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Masnavi Manavi #2
Mesnevija II
Mesnevija, remek-djelo ponajvećega mističkog pjesnika islamskoga svijeta, Mevlane Dželaluddina Rumija (1207. - 1273.), napisana u 13. stoljeću, nesumnjivo spada u red nepatvorenih literarnih, duhovnih i kulturnih spomenika čovječanstva uopće.
S više od 25.000 stihova ona je najrafiniraniji duhovni jezik, himna Bogu i čežnja za susretom s Jednim i Jedinim. U svojim nepreglednim dubinama, poput oceana ona je udomila sva dokučiva i nedokučiva znanja, i o svijetu, i o transcendentnome. Posve u skladu s kur’anskim viđenjem svijeta, ona je monument metafizičkog i pučkog jezika, jezik duhovnih visina i jezik biljaka i životinja, jezik skritog i otkritog, jezik mikrokozmosa, jezik duhovnog srca i univerzalni jezik, ali istodobno - i hijerokozmički i metapovijesni. Njezin pjesnički imaginarij i pjev o smislu čovjekova postojanja, njezin zov da se nadiđe vlastito jastvo u potrazi za vinom božanske Ljubavi, koje naravno nije od loze i čokota nego vino duhovnog sjedinjenja, neponovljiva je građevina duha.
M. Iqbal nazvao je Rumija svjetiljkom na putu slobodna čovjeka. Iako je bio biser s Istoka, njegovo je srce nadilazilo geografiju. Ono je pripadalo, i sve više pripada, i Istoku i Zapadu, i Sjeveru i Jugu. Uostalom, otkako je 1995. američki pjesnik Coleman Barks objavio engleski prijevod izbora iz njegova djela, široj javnosti dotad slabo poznat, Rumi u samo nekoliko godina postaje najčitaniji pjesnik u Americi nakon W. Whitmana. Iako je živio u srednjem vijeku, snaga njegova stiha zvoni i dandanas - 2007. u svijetu je označena godinom Rumija.
S više od 25.000 stihova ona je najrafiniraniji duhovni jezik, himna Bogu i čežnja za susretom s Jednim i Jedinim. U svojim nepreglednim dubinama, poput oceana ona je udomila sva dokučiva i nedokučiva znanja, i o svijetu, i o transcendentnome. Posve u skladu s kur’anskim viđenjem svijeta, ona je monument metafizičkog i pučkog jezika, jezik duhovnih visina i jezik biljaka i životinja, jezik skritog i otkritog, jezik mikrokozmosa, jezik duhovnog srca i univerzalni jezik, ali istodobno - i hijerokozmički i metapovijesni. Njezin pjesnički imaginarij i pjev o smislu čovjekova postojanja, njezin zov da se nadiđe vlastito jastvo u potrazi za vinom božanske Ljubavi, koje naravno nije od loze i čokota nego vino duhovnog sjedinjenja, neponovljiva je građevina duha.
M. Iqbal nazvao je Rumija svjetiljkom na putu slobodna čovjeka. Iako je bio biser s Istoka, njegovo je srce nadilazilo geografiju. Ono je pripadalo, i sve više pripada, i Istoku i Zapadu, i Sjeveru i Jugu. Uostalom, otkako je 1995. američki pjesnik Coleman Barks objavio engleski prijevod izbora iz njegova djela, široj javnosti dotad slabo poznat, Rumi u samo nekoliko godina postaje najčitaniji pjesnik u Americi nakon W. Whitmana. Iako je živio u srednjem vijeku, snaga njegova stiha zvoni i dandanas - 2007. u svijetu je označena godinom Rumija.
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 2, 1270
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1534 people want to read
About the author
Jalal ad-Din Muhammad ar-Rumi
1,171 books15.6k followersSufism inspired writings of Persian poet and mystic Jalal ad-Din Muhammad ar-Rumi; these writings express the longing of the soul for union with the divine.
Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī - also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, Mevlânâ/Mawlānā (مولانا, "our master"), Mevlevî/Mawlawī (مولوی, "my master") and more popularly simply as Rumi - was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic who lived in Konya, a city of Ottoman Empire (Today's Turkey). His poems have been widely translated into many of the world's languages, and he has been described as the most popular poet and the best-selling poet in the United States.
His poetry has influenced Persian literature, but also Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, Azerbaijani, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu, as well as the literature of some other Turkic, Iranian, and Indo-Aryan languages including Chagatai, Pashto, and Bengali.
Due to quarrels between different dynasties in Khorāṣān, opposition to the Khwarizmid Shahs who were considered devious by his father, Bahā ud-Dīn Wālad or fear of the impending Mongol cataclysm, his father decided to migrate westwards, eventually settling in the Anatolian city Konya, where he lived most of his life, composed one of the crowning glories of Persian literature, and profoundly affected the culture of the area.
When his father died, Rumi, aged 25, inherited his position as the head of an Islamic school. One of Baha' ud-Din's students, Sayyed Burhan ud-Din Muhaqqiq Termazi, continued to train Rumi in the Shariah as well as the Tariqa, especially that of Rumi's father. For nine years, Rumi practised Sufism as a disciple of Burhan ud-Din until the latter died in 1240 or 1241. Rumi's public life then began: he became an Islamic Jurist, issuing fatwas and giving sermons in the mosques of Konya. He also served as a Molvi (Islamic teacher) and taught his adherents in the madrassa. During this period, Rumi also travelled to Damascus and is said to have spent four years there.
It was his meeting with the dervish Shams-e Tabrizi on 15 November 1244 that completely changed his life. From an accomplished teacher and jurist, Rumi was transformed into an ascetic.
On the night of 5 December 1248, as Rumi and Shams were talking, Shams was called to the back door. He went out, never to be seen again. Rumi's love for, and his bereavement at the death of, Shams found their expression in an outpouring of lyric poems, Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi. He himself went out searching for Shams and journeyed again to Damascus.
Rumi found another companion in Salaḥ ud-Din-e Zarkub, a goldsmith. After Salah ud-Din's death, Rumi's scribe and favourite student, Hussam-e Chalabi, assumed the role of Rumi's companion. Hussam implored Rumi to write more. Rumi spent the next 12 years of his life in Anatolia dictating the six volumes of this masterwork, the Masnavi, to Hussam.
In December 1273, Rumi fell ill and died on the 17th of December in Konya.
Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī - also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, Mevlânâ/Mawlānā (مولانا, "our master"), Mevlevî/Mawlawī (مولوی, "my master") and more popularly simply as Rumi - was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic who lived in Konya, a city of Ottoman Empire (Today's Turkey). His poems have been widely translated into many of the world's languages, and he has been described as the most popular poet and the best-selling poet in the United States.
His poetry has influenced Persian literature, but also Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, Azerbaijani, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu, as well as the literature of some other Turkic, Iranian, and Indo-Aryan languages including Chagatai, Pashto, and Bengali.
Due to quarrels between different dynasties in Khorāṣān, opposition to the Khwarizmid Shahs who were considered devious by his father, Bahā ud-Dīn Wālad or fear of the impending Mongol cataclysm, his father decided to migrate westwards, eventually settling in the Anatolian city Konya, where he lived most of his life, composed one of the crowning glories of Persian literature, and profoundly affected the culture of the area.
When his father died, Rumi, aged 25, inherited his position as the head of an Islamic school. One of Baha' ud-Din's students, Sayyed Burhan ud-Din Muhaqqiq Termazi, continued to train Rumi in the Shariah as well as the Tariqa, especially that of Rumi's father. For nine years, Rumi practised Sufism as a disciple of Burhan ud-Din until the latter died in 1240 or 1241. Rumi's public life then began: he became an Islamic Jurist, issuing fatwas and giving sermons in the mosques of Konya. He also served as a Molvi (Islamic teacher) and taught his adherents in the madrassa. During this period, Rumi also travelled to Damascus and is said to have spent four years there.
It was his meeting with the dervish Shams-e Tabrizi on 15 November 1244 that completely changed his life. From an accomplished teacher and jurist, Rumi was transformed into an ascetic.
On the night of 5 December 1248, as Rumi and Shams were talking, Shams was called to the back door. He went out, never to be seen again. Rumi's love for, and his bereavement at the death of, Shams found their expression in an outpouring of lyric poems, Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi. He himself went out searching for Shams and journeyed again to Damascus.
Rumi found another companion in Salaḥ ud-Din-e Zarkub, a goldsmith. After Salah ud-Din's death, Rumi's scribe and favourite student, Hussam-e Chalabi, assumed the role of Rumi's companion. Hussam implored Rumi to write more. Rumi spent the next 12 years of his life in Anatolia dictating the six volumes of this masterwork, the Masnavi, to Hussam.
In December 1273, Rumi fell ill and died on the 17th of December in Konya.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 28, 2016
"This world’s a playground and the night is death—
You go home empty-handed, out of breath."
Like part one of Masnavi (there are six parts in all), it is full of beautiful verses and stories, though I loved the verses from the first part more. Some of my favorite verses are the arguments that Satan forwards in one of the stories to prove that he is god's servant and so innocent:
"I am the touchstone which detects real gold.
I give God’s test to dogs and lions too,
Like gold and counterfeit—I see what’s true.
How can I ever blacken gold that’s real;
Like money-changers I can only deal:
I guide to goodness every passer-by,
And break of only branches which are dry."
Of course, though his arguments are logically sound, Satan wasn't really innocent. And this is really one of the main calls from Rumi - the abandonment of reason and arguments in favor of spiritual experience, for true wisdom is beyond knowledge that can be gained through senses or described in words:
"Since I’ve transcended all thoughts, I am now
Racing beyond the questions ‘why?’ and ‘how?’
I rule thought and don’t follow its instruction:
The builder has control of his construction"
"From all this art and wisdom all I gain
Is headaches and vain fancies in my brain!’
"For meaning’s open to interpretations,
And idle whims spring from loose estimations;
But inner truths which are made manifest
Can’t be interpreted, unlike the rest.
When each sense is the slave of that first sense"
"Names are nests, knowledge birds that live therein"
"So many times I tried to use my brain,
But now I’ll seek the fruits of being insane!’
This is something similar to Bhakti marg from Gita, there are other routes within both Islam and Hinduism - one of them is through reason but Rumi is critical of that path. So, why, then, then Rumi is using art and arguments for his own purpose? To help others:
"The self is Nimrod; spirit is God’s Friend:*
The self needs signs; spirits can view the end.
Signposts serve those still traveling, since they
Inside the desert often lose their way.
The eyes of those who’ve reached the destination
Don’t care for signposts to another station;
If such a man refers to signs, it’s so
The scholars too can have a chance to know:
A father for his child makes baby sounds,
Even if his own knowledge knows no bounds"
and, of course, only sufis know the true value of mysticism:
"Till turned to gold, copper no flaws can see;
Till made king, one can’t measure poverty."
The first book was broadly about search of the true path, the second is about the guides who will lead you on that path - and Sufi mystics are the ones to be trusted for a job. There is a lot of promotion:
"The shaikh could read this person’s thoughts with ease—
Hearts are the jungles which this lion sees:
He enters in their hearts like hope and fear;
The secrets of the world to him are clear,
So guard your hearts, you useless slaves of greed,
When near the masters of your hearts—take heed"
which would have been okay with me if it wasn't for Rumi's misogyny that starts annoying the taste by the middle:
"How hidden things are brought to view, my brother!
Like fickle women you love flattery"
"Worse than a woman is your carnal soul,
For she is just a part, while it’s the whole"
Those are the less offensive statements. And what struck me is the inherent assumption that Rumi is basically writing only for men since the 'you' is compared to women, one can see it doesn't include them. Actually, correction, 'you' only includes only native men:
"An Indian burnt his mirror when in pain,
“This makes men’s faces look black!” he’d complain,
“It’s not my fault!” the blameless mirror said,
“Blame the one who has polished me instead!
He made me tell the truth"
And that is why this part is three stars instead of four + 1 star for the efforts of translator. This translation also comes with notes about the original context of the metaphors used in poem (I said 'original' as Rumi will often allude - use phrases from Quran or sayings of prophets in a context different from original). The notes make a very good in themselves, containing a lot to learn about Islamic theology, myths and legends.
August 23, 2016
Jilid kedua karya Maulana Rumi ini dibuka dengan puisi yang sangat mengagumkan - bagaimana Maulana membandingkan pengkaryaan puisi Mathnawi yang sebelum itu diibaratkan sebagai seruling 'ketuhanan' dengan kesabaran untuk menanti darah bertukar menjadi susu yang hanya berlaku apabila sang ibu melahirkan anak.
Puisi yang diambil dan digubah daripada sirah Nabi Muhammad SAW, kisah anbiya, tradisi sufi, sejarah pemerintah Islam dan fable atau kisah haiwan semakin menjelaskan hakikat cinta kepada Tuhan dan bagaimana meraih cinta mutlak itu yang memerlukan bimbingan serta persahabatan dengan para auliya.
Di setiap lembaran Mathnawi, kita sebagai pembaca seolah-olah berasa dijentik, bahkan ditampar oleh pesan Maulana Rumi kerana masih leka dalam perjalanan singkat di dunia ini sehingga mempersia-siakan setiap peluang yang diberikan.
Puisi yang diambil dan digubah daripada sirah Nabi Muhammad SAW, kisah anbiya, tradisi sufi, sejarah pemerintah Islam dan fable atau kisah haiwan semakin menjelaskan hakikat cinta kepada Tuhan dan bagaimana meraih cinta mutlak itu yang memerlukan bimbingan serta persahabatan dengan para auliya.
Di setiap lembaran Mathnawi, kita sebagai pembaca seolah-olah berasa dijentik, bahkan ditampar oleh pesan Maulana Rumi kerana masih leka dalam perjalanan singkat di dunia ini sehingga mempersia-siakan setiap peluang yang diberikan.
June 21, 2011
Rumi is a literary genius, one of the world's greatest muslim poet and writer.
May 26, 2014
Great book and awesome poetic translation. You will feel that it's written in English by Rumi (R.A) himself. A must read.
March 4, 2022
Nice read…
Some favorite verses
“Book-knowledge fills your head seductively;
It beckons you and seeks authority—
Don’t lose your head! Be like your own foot’s sole
And then take refuge with the Mystic Pole
From passions if a man has separated,
With mysteries he’ll be illuminated.
Keep silent now!” my faith demands of me,
While my desire screams, “Seek it fervently!”
Some favorite verses
“Book-knowledge fills your head seductively;
It beckons you and seeks authority—
Don’t lose your head! Be like your own foot’s sole
And then take refuge with the Mystic Pole
From passions if a man has separated,
With mysteries he’ll be illuminated.
Keep silent now!” my faith demands of me,
While my desire screams, “Seek it fervently!”
May 6, 2024
This is again by far the best translation of Rumi's Masnavi that I know. The language is clear and modern and the translator adds numerous notes and explanations to the text.
That said, his iambic pentameters (pa-DUM, pa-DUM, pa-DUM, pa-DUM, pa-DUM) regularly don't match the natural stresses of the sentences, making the reading of the phrases limped. He also sometimes struggles making the couplets rhyme, straying away from the original meaning to use a rhyming word.
Nevertheless, I have no doubt that I will read the next four books as well.
That said, his iambic pentameters (pa-DUM, pa-DUM, pa-DUM, pa-DUM, pa-DUM) regularly don't match the natural stresses of the sentences, making the reading of the phrases limped. He also sometimes struggles making the couplets rhyme, straying away from the original meaning to use a rhyming word.
Nevertheless, I have no doubt that I will read the next four books as well.
June 3, 2014
Amazing
July 8, 2024
Delving into Book 2 of Rumi's Masnavi is like embarking on a continuation of the soul's quest for the divine. Here, we encounter a deeper exploration of the challenges faced on this mystical path.
Book 2 places a strong emphasis on the battle against the ego (nafs). Rumi delves into the ways our desires and self-serving tendencies can obstruct our spiritual progress. He uses metaphors and stories to illustrate this struggle, urging the reader to cultivate self-awareness and strive for self-mastery. Recognizing the need for guidance on this path, Book 2 explores the crucial role of spiritual companions (murids) and teachers (murshids). Rumi emphasizes the importance of finding a wise and experienced guide who can illuminate the path and offer support on the journey.
Just like Book 1, Book 2 is brimming with captivating narratives. These stories serve a dual purpose: entertaining the reader while simultaneously conveying profound spiritual truths. Through these tales, Rumi explores themes like the importance of patience, perseverance, and unwavering faith in the face of obstacles.
Rumi's Masnavi, Book 2, is a transformative experience for those seeking to delve deeper into the mysteries of the soul's journey towards the divine. While its depth might pose challenges at times, the rewards of perseverance are profound. With a patient heart and a thirst for knowledge, Book 2 illuminates the path to self-discovery and a deeper connection with the divine.
Book 2 places a strong emphasis on the battle against the ego (nafs). Rumi delves into the ways our desires and self-serving tendencies can obstruct our spiritual progress. He uses metaphors and stories to illustrate this struggle, urging the reader to cultivate self-awareness and strive for self-mastery. Recognizing the need for guidance on this path, Book 2 explores the crucial role of spiritual companions (murids) and teachers (murshids). Rumi emphasizes the importance of finding a wise and experienced guide who can illuminate the path and offer support on the journey.
Just like Book 1, Book 2 is brimming with captivating narratives. These stories serve a dual purpose: entertaining the reader while simultaneously conveying profound spiritual truths. Through these tales, Rumi explores themes like the importance of patience, perseverance, and unwavering faith in the face of obstacles.
Rumi's Masnavi, Book 2, is a transformative experience for those seeking to delve deeper into the mysteries of the soul's journey towards the divine. While its depth might pose challenges at times, the rewards of perseverance are profound. With a patient heart and a thirst for knowledge, Book 2 illuminates the path to self-discovery and a deeper connection with the divine.
April 2, 2022
I am not sure I can add much to the thoughts I had on Book One. It’s more in the same one. Clearly, it’s one big work, and when you think of it like that it already feels like a tremendous achievement.
Yes, of course there some things that no longer feel appropriate in the modern age, but mostly the morals and stories that Rumi lays before us during the course of these poems still hold up. I still understood what he was saying and I think a lot of it is still relevant, not only if you’re particularly interested is sufism, but also for me, as layfolk. After all, often the morals presented are simple common sense.
There are some views that are no longer of this time that may be jarring, but I did not dwell on that. This was written in the 1200s…. I think it’s safe to say it was a different time.
The translation makes it very readable and especially when read aloud, these stories are a lot of fun, as well as enlightening in some cases. It does take a certain amount of attention. You cannot read this whilst distracted and I certainly did not want to. I wanted to take in these words, so I took my time reading it.
I enjoyed this one just as much as Book One. I have Book Three and Book Four on my shelf and I will read them eventually when they call to me.
Yes, of course there some things that no longer feel appropriate in the modern age, but mostly the morals and stories that Rumi lays before us during the course of these poems still hold up. I still understood what he was saying and I think a lot of it is still relevant, not only if you’re particularly interested is sufism, but also for me, as layfolk. After all, often the morals presented are simple common sense.
There are some views that are no longer of this time that may be jarring, but I did not dwell on that. This was written in the 1200s…. I think it’s safe to say it was a different time.
The translation makes it very readable and especially when read aloud, these stories are a lot of fun, as well as enlightening in some cases. It does take a certain amount of attention. You cannot read this whilst distracted and I certainly did not want to. I wanted to take in these words, so I took my time reading it.
I enjoyed this one just as much as Book One. I have Book Three and Book Four on my shelf and I will read them eventually when they call to me.
February 7, 2022
It would be atrocious if I am not rated this magnificent book for 5 stars.
The Masnavi is a poetic collection of anecdotes and stories derived from the Quran, hadith sources, and everyday tales. Stories are told to illustrate a point and each moral is discussed in detail. It incorporates a variety of Islamic wisdom but primarily focuses on emphasizing inward personal Sufi interpretation. (Excerpt taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masnavi)
I took nearly four months to finish this book as I needed to digest what Rumi wanted to deliver in each of his exquisite writings. Some made me awe, some made me taken aback, well most of it made my brain turn around.
You know, I need to keep reminding myself as this one is the translated ones! Jawid Mojaddedi is really one fine translator!
The Masnavi is a poetic collection of anecdotes and stories derived from the Quran, hadith sources, and everyday tales. Stories are told to illustrate a point and each moral is discussed in detail. It incorporates a variety of Islamic wisdom but primarily focuses on emphasizing inward personal Sufi interpretation. (Excerpt taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masnavi)
I took nearly four months to finish this book as I needed to digest what Rumi wanted to deliver in each of his exquisite writings. Some made me awe, some made me taken aback, well most of it made my brain turn around.
You know, I need to keep reminding myself as this one is the translated ones! Jawid Mojaddedi is really one fine translator!
March 12, 2020
Pain is a treasure - blessings lie within:
The fruit's flesh shows once you have peeled the skin. P.132
First comes the thought and then the action, friend,
The world was formed like this, please comprehend!
Fruits are just inner thoughts initially
Though they're made visible eventually.
After we plant a tree, it's probable
Our primary aim will be made visible-
Its branches, leaves, and roots appear first, though
They all are sent just for the fruit to grow;
And thus the secret of the heavens too
Became known as the secret of ' But for you'.
P.59
The fruit's flesh shows once you have peeled the skin. P.132
First comes the thought and then the action, friend,
The world was formed like this, please comprehend!
Fruits are just inner thoughts initially
Though they're made visible eventually.
After we plant a tree, it's probable
Our primary aim will be made visible-
Its branches, leaves, and roots appear first, though
They all are sent just for the fruit to grow;
And thus the secret of the heavens too
Became known as the secret of ' But for you'.
P.59
December 14, 2018
While there is some overlap with Book One, Book Two of the Masnavi focuses on a different aspect of Sufism. Book One tells stories which focus primarily on the carnal soul which dominates human beings ‘like a terrorising lion’. In comparison, Book Two is much more concerned with the challenge sufis face in understanding people’s true nature behind appearances so that one can identify with whom to associate in order to make progress on their mystical path. A deep, meaningful read..
February 3, 2021
Very profound
November 30, 2021
"Tether your donkey-soul with rope that's strong-
How long will it evade hard work, how long?
Patience and gratitude your ass must learn,
Even if it takes decades to discern."
How long will it evade hard work, how long?
Patience and gratitude your ass must learn,
Even if it takes decades to discern."
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews