Saadi Shirazi, one of the most revered Persian poets of the 13th century, is celebrated for his profound insights into human nature, love, and spirituality. His ghazals often explore the depths of love and the ineffable nature of divine connection. One such ghazal begins with the line: "حدیث عشق به طومار در نمی‌گنجد" ("The tale of love cannot be contained in scrolls").
In this ghazal, Saadi delves into the boundless and indescribable essence of love. He suggests that the experience of love transcends verbal expression and cannot be fully captured through words or writings. This theme resonates with the Sufi concept of divine love, where the connection between the lover and the beloved (often symbolizing the soul and the Divine) is beyond the realm of ordinary description.
Saadi further contrasts the ecstatic experiences of mystics with the perceptions of the rational-minded, indicating that the profound joy and madness derived from divine love are incomprehensible to those who rely solely on intellect. He emphasizes that true love requires vulnerability and openness, as one cannot simultaneously be a lover and maintain complete discretion.
The poet also reflects on the paradox of the heart's capacity: despite its small physical size, it can encompass the vast presence of the beloved, leaving no room for others. This illustrates the idea that true love fills one's entire being, excluding all else.
Saadi's mastery lies in his ability to convey complex spiritual and emotional states through simple yet profound language. His exploration of love in this ghazal invites readers to ponder the limitless and indescribable nature of true affection, whether it be human or divine.
This is the full Ghazal in English:
The Tale of Love Cannot Be Contained
The tale of love cannot be contained in a scroll,
The essence of the beloved cannot be captured in words.
The melody of intimacy that drives the mad to ecstasy
Cannot be grasped by the ears of the wise.
One cannot be both a lover and remain concealed,
As virtue finds no place in the house of a wine-seller.
The beloved sits so vast within my narrow heart
That there is no room left for strangers.
I cannot describe you as you truly are,
Just as a garment cannot be fully displayed in a marketplace.
I shall never again give my heart to any created form,
For with you, even the image of a wall cannot fit.
Who will bring word to my poor rival tonight
That even a dog finds no place in the corner of the cave?
When the rose blooms, it still remains near thorns,
Yet when embraced, the thorn cannot remain.
Such devotion and longing exist between two true friends
That even the schemes of a bloodthirsty enemy cannot intrude.
I gaze at you with the eyes of my heart, for the eyes of the flesh
Cannot endure the lightning of your radiant beauty.
Among all your friends, Saadi has no place,
For a beggar cannot fit among merchants.
Original Ghazal in Persian:
حدیث عشق به طومار در نمی‌گنجد
بیان دوست به گفتار در نمی‌گنجد
سماع انس که دیوانگان از آن مستند
به سمع مردم هشیار در نمی‌گنجد
میسرت نشود عاشقی و مستوری
ورع به خانهٔ خمار در نمی‌گنجد
چنان فراخ نشسته‌ست یار در دل تنگ
که بیش زحمت اغیار در نمی‌گنجد
تو را چنان که تویی من صفت ندانم کرد
که عرض جامه به بازار در نمی‌گنجد
دگر به صورت هیچ آفریده دل ندهم
که با تو صورت دیوار در نمی‌گنجد
خبر که می‌دهد امشب رقیب مسکین را
که سگ به زاویهٔ غار در نمی‌گنجد
چو گل به بار بود همنشین خار بود
چو در کنار بود خار در نمی‌گنجد
چنان ارادت و شوق‌ست در میان دو دوست
که سعی دشمن خون‌خوار در نمی‌گنجد
به چشم دل نظرت می‌کنم که دیدهٔ سر
ز برق شعلهٔ دیدار در نمی‌گنجد
ز دوستان که تو را هست جای سعدی نیست
گدا میان خریدار در نمی‌گنجد
