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The sun once glimpsed God's true nature by Hafiz — Analysis & Translation

2 min read English

Original Poem

The sun once glimpsed God's true nature And has never been the same. Thus that radiant sphere Constantly pours its energy Upon this earth As does He from behind The veil. With a wonderful God like that Why isn't everyone a screaming drunk? Hafiz's guess is this: Any thought that you are better or less Than another man Quickly Breaks the wine Glass.

Translation (English)

The sun once saw God's true self and has never been the same. So that bright sun always gives its energy to the earth just as God does from behind the curtain. With such a wonderful God, why isn't everyone wildly happy? Hafiz thinks this: Any belief that you are better or worse than someone else quickly breaks the wine glass.

About the Poet

Hafiz (14th century)

Hafiz, also known as Hafez, was a Persian poet who lived in the 14th century. He is one of the most celebrated writers of Persian literature and is known for his ghazals, which express the ecstasy of divine inspiration and love. His work has been influential in both Eastern and Western literary traditions.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Historical Context

Literary Form
Ghazal
When Written
14th century
Background
Hafiz's poetry often explores themes of divine love, spirituality, and the human condition. This poem reflects on the nature of God and the human tendency to judge others, suggesting that such judgments can disrupt one's spiritual harmony.

Sources: https://www.facebook.com/hedone.berlin/posts/why-arent-wescreaming-drunksthe-sun-once-glimpsed-gods-true-natureand-has-never-/565405582283573/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hafiz

Detailed Explanation

This poem by Hafiz uses the metaphor of the sun glimpsing God's true nature to illustrate a profound spiritual truth. The sun, having seen the divine, is forever changed and continuously gives its energy to the earth, much like God who provides from behind a veil. Hafiz questions why, with such a magnificent God, people aren't constantly overwhelmed with joy. He suggests that the reason lies in human judgment — the belief that one is superior or inferior to others disrupts spiritual joy, symbolized by the breaking of a wine glass. This imagery reflects the fragility of spiritual enlightenment and the ease with which it can be shattered by ego and comparison.

Themes

  • Divine love
  • Spiritual enlightenment
  • Human judgment

Literary Devices

  • Metaphor: The sun glimpsing God's nature represents spiritual enlightenment.
  • Imagery: The radiant sphere and veil create vivid visual images.
  • Symbolism: The wine glass symbolizes spiritual joy and its fragility.
  • Rhetorical question: 'Why isn't everyone a screaming drunk?' prompts reflection.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
glimpsed saw briefly noticed briefly glimpsed
radiant shining brightly shiny and bright ray-dee-uhnt
sphere round object round shape sfeer
veil covering thin cover vayl
screaming drunk wildly joyful very happy skree-ming druhngk
guess opinion a simple thought ges
thought idea an idea thawt
breaks shatters makes it fall apart brayks
wine glass drinking cup a cup for wine wahyn glas

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