بخش 48 - نشستن دیو بر مقام سلیمان علیه‌السلام و تشبه کردن او به کارهای سلیمان علیه‌السلام و فرق ظاهر میان هر دو سلیمان و دیو خویشتن را سلیمان بن داود نام کردن

Even if thou hast intellect, associate and consult with another intellect, O father.

With two intellects thou wilt be delivered from many afflictions: thou wilt plant thy foot on the summit of the heavens.

If the Demon called himself Solomon and won the kingdom and made the empire subject (to him),

(It was because) he had seen (and imitated) the form of Solomon's action; (but) within the form the spirit of demonry was appearing.

The people said, “This Solomon is without excellence: there are (great) differences between (that) Solomon and (this) Solomon.”

He (the former) is like wakefulness, this one is like sleep; (there is as much difference) as between that Hasan and this Hasan.

The Demon would reply, “God has bestowed on Ahriman a pleasing form (aspect) in the likeness of me.

God hath given my aspect to the Devil: let him not cast you into his net!

If he appear with the pretence (that he is really I), beware! Do not have regard to his (outward) form.”

The Demon was saying this to them from guile, but in good (enlightened) hearts the reverse of this was apparent.

There is no playing tricks with the discerning man, especially (with) him whose discernment and intelligence speak of the Unseen.

No magic and no imposture and fraud will bind a veil upon the owners of (spiritual) empire.

Hence they were saying to themselves in reply (to the Demon), “Thou art going upside down, O thou who art addressed falsely (by the name of Solomon).

Upside down likewise thou wilt go Hellward, the lowest among the low.

If he (Solomon) has been deposed and reduced to poverty, (yet) the radiant full-moon is on his forehead.

If thou hast carried off the (royal) signet-ring, (yet) thou art (as) a Hell frozen like (the region of) piercing cold.

On account of (the Demon's) ostentation and vain show and pomp and grandeur how (should we lay) the head (in obeisance before him)? for we will not lay (before him) even a hoof.

And if heedlessly we should lay the forehead (on the ground in homage) to him, a preventing hand will rise up from the earth,

(As though to say), ‘Do not lay the head before this headlong-fallen one; beware, do not bow down to this ill-fated wretch!’”

I would have given a very soul-quickening exposition of this (story), were it not for the indignation and jealousy of God.

Still, be content and accept this (insufficient) amount, that I may explain (the whole of) this at another time.

He (the Demon), having called himself by the name of the prophet Solomon, makes it a mask to deceive every (foolish) boy.

Pass on from the (outward) form and rise beyond the name: flee from title and from name (and enter) into reality.

Inquire, then, about his (spiritual) degree and his (interior) actions: in the midst of his degree and actions seek (to discover) him.