[Sunlight] The difference between truth and falsehood

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The difference between truth and falsehood becomes visible
the moment the collyrium of grace clears the eye;
otherwise, dung and musk seem the same
to one whose nose is clogged.
To cure boredom he picks up something to read,
neglecting the words of the Almighty,
that by means of some entertaining article
he may quell the painful fire and anxiety.
Either pure water or urine would work to put out the fire.
But if you really come to know this pure water,
the Word of God which is of the spirit,
all distress will vanish from your soul,
and your heart will find its way to the rose garden,
for everyone who catches a scent of the mystery of revelation
discovers a spiritual orchard with a running brook.

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Farq ângah bâshad az haqq o majâz
keh konad kohl-e `iyânat cheshm-bâz
Var nah poshk o moshk pish-e akhshami
har do yeksânast chon na-bovad shammi
Khvishtan mashghul kardan az malâl
bâshadesh qasd az kalâm-e Zu al-Jalâl
K-âtesh-e vasvâs-râ o ghosseh-râ
zân sokhan be-neshânad o sâzad davâ
Bahr-e in meqdâr âtesh shândan
âb-e pâk o bawl yeksân shod beh fann
Âtesh-e vasvâs-râ in bawl o âb
har do be-neshânand hamchon vaqt-e khvâb
Lik gar vâqef shavi zin âb-e pâk
keh Kalâm-e izadast o ruh-nâk
Nist gardad vasvaseh-ye kolli ze jân
del biyâyad rah beh su-ye golestân
Zânkeh dar bâghi o dar juyi parad
harkeh az serr-e sohof buyi barad

-- Mathnawi IV: 3464-3472
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"
Threshold Books, 1996
(Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra)

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[Sunlight] The difference between truth and falsehood