HE COUNTS THE DEGREES OF THE RANK OF HIS VERSE AND ASSIGNS A STATION TO EACH

Navoi's poems are of nine bayts, of eleven bayts, of thirteen bayts, For on the tablet the pen adorns them with that hidden pearl.

That they are surely never less than seven bayts means That in rank they cannot sink below the seven heavens.

Commentary:

In the introduction to the epic “Farhad and Shirin”, meanings are likened to pearls and jewels. You can learn about the world of meanings from Aziziddin Nasafi's book “The Perfect Man”.

In the first bayt it is said that Hazrat Navoi adorns the tablet with durr-i maknun, that is, choice pearls. By durr-i maknun meanings are meant. Meaning is the core of truth, unchanging existence, the treasury in which the essence of all things is kept.

People do not see meanings. Whoever Allah grants His grace to, his inner sight sees meanings and presents them in a form. That is, he clothes meanings in a garment of words.

In this qit'a Navoi tells of the number of bayts in his ghazals. His smallest ghazal is seven bayts, his largest thirteen bayts. Through the reason for their being seven bayts, Hazrat Alisher Navoi is indicating the value and rank of his poetry.

The highest rank in the world is the seventh heaven. The seventh heaven is the highest point of the universe.

Hazrat Alisher Navoi says that because his poems reflect extremely subtle and immense truths, pure and matchless meanings, their station is as high as the seven heavens.

The worth of his poems never falls below the station of the seven heavens. The seven bayts of his ghazal are the expression of this truth.

Since his smallest ghazal is of such a lofty degree, just imagine the larger ones!..