These (ideas) are boundless and immeasurable (in number): the motive to action (arises) from various sorts of (such) phantasy.
این ز حد و اندازهها باشد برون ** داعی فعل از خیال گونهگون
All the infinite ways of life and (all) the crafts are the shadow (reflexion) of the form of thoughts.
بینهایت کیشها و پیشهها ** جمله ظل صورت اندیشهها
(For example, when) happy folk (are) standing on the edge of a roof, observe the shadow of each one on the ground.
بر لب بام ایستاده قوم خوش ** هر یکی را بر زمین بین سایهاش
The form of thought is on the lofty roof (of the spirit), while the (resultant) action appears, like a shadow, on the pillars (bodily limbs).3730
صورت فکرست بر بام مشید ** وآن عمل چون سایه بر ارکان پدید
The action is (manifested) on the pillars, while the thought (that produces it) is concealed; but the two are combined in the correlation of cause and effect.
فعل بر ارکان و فکرت مکتتم ** لیک در تاثیر و وصلت دو به هم
The forms (ideas) that arise at a banquet from the festive cup have as their result unconsciousness and senselessness.
آن صور در بزم کز جام خوشیست ** فایدهی او بیخودی و بیهشیست
The forms (ideas) of man and woman and (amorous) sport and sexual intercourse—hinc nascitur perturbatio animi in coitu. [The forms (ideas) of man and woman and (amorous) sport and sexual intercourse—their result at the time of sexual union (is mental) distraction.]
صورت مرد و زن و لعب و جماع ** فایدهش بیهوشی وقت وقاع
The (material) form of bread and salt, which is a benefit (conferred by God), has as its result (bodily) strength, which is formless.
صورت نان و نمک کان نعمتست ** فایدهش آن قوت بیصورتست
On the battle-field the (material) form of sword and shield has as its result a formless thing, i.e. victory.3735
در مصاف آن صورت تیغ و سپر ** فایدهش بیصورتی یعنی ظفر
(Attendance at) college and learning and the (various) forms thereof are (all) done with, as soon as they have reached (their goal, namely) knowledge.
مدرسه و تعلیق و صورتهای وی ** چون به دانش متصل شد گشت طی
Since these forms are the slaves of the Formless, why, then, are they denying their Benefactor?
این صور چون بندهی بیصورتند ** پس چرا در نفی صاحبنعمتند
These forms have their existence from the Formless: what means, then, their denial of Him who brought them into existence?
این صور دارد ز بیصورت وجود ** چیست پس بر موجد خویشش جحود
His (the sceptic's) disbelief is really manifested by Him: in truth this act of his is naught but a reflexion.
خود ازو یابد ظهور انکار او ** نیست غیر عکس خود این کار او
Know that the form of the walls and roof of every dwelling-place is a shadow (reflexion) of the thought of the architect,3740
صورت دیوار و سقف هر مکان ** سایهی اندیشهی معمار دان
Even though in the seat of his thought there is no visible (material) stone and wood and brick.
گرچه خود اندر محل افتکار ** نیست سنگ و چوب و خشتی آشکار
Assuredly the Absolute Agent is formless: form is as a tool in His hand.
فاعل مطلق یقین بیصورتست ** صورت اندر دست او چون آلتست
Sometimes the Formless One graciously shows His face to the forms from the concealment (veil) of non-existence,
گه گه آن بیصورت از کتم عدم ** مر صور را رو نماید از کرم
In order that every form may thereby be replenished with some perfection and beauty and power.
تا مدد گیرد ازو هر صورتی ** از کمال و از جمال و قدرتی
When, again, the Formless One has hidden His face, they come to beg in (the realm of) colour and perfume.3745
باز بیصورت چو پنهان کرد رو ** آمدند از بهر کد در رنگ و بو
If one form seek perfection from another form, ’tis the quintessence of error.
صورتی از صورت دیگر کمال ** گر بجوید باشد آن عین ضلال
Why, then, O worthless man, are you submitting your need to another needy (creature)?
پس چه عرضه میکنی ای بیگهر ** احتیاج خود به محتاجی دگر
Inasmuch as (all) forms are slaves (to God), do not say or deem that form is applicable to God: do not seek Him by tashbíh (likening Him to His creatures).
چون صور بندهست بر یزدان مگو ** ظن مبر صورت به تشبیهش مجو
Seek (Him) in self-abasement and in self-extinction, for nothing but forms is produced by thinking.
در تضرع جوی و در افنای خویش ** کز تفکر جز صور ناید به پیش
And if you derive no advantage (comfort) except from form, (then) the form that comes to birth within you involuntarily is the best.3750
ور ز غیر صورتت نبود فره ** صورتی کان بیتو زاید در تو به
(Suppose it is) the form of a city to which you are going: you are drawn (thither) by a formless feeling of pleasure, O dependent one;
صورت شهری که آنجا میروی ** ذوق بیصورت کشیدت ای روی