Description:
Quatrains from Rumi's divine table for nourishing the heart & soul of humanity.
Brief description: Nevit O. Ergin (1928-2015) devoted himself to the same spiritual path as Rumi. He was born and raised in Turkey, but spent the majority of his life in the United States, first in Michigan, and then California. The last 25 years of his life were used to bring more of Rumi's poetry and more awareness of Rumi's message to the Western world. Ergin's English translations are from the Turkish translations of Turkish scholar Abdülbakî Gölpinarli and are inspired. He was able to capture the essence of every verse he translated... and he translated over 44,000 verses. As he liked to say, he spent 60 years of his life "trying to get rid of this earth before it gets rid of me."
Review Quotes:
"MILLICENT ALEXANDER has cooked up a magnificent feast for lovers of Rumi! With her interpretations of Nevit Ergin's original translations and her commentary on the poems, you're in for a sumptuous meal. Eat until you're overfull. And then eat some more!" -Will Johnson, author of The Spiritual Practices of Rumi and Rumi's Four Essential Practices; co-author with Nevit Ergin of Rubais of Rumi and The Forbidden Rumi.
"THIS VOLUME [1] is the first of four compiling Rumi's complete quatrains (or rubais) in English for the first time as translated by Nevit O. Ergin (1928-2015), the original translator of Rumi's complete Divan-i Kebir in 22 volumes.
Ergin's Rubáiyát, compiled and edited by Millicent Alexander with Shahzad Mazhar, is invitingly direct in its language, making it edifying for browsers and completionists alike.... Ergin's verses ... pulse with Rumi's passion and genius.
Great for fans of The Forbidden Rumi, Rumi's Divan-i Kebir." -Booklife.
"THE RUBAIYAT OF RUMI, The Ergin Translations in four volumes is the work which completes the life legacy of Nevit Ergin.
Translating Rumi's poetry is no small feat, and Ergin manages to capture the essence in clear, direct language.
Although many have translated into English Rumi's Mesnevî, Ergin is the first to translate into English the over 44,000 poetic verses in his Dîvân'i Kebîr. These final 1,867 verses are accompanied by a concordance for those who interested in comparing Ergin's translations with the translations of other well-known Rumi translators, including Forûzânfar, the renowned Persian Rumi expert and scholar.
Many thanks to my friend for his life's work and to Millicent Alexander for bringing such a valuable gift to the world. A perfect addition to everyone's library." -Professor Mahmoud Ghanadan.
"EVEN BEFORE OPENING VOLUIME 1 of The Rubaiyat of Rumi, as it rested in my hands, I sensed an unusual heft to this book.
Ergin's translations of Rumi's quatrains have a sweetness that cuts to one's core. Love is not what we Westerners have been led to believe. Ergin's Rumi shows us the fruitlessness of seeking comfort and inspiration while yet clinging to our earthly Selves.
If you seek poetry that pulls no punches, invest in these four volumes, companions for a lifetime." - Mary Bond, author of Your Body Mandala.