Hafez Poem — صـلاح کار کـجا و مـن خراب کـجا
This poem, penned by the revered Persian poet Hafez, delves into themes of spiritual and earthly desires. Hafez contrasts the ideals of righteousness and debauchery, exploring the tension between spiritual enlightenment and worldly pleasures. His use of vivid imagery and rhetorical questions highlights the human soul’s struggle between divine love and earthly temptations.
- Ghazal 4 by Hafez (Hafiz)
- Meaning of the Poem in English
- English Translation of the Poem w/ Transliteration
- Meaning of the Poem in Farsi
- Heritage Web Spotlight
1) Ghazal 2 by Hafez (Hafiz)
You can read Ghazal 2 from Hafez’s divan (دیوان) here.
A divan in the Persian language is a compilation of a poet’s lifetime work. The numbering, non-sequential and not narrative-driven, is one of over 400 in Hafez (Hafiz) collection.
صـلاح کار کـجا و مـن خراب کـجا
بـبین تـفاوت ره کز کجاست تا به کجادلـم ز صومعه بگرفت و خرقـه سالوس
کـجاسـت دیر مغان و شراب ناب کجاچـه نسبت است به رندی صلاح و تقوا را
سـماع وعـظ کـجا نغمـه رباب کجاز روی دوست دل دشمـنان چـه دریابد
چراغ مرده کـجا شمـع آفـتاب کـجاچو کحل بینش ما خاک آستان شماست
کـجا رویم بـفرما از این جـناب کـجامبین به سیب زنخدان که چاه در راه است
کـجا همی‌روی ای دل بدین شتاب کجابـشد کـه یاد خوشش باد روزگار وصال
خود آن کرشمه کجا رفت و آن عتاب کجاقرار و خواب ز حافظ طمع مدار ای دوست
قرار چیسـت صبوری کدام و خواب کـجا
Meaning of Poem
The deeper meaning of this poem reflects on the complexities and contradictions of life, particularly the conflict between spiritual aspirations and worldly desires. Hafez often uses the imagery of taverns, wine, and lovers to symbolize the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, contrasting it with the hypocrisy and superficiality of religious dogmatism. The poem speaks to the human condition’s inherent contradictions and the struggle to find true meaning and fulfillment.
The poem’s recurring question, “Where is…?” emphasizes the poet’s search for truth and understanding in a world of contrasts and apparent contradictions. Hafez challenges the reader to think about the nature of spiritual and worldly life, urging a deeper exploration of what is truly valuable and meaningful.
English Translation and Transliteration
صـلاح کار کـجا و مـن خراب کـجا
بـبین تـفاوت ره کز کجاست تا به کجاWhere is the path of righteousness and where am I in ruin?
See the difference in the path from where it is to where it goes.
English Transliteration
Salah-e kar koja va man kharab koja
Bebin tafavot-e rah kez kojast ta be koja
دلـم ز صومعه بگرفت و خرقـه سالوس
کـجاسـت دیر مغان و شراب ناب کجاMy heart, disgusted with the monastery and the monk’s robe,
Where is the tavern of the Magi and the pure wine?
English Transliteration
Delam ze soom’eh begeraft va khergheh-e saloos
Kojast deyr-e maghan va sharab-e naab koja
چـه نسبت است به رندی صلاح و تقوا را
سـماع وعـظ کـجا نغمـه رباب کجاWhat relation is there between piety and the carefree?
Where is the sermon and where the music of the rebab?
English Transliteration
Cheh nesbat ast be randi salah va taqwa ra
Sama’ va’z koja, naghmeh-e rabab koja
ز روی دوست دل دشمـنان چـه دریابد
چراغ مرده کـجا شمـع آفـتاب کـجاWhat can the heart of enemies perceive of the friend’s face?
Where is the dead lamp and where the candle of the sun?
English Transliteration
Ze rooy-e doost del-e doshmanan cheh daryabad
Cheraagh-e mordeh koja, sham’e aftab koja
چو کحل بینش ما خاک آستان شماست
کـجا رویم بـفرما از این جـناب کـجاLike collyrium our insight: your threshold is our eyes’ salve.
Where shall we go? Command us from this high station, where?
English Transliteration
Chu kohl-e binish-e ma khak-e aastan-e shomaast
Koja rooyim, beferma az in janab koja
مبین به سیب زنخدان که چاه در راه است
کـجا همی‌روی ای دل بدین شتاب کجاLook at the apple of the throat, there’s a well in the path,
Where are you rushing, oh heart, with such speed, where?
English Transliteration
Mabin be seyb-e zankhdaan ke chah dar raah ast
Koja hamirooyi ey del bedin shetab koja
بـشد کـه یاد خوشش باد روزگار وصال
خود آن کرشمه کجا رفت و آن عتاب کجاMay the memory of the good days of union be happy,
That coquetry, where has it gone, and that reproach, where?
English Transliteration
Beshod ke yaad-e khoshesh baad roozgaar-e vesaal
Khod aan kershmeh koja raft va aan etab koja
قرار و خواب ز حافظ طمع مدار ای دوست
قرار چیسـت صبوری کدام و خواب کـجاDo not hope, friend, for rest and sleep from Hafez,
What is rest? What is patience, and sleep, where?
English Transliteration
Qaraar va khaab ze Hafez tam’ madar ey doost
Qaraar cheest, saboori kedaam va khaab koja
4) Poem’s Meaning in Farsi
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