Why the Body Is Like a Guest-House
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 5, section 152 of 175: Comparison of the human body to a guest-house and of the diverse thoughts to the diverse guests (تمثیل تن آدمی به مهمان‌خانه و اندیشه‌های مختلف به مهمانان مختلف عارف در رضا بدان). Below, each of its 3 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
Comparison of the human body to a guest-house and of the diverse thoughts to the diverse guests. The gnostic, acquiescing in those thoughts of sorrow or joy, resembles a hospitable person who treats strangers with kindness., like Khalíl (Abraham); for Khalíl’s door was always open to receive his guest with honour infidel and true believer and trusty and treacherous alike; and he would show a cheerful face to all his guests. تمثیل تن آدمی به مهمان‌خانه و اندیشه‌های مختلف به مهمانان مختلف عارف در رضا بدان اندیشه‌های غم و شادی چون شخص مهمان‌دوست غریب‌نواز خلیل‌وار کی در خلیل باکرام ضیف پیوسته باز بود بر کافر و ممن و امین و خاین و با همه مهمانان روی تازه داشتی
هست مهمان‌خانه این تن ای جوان هر صباحی ضیف نو آید دوان
This body, O youth, is a guest house: every morning a new guest comes running (into it).
هین مگو کین مانند اندر گردنم که هم اکنون باز پرد در عدم
Beware, do not say, “This (guest) is a burden to me,” for presently he will fly back into non-existence.
هرچه آید از جهان غیب‌وش در دلت ضیفست او را دار خوش
Whatsoever comes into thy heart from the invisible world is they guest: entertain it well!
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by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
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