Quatrain 39 from Rubaiyat of Rumi

By hamed @hamed | 25 1

تا نقش خیال دوست با ماست دلاما را همه عمر خود تماشاست دلا


وانجا که مراد دل برآید ای دلیک خار به از هزار خرماست دلا


Description:

English Translation of the Quatrain

As long as the image of my beloved is with me, O heart,
All my life is spent in contemplation, O heart.

And when the heart's desire is fulfilled, O heart,
One thorn is better than a thousand dates.

Analysis of the Quatrains

The All-Consuming Image: The image of the beloved is so pervasive that it consumes the lover's entire life.
The Paradox of Desire: The fulfillment of desire is paradoxical. Rather than bringing lasting happiness, it is compared to a painful thorn.
Spiritual vs. Material: The contrast between a thorn and a thousand dates suggests a preference for spiritual fulfillment over material wealth.


hamed
@hamed Nov. 10, 2024, 6:55 p.m.

Deeper Meanings

This quatrain, like much of Rumi's poetry, can be interpreted on multiple levels:

Spiritual Love: The "image of the beloved" could symbolize a spiritual longing or a connection to the divine.
The Transient Nature of Desire: The fulfillment of desire is shown to be temporary and ultimately unsatisfying.
The Path of Sufism: The quatrain may reflect the Sufi understanding of love, where the journey is more important than the destination.