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6
231-255

  • There is no guidance save by a power that preserves the spirit of the devout from the keepers of the shooting stars.
  • There is no way (admittance) for any one, till he become naughted, into the audience-chamber of (Divine) Majesty.
  • What is the means of ascension to Heaven? This not-being. Not-being is the creed and religion of the lovers (of God).
  • From self-abasement in the way of Love the fur jacket and rustic shoon became the prayer-niche of Ayáz.
  • Even though he was beloved by the king (Mahmúd), and was charming and beauteous outwardly and inwardly— 235
  • (For) he had become devoid of any arrogance or ostentation or malice, and his face was a mirror for the beauty of the king—
  • (Yet ’twas only) because he was far removed from his (self-) existence, (that) the end of his affair was praiseworthy.
  • The steadfastness of Ayáz was all the firmer forasmuch as he was taking (those) precautions in fear of arrogance.
  • He had been purified, and he had come and smitten the neck of (had beheaded) arrogance and selfishness.
  • He was practising these devices either for the purpose of instructing (others) or for the sake of some principle of wisdom far removed from fear; 240
  • Or (perhaps) the sight of his rustic shoon pleased him because (self-)existence is a shutter against the breeze of not-being,
  • (And he looked at them) in order that the charnel-house which is (built) on not-being might open, and that he might feel the breeze of vitality and life.
  • The wealth and riches and silks of this travellers' halt are a chain on the light-footed spirit.
  • The spirit espied the golden chain and was beguiled: it remained in the hole of a dungeon (far) from the open country.
  • Its (the world's) appearance is (that of) Paradise, (but) in reality it is a hell; it is a viper full of venom, though its figure is (that of) a rose-cheeked (beauty). 245
  • Although Hell-fire does no injury to the true believer, yet ’tis still better to pass on from that place (and leave it behind).
  • Although Hell keeps its torment far from him, yet in any case Paradise is better for him.
  • O ye deficient (in understanding), beware of this rose-cheeked one who at the time of intercourse becomes (like) a hell.
  • Story of the Hindú slave who had secretly fallen in love with his master's daughter. On learning that the girl was betrothed to the son of a nobleman, the slave sickened and began to waste away. No physician could diagnose his malady, and he (the slave) durst not tell.
  • A certain Khwája had a Hindú slave whom he had educated and enlivened (with knowledge).
  • He had taught him science and all polite accomplishments; he had lighted the candle of erudition in his heart. 250
  • That beneficent man had brought him up indulgently from childhood in the lap of kindness.
  • This Khwája had also a fair daughter, silver-limbed, lovely, and of excellent disposition.
  • When the girl had almost reached womanhood, the suitors (for her hand) were offering heavy dowries,
  • And there was continually coming to him (the Khwája) from every nobleman a wooer to ask for the girl (in marriage).
  • The Khwája said (to himself), “Wealth has no permanence: it comes in the morning, and at night it goes in all directions (is scattered to the winds). 255