For years, my heart sought the Jamshid's cup from me, Ghazal 143 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 3 4

سال‌ها دل طلبِ جامِ جم از ما می‌کرد

وآنچه خود داشت ز بیگانه تمنّا می‌کرد

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گوهری کز صدفِ کون و مکان بیرون است

طلب از گمشدگانِ لبِ دریا می‌کرد

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مشکلِ خویش بَرِ پیرِ مُغان بُردم دوش

کاو به تأییدِ نظر حلّ‌ِ معمّا می‌کرد

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دیدمش خُرَّم و خندان قدحِ باده به دست

واندر آن آینه صد گونه تماشا می‌کرد

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گفتم این جامِ جهان‌بین به تو کِی داد حکیم؟

گفت آن روز که این گنبدِ مینا می‌کرد

***

بی‌دلی در همه‌احوال خدا با او بود

او نمی‌دیدش و از دور خدا را می‌کرد

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این‌همه شعبدهٔ خویش که می‌کرد اینجا

سامری پیشِ عصا و یدِ بیضا می‌کرد

***

گفت آن یار کز او گشت سرِ دار بلند

جُرمش این بود که اسرار هویدا می‌کرد

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فیضِ روحُ‌القُدُس ار باز مدد فرماید

دیگران هم بکنند آنچه مسیحا می‌کرد

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گفتمش سلسلهٔ زلفِ بُتان از پیِ چیست

گفت حافظ گله‌ای از دلِ شیدا می‌کرد

***


Description:

English Translation:

For years, my heart sought the Jamshid's cup from me,
And what it had within itself, it sought from strangers.

A jewel that is from the oyster of the universe and space,
It sought from those lost at the lip of the sea.

I took my problem to the old magician last night,
For he used to solve riddles with the confirmation of his gaze.

I saw him joyful and smiling, with a cup of wine in his hand,
And in that mirror, he was watching a hundred different spectacles.

I said, “When did the sage give you this world-seeing cup?”
He said, “On the day he created this blue dome.”

Without a heart, in all circumstances, God was with him,
He didn’t see Him and from afar, he was making God.

All these magic tricks that he was doing here,
Samari was doing in front of his staff and miraculous hand.

He said, “That friend, because of whom the gallows became high,
His crime was that he revealed the secrets.”

If the grace of the Holy Spirit helps again,
Others will also do what the Messiah did.

I said to him, “What is the purpose of the chain of the idols’ curls?”
Hafez said, “It was a complaint from a lovesick heart.”


English Translation for Ghazal

English translation for Ghazal.

متن غزل

Original poem in Persian

hamed
@hamed Aug. 25, 2024, 8:02 a.m.

Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez explores deep philosophical and spiritual themes, using rich imagery and symbolism.

hamed
@hamed Aug. 25, 2024, 8:02 a.m.

Key Themes:

The Search for Truth: The poet's journey in search of spiritual truth is a central theme.
Divine Knowledge: The imagery of the Jamshid's cup and the world-seeing mirror symbolizes divine knowledge.
Human Nature: Hafez reflects on the complexities of human nature, including the search for meaning, the pursuit of pleasure, and the consequences of revealing hidden truths.

hamed
@hamed Aug. 25, 2024, 8:02 a.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

جام جم: Jamshid's cup, a legendary cup that supposedly granted the drinker immortality and omniscience.
مغان: Magicians, often associated with spiritual wisdom in Persian poetry.
سامری: A figure from the Quran who made a golden calf for the Israelites.

hamed
@hamed Aug. 25, 2024, 8:02 a.m.

This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's poetic mastery, combining deep philosophical inquiry with rich imagery. The poet's use of metaphors and similes creates a vivid and evocative picture of the human experience.