ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The MesnevĪ (usually Known As the MesnevĪyi SherĪf, Or Holy MesnevĪ) VI. Great Princes all! We've killed our dread external foe. Within us, still, a worse than he remains, I trow. To slay this inner foe is not the task of mind; Our moral lion's not destroyed by tricks refined. Our flesh, a hell; that hell a fiery dragon is. Whole oceans can't extinguish those fierce flames of his.

Earth's seven oceans all were lost within his maw; His raging fires would still burn high, to mankind's awe. Pitcoal, hard-hearted miscreants; these are its food; 1 They sink within it, miserable, abject brood. 5 Withal, its craving hunger ne’er will be appeased, Until the voice of God cry unto it: "Art eased?" "Eased?" will it answer; "No; not yet awhile by far; Behold my flame, my fury,-burning, fiery roar." It swallows down a universe in its fell mood; And instantly shrieks out: "More food!

More food! More food!" God, from nubiquity, 2 His foot will stamp on hell. Then will it cease to burn: "He willed, and it befell!" 3 Our fleshly lusts in us are but a part of hell; Parts have the qualities of their universal. 10 The foot of God alone can stamp out hell's alarms. Who else but God supreme to bend such bow has arms? Straight arrows serve alone to be shot from a bow; But lust's distorted spring shoots crooked arrows too. Be thou in mind upright as arrow straight for bow.

A bow will not shoot straight, unless the arrow's so. We've fought our fight and conquered in our outward strife. Now turn we our attention to the inner life. We've done with outer warfare, lesser as it is; 15 And as the Prophet, wage the greater warfare, his. We put our trust in God; from Him we ask for aid; With His assistance faith can move a mountain staid. To rout an armed foe is nothing very fresh; A lion true is he who conquers his own flesh.

To illustrate this truth, give ear unto a tale, That thou of these few words the moral mayest inhale. From Cæsar 1 an ambassador to ‘Umer came, 2 Through deserts far-extending, from Madīna's fame. 3 He asked?" Where is the palace of the Caliph, men; 4 20 That I to it may lead my cavalcade, my train?" The people answered: "Thou’lt no Caliph's palace find, Our Caliph's sole pavilion's his enlightened mind.

Through his ' Commandership ' his fame to Rome has come; 5 But like our other poor, a hut's his ample home. How shouldst thou see that palace, brother, stranger, guest, When in thy mind's eye thou a beam hast, unconfessed?