بخش 95 - هفت مرد شدن آن هفت درخت

After a long while those (trees) became seven men, all seated (in contemplation) for the sake of God who is single.

I keep rubbing my eyes (and wondering) who are those seven heroes and what they have of this world.

When by (traversing) the road I came near (to them), I saluted them alertly.

The company (the seven men) answered that salutation, saying, ‘O Daqúqí, glory and crown of the noble!’

‘Why,’ said I (to myself), ‘how did they recognise me? They never set eyes on me before this (moment).’

At once they knew of my unspoken thought, and looked covertly at one another,

And smilingly answered, ‘O honoured one, is this hidden from thee even now?

How should the mystery of left and right be hidden from the heart that is in (the state of) bewilderment with God?’

I said (to myself), ‘If they are open to (in communication with) the (spiritual) realities, (yet) how are they acquainted with names (consisting) of letters attached to the form (of words)?’

He (one of the seven men) said, ‘If a name vanish from (the consciousness of) a saint, know that that is (the result arising) from (his) absorption (in God), not from ignorance.’

Afterwards they said, ‘We desire to follow thy leadership (in prayer), O holy friend.’

‘Yes,’ said I, ‘but (wait) awhile—for I have certain difficulties (derived) from the revolution of Time—

In order that they may be solved by means of holy companionships; for through companionship a grape grows from the earth.

A kernelly seed graciously consorted in solitary intercourse with the dark earth;

It effaced itself entirely in the earth, so that no colour or scent or red or yellow (hue) remained to it.

After that effacement its constriction ceased: it opened its wings and expanded and sped on its way.

Inasmuch as it became selfless in the presence of its origin, the form departed (from it) and its real essence was displayed.’

They nodded so (as though saying), ‘Hark, ’tis for thee to command,’ and from their nodding so a flame arose in my heart.

When for a while I had taken part with that elect company in contemplation (of God) and had been separated from myself,

At that very hour my spirit was freed from hours (of Time); (I say ‘freed’) because hours make the young old.”

All changes have arisen from the hours: he that is freed from the hours is freed from change.

When for an hour you escape from the hours, relation abides not: you become familiar with that which is without relation.

The hours are not acquainted with hourlessness (timelessness), because for him (who is conscious of time) there is no way thither except bewilderment.

In this world of search and seeking every set of people have been tied in the stable peculiar to them,

And over each stable a trainer has been appointed; save by (his) permission no recalcitrant comes (into another place).

If, from vain desire, he should break away from the stable and intrude into the stable of others,

At once the nimble and goodly stablemen seize the corner of his halter and drag (him back).

O cunning one, if you behold not your keepers, behold your choice (and perceive that it is) involuntary.

You are making a choice, and your hands and feet are loosed: why (then) are you imprisoned, why?

You have betaken yourself to denying (the action of) the keeper: you have called it ‘threats of the fleshly soul.’