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
Therefore you are really going to that which has no locality, for pleasure is (something) different from place and time.
پس به معنی میروی تا لامکان ** که خوشی غیر مکانست و زمان