1Cademy - دفتر پنجم - بخش ۲ - تفسیر خذ اربعة من الطیر فصرهن الیک / Book Five - Section 2 - Commentary on Take four of the birds and draw them to thee

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مثنوی معنوی: دفتر پنجم / Masnavi: Book Five

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دفتر پنجم - بخش ۲ - تفسیر خذ اربعة من الطیر فصرهن الیک / Book Five - Section 2 - Commentary on 'Take four of the birds and draw them to thee'

Original content

تو خلیل وقتی ای خورشیدهش
این چهار اطیار ره زن را بکش

زانک هر مرغی ازینها زاغ وش
هست عقل عاقلان را دیده کش

چار وصف تن چو مرغان خلیل
بسمل ایشان دهد جان را سبیل

ای خلیل اندر خلاص نیک و بد
سر ببرشان تا رهد پاها ز سد

کل توی و جملگان اجزای تو
بر گشا که هست پاشان پای تو

از تو عالم روح زاری می شود
پشت صد لشکر سواری می شود

زانک این تن شد مقام چار خو
نامشان شد چار مرغ فتنه جو

خلق را گر زندگی خواهی ابد
سر ببر زین چار مرغ شوم بد

بازشان زنده کن از نوعی دگر
که نباشد بعد از آن زیشان ضرر

چار مرغ معنوی راه زن
کرده اند اندر دل خلقان وطن

چون امیر جمله دلهای سوی
اندرین دور ای خلیفه حق توی

سر ببر این چار مرغ زنده را
سر مدی کن خلق ناپاینده را

بط و طاوسست و زاغست و خروس
این مثال چار خلق اندر نفوس

بط حرصست و خروس آن شهوتست
جاه چون طاوس و زاغ امنیتست

منیتش آن که بود اومیدساز
طامع تأبید یا عمر دراز

بط حرص آمد که نوکش در زمین
در تر و در خشک می جوید دفین

یک زمان نبود معطل آن گلو
نشنود از حکم جز امر کلوا

هم چو یغماجیست خانه می کند
زود زود انبان خود پر می کند

اندر انبان می فشارد نیک و بد
دانه های در و حبات نخود

تا مبادا یاغیی آید دگر
می فشارد در جوال او خشک و تر

وقت تنگ و فرصت اندک او مخوف
در بغل زد هر چه زودتر بی وقوف

لیک مؤمن ز اعتماد آن حیات
می کند غارت به مهل و با انات

آمنست از فوت و از یاغی که او
می شناسد قهر شه را بر عدو

آمنست از خواجه تاشان دگر
که بیایندش مزاحم صرفه بر

عدل شه را دید در ضبط حشم
که نیارد کرد کس بر کس ستم

لاجرم نشتابد و ساکن بود
از فوات حظ خود آمن بود

بس تانی دارد و صبر و شکیب
چشم سیر و مؤثرست و پاک جیب

کین تانی پرتو رحمان بود
وان شتاب از هزه شیطان بود

زانک شیطانش بترساند ز فقر
بارگیر صبر را بکشد به عقر

از نبی بشنو که شیطان در وعید
می کند تهدیدت از فقر شدید

تا خوری زشت و بری زشت و شتاب
نی مروت نی تانی نی ثواب

لاجرم کافر خورد در هفت بطن
دین و دل باریک و لاغر زفت بطن

English translation

You are the Abraham of the time, O sun of intelligence! Slay these four birds of prey (robbers of the way), Because each of these birds, like a crow, Plucks out the eye of the intellect of the wise.

The four qualities of the body are like Abraham's birds; Slaying them opens the way for the soul. O Abraham, in delivering (the soul) from good and evil, Cut off their heads so that the feet may be freed from the barrier.

You are the whole, and all are your parts; Release them, for their feet are your feet. Through you, the world of spirit becomes full of supplication; The backs of a hundred armies become ridden by you.

Because this body became the dwelling-place of four temperaments (traits), Their name became the four mischief-seeking birds. If you desire eternal life for the people, Cut off the heads of these four evil, sinister birds.

Then bring them to life again in another fashion, So that thereafter no harm may come from them. Four spiritual birds of prey (highwaymen) Have made their home within the hearts of mankind.

Since you are the commander of all pure hearts, In this era, you are the vicegerent of God. Cut off the heads of these four living birds, And make the transient creation eternal.

The duck, the peacock, the crow, and the rooster: These are the examples of four characters within human souls. The duck is greed, and the rooster is lust; Prestige is like the peacock, and the crow is false security (hope). Its desire is that which builds hope, Greedy for eternity or a long life.

The duck is greed, whose beak is in the earth, Seeking treasure in both wet and dry. Not for a moment is that throat idle; It hears nothing of the commandment except the command 'Eat!'

Like a plunderer, it ransacks the house, Quickly, quickly filling its bag. Into the bag it squeezes good and bad alike, Grains of pearls and seeds of chickpeas.

Lest another rebel (rival plunderer) should arrive, It squeezes wet and dry into its sack. The time is tight, the opportunity short, and he is terrified; He stuffs everything under his arm as fast as possible, without discernment.

But the believer, through trust in that Life, Plunders with leisure and patience. He is secure from loss and from any rival, for he Knows the King's dominance over the enemy.

He is secure from other fellow-servants Who might come to obstruct or take away his profit. He has seen the King's justice in controlling the retinue, So that no one can commit oppression against another.

Therefore, he does not hasten but remains calm, Secure against the loss of his portion. He has great deliberation, patience, and endurance; He is satisfied of eye, generous (influential), and pure of pocket.

For this deliberation is a reflection of the Merciful, While that haste is from the agitation of Satan. Because Satan frightens him with poverty, And slays the mount of patience.

Hear from the Prophet that Satan, in his threat, Threatens you with severe poverty, So that you may eat foully, act foully, and hasten, Showing neither chivalry, nor deliberation, nor merit.

Consequently, the unbeliever eats with seven stomachs; His religion and heart are thin and lean, while his belly is fat.

Updated 2026-07-04

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