Quatrain 30 from Rubiyat of Omar Khayyam
Quatrain 30 from Rubiyat of Omar Khayyam
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خاکی که به زیر پای هر نادانیست
کفّ صنمیّ و چهرهٔ جانانیست
هر خشت که بر کنگرهٔ ایوانیست
انگشت وزیر یا سر سلطانیست
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
This rubai from Omar Khayyam is a poignant meditation on the impermanence of power and the cyclical nature of life. It uses the imagery of dust and grand structures to convey a deep sense of humility and the ultimate equality of all humans.
English Translation
A more literal translation
The dust beneath the feet of every ignorant one
Is the palm of a beloved and the face of a darling.
Every brick on a palace's battlement
Is the finger of a minister or the head of a king.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
The dust beneath the fool, once fair and sweet,
Was beauty's hand, a lover's heart did beat.
Each brick within a palace, grand and high,
Held once a king's head or a minister's eye.
A contemporary and informal translation
The dirt we walk on, was once someone's face,
A lover's touch, a beauty's grace.
The stones in castles, strong and grand,
Were once held by rulers of the land.
"خاکی که به زیر پای هر نادانیست": This line emphasizes the humble origins of all things, including the dust beneath our feet.
"کفّ صنمیّ و چهرهٔ جانانیست": This line suggests that even the most beautiful and beloved have met the same fate as the dust.
"هر خشت که بر کنگرهٔ ایوانیست": This line refers to the bricks that make up grand structures, such as palaces.
"انگشت وزیر یا سر سلطانیست": This line implies that even the most powerful people eventually become part of the dust.
Themes and Interpretations
The cycle of life and death: The poem highlights the cyclical nature of life, from birth to death and decay.
The impermanence of power: The poem suggests that power and wealth are fleeting and ultimately meaningless.
The equality of all humans: Despite differences in social status or power, all humans share a common fate.
This rubai is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and the impermanence of human life. It encourages us to approach life with humility and to appreciate the beauty of simplicity.