Quatrain 77 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
یک طرفه عصاست موسی این رمه را
یک لقمه کند چو بفکند این همه را
نی سور گذارد او و نی ملحمه را
هر عقل نکرد فهم این زمزمه را
Description:
English Translation of the Quatrain
Moses' staff is one-sided for this flock,
With one morsel, he can satisfy them all.
He neither allows a trumpet nor a battle,
No intellect can comprehend this murmur.
Analysis of the Quatrains
Moses and the Flock: The poet uses the biblical story of Moses as a metaphor, likely referring to a spiritual guide or leader.
The One-Sided Staff: The "one-sided staff" symbolizes a unique and powerful tool, perhaps representing spiritual knowledge or divine grace.
The Miracle of Sustenance: The ability to feed a multitude with a single morsel is a reference to miraculous powers and the divine provision.
Beyond Intellect: The final line suggests that the true meaning of this spiritual experience is beyond the grasp of the intellect.
Deeper Meanings
This quatrain, like much of Rumi's poetry, can be interpreted on multiple levels:
Mystical Experience: The poem describes a mystical experience, where the ordinary rules of the world do not apply.
Spiritual Leadership: The figure of Moses represents a spiritual leader who can guide others towards enlightenment.
The Nature of Divinity: The miraculous powers attributed to Moses suggest the divine nature of the spiritual experience.