The Seven Trees Become Seven Men
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 3, section 89 of 185: How the seven trees became seven men (هفت مرد شدن آن هفت درخت). Below, each of its 30 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
How the seven trees became seven men. هفت مرد شدن آن هفت درخت
بعد دیری گشت آنها هفت مرد جمله در قعده پی یزدان فرد
After a long while those (trees) became seven men, all seated (in contemplation) for the sake of God who is single.
چشم می‌مالم که آن هفت ارسلان تا کیانند و چه دارند از جهان
I keep rubbing my eyes (and wondering) who are those seven heroes and what they have of this world.
چون به نزدیکی رسیدم من ز راه کردم ایشان را سلام از انتباه
When by (traversing) the road I came near (to them), I saluted them alertly.
قوم گفتندم جواب آن سلام ای دقوقی مفخر و تاج کرام
The company (the seven men) answered that salutation, saying, ‘O Daqúqí, glory and crown of the noble!’
گفتم آخر چون مرا بشناختند پیش ازین بر من نظر ننداختند
‘Why,’ said I (to myself), ‘how did they recognise me? They never set eyes on me before this (moment).’
از ضمیر من بدانستند زود یکدگر را بنگریدند از فرود
At once they knew of my unspoken thought, and looked covertly at one another,
پاسخم دادند خندان کای عزیز این بپوشیدست اکنون بر تو نیز
And smilingly answered, ‘O honoured one, is this hidden from thee even now?
بر دلی کو در تحیر با خداست کی شود پوشیده راز چپ و راست
How should the mystery of left and right be hidden from the heart that is in (the state of) bewilderment with God?’
گفتم ار سوی حقایق بشکفند چون ز اسم حرف رسمی واقفند
I said (to myself), ‘If they are open to (in communication with) the (spiritual) realities, (yet) how are they acquainted with names (consisting) of letters attached to the form (of words)?’
گفت اگر اسمی شود غیب از ولی آن ز استغراق دان نه از جاهلی
He (one of the seven men) said, ‘If a name vanish from (the consciousness of) a saint, know that that is (the result arising) from (his) absorption (in God), not from ignorance.’
بعد از آن گفتند ما را آرزوست اقتدا کردن به تو ای پاک دوست
Afterwards they said, ‘We desire to follow thy leadership (in prayer), O holy friend.’
گفتم آری لیک یک ساعت که من مشکلاتی دارم از دور زمن
‘Yes,’ said I, ‘but (wait) awhile for I have certain difficulties (derived) from the revolution of Time.
تا شود آن حل به صحبتهای پاک که به صحبت روید انگوری ز خاک
In order that they may be solved by means of holy companionships; for through companionship a grape grows from the earth.
دانه‌ی پرمغز با خاک دژم خلوتی و صحبتی کرد از کرم
A kernelly seed graciously consorted in solitary intercourse with the dark earth;
خویشتن در خاک کلی محو کرد تا نماندش رنگ و بو و سرخ و زرد
It effaced itself entirely in the earth, so that no colour or scent or red or yellow (hue) remained to it.
از پس آن محو قبض او نماند پرگشاد و بسط شد مرکب براند
After that effacement its constriction ceased: it opened its wings and expanded and sped on its way.
پیش اصل خویش چون بی‌خویش شد رفت صورت جلوه‌ی معنیش شد
Inasmuch as it became selfless in the presence of its origin, the form departed (from it) and its real essence was displayed.’
سر چنین کردند هین فرمان تراست تف دل از سر چنین کردن بخاست
They nodded so (as though saying), ‘Hark, ’tis for thee to command,’ and from their nodding so a flame arose in my heart.
ساعتی با آن گروه مجتبی چون مراقب گشتم و از خود جدا
When for a while I had taken part with that elect company in contemplation (of God) and had been separated from myself,
هم در آن ساعت ز ساعت رست جان زانک ساعت پیر گرداند جوان
At that very hour my spirit was freed from hours (of Time); (I say ‘freed’) because hours make the young old.”
جمله تلوینها ز ساعت خاستست رست از تلوین که از ساعت برست
All changes have arisen from the hours: he that is freed from the hours is freed from change.
چون ز ساعت ساعتی بیرون شوی چون نماند محرم بی‌چون شوی
When for an hour you escape from the hours, relation abides not: you become familiar with that which is without relation.
ساعت از بی‌ساعتی آگاه نیست زانکش آن سو جز تحیر راه نیست
The hours are not acquainted with hourlessness (timelessness), because for him (who is conscious of time) there is no way thither except bewilderment.
هر نفر را بر طویله خاص او بسته‌اند اندر جهان جست و جو
In this world of search and seeking every set of people have been tied in the stable peculiar to them,
منتصب بر هر طویله رایضی جز بدستوری نیاید رافضی
And over each stable a trainer has been appointed; save by (his) permission no recalcitrant comes (into another place).
از هوس گر از طویله بسکلد در طویله دیگران سر در کند
If, from vain desire, he should break away from the stable and intrude into the stable of others,
در زمان آخرجیان چست خوش گوشه‌ی افسار او گیرند و کش
At once the nimble and goodly stablemen seize the corner of his halter and drag (him back).
حافظان را گر نبینی ای عیار اختیارت را ببین بی اختیار
O cunning one, if you behold not your keepers, behold your choice (and perceive that it is) involuntary.
اختیاری می‌کنی و دست و پا بر گشادستت چرا حسبی چرا
You are making a choice, and your hands and feet are loosed: why (then) are you imprisoned, why?
روی در انکار حافظ برده‌ای نام تهدیدات نفسش کرده‌ای
You have betaken yourself to denying (the action of) the keeper: you have called it ‘threats of the fleshly soul.’
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by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
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