Rubaei 6 By Hafez Shirazi

Analysis of the Rubai

This rubai is a beautiful example of Hafez's mystical and often paradoxical poetry. Here's a breakdown of the key themes:

Celestial Imagery: The rubai uses celestial bodies—the sun and the moon—to symbolize the divine and the beloved.
The Beloved as a Source of Light: The beloved is depicted as the source of all light and beauty. The sun and moon, celestial bodies that are typically sources of light, are themselves illuminated by the beloved's radiance.
Mystical Union: The image of the sun becoming a servant to the moon suggests a mystical union between the divine and the human.
The Power of Love: The rubai emphasizes the transformative power of love. The beloved's beauty and love have the ability to illuminate even the brightest celestial bodies.

Interpretation

This rubai can be interpreted in several ways:

A Love Poem: On a literal level, it can be seen as a love poem expressing the poet's deep admiration for the beloved's beauty and power.
A Mystical Allegory: On a mystical level, the beloved can represent the divine or a higher state of consciousness. The sun and moon can symbolize different aspects of the divine, such as wisdom and compassion.
A Celebration of Beauty: The rubai can also be seen as a celebration of beauty and its transformative power.

Overall, this rubai is a sublime expression of love and devotion. The poet's imagery is both evocative and profound, creating a sense of awe and wonder.