"All Through Eternity" by Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi is a profound and spiritual poem that explores the interconnectedness of beauty, love, and existence in the context of eternity. The poem delves into the idea that beauty is not just a physical attribute but a manifestation of the divine. It suggests that beauty is a mirror reflecting the perfection of the universe and that love is intimately tied to this beauty. Rumi's verses emphasize the eternal nature of beauty and its role in the creation and sustenance of the world.
"All Through Eternity" by Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi
All through eternity
Beauty unveils His exquisite form
in the solitude of nothingness;
He holds a mirror to His Face
and beholds His own beauty.
He is the knower and the known,
the seer and the seen;
No eye but His own
has ever looked upon this Universe.
His every quality finds an expression:
Eternity becomes the verdant field of Time and Space;
Love, the life-giving garden of this world.
Every branch and leaf and fruit
Reveals an aspect of His perfection.
The cypress gives hint of His majesty,
The rose gives tidings of His beauty.
Whenever Beauty looks,
Love is also there;
Whenever beauty shows a rosy cheek,
Love lights Her fire from that flame.
When beauty dwells in the dark folds of night,
Love comes and finds a heart
entangled in tresses.
Beauty and Love are as body and soul.
Beauty is the mine, Love is the diamond.
They have together
since the beginning of time
Side by side, step by step.
Summary
"All Through Eternity" is a contemplative and spiritually rich poem that explores the eternal connection between beauty and love. The poem suggests that beauty is not a mere physical attribute but a reflection of the divine. It describes how beauty reveals itself in various forms in the universe and that love is inseparable from this beauty. The poem highlights the idea that the universe is a manifestation of divine beauty, with every aspect reflecting an aspect of perfection. It also underscores the idea that love and beauty have existed together since the beginning of time and are intertwined in the fabric of existence.
Critical Analysis
Rumi's poem transcends the physical realm and delves into the metaphysical, exploring the relationship between beauty, love, and eternity.
The poem presents beauty as a mirror reflecting the divine and suggests that everything in the universe, from the verdant fields of time and space to the life-giving garden of love, is an expression of this beauty.
The notion that "No eye but His own has ever looked upon this Universe" underscores the idea that only the divine can truly perceive the beauty of the universe.
The use of natural imagery, such as the cypress and rose, adds depth to the poem by drawing parallels between the beauty of the natural world and the divine.
The poem's structure is rhythmic and lyrical, reflecting the profound and timeless nature of the subject matter.
Themes
- Beauty and Divinity: The poem explores the concept that beauty is a reflection of the divine and permeates every aspect of existence.
- Love and Beauty: The poem emphasizes the inseparable connection between love and beauty, with love being ignited by beauty's presence.
- Eternity: The poem alludes to the timeless nature of beauty and love, suggesting that they have existed since the beginning of time.
Attitudes/Feelings
- Contemplative: The poem conveys a sense of deep contemplation and reverence for the profound interconnectedness of beauty, love, and existence.
- Spiritual: The poem explores spiritual themes, emphasizing the divine nature of beauty and its role in the universe.
Literary Devices
- Metaphor: The poem uses metaphor to compare beauty to a mirror reflecting the divine and love as the life-giving garden of the world.
- Imagery: Natural imagery is employed to evoke the beauty of the universe, with references to cypress and rose.
- Rhythm and Repetition: The rhythmic structure and repetition of phrases contribute to the poem's lyrical and meditative quality.
Discussion Question
How does "All Through Eternity" by Rumi explore the relationship between beauty and divinity? How does the poem convey the idea that beauty is an eternal and profound aspect of existence?