Masnavi, Āb-i Zulāl, “Clear Water”
تا چند چنین فسرده باشم
در قبر بدن چو مرده باشم
How long must I remain so cold,
As if a dead man entombed in flesh?
یا رب جان را تو گرم گردان
سنگ دل را تو نرم گردان
O Lord, heat up my soul,
And soften the heart’s stone.
در سینه ام آتشی برافروز
زآن آتش کن شب مرا روز
Ignite a fire within my chest,
With that fire, turn my night into day.
آتش چه بود، محبّت تو
آن شعله شوق خدمت تو
What is this fire, but Your love?
It is the flame of longing to serve You.
عشق تو دل مرا دهد سوز
مهر تو شب مرا کند روز
Your love sets my heart ablaze,
Your affection turns my night to day.
عشقی خواهم که برنتابم
گم گردم و خویش را نیابم
I seek a love too vast to bear,
That makes me vanish and not find myself.
عشق و عرفان به هم برآمیز
فیضی را جام بر دلم ریز
Let love and gnosis become entwined,
And pour the wine of grace into my heart.
مستم گردان ز باده خود
بنمای رهی به جاده خود
Make me drunk with Your own wine,
And show me the path upon Your road.
زآن باده کز آن کشند اخیار
در مقصد صدق نزد جبّار
From that wine which the righteous sip,
At the station of truth, before the Almighty.
زآن باده که آن چنان کند مست
کز خود فانی و خود شوم هست
From that wine which so deeply intoxicates,
That I dissolve, and I become.
Fayz Kashani, Masnavi, Āb-i Zulāl, “Clear Water”
Translated by Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani, 15 November 2024
Watch our analysis of this poem.
What is the fire that can turn spiritual night into day? In this episode of the Persian Poetry Podcast, we explore verses from Fayd Kashani's Masnavi poem: Āb-i Zulāl (Clear Water). These verses explore themes of divine love, gnosis, self-transcendence, and spiritual awakening. We discuss how Fayḍ unites philosophy, mysticism, and ethics in his poetry, addressing questions of human restlessness, longing for meaning, and the soul’s path toward enlightenment. His vision speaks directly to our modern challenges—where spiritual coldness can only be overcome by the warmth of divine love and self-knowledge.