Quatrain 52 from Rubaiyat of Rumi

By hamed @hamed | 19 1

تنبور چو تن تن برآرد به نوازنجیر در آن شود دل بی‌سر و پا


زیرا که نهان در زهش آواز کسیمی‌گوید او که جسته همراه بیا


Description:

English Translation of the Quatrain:

When the tanbur sounds its tune,*
The heart, without head or foot, becomes a chain.

For hidden within its strings, someone's voice
Is saying, 'Come, seek me, and be my companion.'

* Tanbur is a type of long-necked lute, a traditional stringed instrument in Persian music.

Analysis of the Quatrains

The Music of the Soul: The tanbur's music acts as a catalyst for a profound spiritual experience.
The Captive Heart: The heart, symbolized as a chain, is bound and captivated by the music.
The Hidden Voice: The music carries a hidden message, a divine invitation to seek a deeper connection.
The Call to Union: The voice within the music calls out, inviting the listener to join in a spiritual journey.


hamed
@hamed Nov. 14, 2024, 8:20 a.m.

Deeper Meanings

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

Spiritual Awakening: The music of the tanbur represents a spiritual awakening, where the soul is drawn towards a higher state of consciousness.
The Divine Call: The hidden voice within the music is a metaphor for the divine calling to the soul.
The Path of Union: The invitation to "seek me" suggests a path of spiritual seeking and union with the divine.