Quatrain 29 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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7
8
چون نیست ز هرچه هست جز باد به دستچون هست به هرچه هست نقصان و شکست
انگار که هرچه هست در عالم نیستپندار که هرچه نیست در عالم هست
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
This rubai is a particularly complex and philosophical one, even among Omar Khayyam's works. It delves deep into the nature of existence, perception, and the transient nature of all things.
English Translation
A more literal translation
Since from all that exists, there remains only wind in the hand,
And since in all that exists, there is deficiency and breakage,
It seems that all that exists in the world does not exist,
Imagine that all that does not exist, exists in the world.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
All we grasp is fleeting as the wind,
Imperfection marks all we can find.
Existence seems a phantom, a mere dream,
While non-existence holds a truer gleam.
A contemporary and informal translation
Everything we have is temporary, like dust in the wind,
Nothing lasts, everything's flawed, it seems.
It's almost like nothing truly exists,
Maybe everything we can't see, persists.
This rubai is essentially a paradox. It plays with concepts of existence, non-existence, perception, and reality.
"چون نیست ز هرچه هست جز باد به دست": This line suggests that everything we possess or hold onto is as fleeting and insubstantial as wind.
"چون هست به هرچه هست نقصان و شکست": This highlights the impermanence and imperfection of all things.
"انگار که هرچه هست در عالم نیست": This line implies that the existence of everything is questionable, almost illusory.
"پندار که هرچه نیست در عالم هست": This final line introduces a counterintuitive idea: perhaps what we perceive as non-existent is actually more real or substantial.
Themes and Interpretations
The Illusion of Reality: The rubai questions the nature of reality itself, suggesting that our perceptions might be flawed or incomplete.
The Impermanence of Existence: The transient nature of all things is a recurring theme in Khayyam's work, and this rubai emphasizes it.
The Paradox of Existence and Non-existence: The poem plays with the duality of existence and non-existence, suggesting that they might be interconnected in ways we cannot fully comprehend.
This rubai is a deep dive into metaphysical questions. It invites the reader to ponder the nature of reality, the limits of human perception, and the ultimate meaning of existence. It's a testament to Omar Khayyam's ability to express profound philosophical ideas in a concise and poetic form.