O heart, be not empty for a moment of love and intoxication, Ghazal 434 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

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Description:

In this ghazāl, Hafez explores themes of love, spirituality, and the nature of existence. He uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his ideas.

Key Themes:

Love and intoxication: The poet emphasizes the importance of love and spiritual intoxication.
Spiritual journey: The poem suggests a journey towards spiritual enlightenment and union with the divine.
The nature of reality: Hafez questions the nature of reality and the limitations of human understanding.


English Translation for Ghazal

O heart, be not empty for a moment of love and intoxication
And then go, for you have escaped from non-existence and existence


If you see life in your body, be busy with its work
Every direction you see is better than self-worship

Be gentle and weak like a pleasant breeze
Illness on this path is better than health

In the religion of the path, ignorance is a sign of disbelief
Truly, the path of prosperity is agility and swiftness

Until you see grace and wisdom, do not sit in ignorance
I will tell you one thing, do not see yourself as saved

In the threshold of the beloved, do not think of the sky
For from the height of loftiness, you will fall to the low earth

Though a thorn may diminish life, the rose will excuse it
The bitterness of wine is easy compared to the taste of intoxication

The Sufi measures the cup, Hafez the jug of abstinence
O short-sleeved ones, how long will you have long hands?

Ghazal in Persian

ای دل مباش یک دم خالی ز عشق و مستی

وان گه برو که رستی از نیستی و هستی

 

گر جان به تن ببینی مشغول کار او شو

هر قبله‌ای که بینی بهتر ز خودپرستی

 

با ضعف و ناتوانی همچون نسیم خوش باش

بیماری اندر این ره بهتر ز تندرستی

 

در مذهب طریقت خامی نشان کفر است

آری طریق دولت چالاکی است و چستی

 

تا فضل و عقل بینی بی‌معرفت نشینی

یک نکته‌ات بگویم خود را مبین که رستی

 

در آستان جانان از آسمان میندیش

کز اوج سربلندی افتی به خاک پستی

 

خار ار چه جان بکاهد گل عذر آن بخواهد

سهل است تلخی می در جنب ذوق مستی

 

صوفی پیاله پیما حافظ قرابه پرهیز

ای کوته آستینان تا کی درازدستی


hamed
@hamed Oct. 11, 2024, 6:35 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

ساقی: wine-server
رقیب: rival

Some of the nuances that are difficult to fully capture in translation include:

The intricate use of imagery: Hafez often uses multiple layers of symbolism and metaphor to convey his meaning.
The musicality of the Persian language: The sounds and rhythms of the Persian language contribute significantly to the emotional impact of the poem.
Sufi concepts: The poem is rich in Sufi symbolism and concepts, which can be challenging to convey in a different cultural context.