Quatrain 14 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
این بحر وجود آمده بیرون ز نهفتکس نیست که این گوهر تحقیق بسفت
هر کس سخنی از سر سودا گفتندزآن روی که هست کس نمیداند گفت
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
The rubai presented here is another deep dive into the philosophical musings of Omar Khayyam. It delves into the nature of existence and the limits of human knowledge.
English Translation
A more literal translation
This sea of existence has emerged from the hidden,
There is no one who has truly grasped this pearl.
Everyone has spoken from their own desires,
Because no one truly knows what exists.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
From nothingness, this universe was born,
No mortal mind can pierce its cosmic morn.
We speak of life with selfish, wishful thought,
For truth's elusive, dearly bought.
A contemporary and informal translation
The universe popped into being, who knows how?
No one's really figured life out anyhow.
We all just guess, based on what we crave,
‘Cause truth is hidden, deep within a cave.
"این بحر وجود آمده بیرون ز نهفت": This line suggests that the universe, or existence itself, came from something unknown or hidden.
"کس نیست که این گوهر تحقیق بسفت": This line implies that the true nature of existence is a mystery that no one has fully understood.
"هر کس سخنی از سر سودا گفتند": This line suggests that people's beliefs and understanding of the world are often influenced by their own desires and biases.
"زآن روی که هست کس نمیداند گفت": This line emphasizes the limited nature of human knowledge and the impossibility of knowing the ultimate truth.
Themes and Interpretations
The mystery of existence: The poem explores the profound questions about the origins and meaning of the universe.
The limits of human knowledge: The poet suggests that our understanding of the world is incomplete and often biased.
The subjective nature of truth: The poem implies that truth is relative and that different people may have different perspectives.
This rubai is a deep dive into the philosophical questions that have puzzled humanity for centuries. It invites us to ponder the nature of reality and to acknowledge the limitations of our understanding.