The Masnavi, Book Three Read online

  The snake-catcher took that dead-looking serpent

  To Baghdad to create there some excitement.

  He dragged the serpent round for a mere trifling,

  Though it was huge, like pillars of a building:

  ‘I’ve brought to you a serpent that is dead.

  I suffered much in hunting it,’ he said.

  1005

  This man thought it had died up on the hill,

  Unaware that the snake was living still.

  It had got frozen in the wintry snow;

  It only looked dead, but he didn’t know.

  This frozen world is called ‘inanimate’;

  ‘Inanimate’ means frozen and inert.

  When Resurrection’s sun appears, you’ll see

  The body of this world move restlessly.

  Moses’ rod had here a transformation;*

  The intellect thus learnt about creation.

  1010

  Since God created you from lumps of clay,

  Recognize every lump that comes your way:

  The dead are here; beyond one finds the living—

  They’re silent here, beyond though they are talking.

  When from beyond He sends them down, it’s clear

  Since rods turn into serpents over here.

  Mountains sang David’s Psalms at His command;

  Iron would melt like wax in David’s hand.*

  The wind would bring what Solomon conveyed.*

  The sea would understand what Moses said.*

  1015

  The moon saw Ahmad point;* wild flames would turn

  For Abraham to roses and not burn.*

  Just like a snake, the earth gulped Korah down;*

  The pillar learnt to moan and earned renown.*

  Stones gave Mohammad a salute one day;*

  To John the Baptist mountains once would say:

  ‘We’ve sight and hearing, and we feel elated,

  Though silent with the uninitiated.’*

  You watch the surface of inert things, blind

  To those inert things’ souls which lie behind—

  1020

  Leave the inert realm now for that of souls,

  Hear chatter come from this world’s particles.

  You’ll hear God’s praise when those inert things shout;

  Interpretation won’t lead you to doubt:

  Your soul lacks light to see what I’ve reported,

  So to interpretation you’ve resorted:

  ‘It can’t be glorification that you hear;

  That claim is self-delusory. This is clear.’

  But now the marvellous things that you perceive

  Lead you to praise God and do not deceive.

  1025

  Therefore, since that thing prompts you to His praise

  That pointer talks in some analogous ways.

  This is the view of the Mu’tazilite*

  And that of people who lack mystic light.

  If you’ve not gone beyond the senses, you

  Will find the unseen realm then out of view.

  This discourse has no end. The hunter would

  Groan loudly as he’d drag his snake like wood.

  That showman wished to go to Baghdad, to

  Attract huge crowds by showing something new.

  1030

  He set his stage up next to their great river,

  Causing a hubbub on what he’d deliver:

  ‘A snake-catcher has brought a serpent here!

  He caught a wondrous, rare beast most would fear!’

  Millions of naive people came to see,

  Gathering as prey to his stupidity.

  They all came for the show, and he would wait

  For further simpletons to congregate—

  The bigger the crowd that can be attracted

  The bigger the payment that can be exacted.

  1035

  A hundred thousand idiots gathered there,

  Forming a circle with no room to spare,

  Women with men together, as they say

  Will happen on the Resurrection Day.*

  Once he began his famed show, eagerly

  The people craned their necks so they could see.

  The serpent that had frozen was beneath

  Numerous kinds of covering and sheath;

  With thick ropes it had been bound by that man

  Who’d executed cautiously his plan.

  1040

  While the expectant crowd faced a delay,

  The hot sun of Iraq then shone that way.

  The sunshine warmed the serpent to remove

  The coldness of its parts so they could move—

  Once seeming dead, it now became revived,

  And stirred, surprised, proving it had survived.

  That serpent’s sudden movement caused much more

  Amazement in the audience than before:

  They started screaming in perplexity,

  And then en masse the crowd began to flee.

  1045

  The serpent burst its ropes, then all around

  There echoed a most frightening cracking sound.

  Once it broke free, it then slid on the floor

  And, louder than a lion, began to roar.

  Many were killed among those still around,

  And from the dead they formed mound after mound.

  The snake-catcher was paralysed with fear,

  Wondering: ‘What have I brought down with me here?’

  A blind lamb woke a wolf, and unaware

  It went to Azrael, who waited there:

  1050

  That serpent made one mouthful of that fool—

  Not hard for those who, like Hajjaj, are cruel.*

  It coiled itself around this post-like man

  And crushed his bones with one squeeze, like they can.

  Your self’s a serpent—how can it be dead?

  Through grief and lack of means it froze instead.

  If it obtains the same means as vile Pharaoh,

  Whose personal command made the great Nile flow,

  Then it will set up tyranny like his

  And waylay Aarons and new Moseses.

  1055

  When weak, that serpent was a little worm;

  Through wealth and status gnats too can transform.

  Confine the serpent deep in exile’s snow!

  Don’t take it near Iraq’s sun’s melting glow!

  As long as it’s just frozen, you will be

  Your serpent’s morsel when it should break free.

  Kill it to be secure from death—don’t waver

  Mercifully; it does not deserve a favour,

  For when it feels the sun of lust’s first ray,

  That wretched bat will rise and fly away.

  1060

  Declare jihad and kill it with your sword!

  God will give union then as your reward.

  When that man brought the serpent with him then

  To warmer climes, it soon felt well again.

  It sought to cause harm there inevitably

  Twenty times worse than what you’ve heard from me.

  Without force you desire to keep yours tied,

  Sedated and yet loyal—scores have tried,

  But how can this succeed for someone base?

  To slay it you’ll need Moses’ pure grace:

  1065

  A hundred thousand people were once killed

  By his snake-like rod doing what God willed.*

  How Pharaoh threatened Moses

  Pharaoh asked Moses once, ‘Why did you then

  Drive to despair and kill so many men?

  At your hands they were routed mercilessly:

  They slipped down and were killed for all to see.

  They view you as their foe now and detest

  The thought of you—hatred has filled each breast.

  You called them to you, but the opposite

  Was the result: they’re
now more obstinate.

  1070

  While creeping back from evil caused by you,

  I’m plotting a retaliation too.

  Stop thinking you can fool me—none will follow

  When you call them, except perhaps your shadow.

  Don’t be deluded by what you’ve achieved:

  You’ve filled men’s hearts with fear—don’t be deceived!

  You could show many marvels, but still face

  Being the laughing-stock who’s earned disgrace.

  We’ve seen deceivers like you who all came

  To Egypt with high hopes but left in shame.’

  1075

  Moses’ answer to Pharaoh concerning the threat he made

  ‘God has no partners,’ Prophet Moses said.

  ‘If He decrees my death, I’ll feel no dread.

  I am content and thankful, enemy;

  I’m blamed here, but God gives me dignity.

  To most men, I’m a wretch and foolish too,

  But I’m approved and loved in the Lord’s view.

  With words I’ll tell you, but in any case,

  Tomorrow God will bring you your disgrace.

  God and His slaves have glory and true might—

  Adam and Satan’s duel shows I’m right.*

  1080

  Like God Himself, describing never ends,

  So shut up, turn a new leaf, make amends!’

  Pharaoh’s reply to Moses

  Pharaoh claimed, ‘Each leaf follows my commands;

  The book and register are in my hands.

  The people of the world now follow me—

  Are you more wise than this community?

  Moses, you’ve boasted that you are the best—

  Don’t be deluded and too self-obsessed!

  I’ll bring the great magicians of our era

  To make your ignorance seem even clearer,

  1085

  But just two days is not sufficient time,

  So give me till Tammuz* in summertime.’

  Moses’ reply to Pharaoh

  Moses replied, ‘That’s not allowed for me,

  Since I’m God’s slave and follow His decree.

  Though you are strong and I lack allies now,

  I am the slave of His will anyhow.

  While I’m alive I’ll fight you, for I’m brave—

  How can I give God aid when I’m His slave?

  I’ll fight until the Lord’s decree’s fulfilled;

  Foes only separate once He has willed.’

  1090

  Pharaoh’s reply to Moses and the coming of revelation to Moses

  Pharaoh said, ‘You must give more time to me.’

  Moses replied, ‘Don’t try playing cleverly.’

  God sent down revelation then that said:

  ‘Grant him more time and do not be afraid!

  Let him have all the forty days he needs

  And let him think his cunning talk succeeds.

  I do not sleep, so let him keep on striving—

  Make him hurry. I’ll stop him from arriving.

  I’ll ruin all his tricks, and I’ll decrease

  The things that he endeavours to increase:

  1095

  When they bring water, I’ll set it aflame;

  I’ll make his candy bitter just the same;

  When they unite in love, I’ll spoil that union—

  I’ll do such things that they can’t now imagine.

  Give him the extra time and have no fear.

  Say: “Plan your tricks and bring your army here!”’

  Moses gives Pharaoh more time so he can assemble magicians from the cities

  Moses said, ‘You’ve been granted the delay

  By God’s command, so I’ll be on my way.’

  He headed home; a serpent trailed behind

  Like hunters’ dogs, affectionate and kind;

  1100

  Like them it also happily wagged its tail,

  Crushing to dust the rocks along its trail.

  It kept inhaling rocks and iron too;

  It chewed the latter easily in plain view!

  And then it flew above the zodiac—

  Georgians and Greeks fled, fearing an attack.

  It spat like camels—those it fell upon

  Were struck with leprosy’s curse from then on.

  The gnashing of its teeth left all hearts scared:

  Lions’ souls even shivered and despaired.

  1105

  When Moses reached his home and his own men

  He touched it, then it was a stick again.

  He leaned on it next, saying: ‘How amazing:

  To foes it’s night, to me the sun is blazing.’

  Doesn’t that army see the world is full

  Of morning sunshine? How incredible!

  All eyes are open under such bright rays,

  Yet God seals eyes with power that will amaze.

  I am amazed by them and they at me—

  Spring brings both their thorns and my jasmine tree.

  1110

  I took wine to them from the best I own,

  But when it reached them it transformed to stone.

  I took a bunch of roses, but each one

  Transformed its sweet form to a poisonous thorn.

  For selfless souls this is their destiny;

  Since they aren’t selfless how should these men’s be?

  A ‘wakened sleep’ is needed for the sake

  Of seeing special visions while awake.

  The foe of such sleep’s thought of the creation—

  Your thoughts must sleep to gain true inspiration.

  1115

  To sweep thought out you need perplexity,

  For it devours all thought and memory.

  Whoever is more talented down here

  Is backward inside, though that won’t appear.

  God says, ‘You are returning.’* To your home

  You’ll go like some stray goats which used to roam.

  When all the goats should turn around, you’ll find

  The one that was in front is now behind.

  The lame goat that was last is now ahead:

  Returning makes sad faces laugh instead.

  1120

  How did this group turn wretched and turn lame,

  Giving up glory, buying instead all blame?

  With broken legs they can reach Mecca still

  Through hidden routes to bliss from feeling ill.

  They’ve washed their hearts of sciences today,

  Because that knowledge doesn’t know the way.

  Knowledge from higher realms is what one needs,

  For to its own root every fresh branch leads.

  Not all winged creatures can traverse the sea—

  Divine Truths take you to His company.*

  1125

  So why teach ordinary knowledge then,

  If one must clean it from one’s breast again?

  Don’t seek to race in front. Instead be lame:

  On turning back, you’ll lead them all the same!

  Wise man, the last will be the first— it’s known

  The fresh fruit’s there before the tree has grown.

  Fruit only later comes into existence,

  But it is first, the target in the distance.

  Like angels, ‘We’ve no knowledge!’ you should say

  Until ‘You taught us’* takes your hand one day—

  1130

  In this school you don’t know your ABC;

  Mohammad-like, through mystic light you’ll see.

  Though you may not be well known in this land,

  You’re none the worse: God knows best where slaves stand.

  Gold’s found in ruined spots that are neglected,

  So that the precious treasure stays protected.

  Who would hide treasure somewhere populated?

  ‘Ease is found under toil,’ men have related.

  Th
e mind tries to put obstacles up here,

  But strong steeds break their shackles and run clear.

  1135

  His love’s the burner for each single problem,

  As daylight sweeps away each single phantom.

  Look for the answer in the same direction

  From which, well-pleasing man, emerged the question.

  The road is deep in your heart—find it soon!

  Light not from East nor West* comes from the moon.

  Why beggar-like do you search all around,

  Mountain of Truth, for echoes of your sound.

  Seek it from that place where you will appeal:

  ‘O Lord!’ when overcome by pain you feel.

  1140

  Both pain and death will make you turn your head

  That side, so why not when relieved of dread?