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The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Explained
Omar Khayyam's famous poem, The Rubaiyat, is loved by Westerners as a hymn of praise to sensual delights. In the East it is known as a deep allegory of the soul's romance with God. As for what his quatrains actually mean, most of them have remained a mystery in the East as much as in the West. Now after eight centuries, Paramhansa Yogananda, one of the great mystics of our times, a master of yoga and the author of the classic Autobiography of a Yogi, explains the mystery behind Omar's famous poem. This book contains the essence of great revelation.
354 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1994
28 people are currently reading
1304 people want to read
About the author
Paramahansa Yogananda
943 books2,228 followersParamahansa Yogananda (Bengali: পরমহংস যোগানন্দ Pôromohôngsho Joganondo, Sanskrit: परमहंस योगानंद Paramahaṃsa Yogānaṃda), born Mukunda Lal Ghosh (Bengali: মুকুন্দ লাল ঘোষ Mukundo Lal Ghosh), was an Indian yogi and guru who introduced many westerners to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his book,
Autobiography of a Yogi
.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 10, 2020
A glorious tribute to Omar Khayyam. Read the complete review here https://wp.me/p6rxcY-d.
December 1, 2015
I bought a first edition of “Wine of the Mystic” because it’s such a beautiful book. With numerous stunning full-page color reproductions of paintings, gold scrollwork around every page, heavy paper stock, it’s an aesthetically pleasing experience to read it. The subject is Paramahamsa Yogananda’s spiritual interpretation of the first FitzGerald translation of Omar Khayyam’s poem “The Rubaiyat.” Khayyam was an 11th century Sufi, living in Persia. Much of the poem is about wine, which Yogananda sees as a symbol for spiritual understanding, or knowledge of God. Each of Khayyam’s 75 quatrains is analyzed for spiritual symbolism. Then using these symbols, a spiritual interpretation and practical application for everyday life are given.
This was the final book of my 2015 reading challenge: a book that you started but didn’t finish. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning, with its abundance of illustrations, perfect to help me contemplate Yogananda’s interpretation of the verses. Around the 40th quatrain, where I found my bookmark from last time, I started to lose interest. There are few illustrations, and the text seems repetitive and a bit heavy handed in delivering its message to turn away from physical pleasures in favor of the spiritual. Ironically, this part of Khayyam’s poem seems easiest to understand in a more worldly way. A few more images would have broken up the text more and made this section more enjoyable. I did like the last few quatrains and their interpretations, but I had to push myself to finish.
At the end, there is an illustrated section with Khayyam’s original poem (the first FitzGerald translation), which is very useful for the reader both before and after reading Yogananda’s commentary. There is also an introduction, written by Yogananda, that introduces the poet and his work along with comments on various translations from the original Arabic.
It’s impossible to really know whether Omar Khayyam wrote “The Rubaiyat” to reflect physical or spiritual life. I suspect that, like the best modern poets, he was referencing both, a double meaning that reflects life. Yogananda was a great uplifter of humanity, particularly in the US, and his interpretation is worth considering. Spiritual seekers, art lovers, and fans of “Autobiography of a Yogi” will enjoy this volume. Perhaps the best way to experience it, instead of reading it straight through like I did, is to concentrate on one verse per day, or to pick up the book and contemplate a verse at random when the inspiration hits.
This was the final book of my 2015 reading challenge: a book that you started but didn’t finish. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning, with its abundance of illustrations, perfect to help me contemplate Yogananda’s interpretation of the verses. Around the 40th quatrain, where I found my bookmark from last time, I started to lose interest. There are few illustrations, and the text seems repetitive and a bit heavy handed in delivering its message to turn away from physical pleasures in favor of the spiritual. Ironically, this part of Khayyam’s poem seems easiest to understand in a more worldly way. A few more images would have broken up the text more and made this section more enjoyable. I did like the last few quatrains and their interpretations, but I had to push myself to finish.
At the end, there is an illustrated section with Khayyam’s original poem (the first FitzGerald translation), which is very useful for the reader both before and after reading Yogananda’s commentary. There is also an introduction, written by Yogananda, that introduces the poet and his work along with comments on various translations from the original Arabic.
It’s impossible to really know whether Omar Khayyam wrote “The Rubaiyat” to reflect physical or spiritual life. I suspect that, like the best modern poets, he was referencing both, a double meaning that reflects life. Yogananda was a great uplifter of humanity, particularly in the US, and his interpretation is worth considering. Spiritual seekers, art lovers, and fans of “Autobiography of a Yogi” will enjoy this volume. Perhaps the best way to experience it, instead of reading it straight through like I did, is to concentrate on one verse per day, or to pick up the book and contemplate a verse at random when the inspiration hits.
March 22, 2013
I have just started reading this book and so far love it! A new friend, actually a couple of them, suggested, "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" to me and I tried a couple versions of the book. The first edition printings were the ones I liked best, which are used in this book as well. I feel this book is helping me understand it a whole lot more since the Persian sayings didn't really make sense and thought they were people, which it turns out they were not in most cases. I also like how it talks about what they can mean for you in your everyday life.
May 27, 2013
I can already tell this will be one of the best books I will ever read! The famous collection of quatrains, "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam" as interpreted by the 20th century Indian mystic Yogananda. A winner of the Benjamin Franklin Book Award, this edition features each verse of the Rubaiyat followed by a short "riff" by Yogananda that unpacks/explains it. It really brings this ancient classic to life, and each section features wonderful full color artwork as well. Really, really good.
January 31, 2015
These poems celebrate life and tis little pleisures. Just beautiful.
February 7, 2018
One of the most famous books of verse in the world by the 11-12th century Persian poet, mathematician, astronomer advocating wine and relaxation.
October 31, 2017
Ömər Xəyyam kimi bir dahinin rübayiləri haqqında ne deyə bilərəm ? Üzərindən 10 əsr keçməsinə baxmayaram yenə də bizim qəlbimizə təsir etməsi onların gözəlliyinin göstəricisidir
July 24, 2009
Membaca bait” itu memang menarik, tapi melihat telaah na... ntar dulu. Puisi itu bebas diapresiasi ’n pemaknaan na tserah pembaca, cz makna or kesan yg ditangkan bukanlah nilai paten.
Namun dg ada na telaah tsb rhe jd spt diarahkan utk melihat, menilai makna 75 bait itu spt yg dikatakan penelaah ma editor na. Serasa g punya kebebasan dalam memaknai sesuatu. Seakan didoktrin bahwa bait itu mo ngomong seperti ini. Jadi mengganggu kesan puisi itu sendiri.
Toh... klo tu penulis mo ngomongin yoga, buat buku yoga... ya buat aja. G plu menelaah bait Omar Khayyam yg diarahkan ke yoga. Sungguh, mengganggu pemaknaan rhe terhadap bait” tersebut. Cz kesan setiap org adl relatif. Makna yg rhe ambit dr tiap bait pun relatif, g semua na spt yg penelaah tuliskan.
Namun dg ada na telaah tsb rhe jd spt diarahkan utk melihat, menilai makna 75 bait itu spt yg dikatakan penelaah ma editor na. Serasa g punya kebebasan dalam memaknai sesuatu. Seakan didoktrin bahwa bait itu mo ngomong seperti ini. Jadi mengganggu kesan puisi itu sendiri.
Toh... klo tu penulis mo ngomongin yoga, buat buku yoga... ya buat aja. G plu menelaah bait Omar Khayyam yg diarahkan ke yoga. Sungguh, mengganggu pemaknaan rhe terhadap bait” tersebut. Cz kesan setiap org adl relatif. Makna yg rhe ambit dr tiap bait pun relatif, g semua na spt yg penelaah tuliskan.
June 3, 2012
A 20th century Indian Yogi commenting on the spiritual meaning of an 11th century Persian Sufi’s poetry. That combination yields both perfume and controversy — but plenty to contemplate. Lovely artwork and border scrollwork. And Fitzgerald’s delightful translation of this classic. Recommended.
August 11, 2013
The book makes a lot more sense for those familiar with the Indian schools of philosophy. An atheist would find some of the arguments tenuous at best but anyone interested in Eastern philosophy will likely enjoy the clever connections made.
April 9, 2010
Khosh Bash!
June 28, 2011
wonderful
July 22, 2012
Wonderful.
February 7, 2013
Beautiful book. Truly amazing.
February 18, 2016
Explains different perceptions by eastern and western readers of this wonderful classic.
Read
July 28, 2017One for my bed time read - superb book
October 29, 2023
This is a beautifully illustrated edition of Paramahansa Yogananda's spiritual explanation of the hidden meaning in the quatrains of Omar Khayyám's classic Rubaiyat. The poem, originally translated into English by Edward FitzGerald in 1859, is a Persian classic.
Paramahansa Yogananda presents each verse in its original Arabic, followed by FitzGerald's translated lines, then a glossary explaining each concept in the verse. This is followed by Yogananda's spiritual interpretation, and an explanation of how it may be practically applied. While this arrangement serves Yogananda's intention to explain the mystical message hidden within Omar Khayyám's verse, it also separates us from the overall poetry.
Fortunately, an addendum gives the poem in its entirety. For those who enjoy poetry, I recommend turning to the back of the book, and reading the poem first, then proceed to follow Yogananda as he breaks down each quatrain.
Paramahansa Yogananda presents each verse in its original Arabic, followed by FitzGerald's translated lines, then a glossary explaining each concept in the verse. This is followed by Yogananda's spiritual interpretation, and an explanation of how it may be practically applied. While this arrangement serves Yogananda's intention to explain the mystical message hidden within Omar Khayyám's verse, it also separates us from the overall poetry.
Fortunately, an addendum gives the poem in its entirety. For those who enjoy poetry, I recommend turning to the back of the book, and reading the poem first, then proceed to follow Yogananda as he breaks down each quatrain.
July 28, 2017
Great Translation. Very calming book to read. Very peaceful and beautiful.
November 5, 2017
This translation makes Omar's poetry readable. It is beautiful
June 4, 2019
2016/4/14
August 17, 2019
"Una misma suerte corren el justo y el impío, el que sacrifica y el que nunca ofrece sacrificios"
December 28, 2020
Enlightening.
October 8, 2021
Totally awesome!
October 15, 2022
I will read and re-read this book. The spiritual translation of guru Yogananda are beyond ordinary work. Love for all.
April 21, 2025
This famous poem will make you think deeply about your life now and the ever after. A must read.
February 18, 2025
197 pages
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 28, 2015COCC PK 6525 .Y64 1994
August 17, 2016
Incredible interpretation of Rubiat
August 25, 2017
Glorious.
My life's company.
My life's company.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews