This poem, which is recorded in the Sikh scripture the Adi Granth Sahib, among other images makes reference to a tale about a serpent and a rope. The story is that a farmer, going into a dark room, sees a poisonous serpent coiled to strike, but when a wise person opens a window and lets light into the room, the serpent is seen to be a rope. For more about the 15th century poet Ravidas, see this earlier post.

When I existed,
You did not.
Now You exist
and I do not:
as a storm lifts waves
from water —
still they are water
within water.

O Madho,
how can we describe
this illusion?
What we believe does not exist.

A mighty king sleeps
on his throne
and in his dream
becomes a beggar.
Seeing his kingdom vanish
before him
he greatly mourns —
such is our condition.

Like the tale
of the serpent
and the rope —
I know a little
of the secret.
Seeing many bracelets
we think gold has many forms —
but it is always forever gold.

In all things
exists the Lord,
assuming countless shapes;
in each pore he plays and sports.
Ravi Dass say,
He is nearer than my hand.
All that comes to pass
is by His will alone.

Translation by Nirmal Dass