The Dyed Jackal Pretends to Be a Peacock
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 3, section 22 of 185: How the jackal which had fallen into the dyer’s vat pretended to be a peacock (دعوی طاوسی کردن آن شغال کی در خم صباغ افتاده بود). Below, each of its 12 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
How the jackal which had fallen into the dyer’s vat pretended to be a peacock. دعوی طاوسی کردن آن شغال کی در خم صباغ افتاده بود
و آن شغال رنگ‌رنگ آمد نهفت بر بناگوش ملامت‌گر بکفت
(In the fashion) that parti-colored jackal came secretly and said, (with his lips) at the lobe of the rebuker’s ear,
بنگر آخر در من و در رنگ من یک صنم چون من ندارد خود شمن
“Prithee look at me and at my colour: truly the idolater possesses no idol like me.
چون گلستان گشته‌ام صد رنگ و خوش مر مرا سجده کن از من سر مکش
Like the flower-garden I have become many-hued and lovely: bow in homage to me, do not withdraw from me (in aversion).
کر و فر و آب و تاب و رنگ بین فخر دنیا خوان مرا و رکن دین
Behold my glory and splendour and sheen and radiance and colour! Call me the Pride of the World and the Pillar of the Religion!
مظهر لطف خدایی گشته‌ام لوح شرح کبریایی گشته‌ام
I have become the theatre of the Divine Grace, I have become the tablet on which the Divine Majesty is unfolded.
ای شغالان هین مخوانیدم شغال کی شغالی را بود چندین جمال
O jackals, take heed, do not call me a jackal: how should a jackal have so much beauty?”
آن شغالان آمدند آنجا بجمع همچو پروانه به گرداگرد شمع
Those jackals came thither en masse, like moths around the candle.
پس چه خوانیمت بگو ای جوهری گفت طاوس نر چون مشتری
“Say then, what shall we call thee, O creature of (pure) substance?” He replied, “ A peacock (brilliant) as Jupiter.”
پس بگفتندش که طاوسان جان جلوه‌ها دارند اندر گلستان
Then they said to him, “The spiritual peacocks have displays (with the Beloved) in the Rose-garden:
تو چنان جلوه کنی گفتا که نی بادیه نارفته چون کوبم منی
Dost thou display thyself like that?” “No,” said he: “not having gone into the desert, how should I tread (the valley of) Mina?”
بانگ طاووسان کنی گفتا که لا پس نه‌ای طاووس خواجه بوالعلا
“Dost thou utter the cry of peacocks?” “Nay,” said he. “Then, Master Bu’l-‘Alam thou art not a peacock.
خلعت طاووس آید ز آسمان کی رسی از رنگ و دعویها بدان
The peacock’s garment of honour comes from Heaven: how wilt thou attain thereto by means of colours and pretences?”
Special Offers
← Previous sectionMasnavi Book 3 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)
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 Dyed Jackal Pretends to Be a Peacock"?
No one replied yet.