I am as the elephant: beat and brand my head, that I may not dream of Hindustán and (its) gardens;
همچو پیلم بر سرم زن زخم و داغ ** تا نبینم خواب هندستان و باغ
So that I may yield myself (submit) to the boiling, to the end that I may find a way to that embrace (of the Beloved);4200
تا که خود را در دهم در جوش من ** تا رهی یابم در آن آغوش من
Because Man, in (the state of) independence, grows insolent and becomes hostile, like the dreaming elephant.
زانک انسان در غنا طاغی شود ** همچو پیل خواببین یاغی شود
When the elephant dreams of Hindustán, he does not hearken to the driver and displays viciousness.”
پیل چون در خواب بیند هند را ** پیلبان را نشنود آرد دغا
(Showing) how the housewife made apologies to the chickpea, and (explaining) the wise purpose in her keeping the chickpea on the boil.
عذر گفتن کدبانو با نخود و حکمت در جوش داشتن کدبانو نخود را
The dame says to it, “Formerly I, like thee, was a part of the earth.
آن ستی گوید ورا که پیش ازین ** من چو تو بودم ز اجزای زمین
After I had drunk a (cup of) fiery self-mortification, then I became an acceptable and worthy one.
چون بنوشیدم جهاد آذری ** پس پذیرا گشتم و اندر خوری
For a long while, I boiled in (the world of) Time; for another long while, in the pot of the body.4205
مدتی جوشیدهام اندر زمن ** مدتی دیگر درون دیگ تن
By reason of these two boilings I became (a source of) strength to the senses: I became (animal) spirit: then I became thy teacher.
زین دو جوشش قوت حسها شدم ** روح گشتم پس ترا استا شدم
(Whilst I was) in the inanimate state I used to say (to myself), ‘Thou art running (to and fro in agitation) to the end that thou mayst become (endued with) knowledge and spiritual qualities.’
در جمادی گفتمی زان میدوی ** تا شوی علم و صفات معنوی
Since I have become (animal) spirit, now (let me) boil once more and pass beyond animality.”
چون شدم من روح پس بار دگر ** جوش دیگر کن ز حیوانی گذر