Quatrain 131 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Analysis of the Rubai

This quatrain by Omar Khayyam presents a shift in the poet's perspective on wine, a common motif in his work.

Reasons for Drinking: The first two lines dismiss common reasons for drinking: poverty and the desire to forget one's troubles.
The Joy of Wine: The third line reveals that the poet's primary reason for drinking was to experience happiness.
A New Reason Not to Drink: The final line introduces a new reason for abstaining from wine: the presence of a beloved in his heart.

Deeper Meanings and Interpretations

The Transformation of Desire: The poem suggests that the poet's desires have transformed. The desire for the temporary happiness brought by wine has been replaced by a deeper, more lasting love.
The Power of Love: The presence of a beloved has brought such profound joy that the poet no longer needs the external stimulant of wine.
Spiritual Awakening: This rubai can also be interpreted as a spiritual awakening, where the poet has found a higher form of happiness that transcends physical pleasures.

In essence, this rubai is a celebration of love and its power to transform a person.