The (process of) generation from Moses is (continuing) till the Resurrection: the Light is not different, (though) the lamp has become different.
تا قیامت هست از موسی نتاج ** نور دیگر نیست دیگر شد سراج
This earthenware lamp and this wick are different, but its light is not different: it is from Yonder.1255
این سفال و این پلیته دیگرست ** لیک نورش نیست دیگر زان سرست
If thou keep looking at the glass (lantern), thou wilt be lost, because from the glass arise the numbers of (the plurality inherent in) dualism;
گر نظر در شیشه داری گم شوی ** زانک از شیشهست اعداد دوی
But if thou keep thy gaze (fixed) upon the Light, thou wilt be delivered from dualism and the numbers (plurality) of the finite body.
ور نظر بر نور داری وا رهی ** از دوی واعداد جسم منتهی
From the place (object) of view, O (thou who art the) kernel of Existence, there arises the difference between the true believer and the Zoroastrian and the Jew.
از نظرگاهست ای مغز وجود ** اختلاف مومن و گبر و جهود
The disagreement as to the description and shape of the elephant.
اختلاف کردن در چگونگی و شکل پیل
The elephant was in a dark house: some Hindús had brought it for exhibition.
پیل اندر خانهی تاریک بود ** عرضه را آورده بودندش هنود
In order to see it, many people were going, every one, into that darkness.1260
از برای دیدنش مردم بسی ** اندر آن ظلمت همیشد هر کسی
As seeing it with the eye was impossible, (each one) was feeling it in the dark with the palm of his hand.
دیدنش با چشم چون ممکن نبود ** اندر آن تاریکیش کف میبسود
The hand of one fell on its trunk: he said, “This creature is like a water-pipe.”
آن یکی را کف به خرطوم اوفتاد ** گفت همچون ناودانست این نهاد
The hand of another touched its ear: to him it appeared to be like a fan.
آن یکی را دست بر گوشش رسید ** آن برو چون بادبیزن شد پدید
Since another handled its leg, he said, “I found the elephant's shape to be like a pillar.”
آن یکی را کف چو بر پایش بسود ** گفت شکل پیل دیدم چون عمود
Another laid his hand on its back: he said, “Truly, this elephant was like a throne.”1265
آن یکی بر پشت او بنهاد دست ** گفت خود این پیل چون تختی بدست
Similarly, whenever any one heard (a description of the elephant), he understood (it only in respect of) the part that he had touched.
همچنین هر یک به جزوی که رسید ** فهم آن میکرد هر جا میشنید
On account of the (diverse) place (object) of view, their statements differed: one man entitled it “dál,” another “alif.”
از نظرگه گفتشان شد مختلف ** آن یکی دالش لقب داد این الف
If there had been a candle in each one's hand, the difference would have gone out of their words.
در کف هر کس اگر شمعی بدی ** اختلاف از گفتشان بیرون شدی
The eye of sense-perception is only like the palm of the hand: the palm hath not power to reach the whole of him (the elephant).
چشم حس همچون کف دستست و بس ** نیست کف را بر همهی او دسترس
The eye of the Sea is one thing, and the foam another: leave the foam and look with the eye of the Sea.1270
چشم دریا دیگرست و کف دگر ** کف بهل وز دیدهی دریا نگر
Day and night (there is) the movement of foam-flecks from the Sea: thou beholdest the foam, but not the Sea. Marvellous!
جنبش کفها ز دریا روز و شب ** کف همیبینی و دریا نه عجب
We are dashing against each other, like boats: our eyes are darkened, though we are in the clear water.
ما چو کشتیها بهم بر میزنیم ** تیرهچشمیم و در آب روشنیم
O thou that hast gone to sleep in the body's boat, thou hast seen the water, (but) look on the Water of the water.
ای تو در کشتی تن رفته به خواب ** آب را دیدی نگر در آب آب
The water hath a Water that is driving it; the spirit hath a Spirit that is calling it.
آب را آبیست کو میراندش ** روح را روحیست کو میخواندش
Where were Moses and Jesus when the (Divine) Sun was giving water to the sown field of existent things?1275
موسی و عیسی کجا بد کفتاب ** کشت موجودات را میداد آب
Where were Adam and Eve at the time when God fitted this string to the bow?
آدم و حوا کجا بد آن زمان ** که خدا افکند این زه در کمان
This (manner of) speech, too, is imperfect and maimed; the speech that is not imperfect is Yonder.
این سخن هم ناقص است و ابترست ** آن سخن که نیست ناقص آن سرست
If he (the saint) speak from that (source), thy foot will stumble; and if he speak naught of that, oh, alas for thee!
گر بگوید زان بلغزد پای تو ** ور نگوید هیچ از آن ای وای تو