Quatrain 60 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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از آمدنم نبود گردون را سودوز رفتن من جلال و جاهش نفزود
وز هیچ کسی نیز دو گوشم نشنودکاین آمدن و رفتنم از بهر چه بود
Description:
A Challenge in Translating Omar Khayyam's Rubai
This particular rubai of Omar Khayyam is rich in philosophical and existential undertones, making a direct, literal translation quite challenging. The imagery of the celestial dome, the concepts of coming and going, and the questioning of purpose contribute to the poem's depth and complexity.
English Translation
A more literal translation
My coming did not benefit the heavens,
Nor did my going increase its glory and majesty.
Nor did I hear from anyone,
Why this coming and going of mine is.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
The heavens heed not my arrival here,
Nor does my departure bring them cheer.
No voice has answered why I’m born and die,
A cosmic dance, beneath the starry sky.
A contemporary and informal translation
The universe don't care if I'm here or gone,
My life's a blink, just moving on.
No one's explained why we're all here,
Just living life, year after year.
"از آمدنم نبود گردون را سود": This line suggests that the individual's arrival or existence has no significant impact on the universe.
"وز رفتن من جلال و جاهش نفزود": This line reinforces the idea that the individual's departure will also have no effect on the cosmic order.
"وز هیچ کسی نیز دو گوشم نشنود": This line implies that the individual has sought answers but found none.
"کاین آمدن و رفتنم از بهر چه بود": This line is a direct question about the purpose of life and existence.
Themes and Interpretations
The insignificance of the individual: The rubai suggests that the individual is insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe.
The mystery of existence: The poem highlights the mystery of life and the lack of definitive answers to questions about our purpose.
The cyclical nature of life: The idea of coming and going suggests the cyclical nature of existence.
This rubai is a profound meditation on the human condition. The imagery of the celestial dome and the individual's questioning of their purpose create a powerful visual representation of the mysteries of existence.