Quatrain 40 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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7
گر شاخ بقا ز بیخ بختت رستهستور بر تن تو عمرْ لباسی چُست است
در خیمهٔ تن که سایبانیست تراهان تکیه مکن که چارمیخش سست است
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
This rubai is a profound meditation on the impermanence of life and the fragility of human existence. Khayyam uses a powerful metaphor to convey the idea that life is short and that one should not become too attached to worldly possessions.
English Translation
A more literal translation
If the branch of eternity has been severed from the root of your fortune,
And if life is a tight-fitting garment on your body,
In this tent of the body, which is a canopy for you,
Do not lean on it, for its four pegs are weak.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
Should Fate's great tree no longer nourish you,
And life, a garment worn, grow old and new,
Remember, in this tent of flesh you're in,
The stakes are frail, the canvas thin.
A contemporary and informal translation
If your luck has run out, and life's a drag,
And you're feeling old and kinda sag,
Don't get too comfy in this mortal coil,
Cause life's a fragile thing, it's not worth the toil.
"گر شاخ بقا ز بیخ بختت رستهست": This line suggests that the source of one's good fortune has been cut off.
"ور بر تن تو عمرْ لباسی چُست است": This compares life to a tight-fitting garment, suggesting that it will eventually wear out.
"در خیمهٔ تن که سایبانیست ترا": This metaphor compares the body to a tent, a temporary shelter.
"هان تکیه مکن که چارمیخش سست است": This warns against relying too heavily on the body, as it is fragile and temporary.
Themes and Interpretations
The impermanence of life: The poem emphasizes the fleeting nature of existence.
The fragility of the human body: The body is compared to a tent, suggesting its temporary nature.
The importance of detachment: Khayyam advises against becoming too attached to worldly possessions or the body.
This rubai is a powerful reminder of mortality and the importance of living in the present moment. By using vivid imagery and a simple metaphor, Khayyam conveys the idea that life is a journey, and that it is important to enjoy it while it lasts.