Quatrain 74 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
من چاکر آنم که دلی بربایدیا دل به کسی دهد که جان آساید
آن کس که نه عاشق و نه معشوق کسیستدر ملک خدای اگر نباشد شاید
Description:
English Translation:
I am the servant of one who can steal a heart,
Or give their heart to another to soothe their soul.
That person who is neither lover nor beloved,
Perhaps does not exist in God's kingdom.
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi delves into the complexities of love, devotion, and the human condition.
Line 1: من چاکر آنم که دلی برباید
"I am the servant of one who can steal a heart,"
The speaker expresses their devotion to someone who has the power to captivate hearts. This could refer to a lover, a spiritual guide, or a higher power.
Line 2: یا دل به کسی دهد که جان آساید
"Or give their heart to another to soothe their soul."
Here, the focus shifts to the capacity of this person to offer solace and comfort. They are seen as someone who can bring peace and tranquility to another's soul.
Line 3: آن کس که نه عاشق و نه معشوق کسیست
"That person who is neither lover nor beloved,"
This line introduces a paradox. The person being described is neither a lover nor a beloved, yet they possess the power to inspire love and devotion.
Line 4: در ملک خدای اگر نباشد شاید
"Perhaps does not exist in God's kingdom."
The final line suggests that such a person may be so extraordinary or divine that they transcend the ordinary human experience.
Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain explores the themes of love, devotion, and the divine. It suggests that:
Love is a powerful force: The ability to inspire love and devotion is seen as a divine gift.
The beloved is idealized: The person being described is almost elevated to the status of a deity.
The nature of love is mysterious: The speaker seems to be grappling with the complexities of love and the nature of the beloved.