Quatrain 153 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Analysis of the Rubai

This quatrain by Omar Khayyam is a celebration of wine and the carefree lifestyle associated with it.

The Superiority of Wine: The poet suggests that wine is superior to all other things in life.
Idolatry and Wine: The comparison of wine to an offering from idols is a playful and ironic way of emphasizing the devotion that wine inspires.
The Drunken State: The poet embraces the state of drunkenness and wandering, suggesting a desire to escape the constraints of conventional society.
The Cyclical Nature of Time: The phrase "from moon to fish" suggests the cyclical nature of time and the eternal recurrence of things.

Deeper Meanings and Interpretations

A Critique of Materialism: By elevating wine above all other things, the poet may be critiquing the materialistic pursuits of society.
The Pursuit of Pleasure: The poem celebrates the pursuit of pleasure and the importance of living in the moment.
A Philosophical Questioning: The reference to idols and the cyclical nature of time may suggest a deeper philosophical questioning of existence and the divine.

In essence, this rubai is a celebration of life, love, and the simple pleasures of existence.