The Rubaiyat of Hafiz


Book Description

Better known by his nom de plume, Hafiz, Khwaja Shamsuddin Mohammad (1319-1389) is the most popular of the Persian poets; he acquired his surname from memorizing the Koran at an early age. A teacher of the Koran who associated with mystics, his lyrical poetry is acclaimed as the finest ever written in the Persian language.




Delight, the Soul of Art


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The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Explained


Book Description

Unlock the Mystery of One of the Great Spiritual Treasures of the Ages. Omar Khayyam's famous poem, The Rubaiyat, is loved by Westerners as a hymn of praise to sensual delights. In the East, his quatrains enjoy a very different reputation: they are known as a deep allegory of the soul’s romance with God. Even there, however, the knowing is based on who and what Omar Khayyam was: a sage and mystic. As for what the quatrains actually mean, most of them have remained a mystery in the East as much as in the West. After eight centuries, Paramhansa Yogananda, one of the great mystics of our times, a master of yoga and the author of the now-classic Autobiography of a Yogi, explained the mystery behind Omar’s famous poem. This book contains the essence of that great revelation. Unavailable in book form since its first penning more than sixty years ago, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Explained is available at last, edited by one of Yogananda’s close disciples, Swami Kriyananda.




Transports of Delight


Book Description

This book is a feast for the nose! Transports of Delight is a celebration through verse of man’s extraordinary sensory world of smell, connecting East and West. Here is a fascinating and delightful anthology, drawn from around the world and across the millennia, capturing a kaleidoscope of emotions, moods and memories, all of which are energized and enhanced by smells of every kind – ‘smells which match our moods, promote our passions, provoke a sense of awe in the natural world around us, and bring us closer to our gods’. The anthology, containing over a hundred poems and excerpts from literature including The Teachings of the Buddha and Ben Johnson’s intoxicating ‘Drink to me only with thine eyes’ (Ode to Celia), takes the reader from Japan to China, Tibet and the East Indies, on to India and the Levant, then to Europe and finally to the Americas. Transports of Delight will certainly help transport and delight the reader to another level of sensory pleasure – far removed from today’s audio-visual world of ipods, televisions, CDs and DVDs!







The Publishers Weekly


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The Cornhill Magazine


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The Persian Literature, Comprising The Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan


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In 'The Persian Literature, Comprising The Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan, and The Gulistan,' readers are invited on a journey through the rich tapestry of Persian literary tradition, encapsulating epic poetry, quatrains, lyrical poetry, and moral stories. This anthology showcases the broad spectrum of Persian literary styles, from the grand historical epics and mystical quatrains to the introspective lyricism and polished prose exploring ethical themes. The collection is notable for its inclusion of seminal works that have profoundly influenced not only Middle Eastern literature but also the wider world, offering insights into the cultural and philosophical milieu of the 14th century. The anthology stands as a testament to the enduring legacy and diversity of Persian literature, highlighting its capacity to explore complex themes of love, destiny, and morality. The contributing poetsHafiz, Firdawsi, Omar Khayyamrepresent the pinnacle of Persian literary achievement in their respective genres. Their works reflect the intricate interplay of Persian culture, history, and philosophical thought, contributing to a multifaceted understanding of human experience. The anthology aligns with the rich traditions of Persian literature, a cardinal point where history, culture, and art converge, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of its profound impact on both Eastern and Western literature. The editors meticulous selection and arrangement of the texts facilitate a dialogue across different genres, accentuating the thematic and stylistic diversity inherent in Persian literature. 'The Persian Literature' is an indispensable volume for those seeking to immerse themselves in the depth and beauty of Persian artistic expression. It presents an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the works of some of the most revered figures in literary history, exploring themes of existential inquiry, the celebration of life, and the contemplation of natures beauty and transience. Scholars, students, and enthusiasts of world literature will find in this anthology a gateway to the heart of Persian culture, an educational treasure that enriches understanding and fosters appreciation for the intricate weave of human expression captured in these timeless works.




Edward FitzGerald's Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam


Book Description

A work of staggering poetic beauty that has inspired the likes of John Ruskin, T. S. Eliot, and Robert Bly, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam was written in eleventh-century Persia and was largely unknown in the West until it was translated into English by Edward FitzGerald in 1859. In FitzGerald's hands, the individual Persian quatrains of the original coalesced into one of the most moving and often-cited modern poetic statements about loss, longing, and nostalgia. As Robert D. Richardson notes, The Rubaiyat is startlingly modern in its outlook and composition, and through it, one civilization speaks to another as equals and across a gap of almost a thousand years. Annotated by Richardson and illustrated beautifully with the elegant watercolors of Lincoln Perry, this edition of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam will bring this affirmed classic to a new generation of readers. It is the perfect complement to Richardson's "biography" of The Rubaiyat, Nearer to the Heart's Desire.