Quatrain 61 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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از رنج کشیدن آدمی حر گرددقطره چو کشد حبس صدف در گردد
گر مال نماند سر بماناد به جایپیمانه چو شد تهی دگر پر گردد
Description:
A Note About This Rubaei
This particular rubai of Omar Khayyam is rich in philosophical and metaphorical undertones, making a direct, literal translation quite challenging. The imagery of a suffering human, a pearl forming within an oyster, and a cup being emptied and refilled contribute to the poem's depth and complexity.
English Translation
A more literal translation
From suffering, a human becomes free,
Just as a drop of water, imprisoned in a shell, becomes a pearl.
If wealth does not remain, the head will remain instead,
When a cup is empty, it can be filled again.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
Through pain, the soul finds its release,
Like an oyster, forming a pearl's priceless peace.
Though riches may fade, spirit endures,
An empty cup, for new dreams to ensure.
A contemporary and informal translation
Suffering makes us strong, they say,
Like an oyster, creating a pearl each day.
If you lose your money, don't despair,
Life's a cup, it can always be refilled with care.
"از رنج کشیدن آدمی حر گردد": This line suggests that suffering can lead to liberation or freedom.
"قطره چو کشد حبس صدف در گردد": This line uses the metaphor of a pearl forming within an oyster to represent the transformation that can occur through adversity.
"گر مال نماند سر بماناد به جای": This line emphasizes the enduring nature of the human spirit, even in the face of material loss.
"پیمانه چو شد تهی دگر پر گردد": This line suggests that even when life seems empty, there is always the possibility of renewal.
Themes and Interpretations
The transformative power of suffering: The rubai suggests that suffering can lead to personal growth and transformation.
The enduring nature of the human spirit: The poem emphasizes the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of adversity.
The cyclical nature of life: The image of the cup being emptied and refilled suggests the cyclical nature of life and the possibility of renewal.
This rubai is a profound meditation on the human condition. The imagery of the pearl and the cup creates a powerful visual representation of the transformative power of suffering and the cyclical nature of life.