Wine of the Mystic : The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam : A Spiritual Interpretation
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, an 11th-century Persian astronomer-mathematician, has entranced English readers since Edward FitzGerald (1809-83) trans-mogrified a 15th-century version into a hedonistic paean to wine. Some scholars disputed Khayyam's belonging to the ancient Islamic order of Sufism, but in 1967 Robert Graves and Sufi poet Omar Ali-Shah proved the Sufi mystical symbolism in Khayyam's verse. Yogananda (1893- 1952), well known for his Autobiography of a Yogi, employs FitzGerald's fiery first edition of 1859, transforming it into a profound devotional treasure. The wisdom of Khayyam's verses is revealed via a glossary, a glowing spiritual interpretation, and practical application. The quatrains are beautifully illustrated with full-page color plates and Persian calligraphy. It compares well to the 1946 edition's romantic recreations of Isfahan's palace frescoes by Sarkis Katchadourian. Highly recommended.Dara Eklund, Los Angeles P.L.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.