Since the bounty of the Sea is (poured) through our jar, what wonder (that) the Sea (itself) should be (contained) in a Fish?
داد دریا چون ز خم ما بود ** چه عجب در ماهیی دریا بود
The sensual eye is fixed on the form of the thoroughfare: thou art regarding it as a thoroughfare, but he (the Perfect Man) as a permanent abode.
چشم حس افسرد بر نقش ممر ** تش ممر میبینی و او مستقر
This dualism is characteristic of the eye that sees double; but (in reality) the first is the last and the last is the first.
این دوی اوصاف دید احولست ** ورنه اول آخر آخر اولست
Hark, by what means is this made known (to thee)? By means of the (spiritual) resurrection. Seek to experience (that) resurrection: do not dispute concerning (that) resurrection.820
هی ز چه معلوم گردد این ز بعث ** بعث را جو کم کن اندر بعث بحث
The (necessary) condition of (experiencing) the Day of Resurrection is to die first, for (the word) ba‘th (resurrection) is (signifies) “to raise to life from the dead.”
شرط روز بعث اول مردنست ** زانک بعث از مرده زنده کردنست
Hence all the world have taken the wrong way, for they are afraid of nonexistence, though it is (really) the refuge (in which they find salvation).
جمله عالم زین غلط کردند راه ** کز عدم ترسند و آن آمد پناه
Whence shall we seek (true knowledge? From renouncing (our false) knowledge. Whence shall we seek (true) peace? From renouncing peace (with our carnal selves).
از کجا جوییم علم از ترک علم ** از کجا جوییم سلم از ترک سلم
Whence shall we seek (real) existence? From renouncing (illusory) existence. Whence shall we seek the apple (of Truth)? From renouncing the hand (of self-assertion and self-interest).
از کجا جوییم هست از ترک هست ** از کجا جوییم سیب از ترک دست
O best Helper, only Thou canst make the eye that regards the non-existent to regard that which is (really) existent.825
هم تو تانی کرد یا نعم المعین ** دیدهی معدومبین را هست بین
The eye that was produced from non-existence regarded the Essence of (real) Being as wholly non-existent;
دیدهای کو از عدم آمد پدید ** ذات هستی را همه معدوم دید
(But), if (thy) two eyes are transformed and illumined, this well-ordered world becomes the scene of the Last Judgement.
این جهان منتظم محشر شود ** گر دو دیده مبدل و انور شود
These realities are shown forth imperfectly (here) because the apprehension of them is forbidden to these raw (ignorant) ones.
زان نماید این حقایق ناتمام ** که برین خامان بود فهمش حرام
Although God is munificent, the enjoyment of the delightful gardens ofParadise is forbidden to him who is destined for Hell.
نعمت جنات خوش بر دوزخمی ** شد محرم گرچه حق آمد سخی
The honey of Paradise becomes bitter in his mouth, since he was not (destined to be) one of them that faithfully keep the covenant of everlasting life.830
در دهانش تلخ آید شهد خلد ** چون نبود از وافیان در عهد خلد
Ye (worldly folk) also (who are engaged) in commerce—how should your hands move (to sell anything) when there is no buyer?
مر شما را نیز در سوداگری ** دست کی جنبد چو نبود مشتری
How should (idle) looking-on be capable of buying? The fool's looking-on is (not for buying, but merely for) loitering.
کی نظاره اهل بخریدن بود ** آن نظاره گول گردیدن بود
(He strolls about) continually asking, “How much is this?” and “How much is that?” for the sake of pastime and mockery.
پرس پرسان کین به چند و آن به چند ** از پی تعبیر وقت و ریشخند
(’Tis only) from boredom (that) he asks you (to show him) your goods: that person is not a buyer and customer.
از ملولی کاله میخواهد ز تو ** نیست آن کس مشتری و کالهجو
He inspects the article a hundred times and hands it back (to you): when did he (ever) measure a piece of cloth? He measured wind (and nothing else).835
کاله را صد بار دید و باز داد ** جامه کی پیمود او پیمود باد
What a distance between the approach and bargaining of a purchaser and the pleasantries of a silly joker?
کو قدوم و کر و فر مشتری ** کو مزاح گنگلی سرسری
Since there is not a mite in his possession, how should he seek (to buy) a coat except in jest?
چونک در ملکش نباشد حبهای ** جز پی گنگل چه جوید جبهای
He has no capital for trading: what, then, is the difference between his ill-favoured person and a shadow?
در تجارت نیستش سرمایهای ** پس چه شخص زشت او چه سایهای
The capital (required) for the market of this world is gold; there (in the next world) the capital is love and two eyes wet (with tears).
مایه در بازار این دنیا زرست ** مایه آنجا عشق و دو چشم ترست
Whoever went to market without any capital, his life passed and he speedily returned in disappointment.840
هر که او بیمایهی بازار رفت ** عمر رفت و بازگشت او خام تفت
“Oh, where hast thou been, brother?” “Nowhere.” “Oh, what hast thou cooked to eat?” “No (good) soup.”
هی کجا بودی برادر هیچ جا ** هی چه پختی بهر خوردن هیچ با