The Inner Meaning of Ablution Prayers
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 4, section 83 of 137: The inner meaning of the recitation of the ablutionary prayers by one who performs the ritual ablution (سر خواندن وضو کننده اوراد وضو را). Below, each of its 16 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
The inner meaning of the recitation of the ablutionary prayers by one who performs the ritual ablution. سر خواندن وضو کننده اوراد وضو را
در وضو هر عضو را وردی جدا
آمدست اندر خبر بهر دعا
In the ritual ablution, a separate form of prayer for each member of the body has been handed down in Tradition.
چونک استنشاق بینی می‌کنی
بوی جنت خواه از رب غنی
When you snuff up water into your nose, beg of the self-sufficient Lord the scent of Paradise,
تا ترا آن بو کشد سوی جنان
بوی گل باشد دلیل گلبنان
In order that that scent may lead you towards Paradise: the scent of the rose is the guide to the rose-trees.
چونک استنجا کنی ورد و سخن
این بود یا رب تو زینم پاک کن
When you perform the act of abstersion, the (proper) form of prayer and words is this: “O Lord, cleanse me from this (defilement).
دست من اینجا رسید این را بشست
دستم اندر شستن جانست سست
My hand has reached this place and washed it, (but) my hand is weak (unable) to wash my spirit.
ای ز تو کس گشته جان ناکسان
دست فضل تست در جانها رسان
O Thou by whom the spirit of the unworthy is made worthy, the hand of Thy bounty is reaching the spirits.
حد من این بود کردم من لیم
زان سوی حد را نقی کن ای کریم
This (which) I, vile (as I am), have done was my limit (the utmost within my power): do Thou make clean that (which lies) beyond the limit, O gracious One.
از حدث شستم خدایا پوست را
از حوادث تو بشو این دوست را
O God, I have washed my skin clean of ordure: do Thou wash this beloved (spirit) clean of worldly taints.”
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by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
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