Precious Pearls — Page 77
79 For this reason they are subject to disgrace and defeat. Without seeing, my friends, the heart is never satisfied; How can legends alone purify the imperfect self? Such tales are not uncommon among the Jews; But see how they became the like of Satan. Man is constantly dependent upon a fresh Sign What effect do the tales of miracles have? (40) How can that Ageless Belovèd be found through fiction? If a single Sign is found, it is like a life-giving fruit. The effect of legends is to leave the heart corrupted: Faith on the tongue revolt against the truth in the breast. For the greed and lust of the world, these hearts have died; They spent their entire life in heedlessness. Awake ye, who slumber! For it is the time of spring Now come and see that Belovèd Who is at our door. What pleasure is in life if He is not found! Such living is cursed if you are away from Him. (45) The entire purpose is to see that Visage; This is the Paradise that the familiar Belovèd is found. O lovers of pomp! This place is not for staying No one from the earlier peoples has stayed here. Pray go and take a look at their tombs Now think as to where your forebears have gone. One day the same station is going to be your station; One day this morn of life will be eve for you. One day the people will carry your coffin; Then, after burial, they will come home sadly. (50) O people! Worldly life is never faithful Don’t you have the fear of death and thought of demise? Think as to where your ancestors have gone; Who called them why have they all passed away? That day, O friends, is fated for you as well; Don’t keep rejoicing for the time to depart is nigh. Find the way to cleanse the heart and breast And to kill the baser self in the obedience of God. Such path is not found through tales alone, my dear, That light comes through Signs, now and then. (55) That Faith is absurd that has only legends; The ones with pious traits stay away form such. Alas! The reliance these days is upon the stories; The truth of Faith is dependent entirely upon the tales. But there is no sign of prompt miracles Thus, this God of legends is not the God of this world. Such stories have totally destroyed this world;