Rumi - Creator and Creation - from the Mathnavi - Dar al-Masnavi
n-I-0596
596 The tears of (our) eyes are running, because of separation from You.1 (And) intense sighs are flowing from the depths of (our) souls.
An infant doesn't argue with (its) nurse [to get milk] but weeps,2 while not knowing (anything about) bad or good.
We are like the harp, and You are strumming (upon it). The mournful (sound is) not from us, (but) You are causing the lament.
We are like the reed-flute, and the melody within us is from You.
600 We are like a chess game, (engaged) in capture and checkmate,3 (but) our capture and checkmate is from You, O You of Beautiful Qualities!4
O You, who are the Soul of our souls, who are we?-- that we should be5 (in existence) with You in (our) midst!
We and our existences are non-existences, (while) You are the Absolute Existence6 which causes (our) transient (existences) to appear.
We (are) all lions, but lions (painted) on a flag;7 their charge (forward) is (only) because of the wind, moment by moment.
(And) their charge (forward) is visible, but the wind isn't visible.
May that which is invisible never be lost8 (to us)!
605 Our wind (which moves us) and our existence9 is (part) of Your gift; our being is entirely from Your bringing (us) into being.
You made non-existence10 (to become) Your lover, (and then) You showed the delight of existence to non-existence.
Do not take away the enjoyment of Your favors, (and) do not take away Your (sweet) desserts, wine, and goblet!
And if You take (them away), who will seek You11 (for an accounting)? How can the painting act forcefully toward the Painter?
Do not gaze upon us, (and) do not look at us! (But) look upon Your own Honor12 and Generosity!
610 We did not exist, and there was no demand13 (from us), (but) Your Grace was hearing14 our unspoken (prayer)!
--From "The Mathnawî-yé Ma`nawî" [Rhymed Couplets of Deep Spiritual Meaning] of Jalaluddin Rumi.
Translated from the Persian by Ibrahim Gamard (with gratitude for R. A. Nicholson's 1926 British translation)
© Ibrahim Gamard (translation, footnotes, transliteration) - First published on "Sunlight" (yahoogroups.com), 8/12/99
596 The tears of (our) eyes are running, because of separation from You.1 (And) intense sighs are flowing from the depths of (our) souls.
An infant doesn't argue with (its) nurse [to get milk] but weeps,2 while not knowing (anything about) bad or good.
We are like the harp, and You are strumming (upon it). The mournful (sound is) not from us, (but) You are causing the lament.
We are like the reed-flute, and the melody within us is from You.
600 We are like a chess game, (engaged) in capture and checkmate,3 (but) our capture and checkmate is from You, O You of Beautiful Qualities!4
O You, who are the Soul of our souls, who are we?-- that we should be5 (in existence) with You in (our) midst!
We and our existences are non-existences, (while) You are the Absolute Existence6 which causes (our) transient (existences) to appear.
We (are) all lions, but lions (painted) on a flag;7 their charge (forward) is (only) because of the wind, moment by moment.
(And) their charge (forward) is visible, but the wind isn't visible.
May that which is invisible never be lost8 (to us)!
605 Our wind (which moves us) and our existence9 is (part) of Your gift; our being is entirely from Your bringing (us) into being.
You made non-existence10 (to become) Your lover, (and then) You showed the delight of existence to non-existence.
Do not take away the enjoyment of Your favors, (and) do not take away Your (sweet) desserts, wine, and goblet!
And if You take (them away), who will seek You11 (for an accounting)? How can the painting act forcefully toward the Painter?
Do not gaze upon us, (and) do not look at us! (But) look upon Your own Honor12 and Generosity!
610 We did not exist, and there was no demand13 (from us), (but) Your Grace was hearing14 our unspoken (prayer)!
--From "The Mathnawî-yé Ma`nawî" [Rhymed Couplets of Deep Spiritual Meaning] of Jalaluddin Rumi.
Translated from the Persian by Ibrahim Gamard (with gratitude for R. A. Nicholson's 1926 British translation)
© Ibrahim Gamard (translation, footnotes, transliteration) - First published on "Sunlight" (yahoogroups.com), 8/12/99
