1
O friend, I often did beseech
an old boat do not have;
With worn out sails, the heavy wave
2
Thy boat oil daily, mend its leaks,
and keep in mind, one day
The vessel has to sail away,
a voyage long to make!
3
With riggings furnish it, and then
take it to depth remote,
So that from every harm thy boat
secure and safe may be.
4
Acquire you such merchandise
which time corrupteth not,
That when you sell to far off lands
no loss may be thy lot-
In goods deal only which allot
to thee mainstay secure.
5
Those who with merchandise of Truth
a lasting bargain made;
"You will get your reward", to them
these tidings are conveyed-
Those were they whom the Powers led
through mighty ocean's swell.
6
To ocean dedicate yourself
where endless waters flow;
Thousands of pearls and precious things
its current holds below-
An ounce of such wealth will bestow,
on you a fortune rare.
7
No wave the path of those can stay
who worship the sublime;
Effect of their repentance makes
them safely swim away;
Propped by 'Reliance absolute'
they pass wild current's sway,
By 'Perfect Sailor' met were they
in mid-current, as guide!
8
With precious ware of 'service great'
their vessels they did lade;
'Real Recognition' s' pearls they won
whose worth can never fade;
'Rrestraint from sin and evil', oh-
that bargain too they made;
May with their blessing I evade
perils, when crossing sea!
9
So difficult it is to fare
on the path to 'Divine'.
So difficult, so very hard
the way, for those who dare-
And even those who know the land
confusion meets them there;
Its violent cross-current to bear
enter with love intense!-
II
10
Goods there were heaps and manifold,
traders forgetful were;
Some came in good time and purchased
all that the stores did hold-
Some loitered, and all things were sold
when they had come to buy.
11
The water through the boat did seep,
and precious goods were spoiled;
With spots and smudges some were soiled
and some with rust got black.
12
You came and had at shores a peep,
that you had heard about.-
When everyone had gone to rest,
you also went to sleep;
And so you brought the boat headling
to whirlpools wild and deep-
The wreck that is too worn and old
may God from sinking keep-
The wretched ones inside rely
on you, they fret and weep,
Arise and help! their praises reap
and bring them safe to port!
13
Boatman, upon the raging sea
both ways you cannot have;
Whole nights you sleep, resting your back
on rudder carelessly-
But there across at morn they'll be
and of your doings ask!
14
Sleep not O helmsman! shun your cot,
when danger lurks ahead;
The shore is foaming like the curd
that foams in churning pot...
O helmsman, sleep befits you not
in such an awful state!
15
The divers met the waves that foamed
with hidden treachery-
They battled with the eddies deep,
their fight was grim and dree;
Yet, 't was they who sought the sea,
and brought the lovely pearls.
16
Where'er a pearl exists, behold!
the thieves their haunts will have,
And him awaits fortune untold
who guards the pearl from thieves.
III
17
Not offer precious stones to those
who know not gold from brass;
To true jewellers in exchange
your jewels you may pass;
Ah, those who deal in gold, the mass
of metals base they spurn.
18
But gold- dealers have gone...Oh gold
't were best you too should go-
Since no one here your worth doth know
they'll mix you up with brass.
19
The glass-beads are in fasion now
real pearls no more appeal...
My tunic's full of Truth, I feel
ashamed to offer it.
20
The lapidaries that cut gems,
since long from there they fled;
And their successors do not know
e'en how to deal with lead,
And smiths now pewter beat instead
where lapidaries worked!
21
I dealt in glass, and never made
purchase of any pearl;
All tinsel-stuff and leaden ware
and trash I bought instead;
But suddenly, I found, my trade
was placed with gold-experts!
22
With falsehoods I did pass my days;
divine commands I broke-
The vessel overflows with sin
and with my doings base;
Oh knower of the secret ways
thou know'st already all!
23
The lies that you had hugged, forsake!
approach the source divine
Drive from your heart chicanery,
to honest dealings take;
The Master liketh truth of heart
In mind love's fire wake,
Thus humbly do approach, and make
a bargain, fruitful, good.
24
O God! a bargain that is best,
I beg bestow on me;
The helpless one no power has,
but Master, turns to thee,
O guide, without thy help no one
can reach his destiny-
Who faces high wave on the sea,
with mercy pick him up...
IV
25
The maid unwarily
the gem in casket broke...
The gem when whole, its price
a lakh or two would be,
Now it is crushed...ah me,
'tis more than millions worth!
26
Those who kept up all night
to adore Glorious One;
Latif says: E'en their dust
became with honour dight;
Scores to their resting site
flock, homage there to pay.
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