable to move), practise recollection (of God).1475
این قدر گفتیم باقی فکر کن ** فکر اگر جامد بود رو ذکر کن
Recollection (of God) brings thought into movement: make recollection to be the sun for this congealed (thought).
ذکر آرد فکر را در اهتزاز ** ذکر را خورشید این افسرده ساز
(God's) pulling is, indeed, the original source; but, O fellow-servant, exert yourself, do not be dependent on that pulling;
اصل خود جذبه است لیک ای خواجه‌تاش ** کار کن موقوف آن جذبه مباش
For to renounce exertion is like an act of disdain: how should disdain be seemly for a devoted lover (of God)?
زانک ترک کار چون نازی بود ** ناز کی در خورد جانبازی بود
O youth, think neither of acceptance nor refusal: regard always the (Divine) command and prohibition.
نه قبول اندیش نه رد ای غلام ** امر را و نهی را می‌بین مدام
(Then) suddenly the bird, namely, the (Divine) attraction, will fly from its nest (towards you): put out the candle as soon as you see the dawn.1480