Quatrain 5 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
آن وقت که بحر کل شود ذات مراروشن گردد جمال ذرات مرا
زان میسوزم چو شمع تا در ره عشقیک وقت شود جمله اوقات مرا
Description:
English Translation:
When the entire ocean becomes my essence
The beauty of my particles will become clear
For this reason, I burn like a candle, so that on the path of love
All my moments may become one
"When the entire ocean becomes my essence": This line suggests a state of complete unity with the divine, where the individual self merges with the cosmic consciousness.
The beauty of my particles will become clear": This implies that when one achieves this state of unity, the true nature and beauty of their existence will be fully revealed.
For this reason, I burn like a candle, so that on the path of love": Here, Rumi compares himself to a candle, suggesting a selfless devotion to love. The burning indicates a spiritual yearning and sacrifice.
All my moments may become one": This line implies a desire for a timeless state of being, where the boundaries of time and space dissolve.
Interpreting the Quatrain
This quatrain speaks of the mystic's journey towards divine union. The "ocean" symbolizes the infinite and the divine, while the "particles" represent individual beings. Rumi expresses a desire to merge completely with the divine, so that his true essence and beauty may be fully revealed.
Key Themes:
Unity with the divine: The central theme is the longing for a state of complete oneness with God.
Self-sacrifice: The image of a burning candle suggests a willingness to sacrifice oneself for a higher purpose.
Timelessness: The desire for all moments to become one points towards a state of eternal being.