Quatrain 23 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
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@hamed
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6
غازی ز پی شهادت اندر تک و پوستوان را که غم تو کشت فاضلتر ازوست
فردای قیامت این بدان کی ماندکان کشتهٔ دشمنست و آن کشتهٔ دوست؟
Description:
English Translation:
The warrior seeks martyrdom in single combat,
But he who died of your sorrow is more noble.
On the Day of Judgment, who will be deemed superior?
He who died by the enemy's hand, or he who died for love?
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi presents a profound comparison between the death of a warrior seeking martyrdom and the death of a lover who dies of heartache. Let's break down each line:
Line 1: غازی ز پی شهادت اندر تک و پوست
"The warrior seeks martyrdom in single combat,"
The first line introduces the concept of a warrior seeking death in battle, a common theme in many cultures, particularly in Islamic traditions where martyrdom is often seen as a noble pursuit.
Line 2: وان را که غم تو کشت فاضلتر ازوست
"But he who died of your sorrow is more noble,"
Here, Saadi shifts the focus to a lover who dies not on the battlefield but from the sorrow caused by their beloved. He argues that this death, caused by love, is a more noble and virtuous one than the death of a warrior seeking martyrdom.
Line 3-4: فردای قیامت این بدان کی ماند/ کان کشتهٔ دشمنست و آن کشتهٔ دوست؟
"On the Day of Judgment, who will be deemed superior?/ He who died by the enemy's hand, or he who died for love?"
The final two lines pose a profound question about the nature of heroism and the value of different kinds of death. Saadi asks which death is more noble: the death of a warrior who dies fighting for a cause, or the death of a lover who dies for love?
Themes explored in the quatrain:
Martyrdom vs. love: Saadi compares the traditional concept of martyrdom with the less tangible but equally profound concept of dying for love.
The value of suffering: The quatrain suggests that suffering for love is a noble and virtuous pursuit, and that it may even be more worthy of reward than martyrdom.
The nature of heroism: Saadi challenges traditional notions of heroism by suggesting that true heroism is not always found on the battlefield but can also be found in the heart of a lover.
This quatrain is a deep exploration of the human condition, questioning the nature of heroism, the value of suffering, and the power of love. Saadi suggests that the death of a lover, caused by heartbreak, is as noble and worthy of admiration as the death of a warrior seeking martyrdom.