Product Description

'The pen would smoothly write the things it knew But when it came to love it split in two, A donkey stuck in mud is logic's fate - Love's nature only love can demonstrate.' Rumi's Masnavi is widely recognized as the greatest Sufi poem ever written, and has been called 'the Koran in Persian'. The thirteenth-century Muslim mystic Rumi composed his work for the benefit of his disciples in the Sufi order named after him, better known as the whirling dervishes. In order to convey his message of divine love and unity he threaded together entertaining stories and penetrating homilies. Drawing from folk tales as well as sacred history, Rumi's poem is often funny as well as spiritually profound. Jawid Mojaddedi's sparkling new verse translation of Book One is consistent with the aims of the original work in presenting Rumi's most mature mystical teachings in simple and attractive rhyming couplets.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #67697 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

PN Review 169 (vol. 32, no. 5 May-June 2006, pp. 70-1)
Mojaddedi's is the most faithful verse translation now available…the reader without Persian comes as close as possible to the original.

Customer Reviews

superb translation
A fantastic poetic translation. Inspired and accessible yet retaining the 'mystical' aura of the original:

"Whoever hides his dream,
Attains it sooner through the Lord Supreme"

A light shines out of this book. I don't know how but it does. Buy it and see for yourself.

Sometimes sublime, sometimes stilted
The masterful translation of this work is RA Nicholson covering 6 large volumes. This translation is more modern and by an Afghan who therefore being a Native speaker might be expected to be more sympathetic to the musicality of Rumis native tongue. Whatever the merits of his Persian language interpretation, there is by comparison to Nicholsons translation a great deal lost in the transition to English.
The Iambic pentameter form seems to restrain the natural flow to such an extent that it is often a distraction to the reader detracting from the content of Rumis poetry.
His choice of words in attempting to remain faithful to the system of rhythming couplets results in an unbearable clumsiness at times. All in all this is at times still a lovely read but no match for Nicholson's timeless work.

Your conscience is your best friend & the 7 Masnavis are the best friends of your conscience
This is book is seated next to our pillow it is so dear to us,such an essential life skill book that everyone must carry with themselves.It is so relevant to anybody seeking to improve their success factor & interpersonal skills that we feel the govt should make it part of the GCSE & A'level curriculum.When we discovered these books of nobility & wisdom we wondered to ourselves ''where have we been all these years not reading these scriptures?''.For those devoted buy the 2nd volume also.