Last night at dawn, they saved me from sorrow, Ghazal 183 by Hafez
Last night at dawn, they saved me from sorrow, Ghazal 183 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
دوش وقتِ سَحَر از غُصّه نجاتم دادند
واندر آن ظلمتِ شب آبِ حیاتم دادند
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بیخود از شَعْشَعِهٔ پرتوِ ذاتم کردند
باده از جامِ تَجَلّیِّ صفاتم دادند
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چه مبارک‌سَحَری بود و چه فرخنده‌شبی
آن شبِ قدر که این تازه‌براتم دادند
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بعد از این رویِ من و آینهٔ وصفِ جمال
که در آن‌جا خبر از جلوهٔ ذاتم دادند
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من اگر کامروا گشتم و خوشدل چه عجب؟
مستحق بودم و این‌ها به زکاتم دادند
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هاتف آن روز به من مژدهٔ این دولت داد
که بِدان جور و جفا صبر و ثباتم دادند
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این همه شهد و شِکر کز سخنم می‌ریزد
اجرِ صبریست کز آن شاخِ نباتم دادند
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همّتِ حافظ و انفاسِ سحرخیزان بود
که ز بندِ غمِ ایّام نجاتم دادند
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Description:
English Translation:
Last night at dawn, they saved me from sorrow,
And in that darkness of night, they gave me the water of life.
They made me oblivious to the radiance of my own being,
Wine from the cup of the manifestation of my attributes.
What a blessed dawn it was, and what a fortunate night,
That night of power when they gave me this new birth.
After this, my face and the mirror of the description of beauty,
In which they gave news of the manifestation of my essence.
If I have become successful and happy, what is strange?
I was deserving, and they gave these to me as my alms.
The divine voice gave me the good tidings of this fortune that day,
That they gave me patience and steadfastness for that injustice and cruelty.
All this sweetness and nectar that pours from my speech,
Is the reward of patience, which they gave me from that branch of the celestial tree.
The ambition of Hafez and the breaths of the morning worshipers,
Were what saved me from the bonds of the sorrows of time.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez describes a profound spiritual experience where he feels a deep connection to the divine. The poet uses mystical imagery and Sufi terminology to convey his feelings.
Key Themes:
Mystical Experience: The central theme is a profound spiritual experience, where the poet feels a union with the divine.
Gratitude: Hafez expresses gratitude for the blessings he has received.
Patience and Perseverance: The poet highlights the importance of patience and steadfastness in the face of adversity.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
سحر: Dawn, often associated with spiritual awakening
آب حیات: Water of life, a symbol of immortality and spiritual rejuvenation
تجلی: Manifestation, revelation
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's mystical poetry. The poet uses rich imagery and symbolism to convey a sense of divine love and unity.