The
Javid Nama () or
Book of Eternity is a
Persian book of poetry written by
Allama Muhammad Iqbal and published in
1932. It is considered to be one of the masterpieces of Iqbal. It is inspired by
Dante's Divine Comedy and just as Dante's guide was
Virgil, Iqbal is guided by Moulana
Rumi. Both of them visit different spheres in the heavens coming across different people. Iqbal uses the pseudonym
Zinda Rud for himself in this book.
It was translated into English by Arthur J. Arberry and in German as Dschavidnma: Das Buch der Ewigkeit by Annemarie Schimmel and in Italian as Il poema Celeste by Alessandro Bausani. Schimmel also prepared a Turkish translation, Cevidname, based on her German edition.
Introduction
In
Javid Nama, Iqbal follows
Ibn Arabi, Marri and
Dante. Iqbal depicts himself as Zinda Rud (a stream, full of life) guided by
Rumi the master, through various heavens and spheres and has the honour of approaching Divinity and coming in contact with divine illuminations. Several problems of life are discussed and answers are provided to them. It is an exceedingly enlivening study. His hand falls heavily on the traitors to their nation like Mir Jafar from
Bengal and Mir Sadiq from the
Deccan, who were instrumental in the defeat and death of Nawab
Siraj-Ud-Daulah of Bengal and
Tipu Sultan of
Mysore respectively by betraying them for the benefit of the
British. Thus, they delivered their country to the shackles of slavery. At the end, by addressing his son
Javid, he speaks to the young people at large and provides guidance to the "new generation".
Contents
Notes
External links
Read Online at Iqbal Academy site
Read Online at Iqbal cyber library
Read English Translation by Arthur J. Arberry at Iqbal Academy site
Category:Persian poems
Category:Persian literature
Category:Islamic books
Category:Philosophy books
Category:Poetry by Muhammad Iqbal
Category:Poetry collections
Category:Persian books
