(When) that possessor of the marrow (of spiritual knowledge) meditated concerning the cause, he perceived that the cause was (too) much water-drinking.1700
از سبب اندیشه کرد آن ذو لباب ** دید علت خوردن بسیار از آب
He said, “For a year I will not drink water.” He acted accordingly, and God bestowed on him the power (to abstain).
گفت تا سالی نخواهم خورد آب ** آنچنان کرد و خدایش داد تاب
This was his least penance for the Religion’s sake: he became a (spiritual) sultan and the Pole of the Gnostics.
این کمینه جهد او بد بهر دین ** گشت او سلطان و قطب العارفین
Since the ascetic’s hand had been cut off by reason of his gullet (appetite), he closed the door of complaint.
چون بریده شد برای حلق دست ** مرد زاهد را در شکوی ببست
His name amongst the people came to be Shaykh Aqta’:the calamities (which he suffered because) of his gullet made him well-known by this (name).
شیخ اقطع گشت نامش پیش خلق ** کرد معروفش بدین آفات حلق
The miraculous gifts of Shaykh Aqta’, and how he used to weave palm-leaf baskets with both hands.
کرامات شیخ اقطع و زنبیل بافتن او بدو دست
A visitor found him in his hut, (and saw) that he was weaving a basket with both hands.1705
در عریش او را یکی زایر بیافت ** کو بهر دو دست می زنبیل بافت
He (the Shaykh) said to him, “O enemy of thine own life, who hast come putting thy head into my hut.
گفت او را ای عدو جان خویش ** در عریشم آمده سر کرده پیش
Why hast thou made such hot haste?” He replied, “From excess of love and longing.”
این چراکردی شتاب اندر سباق ** گفت از افراط مهر و اشتیاق
Then he (the Shaykh) smiled and said, “Now come in, but keep this (thing) secret, O noble sir.
پس تبسم کرد و گفت اکنون بیا ** لیک مخفی دار این را ای کیا
Till I die, do not tell this to any one, neither to a comrade nor to a beloved nor to a worthless fellow.”
تا نمیرم من مگو این با کسی ** نه قرینی نه حبیبی نه خسی