In Quatrain 34 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, he says that this world and the life on it that we have, is like a circle that no one can find its start or end. The cycle of coming and going is going on constantly non stop. What is this coming and going for? Let’s read the poem in Persian first and then its translation.
در دایرهای که آمد و رفتن ماست
او را نه بدایت است، نه نهایت پیداست
کس دم نزند در این معنی راست
کاین آمدن از کجا و رفتن به کجاست
Here's the translation of the quatrain from Omar Khayyam to English:
Within this circle where we come and go, Neither beginning nor end can be found.
No one speaks about the true meaning of this, From whence this coming, and where this going.
The quatrain speaks about the profound mysteries of existence, contemplating the nature of our arrival and departure in this world. It highlights the limitations of human understanding, emphasizing that the origins and ultimate fate of our existence lie beyond our comprehension.
The opening line establishes the cyclical nature of life, where we are constantly in a state of flux, transitioning from one phase to another. The phrase "او را نه بدایت است نه نهایت پیداست" (Neither beginning nor end does He show) underscores the enigmatic nature of our existence, suggesting that our origins and ultimate destination remain shrouded in mystery.
The third line emphasizes the futility of attempting to unravel these profound questions, as they transcend the realm of human comprehension. The phrase "کس دم نزند در این معنی راست" (No one speaks on this true meaning) cautions against seeking definitive answers, acknowledging the limitations of our knowledge.
The final line reiterates the enigma of our existence, pondering the source of our arrival and the destination we are ultimately bound for. The phrase "کاین آمدن از کجا و رفتن به کجاست" (From whence this coming, and where this going) captures the essence of this existential quandary, leaving the reader to contemplate the profound mysteries of life and death.
Have you ever felt that you have memories of past that you are sure that it wasn’t part of your life? If yes think deeper about the meaning of this quatrain.
