Quatrain 21 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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تا چند زنم به روی دریاها خشتبیزار شدم ز بتپرستان کنشت
خیام ، که گفت دوزخی خواهد بودکه رفت به دوزخ و که آمد ز بهشت
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
The rubai presented here is a classic example of Omar Khayyam's skepticism towards traditional religious beliefs and his focus on the earthly pleasures of life. It's a witty and thought-provoking commentary on the concept of heaven and hell.
English Translation
A more literal translation
How long shall I throw bricks upon the seas?
I'm tired of the temple of the idolaters.
Khayyam said, "There will be a hell,"
Who has gone to hell and who has come from heaven?
A more poetic and interpretive translation
No more I'll cast my hopes upon the tide,
Nor heed the idols' empty, hollow pride.
Khayyam once spoke of hell, a fiery place,
But who has seen it, who has found its trace?
A contemporary and informal translation
I'm done chasing rainbows, it's plain to see,
Tired of religion's hypocrisy.
Khayyam said hell awaits, but who's been there,
To prove his point, and show us what we'll bear?
"تا چند زنم به روی دریاها خشت": This line is a metaphor for futile efforts or chasing after something unattainable, like trying to build a house on water.
"بیزار شدم ز بتپرستان کنشت": This line expresses weariness with religious institutions and practices.
"خیام ، که گفت دوزخی خواهد بود": This directly quotes Khayyam himself, questioning the existence of hell.
"که رفت به دوزخ و که آمد ز بهشت": This is a rhetorical question, challenging the very concept of heaven and hell.
Themes and Interpretations
Skepticism of religious dogma: Khayyam questions traditional religious beliefs and the concept of an afterlife.
Focus on the present: The poem suggests that we should focus on the present moment rather than worrying about an afterlife.
The futility of certain pursuits: The metaphor of throwing bricks into the sea symbolizes the futility of certain endeavors.
This rubai is a bold statement against religious orthodoxy and a celebration of free thought. It invites the reader to question their own beliefs and to find meaning in the present life.