Quatrain 139 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
Quatrain 139 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
By
@hamed
ماها همه شیرینی و لطف و نمکی
نه ماه زمین که آفتاب فلکی
تو آدمیی و دیگران آدمیند؟
نینی تو که خط سبز داری ملکی
Description:
English Translation:
Literal:
"O my moon you are all sweetness, kindness, and salt.
You are not only the moons of the earth, but sun of the universe.
Are you human as the other humans?
No, no, you have a special mark of royalty."
Poetic:
"We're all like stars, reflecting heavenly light,
Sweetness, kindness, grace, a radiant sight.
Are we not humans, all of us the same?
Nay, you're a king, a ruler, one of fame."
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi is a subtle but powerful assertion of the beloved's superiority and the speaker's deep devotion.
Cosmic Analogy: The comparison of humans to moons and the sun suggests a cosmic order where the beloved is a celestial body, radiating divine light.
Unique Distinction: The line "Are you human and others human?" is a rhetorical question, emphasizing the beloved's unique and superior qualities. The phrase "a special mark of kingship" signifies a divine or royal lineage.
Unconditional Devotion: Despite acknowledging the beloved's superiority, the speaker expresses a deep sense of connection and belonging. The overall tone is one of reverence and admiration.
Themes:
Divine Love: The quatrain suggests a love that is almost divine or spiritual in nature.
Superiority of the Beloved: The beloved is portrayed as being superior to others, almost god-like.
Unconditional Devotion: The speaker's love is unconditional and unwavering.
Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain can be interpreted as a celebration of romantic love and the almost divine qualities that we attribute to those we love. The speaker's devotion is so profound that they elevate the beloved to a celestial status. It's a testament to the power of love to transform our perception of reality.
This quatrain is a beautiful expression of romantic love, where the beloved is idealized and seen as almost divine.