O possessor of the world, victor of the faith, perfect king, Ghazal 304 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
|
5
4
دارایِ جهان نصرتِ دین خسروِ کامل
یَحییِ بنِ مُظَفَّر مَلِکِ عالمِ عادل
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ای درگهِ اسلام پناهِ تو گشاده
بر رویِ زمین روزنهٔ جان و دَرِ دل
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تعظیمِ تو بر جان و خِرَد واجب و لازم
اِنعام تو بر کون و مکان فایض و شامل
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روزِ ازل از کِلکِ تو یک قطره سیاهی
بر رویِ مَه افتاد که شد حلِّ مسائل
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خورشید چو آن خالِ سیَه دید، به دل گفت
ای کاج که من بودَمی آن هندویِ مقبل
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شاها فلک از بزمِ تو در رقص و سَماع است
دستِ طَرَب از دامنِ این زمزمه مَگسِل
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مِی نوش و جهان بخش که از زلفِ کمندت
شد گردنِ بدخواه گرفتار سَلاسِل
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دورِ فلکی یکسَره بر مِنْهَجِ عدل است
خوش باش که ظالم نَبَرد راه به منزل
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حافظ قلمِ شاه جهان مقسِمِ رزق است
از بهرِ معیشت مَکُن اندیشهٔ باطل
***
Description:
English Translation:
O possessor of the world, victor of the faith, perfect king
Yahya ibn Muzaffar, just king of the world
O threshold of Islam, your shelter is open
A window to the soul and a door to the heart on earth.
Revering you is obligatory and necessary for both soul and intellect
Your bounty is bestowed upon the universe, abundant and comprehensive.
On the day of eternity, a drop of darkness from your pen
Fell on the moon, solving all problems.
When the sun saw that black mole, it said to its heart
O cypress, I was that fortunate Indian.
O king, the celestial sphere dances and whirls in your assembly
Do not withdraw your hand of joy from this melody.
Drink wine and give to the world, for from your captivating locks
The necks of your enemies have been caught in chains.
The celestial sphere is entirely on the path of justice
Be happy, for the unjust will not reach their destination.
Hafez, the pen of the world’s king, is the distributor of sustenance
Do not have vain thoughts about livelihood.
English Translation for Ghazal
متن غزل
Explanation of the Ghazal
This ghazal is a panegyric praising a specific ruler, Yahya ibn Muzaffar. Hafez uses rich imagery and lofty language to exalt the king's virtues and his role as a just and benevolent ruler. The poem is filled with allusions to Islamic cosmology and Persian poetry, and highlights the king's divine mandate.
Key themes:
Praise of the ruler: The poem is a lavish praise of the king, emphasizing his justice, wisdom, and piety.
Cosmic order: The poem connects the king to cosmic order, suggesting that his rule is divinely ordained.
Divine providence: The king is portrayed as a divinely inspired figure who brings peace and prosperity to the world.
Sufi mysticism: While the poem is primarily a panegyric, it also contains elements of Sufi mysticism, reflecting Hafez's spiritual beliefs.
Challenges in translation:
Historical and cultural references: Many of the allusions in this poem are specific to Persian history and culture, and may be difficult to fully understand without a deep knowledge of these contexts.
Poetic devices: Hafez uses a variety of poetic devices, such as metaphors, similes, and hyperbole, to create a rich and evocative image of the king. These devices can be challenging to translate without losing their original meaning.
Sufi mysticism: The Sufi undertones of the poem can be difficult to convey in a straightforward translation, as they often rely on symbolic language and concepts that may be unfamiliar to Western readers.
Overall, this ghazal offers a glimpse into the complex and multifaceted nature of Hafez's poetry. It is a testament to his skill as a poet and his ability to use language to create a vivid and memorable image.