How the Demon sat on the place (throne) of Solomon, on whom be peace, and imitated his actions; and
concerning the manifest difference between the two Solomons, and how the Demon called himself Solomon son of David.
Even if you have intellect, associate and consult with another intellect, O father.
With two intellects you wilt be delivered from many afflictions: you wilt plant your foot on the summit of the heavens.
1265. If the
Demon called
himself
Solomon and won the kingdom and
made the empire subject
(to him),
(It was because) he had seen
(and imitated) the form of Solomon's action;
(but) within the
form the spirit of demonry
was appearing.
The people said,
“This Solomon is without
excellence: there
are (great) differences between
(that) Solomon and (this) Solomon.”
He (the former)
is like wakefulness, this
one is like sleep; (there
is as much difference) as between that Hasan and this Hasan.
The Demon would
reply,
“God has bestowed on Ahriman a
pleasing form (aspect)
in the likeness of me.
1270. God has given my aspect
to the Devil: let him not cast you into his net!
If he appear with
the pretence (that
he is really I), beware! Do not have
regard to his (outward)
form.”
The Demon was
saying this to them from
guile, but in good (enlightened) hearts
the reverse of this was apparent.
There is no playing
tricks with the discerning man,
especially (with)
him whose discernment
and intelligence speak of the Unseen.
No magic and no imposture and
fraud will bind a veil
upon the owners
of (spiritual) empire.
1275. Hence they were
saying to themselves in reply (to the Demon), “You
art going upside down, O you who art addressed falsely (by the name of Solomon).
Upside down likewise you wilt go Hellward,
the
lowest among the low.
If he (Solomon)
has been deposed and
reduced to poverty,
(yet) the radiant full-moon is on
his forehead.
If you have carried off the (royal) signet-ring,
(yet) you art (as) a Hell frozen
like (the region
of)
piercing cold.
On account of
(the Demon's) ostentation and vain
show and
pomp and grandeur how
(should we lay) the
head (in obeisance
before him)? for we will not lay
(before him) even a hoof.
1280. And if
heedlessly we should lay the forehead
(on the ground in homage)
to
him, a preventing hand will rise up
from the earth,
(As though to say),
‘Do not
lay the head
before this headlong-fallen one;
beware, do not bow down
to this ill-fated wretch!’”
I would
have given a very soul-quickening exposition of this (story), were
it not for the
indignation and jealousy of God.
Still, be
content and accept
this (insufficient) amount, that I may explain (the whole of) this at another time.
He (the Demon),
having called himself by the name
of the prophet Solomon, makes
it a mask to deceive every (foolish) boy.
1285. Pass on
from the (outward) form
and rise beyond the name: flee from title
and from name (and
enter) into reality.
Inquire, then, about his (spiritual) degree
and his (interior)
actions: in the midst of his degree
and actions seek
(to
discover)
him.
How Solomon, on whom be peace, entered the Farther Mosque daily, after its completion, for the purpose of worshipping and directing the worshippers and devotees; and how medicinal herbs grew in
the Mosque.
Every morning, when Solomon came and made supplication in the Farther Mosque.
He saw that a new
plant had grown
there; then he would say, “Tell your
name and use.
What medicine art thou? What art thou? What is your
name? To whom art you
hurtful and
for whom is your usefulness?”
1290. Then every
plant would tell its
effect and name, saying “I am
life to that
one, and death to this one.
I am poison to this one, and sugar to that one: this is my name (inscribed) on the Tablet by (the pen of)
the
Divine decree.”
Then (by
hearing) from Solomon about those plants the physicians became
learned and wise authorities
(on medicine),
So that they compiled medical books and were relieving the body from pain.
This astronomy and
medicine is (knowledge
given by) Divine inspiration
to the prophets: where is the way
for intellect and sense (to advance) towards that
which is without
(spatial) direction?
1295. The particular (individual) intellect is not the intellect (capable) of production: it is
only the
receiver of science
and is in need (of
teaching).
This intellect is capable of being
taught and of
apprehending, but
(only) the man possessed of
Divine inspiration gives it the teaching (which it requires).
Assuredly, in their beginning, all
trades (crafts and professions) were (derived) from Divine inspiration,
but the intellect added (something) to
them.
Consider whether this intellect of ours
can learn any trade
without a master.
Although it (the intellect) was hair-splitting (subtle and ingenious) in contrivance, no trade was subdued (brought under command) without a master.
1300. If knowledge of a trade were
(derived) from this intellect,
any trade would be acquired without
a master.
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