(Masnavi Book 3: 69) Statute and Analogy

Comparison between Statute and analogy.

Know for sure that Statute is the Revelation of the Holy Spirit and that the analogy made by the individual intellect is under (subordinate to) this.

The intellect is endued with apprehension and enlightenment by the Spirit: how should the Spirit become subject to its supervision?

3585. But the Spirit makes an impression on the intellect, and in consequence of that impression the intellect exercises a certain governance.

If the Spirit has declared a belief in you, as (in) Noah, where is the Sea and the Ship (Ark) and

the Flood of Noah?

The intellect deems the impression to be the Spirit, but the light of the sun is very far from

(being) the orb of the sun.

Hence a pilgrim (on the Mystic Way) is content with a loaf of bread (qursí), in order that by its light he may be thrown (directed) towards the (Divine) Orb (Qurs),

Because this light which is below is not lasting: it is sinking (every) day and night,

3590. While he that has his abode and dwelling-place in the (Divine) Orb is plunged in that

Light continually.

Neither does cloud waylay him nor setting (of the sun): he is delivered from heart-wringing separation.

Such a person's origin was from the heavens, or if he was of the earth, he has been transmuted,

Because a creature of earth cannot endure that its (the Sun's) beams should strike upon it everlastingly.

If the radiance of the sun strike upon the earth continually, it will be burned in such wise that no fruits will come from it.

3595. The business of the fish is always in the water: how has a snake the power of accompanying it (the fish) on its way?

But in the mountain are artful snakes (who) perform the actions of fish in this Sea.

Though their cunning make the people mad, still their aversion to the Sea exposes them (as hypocrites);

And in this Sea are artful fish, (who) by magic turn snakes into fishes—

The fish of the deepest depth of the Sea of (Divine) Majesty: the Sea has taught them lawful magic;

3600. Therefore through their illumination the (thing that was) absurd became a fact: the ill- starred one went thither and became auspicious.

Though I should speak on this topic till the Resurrection, a hundred Resurrections would pass, and this (discourse would still be) incomplete.