The Evil Eye of Self-Approval
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 5, section 23 of 175: Explaining that no evil eye is so deadly to a man as the eye of self-approval (در بیان آنک هیچ چشم بدی آدمی را چنان مهلک نیست کی چشم پسند خویشتن مگر کی چشم او مبدل شده). Below, each of its 16 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
Explaining that no evil eye is so deadly to a man as the eye of self-approval, unless his eye shall have been transformed by the Light of God, so that “he hears through Me and sees through Me,” and (unless) his self shall have become selfless. در بیان آنک هیچ چشم بدی آدمی را چنان مهلک نیست کی چشم پسند خویشتن مگر کی چشم او مبدل شده باشد به نور حق که بی یسمع و بی یبصر و خویشتن او بی‌خویشتن شده
پر طاوست مبین و پای بین
تا که س العین نگشاید کمین
Do not regard thy peacock-feathers but regard thy feet, in order that the mischief of the (evil) eye may not waylay thee;
که بلغزد کوه از چشم بدان
یزلقونک از نبی بر خوان بدان
For (even) a mountain slips (from its foundations) at the eye of the wicked: read and mark in the Qur’án (the words) they cause thee to stumble.
احمد چون کوه لغزید از نظر
در میان راه بی‌گل بی‌مطر
From (their) looking (at him), Ahmad (Mohammed), (who was) like a mountain, slipped in the middle of the road, without mud and without rain.
در عجب درماند کین لغزش ز چیست
من نپندارم که این حالت تهیست
He remained in astonishment, saying, “Wherefore is this slipping? I do not think that this occurrence is empty (of meaning),”
تا بیامد آیت و آگاه کرد
کان ز چشم بد رسیدت وز نبرد
Until the Verse (of the Qur’án) came and made him aware that this had happened to him in consequence of the evil eye and enmity (of the unbelievers).
گر بدی غیر تو در دم لا شدی
صید چشم و سخره‌ی افنا شدی
(God said to the Prophet), “Had it been any one except thee, he would at once have been annihilated: he would have become the prey of the (evil) eye and in thrall to destruction;
لیک آمد عصمتی دامن‌کشان
وین که لغزیدی بد از بهر نشان
But there came (from Me) a protection, sweeping along (majestically), and thy slipping was (only) for a sign.”
عبرتی گیر اندر آن که کن نگاه
برگ خود عرضه مکن ای کم ز کاه
Take a warning, look on that mountain, and do not expose thy (petty) leaf (to destruction), O thou who art less than a straw.
Special Offers
← Previous sectionMasnavi Book 5 contentsNext section →
More Rumi: the Song of the Reed (Book 1 proem), real Rumi quotes in Persian and the Persian poetry quiz.
Take this lesson further
Serious about Persian? Get all 30 of our Persian learning books for $199.99 (55% less than buying them one by one).
Free Persian Starter Kit (PDF)
The Persian alphabet chart and the 101 most common Persian words with pronunciation, in one printable PDF. You also get a one-time 15% code for any of our books.
We will email you new lessons and book news from Learn Persian Online. Unsubscribe any time.Love Persian poetry? Learn to read it: free Starter Pack
Get the 14-page printable Starter Pack (all 32 letters, a 7-day reading plan, 100 core words and 20 survival phrases) and a short 5-email course. Free.
by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
Reza is an experienced Persian instructor who has been tutoring students since 2008. He is the founder of Learn Persian Online, a tutoring company that has helped many students learn Persian, this beautiful language. He works with students individually and in group settings, he tutors both live and online Persian courses. Reza provides an individualized custom learning plan and the personalized attention that makes a difference in how people view Persian learning process.
What people say about "The Evil Eye of Self-Approval"?
No one replied yet.