Quatrain 65 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
این عقل که در ره سعادت پویدروزی صد بار خود تو را میگوید
دریاب تو این یک دم وقتت که نهایآن تره که بدروند و دیگر روید
Description:
A Note About This Quatrain
This particular rubai of Omar Khayyam is rich in philosophical and existential undertones, making a direct, literal translation quite challenging. The imagery of the mind seeking happiness, the fleeting nature of time, and the metaphor of a radish being pulled up contribute to the poem's depth and complexity.
English Translation
A more literal translation
This mind that seeks the path of happiness,
A hundred times a day tells you,
Seize this moment, for it will not last,
Like a radish that is pulled up and grows no more.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
Your mind, a seeker of life's sweet reward,
Constantly whispers, "Enjoy the present, Lord."
For time, like a radish, once plucked from the ground,
Will never again its freshness be found.
A contemporary and informal translation
Your brain's always searching for that high,*
But it keeps telling you, "Don't let time fly."
Seize the day, it's all we've got,
Once time's up, there's no turning back, not a jot.
"این عقل که در ره سعادت پوید": This line suggests that the mind is constantly searching for happiness and fulfillment.
"روزی صد بار خود تو را میگوید": This line implies that the mind repeatedly reminds us to seize the moment.
"دریاب تو این یک دم وقتت که نهای": This line emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment.
"آن تره که بدروند و دیگر روید": This line uses the metaphor of a radish to symbolize the fleeting nature of time.
Themes and Interpretations
The importance of living in the present: The poem emphasizes the importance of seizing the moment and enjoying life.
The transience of time: The rubai highlights the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of change.
The role of the mind: The poem explores the role of the mind in seeking happiness and fulfillment.
This rubai is a profound meditation on the human condition. The imagery of the radish and the mind's constant search for happiness creates a powerful visual representation of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living in the present moment.