The Wisdom of Ruining the Body by Death
From Rumi’s Masnavi (مثنوی معنوی), Book 3, section 161 of 185: The (Divine) wisdom in ruining the body by death (حکمت ویران شدن تن به مرگ). Below, each of its 10 couplets is given in Persian, followed by R. A. Nicholson’s English translation.
The (Divine) wisdom in ruining the body by death. حکمت ویران شدن تن به مرگ
من چو آدم بودم اول حبس کرب پر شد اکنون نسل جانم شرق و غرب
Formerly, like Adam, I was imprisoned in grief; now East and West are filled with my spirit’s progeny.
من گدا بودم درین خانه چو چاه شاه گشتم قصر باید بهر شاه
I was a beggar in this dungeon-like house; (now) I have become a king: a palace is needed for a king.”
قصرها خود مر شهان را مانسست مرده را خانه و مکان گوری بسست
Truly, palaces are the place for (spiritual) kings to take their pleasure in; for him that is (spiritually) dead a grave is a sufficient house and dwelling.
انبیا را تنگ آمد این جهان چون شهان رفتند اندر لامکان
To the prophets this world seemed narrow: like kings, they went into (the world of) spacelessness.
مردگان را این جهان بنمود فر ظاهرش زفت و به معنی تنگ بر
To the (spiritually) dead this world appears splendid: its external (aspect) is large, but in reality it is narrow.
گر نبودی تنگ این افغان ز چیست چون دو تا شد هر که در وی بیش زیست
If it were not narrow, for what reason is this lamentation? Why has every one become (more) doubled (bowed with affliction) the more he lived in it?
در زمان خواب چون آزاد شد زان مکان بنگر که جان چون شاد شد
When during the time of sleep the spirit is freed (from this world), behold how it rejoices in that place (to which it goes)!
ظالم از ظلم طبیعت باز رست مرد زندانی ز فکر حبس جست
The wicked man is (then) delivered from the wickedness of his nature, the prisoner escapes from thoughts of confinement.
این زمین و آسمان بس فراخ سخت تنگ آمد به هنگام مناخ
This very wide earth and heaven becomes exceedingly narrow at the time of lying down (to sleep).
جسم بند آمد فراخ وسخت تنگ خنده‌ی او گریه فخرش جمله ننگ
It (the world) is an eye-bandage (a spell that blinds the eye): (it is) wide (in appearance), and (in reality) mighty narrow: its laughter is weeping, its glory is entirely shame.
Special Offers
← Previous sectionMasnavi Book 3 contentsNext section →
More Rumi: the Song of the Reed (Book 1 proem), real Rumi quotes in Persian and the Persian poetry quiz.
Take this lesson further
Serious about Persian? Get all 30 of our Persian learning books for $199.99 (55% less than buying them one by one).
Free Persian Starter Kit (PDF)
The Persian alphabet chart and the 101 most common Persian words with pronunciation, in one printable PDF. You also get a one-time 15% code for any of our books.
We will email you new lessons and book news from Learn Persian Online. Unsubscribe any time.Love Persian poetry? Learn to read it: free Starter Pack
Get the 14-page printable Starter Pack (all 32 letters, a 7-day reading plan, 100 core words and 20 survival phrases) and a short 5-email course. Free.
by: Reza about (category: Masnavi, Persian Poetry)
Reza is an experienced Persian instructor who has been tutoring students since 2008. He is the founder of Learn Persian Online, a tutoring company that has helped many students learn Persian, this beautiful language. He works with students individually and in group settings, he tutors both live and online Persian courses. Reza provides an individualized custom learning plan and the personalized attention that makes a difference in how people view Persian learning process.
What people say about "The Wisdom of Ruining the Body by Death"?
No one replied yet.