Pandnāmah — Volume 2 of 8
Sections 9–17 · Couplets 104–213 Counsel for kings and companions leads through four perils, fortune, the discipline of the self, humility, and the dervish path. The volume closes with weapons for the struggle against the lower self.
Primary source The supplied 32-page Persian scan, printed pages 8–11 for this volume. The complete Persian Word transcription and the corresponding Ganjoor sections were collated as aids; material readings are recorded in the editorial guide.
Reading order Each numbered unit gives the fully vocalized Persian couplet, its Latin transliteration, and its English translation. The two hemistichs are separated by │; the small number on the Latin line gives section.couplet and global couplet.
دَر سیرَتِ مُلوک
9 On the Conduct of Kings
چَار خِصْلَت، ای بَرادَر، دَر جَهان │ پادْشاهان را هَمی دارَد زِیان
09.01 104 Chār kheslat, ey barādar, dar jahān │ pādshāhān rā hamī dārad ziyān
Four traits, brother, bring harm to kings in this world.
پادْشَهْ چُون دَر مَلَأ خَنْدان بُوَد │ بی‌گُمان دَر هَیْبَتَش نُقْصان بُوَد
09.02 105 Pādshah chūn dar malaʾ khandān bovad │ bī-gomān dar heybatash noqṣān bovad
When a king laughs openly in company, his commanding presence surely suffers.
باز صُحْبَت داشْتَن با هَر فَقیر │ پادْشاهان را هَمی دارَد حَقیر
09.03 106 Bāz soḥbat dāshtan bā har faqīr │ pādshāhān rā hamī dārad ḥaqīr
Likewise, keeping company with every pauper lowers kings in others’ eyes.
با زَنان بِسْیار اَگَر خَلْوَت کُنَد │ خویشْتَن را شاه بی‌هَیْبَت کُنَد
09.04 107 Bā zanān besyār agar khalvat konad │ khīshtan rā shāh bī-heybat konad
If a king spends too much time alone with women, he diminishes his own authority.
هَر کِرا فَرِّ جَهانْداری بُوَد │ مَیْلِ او سُویِ کَم‌آزاری بُوَد
09.05 108 Har kerā farr-e jahāndārī bovad │ meyl-e ū sū-ye kam-āzārī bovad
Whoever has the radiance of true kingship inclines toward harming others less.
عَدْل بایَد پادْشاه را وَ داد │ تا زِ عَدْلَش عالَمی گَرْدَنْد شاد
09.06 109 ʿAdl bāyad pādshāh rā va dād │ tā ze ʿadlash ʿālamī gardand shād
A king needs justice and fairness so that a whole world may rejoice in his rule.
گَر کُنَد آهَنْگِ ظُلْمی پادْشاه │ سود نَکُنَد مَر او را خَیْل و سِپاه
09.07 110 Gar konad āhang-e ẓolmī pādshāh │ sūd nakonad mar ū rā kheyl-o sepāh
If a king sets out to oppress, his ranks and army will do him no good.
چُون‌کِه عادِل باشَد و فَرُّخ‌لِقا │ باشَد اَنْدَر مَمْلِکَت شَهْ را بَقا
09.08 111 Chūn-ke ʿādel bāshad-o farrokh-leqā │ bāshad andar mamlakat shah rā baqā
If he is just and gracious in bearing, the king’s reign will endure.
چُون کُنَد سُلْطان کَرَم با لَشْگَری │ بَهْرِ او بازَنْد صَد جان بَر سَری
09.09 112 Chūn konad solṭān karam bā lashgarī │ bahr-e ū bāzand ṣad jān bar sarī
When a ruler is generous to a soldier, that soldier will risk a hundred lives for him.
دَر صِفَتِ عَلامَت‌هایِ بُزُرْگی
10 Signs of Greatness
چَار چیز آمَد بُزُرْگی را دَلیل │ هَر کِه آن دارَد بُوَد مَرْدِ جَلیل
10.01 113 Chār chīz āmad bozorgī rā dalīl │ har ke ān dārad bovad mard-e jalīl
Four things are signs of greatness; whoever has them is a person of stature.
عِلْم را اِعْزاز کَرْدَن بی‌حِساب │ خَلْق را دادَن جَوابِ باصَواب
10.02 114 ʿElm rā eʿzāz kardan bī-ḥesāb │ khalq rā dādan javāb-e bā-ṣavāb
Honor knowledge without stint, and give people sound answers.
دیگَر آن باشَد کِه جویَد وَصْلِ دوسْت │ وان‌کِه اَز دُشْمَن حَذَر کَرْدَن نِکوسْت
10.03 115 Dīgar ān bāshad ke jūyad vaṣl-e dūst │ vān-ke az doshman ḥazar kardan nekūst
Another mark is to seek a friend’s company and to guard oneself against an enemy.
هَر کِه دارَد دانِش و عَقْل و تَمیز │ اَهْلِ عَقْل و عِلْم را دارَد عَزیز
10.04 116 Har ke dārad dānesh-o ʿaql-o tamīz │ ahl-e ʿaql-o ʿelm rā dārad ʿazīz
Someone with learning, reason, and discernment values those who have wisdom and knowledge.
ای بَرادَر، گَر خِرَد داری تَمام │ نَرْم و شیرین گوی با مَرْدُم کَلام
10.05 117 Ey barādar, gar kherad dārī tamām │ narm-o shīrīn gūy bā mardom kalām
Brother, if you have good sense, speak to people gently and sweetly.
هَر کِه باشَد تُرْش‌روی تَلْخ‌گوی │ دوسْتان اَز وی بِگَرْدانَنْد روی
10.06 118 Har ke bāshad torsh-rūy talkh-gūy │ dūstān az vey begardānand rūy
Friends turn away from someone who is sour faced and harsh spoken.
هَر کِه اَز دُشْمَن نَباشَد بَر حَذَر │ عاقِبَت بینَد اَزُو رَنْج و ضَرَر
10.07 119 Har ke az doshman nabāshad bar ḥazar │ ʿāqebat bīnad azū ranj-o ẓarar
Anyone who fails to beware of an enemy will suffer pain and harm in the end.
دَر جِوارِ خُود عَدُو را رَهْ مَدِه │ اَز بَرایِ آن‌کِه دُشْمَن دور بِهْ
10.08 120 Dar javār-e khod ʿadov rā rah madeh │ az barā-ye ān-ke doshman dūr beh
Do not admit an enemy into your close circle; an enemy is better kept at a distance.
دَر مِیانِ دوسْتان مَسْرور باش │ گَر خِرَد داری زِ دُشْمَن دور باش
10.09 121 Dar miyān-e dūstān masrūr bāsh │ gar kherad dārī ze doshman dūr bāsh
Be cheerful among friends; if you have sense, stay clear of enemies.
با مُحِبّان باش دایِم هَمْنِشین │ تا تَوانی رویِ اَعْدا را مَبین
10.10 122 Bā moḥebbān bāsh dāyem hamneshīn │ tā tavānī rū-ye aʿdā rā mabīn
Keep company with those who love you; avoid the faces of your foes as far as you can.
ای پِسَر، تَدْبیرِ راهْ‌توشِه کُن │ پَس حَدیثِ این و آن یَک‌گوشِه کُن
10.11 123 Ey pesar, tadbīr-e rāh-tūshe kon │ pas ḥadīs-e īn-o ān yak-gūshe kon
My son, make provision for the road ahead; set aside the chatter of this person and that.
دَر بَیانِ چَار چیز کِه اَنْدَر خَطَر بُوَد
11 Four Perils
چَار چیزَسْت، ای بَرادَر، باخَطَر │ تا تَوانی باش اَزین‌ها بَر حَذَر
11.01 124 Chār chīz ast, ey barādar, bā-khaṭar │ tā tavānī bāsh azīn-hā bar ḥazar
Four things are dangerous, brother; avoid them whenever you can.
قُرْبَتِ سُلْطان و اُلْفَت با بَدان │ رَغْبَتِ دُنْیا و صُحْبَت با زَنان
11.02 125 Qorbat-e solṭān-o olfat bā badān │ raghbat-e donyā-o soḥbat bā zanān
Closeness to a ruler, intimacy with the wicked, desire for this world, and the company of women.
قُرْبِ سُلْطان آتَشِ سوزان بُوَد │ با بَدان اُلْفَت هَلاکِ جان بُوَد
11.03 126 Qorb-e solṭān ātash-e sūzān bovad │ bā badān olfat halāk-e jān bovad
Nearness to a ruler is a burning fire; familiarity with the wicked is ruin for the soul.
زَهْر دارَد دَر دُرون دُنْیا چُو مار │ گَرچِه بینی ظاهِرَش نَقْش و نِگار
11.04 127 Zahr dārad dar dorūn donyā cho mār │ garche bīnī ẓāherash naqsh-o negār
Like a snake, the world hides venom within, however ornate its outward patterns look.
می‌نُمایَد خوب و زیبا دَر نَظَر │ لیک اَز زَهْرَش بُوَد جان را خَطَر
11.05 128 Mī-nomāyad khūb-o zībā dar naẓar │ līk az zahrash bovad jān rā khaṭar
It looks lovely and beautiful to the eye, but its venom threatens life.
زَهْرِ این مارِ مُنَقَّش قاتِلَسْت │ باشَد اَز وی دور هَر کو عاقِلَسْت
11.06 129 Zahr-e īn mār-e monaqqash qātel ast │ bāshad az vey dūr har kū ʿāqel ast
The venom of this patterned snake is deadly; anyone wise keeps away.
هَمْچُو طِفْلان مَنْگَر اَنْدَر سُرْخ و زَرْد │ چُون زَنان مَغْرورِ رَنْگ و بو مَگَرْد
11.07 130 Hamcho ṭeflān mangar andar sorkh-o zard │ chūn zanān maghrūr-e rang-o bū magard
Do not gaze at red and gold like children, or let color and fragrance beguile you like women.
زالِ دُنْیا چُون عَروس آراسْتِه اَسْت │ هَر زَمانی شُویِ دیگَر خواسْتِه اَسْت
11.08 131 Zāl-e donyā chūn ʿarūs ārāste ast │ har zamānī shūy-e dīgar khāste ast
The old crone of this world is dressed like a bride, always seeking another husband.
مُقْبِل آن مَرْدی کِه شُد زین جُفْت طاق │ پُشْت بَر وی کَرْد و دادَش سِه طَلاق
11.09 132 Moqbel ān mardī ke shod zīn joft ṭāq │ posht bar vey kard-o dādash se ṭalāq
Fortunate is the man who breaks this marriage: he turns his back on her and divorces her three times.
لَب بِه پیشِ شُوی خَنْدان می‌کُنَد │ پَس هَلاک اَز زَخْمِ دَنْدان می‌کُنَد
11.10 133 Lab be pīsh-e shūy khandān mī-konad │ pas halāk az zakhm-e dandān mī-konad
She smiles at her husband, then destroys him with the wound of her teeth.
دَر بَیانِ نیک‌بَخْتی
12 Signs of Good Fortune
شُد دَلیلِ نیک‌بَخْتی چَار چیز │ هَر کِه این چَارَش بُوَد باشَد عَزیز
12.01 134 Shod dalīl-e nīk-bakhtī chār chīz │ har ke īn chārash bovad bāshad ʿazīz
Four things are signs of good fortune; whoever has them is held dear.
اَصْلِ پاک آمَد دَلیلِ نیک‌بَخْت │ نیسْت بی‌اَصْل سَزایِ تاج و تَخْت
12.02 135 Aṣl-e pāk āmad dalīl-e nīk-bakht │ nīst bī-aṣl sazā-ye tāj-o takht
Good roots are one sign of a fortunate person; one without them is unfit for crown and throne.
یَک دَلیلِ دیگَر آمَد قَلْبِ پاک │ گَر دِلَت پاکَسْت نَبْوَد هیچ باک
12.03 136 Yak dalīl-e dīgar āmad qalb-e pāk │ gar delat pāk ast nabvad hīch bāk
Another sign is a pure heart. If your heart is pure, there is nothing to fear.
نیک‌بَخْتان را بُوَد رایِ صَواب │ آن‌کِه بَدْرایَسْت باشَد دَر عَذاب
12.04 137 Nīk-bakhtān rā bovad rāy-e ṣavāb │ ān-ke bad-rāy ast bāshad dar ʿazāb
The fortunate have sound judgment; whoever judges poorly lives in distress.
هَر کِه ایمَن اَز عَذابِ حَقّ بُوَد │ نیسْت مُؤْمِن، کافِرِ مُطْلَق بُوَد
12.05 138 Har ke īman az ʿazāb-e Ḥaqq bovad │ nīst moʾmen, kāfer-e moṭlaq bovad
Whoever feels safe from God’s judgment is no believer, but an outright unbeliever.
عُمْرِ دُنْیا پَنْج روزی بیش نیسْت │ غافِلَسْت آن کَس کِه پیش‌اندیش نیسْت
12.06 139 ʿOmr-e donyā panj rūzī bīsh nīst │ ghāfel ast ān kas ke pīsh-andīsh nīst
The life of this world lasts only five days; whoever fails to think ahead is heedless.
تَرْکِ لَذّاتِ جَهان بایَد گِرِفْت │ دامَنِ صاحِب‌دِلان بایَد گِرِفْت
12.07 140 Tark-e lazzāt-e jahān bāyad gereft │ dāman-e ṣāḥeb-delān bāyad gereft
Let go of the world’s pleasures and hold fast to people of spiritual insight.
دَر پِیِ لَذّاتِ نَفْسانی مَباش │ دوسْت‌دارِ عالَمِ فانی مَباش
12.08 141 Dar pey-e lazzāt-e nafsānī mabāsh │ dūst-dār-e ʿālam-e fānī mabāsh
Do not chase the pleasures of the self or become enamored of this passing world.
نیسْت حاصِل رَنْجِ دُنْیا بُرْدَنَت │ عاقِبَت چُون می‌بِبایَد مُرْدَنَت
12.09 142 Nīst ḥāṣel ranj-e donyā bordanat │ ʿāqebat chūn mī-bebāyad mordanat
What do you gain from bearing worldly hardship when you must die in the end?
اَز تَنَت چُون جانِ رَوان خواهَد شُدَن │ خاکَت اَنْدَر اُسْتُخوان خواهَد شُدَن
12.10 143 Az tanat chūn jān-e ravān khāhad shodan │ khākat andar ostokhān khāhad shodan
When your living soul leaves the body, your bones too will turn to dust.
مَر تُرا اَز دادَنِ جان چارِه نیسْت │ رَهْزَنَت جُز نَفْسَکِ اَمّارِه نیسْت
12.11 144 Mar torā az dādan-e jān chāre nīst │ rahzanat joz nafsak-e ammāre nīst
You cannot escape giving up your life; your only highway robber is your own commanding self.
دَر بَیانِ سَبَبِ عافِیَت
13 Causes of Well-being
عافِیَت را گَر بِجویی، ای عَزیز │ می‌تَوانَش یافْتَن دَر چَار چیز
13.01 145 ʿĀfiyat rā gar bejūyī, ey ʿazīz │ mī-tavānash yāftan dar chār chīz
If you seek well being, dear friend, you can find it in four things.
ایمَنی و نِعْمَت اَنْدَر خانْدان │ تَنْدُرُسْتی و فَراغَت بَعْد اَز آن
13.02 146 Īmanī-o neʿmat andar khāndān │ tandorostī-o farāghat baʿd az ān
Safety and sufficiency at home, followed by health and freedom from worry.
چُون‌کِه با نِعْمَت اَمانی باشَدَت │ عافِیَت را زان نِشانی باشَدَت
13.03 147 Chūn-ke bā neʿmat amānī bāshadat │ ʿāfiyat rā zān neshānī bāshadat
If you have security along with provision, you have a sign of well being.
با دِلِ فارِغ چُو باشی تَنْدُرُسْت │ دیگَر اَز دُنْیا نَبایَد هیچ جُسْت
13.04 148 Bā del-e fāregh cho bāshī tandorost │ dīgar az donyā nabāyad hīch jost
With peace of mind and a sound body, what more should you seek from the world?
بَر مَیاوَر تا تَوانی کامِ نَفْس │ تا نَیُفْتی، ای پِسَر، دَر دامِ نَفْس
13.05 149 Bar mayāvar tā tavānī kām-e nafs │ tā nayoftī, ey pesar, dar dām-e nafs
Do not indulge the self’s desires if you can help it, my son, lest you fall into its snare.
زیرِ پای آوَر هَوایِ نَفْس را │ کَم بِدو دِهْ بَهْرِه‌هایِ نَفْس را
13.06 150 Zīr-e pāy āvar havā-ye nafs rā │ kam bedū deh bahre-hā-ye nafs rā
Put the self’s cravings underfoot; give it little of what it wants.
نَفْس و شَیْطان می‌بَرَنْد اَز رَهْ تُرا │ تا بیَنْدازَنْد اَنْدَر چَهْ تُرا
13.07 151 Nafs-o sheyṭān mī-barand az rah torā │ tā biyandāzand andar chah torā
The self and Satan lead you off the path to throw you into a pit.
نَفْس را سَرکوب و دایِم خوار دار │ تا تَوانی دورَش اَز مُرْدار دار
13.08 152 Nafs rā sarkūb-o dāyem khār dār │ tā tavānī dūrash az mordār dār
Keep the self subdued and humbled; as far as you can, keep it from carrion.
نَفْسِ بَد را هَر کِه سیرَش می‌کُنَد │ دَر گُنَهْ کَرْدَن دَلیرَش می‌کُنَد
13.09 153 Nafs-e bad rā har ke sīrash mī-konad │ dar gonah kardan dalīrash mī-konad
Whoever feeds the wayward self to fullness emboldens it to sin.
خُلْقِ خُود را دور دار اَز هَر مَزِه │ تا نَیُفْتی دَر وَبال و دَر بَزِه
13.10 154 Kholq-e khod rā dūr dār az har maze │ tā nayoftī dar vabāl-o dar baze
Keep your appetite for every delicacy in check, lest you fall into wrongdoing and its burden.
ز آب و نان تا لَب شِکَم را پُر مَساز │ هَمْچُو حَیْوان بَهْرِ خُود آخُور مَساز
13.11 155 Ze āb-o nān tā lab shekam rā por masāz │ hamcho ḥeyvān bahr-e khod ākhūr masāz
Do not fill your belly to the brim with bread and water or make yourself a feeding trough like an animal.
روز کَم خور گَرچِه صایِم نیسْتی │ پُر مَخُور، آخِر بَهایِم نیسْتی
13.12 156 Rūz kam khor garche ṣāyem nīstī │ por makhor, ākhar bahāyem nīstī
Eat little by day even if you are not fasting; do not gorge yourself, for you are no beast.
ای کِه دَر خوابی هَمِه شَب تا بِروز │ بَهْرِ گورِ خُود چِراغی بَرْفُروز
13.13 157 Ey ke dar khābī hame shab tā be rūz │ bahr-e gūr-e khod cherāghī barforūz
You who sleep the whole night until dawn, light a lamp for your own grave.
خواب و خور جُز پیشِهٔ اَنْعام نیسْت │ خُفْتِگان را بَهْرِه زین اِنعام نیسْت
13.14 158 Khāb-o khor joz pīshe-ye anʿām nīst │ khofte-gān rā bahre zīn enʿām nīst
Sleep and food are the work of cattle; the sleepers have no share in these gifts.
ای پِسَر، بِسْیار خواهی خُفْت، خیز │ گَر خَبَرداری زِ خُود، بی‌گُفْت خیز
13.15 159 Ey pesar, besyār khāhī khoft, khīz │ gar khabardārī ze khod, bī-goft khīz
My son, you will sleep long enough later. Rise now; if you are awake to yourself, rise without being told.
دِل دَرین دُنْیایِ دون بَسْتَن خَطاسْت │ دامَن اَز وی گَر تُو دَر چینی رَواسْت
13.16 160 Del darīn donyā-ye dūn bastan khaṭāst │ dāman az vey gar to dar chīnī ravāst
It is a mistake to set your heart on this low world; you are right to gather your hem away from it.
اَز چِه بَنْدی دِل بِدُنْیایِ دَنی │ چُون نِه جاوید دَر وی بودَنی
13.17 161 Az che bandī del bedonyā-ye danī │ chūn na jāved dar vey būdanī
Why tie your heart to a base world in which you cannot stay forever?
ظاهِرِ خُود را مَیارای، ای فَقیر │ تا چُو بَدْری باطِنَت گَرْدَد مُنیر
13.18 162 Ẓāher-e khod rā mayārāy, ey faqīr │ tā cho badrī bāṭenat gardad monīr
Do not adorn your outward appearance, poor seeker, so your inner being may shine like a full moon.
طالِبِ هَر صورَتِ زیبا مَباش │ دَر هَوایِ اَطْلَس و دیبا مَباش
13.19 163 Ṭāleb-e har ṣūrat-e zībā mabāsh │ dar havā-ye aṭlas-o dībā mabāsh
Do not pursue every beautiful face or long for satin and brocade.
اَز هَوا بِگْذَر، خُدا را بَنْدِه باش │ زِنْدِگی می‌بایَدَت، دَر ژَنْدِه باش
13.20 164 Az havā begzar, Khodā rā bande bāsh │ zendegī mī-bāyadat, dar zhande bāsh
Pass beyond desire and serve God; if you want true life, wear patched clothes.
خِرْقِهٔ پَشْمینِه را بَر دوش کُن │ شَرْبَتی اَز نامُرادی نوش کُن
13.21 165 Kherqe-ye pashmīne rā bar dūsh kon │ sharbatī az nāmorādī nūsh kon
Put a woolen cloak on your shoulders and drink a draught of thwarted desire.
ای کِه دَر بَر می‌کِشی پَشْمینِه را │ پاک ساز اَز کِبْر اَوَّل سینِه را
13.22 166 Ey ke dar bar mī-keshī pashmīne rā │ pāk sāz az kibr avval sīne rā
You who wrap yourself in wool: first cleanse your heart of pride.
گَر هَمی خواهی نَصیب اَز آخِرَت │ رَو، بِدَر کُن جامِه‌هایِ فاخِرَت
13.23 167 Gar hamī khāhī naṣīb az ākherat │ rav, bedar kon jāme-hā-ye fākherat
If you want a share in the life to come, go and take off your splendid clothes.
بی‌تَکَلُّف باش و آرایِش مَجوی │ تَرْکِ راحَت گیر و آسایِش مَجوی
13.24 168 Bī-takallof bāsh-o ārāyesh majūy │ tark-e rāḥat gīr-o āsāyesh majūy
Live without show and seek no finery; give up comfort and stop pursuing ease.
دَر بَرَت گو کِسْوَتِ نیکو مَباش │ زیرِ پَهْلو جامِه‌خوابَت گو مَباش
13.25 169 Dar barat gū kesvat-e nīkū mabāsh │ zīr-e pahlū jāme-khābat gū mabāsh
Let there be no fine garment on your back, and no bedding beneath your side.
هَمْچُو صوفی دَر پَلاس و صوف باش │ با صِفَت‌هایِ خُدا مَوْصوف باش
13.26 170 Hamcho ṣūfī dar palās-o ṣūf bāsh │ bā ṣefat-hā-ye Khodā mawṣūf bāsh
Like a Sufi, wear coarse cloth and wool, and be marked by godly qualities.
مَرْدِ رَهْ را بورْیا قالین بُوَد │ زان‌کِه خِشْتَش عاقِبَت بالین بُوَد
13.27 171 Mard-e rah rā būriyā qālīn bovad │ zān-ke kheshtash ʿāqebat bālīn bovad
For a traveler on the spiritual path, a reed mat is carpet enough; in the end a brick will be his pillow.
دَر تَواضُع و صُحْبَتِ دَرْویشان
14 Humility and the Company of Dervishes
گَر تُرا عَقْلَسْت با دانِش قَرین │ باش دَرْویش و بِدَرْویشان نِشین
14.01 172 Gar torā ʿaql ast bā dānesh qarīn │ bāsh darvīsh-o bedarvīshān neshīn
If reason is joined with learning in you, live simply and sit with the dervishes.
هَمْنِشینی جُز بِدَرْویشان مَکُن │ تا تَوانی غیبَتِ ایشان مَکُن
14.02 173 Hamneshīnī joz bedarvīshān makon │ tā tavānī ghībat-e īshān makon
Seek no company but that of dervishes, and do not speak ill of them.
حُبِّ دَرْویشان کِلیدِ جَنَّت اَسْت │ دُشْمَنِ ایشان سَزایِ لَعْنَت اَسْت
14.03 174 Ḥobb-e darvīshān kelīd-e jannat ast │ doshman-e īshān sazā-ye laʿnat ast
Love of dervishes is the key to paradise; their enemy deserves a curse.
پوشِشِ دَرْویش غَیْر اَز دَلْق نیسْت │ دَر پِیِ کام و هَوایِ خَلْق نیسْت
14.04 175 Pūshesh-e darvīsh gheyr az dalq nīst │ dar pey-e kām-o havā-ye khalq nīst
A dervish wears only a patched cloak and does not chase the approval and desires of others.
مَرْد تا نَنْهَد بِه فَرْقِ نَفْس پای │ رَهْ کُجا یابَد بِه دَرْگاهِ خُدای
14.05 176 Mard tā nanhad be farq-e nafs pāy │ rah kojā yābad be dargāh-e Khodāy
Unless a person sets a foot on the self’s head, how can he find a way to God’s court?
مَرْدِ رَهْ دَر بَنْدِ قَصْر و باغ نیسْت │ بَر دِلِ او غَیْرِ دَرْد و داغ نیسْت
14.06 177 Mard-e rah dar band-e qaṣr-o bāgh nīst │ bar del-e ū gheyr-e dard-o dāgh nīst
A traveler on the path is not captive to palaces and gardens; the heart bears only pain and longing’s brand.
گَر عِمارَت را بَری بَر آسْمان │ عاقِبَت زیرِ زَمین گَرْدی نِهان
14.07 178 Gar ʿemārat rā barī bar āsmān │ ʿāqebat zīr-e zamīn gardī nehān
Build a mansion up to the sky if you like; in the end you will be hidden underground.
گَر چُو رُسْتَم شَوْکَت و زورَت بُوَد │ جای چُون بَهْرام دَر گورَت بُوَد
14.08 179 Gar cho Rostam showkat-o zūrat bovad │ jāy chūn Bahrām dar gūrat bovad
Even if you have Rustam’s splendor and strength, you will find your place in the grave like Bahrām.
ای پِسَر، اَز آخِرَت غافِل مَباش │ با مَتاعِ این جَهان خُوش مَباش
14.09 180 Ey pesar, az ākherat ghāfel mabāsh │ bā matāʿ-e īn jahān khosh mabāsh
My son, do not forget the life to come or grow content with the goods of this world.
دَر بَلِیّاتِ جَهان صَبّار باش │ گاهِ نِعْمَت شاکِرِ جَبّار باش
14.10 181 Dar baliyyāt-e jahān ṣabbār bāsh │ gāh-e neʿmat shāker-e Jabbār bāsh
Be patient through the world’s afflictions, and grateful to the Almighty in times of plenty.
دَر صِفَتِ بَدْبَخْتی
15 Signs of Ill Fortune
چَار چیز آثارِ بَدْبَخْتی بُوَد │ جاهِلی و کاهِلی سَخْتی بُوَد
15.01 182 Chār chīz āsār-e bad-bakhtī bovad │ jāhelī-o kāhelī sakhtī bovad
Four traits show ill fortune: ignorance and idleness bring hardship.
بی‌کَسی و ناکَسی هَر چَار شُد │ بَخْتِ بَد را این هَمِه آثار شُد
15.02 183 Bī-kasī-o nā-kasī har chār shod │ bakht-e bad rā īn hame āsār shod
With isolation and worthlessness, the four are complete: all are marks of bad fortune.
هَر کِه دَر بَنْدِ عِبادَت می‌شَوَد │ بی‌شَک اَز اَهْلِ سَعادَت می‌شَوَد
15.03 184 Har ke dar band-e ʿebādat mī-shavad │ bī-shak az ahl-e saʿādat mī-shavad
Whoever devotes himself to worship surely joins the fortunate.
آن‌کِه دَر بَنْدِ عِبارَت می‌شَوَد │ بی‌شَک اَز اَهْلِ خَسارَت می‌شَوَد
15.04 185 Ān-ke dar band-e ʿebārat mī-shavad │ bī-shak az ahl-e khasārat mī-shavad
Whoever becomes absorbed in mere words surely joins the losers.
بَر هَوایِ خُود قَدَم هَر کو نَهاد │ می‌تَوانَد کَرْد با نَفْسَک جِهاد؟
15.05 186 Bar havā-ye khod qadam har kū nahād │ mī-tavānad kard bā nafsak jahād?
Can someone who sets foot on the path of his own desires really wage a struggle against the self?
هَر کِه سازَد دَر جَهان با خواب و خور │ دَر قِیامَت نَبْوَدَش ز آتَش گُذَر
15.06 187 Har ke sāzad dar jahān bā khāb-o khor │ dar qiyāmat nabvadash ze ātash gozar
Whoever settles for sleep and food in this world will find no passage through the fire at the Resurrection.
روی گَرْدان اَز مُراد و آرِزو │ پَس بِدَرْگاهِ خُدا آوَر تُو رو
15.07 188 Rūy gardān az morād-o ārezū │ pas bedargāh-e Khodā āvar to rū
Turn away from your wishes and ambitions, then turn your face toward God’s court.
کامْرانی سَر بِناکامی کِشَد │ مَرْدِ رَهْ خَط دَر نِکونامی کِشَد
15.08 189 Kāmrānī sar benākāmī keshad │ mard-e rah khaṭ dar nekū-nāmī keshad
The pursuit of pleasure ends in disappointment; a traveler on the path crosses out even the desire for a good name.
اَمْر و نَهْیِ حَقّ چُو داری، ای وَحید │ پَس مَرَو بَر رایِ نَفْسِ پَلید
15.09 190 Amr-o nahy-e Ḥaqq cho dārī, ey Vaḥīd │ pas marow bar rāy-e nafs-e palīd
Since you have God’s commands and prohibitions, singular one, do not follow the counsel of the impure self.
اَمْر و نَهْیِ حَقّ زِ قُرْآن گوش دار │ جایِ شادی نیسْت دُنْیا، هوش دار
15.10 191 Amr-o nahy-e Ḥaqq ze Qorʾān gūsh dār │ jāy-e shādī nīst donyā, hūsh dār
Listen to God’s commands and prohibitions in the Qurʾān; be alert, for this world is no place for lasting joy.
هَر کِه تَرْکِ کامْرانی می‌کُنَد │ بَر خِلافَش زِنْدِگانی می‌کُنَد
15.11 192 Har ke tark-e kāmrānī mī-konad │ bar khelāfash zendegānī mī-konad
Whoever gives up the pursuit of pleasure lives in defiance of its demands.
دَر صِفَتِ رِیاضَتِ نَفْس و تَرْکِ دُنْیا
16 Discipline of the Self and Renunciation of the World
گَر هَمی خواهی کِه گَرْدی سَرْبُلَنْد │ ای پِسَر، بَر خُود دَرِ راحَت بِبَنْد
16.01 193 Gar hamī khāhī ke gardī sar-boland │ ey pesar, bar khod dar-e rāḥat beband
If you want to hold your head high, my son, shut the door of comfort on yourself.
هَر کِه بَرْبَسْت او دَرِ راحَت تَمام │ باز شُد بَر وی دَرِ دارُالسَّلام
16.02 194 Har ke bar-bast ū dar-e rāḥat tamām │ bāz shod bar vey dar-e dār al-salām
Whoever closes the door of comfort completely finds the door of the abode of peace opened to him.
غَیْرِ حَقّ را هَر کِه خواهَد، ای پِسَر │ کیسْت دَر عالَم اَزُو گُمْراهْ‌تَر؟
16.03 195 Gheyr-e Ḥaqq rā har ke khāhad, ey pesar │ kīst dar ʿālam azū gomrāh-tar?
Who could be more lost, my son, than one who longs for anything other than God?
ای بَرادَر، تَرْکِ عِزّ و جاه کُن │ خویش را شایِسْتِهٔ دَرْگاه کُن
16.04 196 Ey barādar, tark-e ʿezz-o jāh kon │ khīsh rā shāyeste-ye dargāh kon
Brother, renounce honor and rank, and make yourself worthy of the divine court.
خوار گَرْدَد هَر کِه گَرْدَد جاه‌جوی │ ای بَرادَر، قُرْبِ این دَرْگاه جوی
16.05 197 Khār gardad har ke gardad jāh-jūy │ ey barādar, qorb-e īn dargāh jūy
Whoever chases status is brought low; brother, seek closeness to this court.
عِزّ و جاهَت سُویِ پَسْتی می‌کِشَد │ مَرا تُرا بَر تَن‌پَرَسْتی می‌کِشَد
16.06 198 ʿEzz-o jāhat sū-ye pastī mī-keshad │ marā torā bar tan-parastī mī-keshad
Honor and rank drag you downward; they draw you and me toward worship of the body.
نَفْس دَر تَرْکِ هَوا مِسْکین بُوَد │ گوشْمالِ نَفْسِ نادان این بُوَد
16.07 199 Nafs dar tark-e havā meskīn bovad │ gūshmāl-e nafs-e nādān īn bovad
When desire is forsaken, the self is brought low; this is how to discipline that foolish self.
چُون دِلَت بَر یادِ حَقّ ایمَن بُوَد │ نَفْسَکِ اَمّارِه هَم ساکِن بُوَد
16.08 200 Chūn delat bar yād-e Ḥaqq īman bovad │ nafsak-e ammāre ham sāken bovad
When your heart rests secure in remembrance of God, the commanding self grows quiet too.
هَر کِه او را تَکْیِه بَر صانِع بُوَد │ دَر جَهان با لُقْمِهٔ قانِع بُوَد
16.09 201 Har ke ū rā takye bar Ṣāneʿ bovad │ dar jahān bā loqme-ye qāneʿ bovad
Whoever relies on the Creator is content with a morsel in this world.
اِکْتِفا بَر روزیِ هَر روزِه کُن │ گَر نَداری اَز خُدا دَرْیوزِه کُن
16.10 202 Ektefā bar rūzī-ye har-rūze kon │ gar nadārī az Khodā daryūze kon
Be content with each day’s provision; if you have none, ask God for it.
دَر صِفَتِ مُجاهِدِ نَفْس
17 Struggle against the Self
نَفْس نَتَوان کُشْت اِلّا با سِه چیز │ چُون بِگویَم یاد گیرَش، ای عَزیز
17.01 203 Nafs natavān kosht ellā bā se chīz │ chūn begūyam yād gīrash, ey ʿazīz
Only three things can kill the lower self; remember them when I name them, dear friend.
خَنْجَرِ خاموشی و شَمْشیرِ جوع │ نیزِهٔ تَنْهایی و تَرْکِ هُجوع
17.02 204 Khanjar-e khāmūshī-o shamshīr-e jūʿ │ nīze-ye tanhāyī-o tark-e hojūʿ
The dagger of silence, the sword of hunger, and the spear of solitude and forsaking sleep.
هَر کِه را نَبْوَد مُرَتَّب این سِلاح │ نَفْسِ او هَرْگِز نَمی‌یابَد فَلاح
17.03 205 Har ke rā nabvad morattab īn selāḥ │ nafs-e ū hargez namī-yābad falāḥ
Whoever lacks this equipment will never bring the self to deliverance.
چُون‌کِه دِل بی‌یادِ اَللّٰهَت بُوَد │ دیوِ مَلْعون یارِ هَمْراهَت بُوَد
17.04 206 Chūn-ke del bī-yād-e Allāhat bovad │ dīv-e malʿūn yār-e hamrāhat bovad
When your heart has no remembrance of God, the accursed devil becomes your constant companion.
اَهْلِ دُنْیا را چُو دیو یار آیَدَش │ لُقْمِه‌هایِ چَرْب و شیرین بایَدَش
17.05 207 Ahl-e donyā rā cho dīv yār āyadash │ loqme-hā-ye charb-o shīrīn bāyadash
When the devil becomes a worldling’s companion, he craves rich and sweet morsels.
هَر کِه او دَر بَنْدِ سیم و زَر شَوَد │ دَر عُقوبَت عاقِبَت مُضْطَر شَوَد
17.06 208 Har ke ū dar band-e sīm-o zar shavad │ dar ʿoqūbat ʿāqebat moẓṭarr shavad
Whoever is bound by silver and gold will end up helpless amid punishment.
آن‌کِه بَهْرِ آخِرَت کارَش بُوَد │ اَز خُدا تَشْریفِ بِسْیارَش بُوَد
17.07 209 Ān-ke bahr-e ākherat kārash bovad │ az Khodā tashrīf-e besyārash bovad
One who works for the life to come receives abundant honor from God.
مالِ دُنْیا خاکْساران را دِهَنْد │ آخِرَت پَرْهیزْکاران را دِهَنْد
17.08 210 Māl-e donyā khāksārān rā dehand │ ākherat parhīzkārān rā dehand
This world’s wealth is given to the lowly; the life to come is given to the devout.
هَسْت شَیْطان، ای بَرادَر، دُشْمَنَت │ غُلِّ آتَش خواهَد اَنْدَر گَرْدَنَت
17.09 211 Hast sheyṭān, ey barādar, doshmanat │ gholl-e ātash khāhad andar gardanat
Satan is your enemy, brother: he would put a collar of fire around your neck.
مُدْبِری کو رو بِدُنْیا آوَرَد │ بَهْرِه کِی اَز عالَمِ عُقْبیٰ بَرَد؟
17.10 212 Modberī kū rū bedonyā āvarad │ bahre key az ʿālam-e ʿoqbā barad?
How can the hapless person who turns toward this world gain a share in the next?
ای پِسَر، با یادِ حَقّ مَشْغول باش │ وَز خَلایِق دور هَمْچُو غول باش
17.11 213 Ey pesar, bā yād-e Ḥaqq mashghūl bāsh │ vaz khalāyeq dūr hamcho ghūl bāsh
My son, occupy yourself with remembering God, and keep apart from people like a solitary ghoul.
Brief reading notes
13.05 The negative imperative is an editorial vocalization of an unpointed spelling that can also look positive; the warning about the self’s snare guides the reading.
14.08 Rustam is a paradigmatic hero of strength. Bahrām is the Persian king Bahrām Gūr: gūr also means “grave,” a familiar poetic play on his name.
15.05 The source has no question mark. The couplet is read as a rhetorical question; the statement reading remains possible but runs against its context.
17.01–17.02 The selected text says “three things.” The third image joins solitude with the renunciation of sleep; another witness says “four things.”
17.05 An independent Persian witness supports the reading “the devil comes as a friend,” resolving the printed scan’s difficult wording.
17.11 The simile names a ghoul, a creature imagined as living apart from human company. The English keeps its unsettling image.
Next volume begins with Section 18, On Poverty and Patience, at global couplet 214.
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