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By
Ali A.
Parsa
On this great occasion I could not think of a better
literary gift for all than a few robaiiat of Omar Khayyam, the very great man
who, some 900 years ago
devised our Calendar that surpasses in accuracy that of Gregorian March
20th or Vernal equinox ushers in the Persian new year or Norouz of some 400
years ago.
Order from amazon.com
"The
fate which made Omar known to the West chiefly as a philosopher and poet rather than a
scientist and mathematician robbed him of a fame which would have pleased him
more, since his poetical and philosophical works were perhaps not the writings
in which he took the greatest interest. But he was not the only philosopher
whose scientific writings were neglected in the West. Others, both before and
after him suffered the same fate."
David S. Kasir, Ph.D. Author
Algebra
of Omar Khayyam
Teachers
College, Columbia University
I am an avid lover of Persian literature and poetry and I
have made it my mission to make them known in the Western world. I found it
easier to start with Omar because he was already the most well-known in the West
through translation of Edward Fitzgerald in 1800's. However the more I read Fitzgerald
the more I became convinced that it constituted a travesty of Omar's character. For
example, the Western world's knowledge of Omar is boiled down to "wine, women
and song." This is a far cry from Omar's real character who was and still can be
a role model for a healthy, happy and moderate lifestyle. Among the features of
my translation are that I have used modern English and appropriate rhymes.
The verses could
be called Literary Tranquilizer that educate, soothe and entertain
and get the readers' mind off of the problems of our modern world…
My book "Rediscovery of Hakim Omar Khayyam : The Great Persian
Mathematician, Astronomer, Scientist, Philosopher, Poet and Eternal Role
Model" is available at amazon.com where
you can read the book excerpts. You can also obtain it from me for $10.00-which
is lower than the basic cost. The difference is my Norouz gift. If your rather
get it from me please contact me at meaparsa@gmail.com
The following are selected robaiiat that introduces the
real Omar, the great Persian mathematician, astronomer, philosopher and poet of
the eleventh century. As you read, please note how these robaiiat apply to our
contemporary time and how the world is going astray for not being aware of
them.
Belief in Creator
کنه خردم درپی اسبات تو
نیست وندیشه من بجزمناجات
تو نیست
من ذات تورا
بواجبی کی دانم
داننده ذات تو بجز ذات تو نیست
O, Lord how can I ever know,
How you created above and below.
If I am only a ray off your glow,
How can a ray comprehend the glow
Anti- Hypocrisy
پندی دهمت اگر بمن داری
گوش از بحر خدا جا مه تزویر مپوش
عقبی همه ساعتی
و دنیا یکدم از بهر دمی ملک ابد را
مفروش
I'll give you one advice if you lend me your ear,
Let becoming a hypocrite be your worst fear.
Be what you are and speak your conscience,
And in the eyes of the Lord you'll be dear.
ای مفتی شهر از تو
پرکار تریم با اینهمه مستی زتو
هشیار تریم
توخون کسان خوری وماخون
رزان انصاف بده کدام خونخور تریم
Hypocrites pretending to be divine,
Who secretly drink people's blood in stein.
Condemn me for I openly,
Drink a little blood of grapevine.
از روی حقیقت و نه از روی
مجاز ما لعبتکانیم و فلک
لعبت باز
یک چند دراین بساط
بازی کردیم رفتیم بصندوق عدم یک یک
باز
I say it loud and I say it clear,
We're puppets and God's a puppeteer.
He winds each of us for a while and,
Back into his magic box we disappear.
Inspiration by nature
هنگام سپیده دم خروس
سحری دانی که چرا همی کند نوحه گری
یعنی که نوشتند بر آیینه
صبح کز عمر شبی گذشت وتو
بیخبری
At each crack of dawn when the cocks crow,
What message do they convey, I know, I know.
The are inscribing in the mirror of morning,
Your life's candles have one less to go
این کوزه چو من عاشق زاری بود
است در بند سرز لف
نگاری بود است
وین دسته که بر
گردن او می بینی دستی
است که بر گردن یاری بود است
This jug has been a lover like me,
Which is not very difficult to see.
The two handles around its neck,
Where hands once holding a lovely.
َAnti-superstition
گاویست در آسمان و نامش
پروین گاو دگری نهفته د ر زیر زمین
چشم خردت گشا ی ای اهل
یقین زیرو زبر دو گاو مشتی خر بین
There's a cow in the sky called Parvin,
Another beneath the earth, with the earth in-between.
Those believing in such nonsense,
Are the dumbest asses I have seen.
Respect for knowledgeable people and pursuit of
happiness
با مردم پاک و اصل و عاقل
آمیز وز نا اهلان هزار فرسنگ گریز
گر زهر دهد تورا خردمند
بنوش ورنوش رسد زدست نا اهل بریز
Associate with the wise as much as you can,
Run away from stupid as fast as you can run.
Refuse sherbet from the stupid,
But accept poison from a wise man.
مگذار که غصه در
کنارت گیرد
وندوه مجال روزگارت گیرد
مگذار کتاب و لب جوی و لب
کشت زان پیش که خاک در کنارت
گیرد
Don't let sadness and blues,
Dominate the lifestyle you choose.
Good book by the brook outdoors,
Try this and you've nothing to lose.
Accepting death
آن مرد نیم
کز عدمم بیم
آید وان نیم مرا خوشتر از این نیم
آید
این یکدو نفس در تن من
عاریتیست تسلیم کنم
چو وقت تسلیم آید
I'm by no means scared of death,
Willingly depart when the good Lord saith.
I will surrender my belongings which are,
My body, soul and a temporary breath.
Anti Greed, consumerism and over-indulgence
من باده خورم ولیک
مستی نکنم الا بقدح درا ز
دستی نکنم
دانی غرضم ز می پرستی چه
بود تا همچوتوخویشتن پرستی نکنم
I drink in moderation and with class,
Make no passes except at the wine glass.
I drink to loosen up and be myself,
So I do not behave like an arrogant ass.
چند از پی حرص و آز تن
فرسوده ای دوست روی گرد جهان بیهوده
رفتیم و
روندو هرکه آ م د برود
یکدم بمراد خویشتن
نابوده
Ignore your wants, only address your needs,
Desires are cancerous and grow like weeds.
If you are unable to harness your wants,
You are a slave and no longer freed
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