For days, the idol of my beloved has been my religion: Ghazal 52 by Hafez
For days, the idol of my beloved has been my religion: Ghazal 52 by Hafez
By
@fatemeh | poet: Hafez Shirazi
روزگاریست که سودایِ بتان دینِ من است
غمِ این کار نشاطِ دلِ غمگینِ من است
***
دیدنِ رویِ تو را دیدهٔ جان بین باید
وین کجا مرتبهٔ چشمِ جهان بینِ من است؟
***
یارِ من باش که زیبِ فلک و زینتِ دهر
از مه روی تو و اشکِ چو پروینِ من است
***
تا مرا عشقِ تو تعلیمِ سخن گفتن کرد
خلق را وردِ زبان، مدحت و تحسینِ من است
***
دولت فقر خدایا به من ارزانی دار
کاین کرامت سببِ حشمت و تمکینِ من است
***
واعظِ شَحنه شناس این عظمت گو مفروش
زان که منزلگهِ سلطان، دلِ مسکینِ من است
***
یا رب این کعبهٔ مقصود تماشاگه کیست؟
که مغیلانِ طریقش گل و نسرینِ من است
***
حافظ از حشمتِ پرویز دگر قصه مخوان
که لبش جرعه کش خسرو شیرین من است
***
Description:
English Translation:
For days, the idol of my beloved has been my religion,
The sorrow of this affair is the joy of my sorrowful heart.
Only the eye of the soul can see your face,
And this is far beyond the capacity of my worldly eye.
Be my beloved, for the beauty of the heavens and the ornament of the world
Are from your moon-like face and my Procyon-like tears.
Since your love taught me the art of speaking,
Praise and admiration of me has become the world's refrain.
O God, grant me the wealth of poverty,
For this grace is the reason for my honor and respect.
O preacher, do not sell this greatness to the bailiff,
For the dwelling place of the sultan is my humble heart.
O Lord, who is the viewer of this Kaaba of my desire?
For the pilgrims of its path are my rose and jasmine.
Hafez, do not tell the tale of the majesty of Parviz anymore,
For his lips have drunk from the cup of my sweet king.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez expresses a deep and passionate love for his beloved. The poet uses vivid imagery and poetic devices to create a rich and evocative atmosphere.
Key Themes:
Divine Love: The poet equates his love for the beloved with a spiritual quest.
The Beauty of the Beloved: The beloved is described using celestial imagery, emphasizing her divine beauty.
The Paradox of Poverty and Wealth: The poet suggests that spiritual wealth is more valuable than material wealth.
Spiritual Seeking: The poet's love for the beloved is intertwined with a spiritual journey.
Key Persian terms and their nuances:
بت: Idol, often used as a metaphor for a beloved
پروین: A star in the constellation of Orion, often associated with tears
کعبه: The holiest site in Islam
مغیلان: Pilgrims
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's poetic mastery, combining deep philosophical thoughts with a celebration of love. The poet's use of metaphors and similes creates a rich tapestry of meaning.