EATING AND DRINKING (III)

To hear what the ’Arif-i-kâmil says, irfân is required; It’s a private secret, dhawq and wijdân in the heart are required! A treasure, Tasawwuf is, that not every miser possesses; To find it in the world a stouthearted sovereign is required! Mother of pearl with pearl inside is hard to come by; River is too small for it, endless watery store is required! A person who pretends to have ma’rifat; doesn’t that impostor know That to show the wish in the heart, proof and evidence are required! The ’Ârif joins the common people, others know him not; Burning in fire of love, razing oneself to the ground is required! People proud of their fame will get no light from Haqq; For welfare of essence, a ruined appearance is required! Dying before death, and seeing the grave and gathering; Before Owner of all, a heart infatuated is required! Crossing the Sirât of Islam over the fire of nafs; Purged from vice, a heart like a Garden of Paradise is required! In all one’s utterances, hearings, and meditations, A sole Being, Hadrat Rahmân, bî-kem and bî-keyf, is required! O you, Niyâzî attaining Haqq is not everyone’s luck; To reflect the lights from the Sun, a seleno-man is required!

Zi hijri dostân, hûn shud derûn-i sîna-i jan-i-men,

Firâq-i hem-nishînân suht maghz-i istihân-i-men.