Quatrain 51 from Rubaiyat of Rumi

By hamed @hamed | 17 1

زنهار دلا به خود مده ره غم رامگزین به جهان صحبت نامحرم را


با تره و نانی چو قناعت کردیچون تره مسنج سبلت عالم را


Description:

English Translation of the Quatrain

O heart, beware of giving yourself over to sorrow,
Do not engage in the company of the unfamiliar in this world.

With a radish and bread, if you are content,
Like a radish, clear the path of the world for yourself.

Analysis of the Quatrains

Contentment and Simplicity: The poet advocates for a simple life, free from worldly worries and desires.
Avoiding Harmful Company: The poet warns against associating with those who might lead one astray from the spiritual path.
The Path of the World: The "path of the world" refers to the material world and its distractions.
Radish as a Symbol: The radish, a simple vegetable, symbolizes humility, simplicity, and the ability to clear obstacles.


hamed
@hamed Nov. 14, 2024, 8:17 a.m.

Deeper Meanings

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

Spiritual Seeking: The poem encourages a focus on spiritual matters rather than worldly concerns.
Simplicity and Contentment: It promotes a life of simplicity and contentment, free from excessive desires.
The Sufi Path: The radish can be seen as a metaphor for the Sufi, who cuts through the illusions of the world to reach the divine.