بخش 15 - روان شدن خواجه به سوی ده

The Khwaja got to work and made preparations (for the journey): the bird, his resolve (to set out), sped rapidly towards the country.

His kinsfolk and children made ready for the journey and threw the baggage upon the ox of departure,

Rejoicing and hastening towards the country, saying, “We have eaten some fruit (in anticipation) : give (us) the glad news of ( arrival in) the country!

The place for which we are bound is a sweet pasturage, and our friend there is kind and charming.

He has invited us with thousands of wishes, he has planted for us the shoot of kindness.

From him we shall bring back to town the store of the country-side ( to sustain us) during the ling winter.

Nay, he will give up the orchard for our sake, he will make a place for us in the middle of his soul.

Hasten, friends, that ye may get gain!” (But) Reason from within was saying ( to them), “Do not rejoice!”

Be gainers by the gain of God: lo, my Lord loveth not them that rejoice (overmuch).

Rejoice (but) moderately on account of what He causeth to come to you: everything that comes and is a source of preoccupation diverts you (from Him).

Rejoice in Him, do not rejoice in aught except Him: He is (as) the spring, and (all) other things (as) the month of December.

Everything other than He is the (means of) leading you gradually to perdition, (even) though it is your throne and kingdom and your crown.

Rejoice in sorrow, for sorrow is the snare of (means of attaining to) union (with God): in this Way the ascent is downwards.

Sorrow is a treasure, and your pain is as the mine, but how should this (saying) catch hold of (make an impression on) children?

When children hear the name of “play,” they all run (after it) with the speed of a wild ass.

O blind asses, in this direction there are snares; in this direction there are bloodsheds (concealed) in ambush.

The arrows are flying, (but) the bow is hidden: from the Unseen World come upon youth a hundred arrows of hoary eld.

You must set foot on the plain of the heart (spirit), because in the plain of (the body’s) clay there is no opening ( for spiritual progress).

The heart is the abode of security, O friends; (it has) fountains and rose-gardens within rose-gardens.

Turn towards the heart and journey on, O night-travellers: therein are trees and (many) a flowing spring.

Do not go to the country: the country makes a fool of a man, it makes the intellect void of light and splendour.

O chosen one, hear the Prophet’s saying: “To dwell in the country is the grave of the intellect.”

If any one stay in the country a single day and evening, his intellect will not be fully restored for a month.

For a (whole) month foolishness will abide with him: what but these things should he reap from the parched herbage of the country?

And he that stays a month in the country, ignorance and blindness will be his (lot) for a long time.

What is “the country”? The Shaykh that has not been united (with god), but has become addicted to conventionality and argument.

Compared with the town, (which is) Universal Reason, these senses (of ours) are like asses (going round and round) in an ass-mill with their eyes bandaged.

Leave this (inner meaning) and take the outward form of the tale: let the pearlseed alone and take the cornseed.

If there is no way to the pearl, come, take the wheat; if there is no way for you in that (direction), push on in this direction.

Take its outward (form)! Though the outward (form) fly crookedly (not straight), the outward (form) at last will lead (you) to the inward (meaning).

In sooth, the first (stage) of every human being is the form; after that (comes) the spirit, which is beauty of disposition.

How is the first (stage) of every fruit anything but the form?

After that (comes) the delicious taste which is its real meaning. First they make or buy a tent; afterwards they bring the Turcoman (their beloved) as a guest.

Deem your form to be the tent, your real essence the Turcoman, regard your essence as the sailor, your form as the ship.

For God’s sake, quit this (topic) for a moment, so that the Khwaja’s ass may shake its bell (proceed on its journey).