The King Asks Ayaz to Explain His Relics
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 5, section 138 of 175: How the King (Mahmúd) once more commanded Ayáz (فرمودن شاه به ایاز بار دگر کی شرح چارق و پوستین آشکارا بگو تا خواجه تاشانت از آن اشارت). Below, each of its 5 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
How the King (Mahmúd) once more commanded Ayáz, saying, “Give a clear explanation concerning thy rustic spoon and sheep skin jacket in order that thy fellow-servants may be admonished by that indication; for (the Prophet has said), ‘Religion consists in (giving) sincere counsel.’” فرمودن شاه به ایاز بار دگر کی شرح چارق و پوستین آشکارا بگو تا خواجه تاشانت از آن اشارت پند گیرد کی الدین النصیحة و موعظه یابند
سر چارق را بیان کن ای ایاز پیش چارق چیستت چندین نیاز
“O Ayáz, declare the mystery of the rustic shoon and why in the presence of the shoon thou showest all this humility,
تا بنوشد سنقر و بک یا رقت سر سر پوستین و چارقت
So that thy (fellow-servants) Sunqur and Bakyáruq may hear the inmost secret of thy sheepskin jacket and rustic shoon.
ای ایاز از تو غلامی نور یافت نورت از پستی سوی گردون شتافت
O Ayáz, slavery hath gained lustre from thee: thy lustre hath sped from lowliness towards heaven.
حسرت آزادگان شد بندگی بندگی را چون تو دادی زندگی
Servitude has become an object of regret to the free, since thou hast given life (and splendour) to servitude.
ممن آن باشد که اندر جزر و مد کافر از ایمان او حسرت خورد
The true believer is he by whose true belief amidst the ebb and flow (of fortune) the infidel is made regretful.”
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 King Asks Ayaz to Explain His Relics"?
No one replied yet.