Quatrain 89 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
ای ماه چنین شبی تو مهوار مخسبدر دور درآ چو چرخ دوار مخسب
بیداری ما چراغ عالم باشدیک شب تو چراغ را نگهدار مخسب
Description:
English Translation of the Quatrain
O moon, on such a night, do not sleep in a cradle,
Do not revolve like a revolving wheel,
Our wakefulness is the world's lamp,
For one night, keep the lamp and do not sleep.
Analysis of the Quatrains
Address to the Moon: The moon is personified and directly addressed, highlighting its importance in the night sky.
The Call to Stay Awake: The repeated command "do not sleep" emphasizes the urgency and importance of the moment.
The Moon as a Guide: The moon is compared to a guide or a lamp, illuminating the path for humanity.
The Importance of Wakefulness: The speaker emphasizes the significance of staying awake, suggesting a deeper spiritual meaning.
Deeper Meanings
This quatrain, like much of Rumi's poetry, can be interpreted on multiple levels:
Cosmic Unity: The poem suggests a deep connection between the human world and the cosmos.
Spiritual Awakening: The "wakefulness" can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual awakening or enlightenment.
The Role of the Divine: The moon, often a symbol of the divine in Rumi's poetry, is called upon to guide humanity.