Persian Vahy, Elham, Sorush
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Yavar Dehghani |
In Persian, inspiration has different degrees. The mixture of religion and
culture determines different aspects of it.
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 The first word for inspiration “vahy” is a borrowed word from Arabic. This
aspect of inspiration belongs just to the prophets. In this sense, it is a
way of communication between the prophet and God. Through this
communication, it is believed; the holy book has been developed.
So, vahy just could be given to those unique people “prophets”. |
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title and artist unknown |
The second word “elham” also has
an Arabic
root. This word denotes that aspect of inspiration, which is more general
and anyone can be inspired in this away. For example, people say that suddenly I
was inspired “elham” to do this. |
| The third term, sorush, has a Persian root,
however, with the introduction of the Arabic terms,
its meaning is limited. This aspect of inspiration
belongs to the wisemen and spiritual guides. These people, who usually
are Sophist, are those who are close to god by leaving the material world
behind and living a spiritual life. So, because they rid
themselves of material cares,
they can connect with the spirit and hear the ‘Sorush’ which in fact is an
angel from above who brings the news to him, those types of news which
nobody else knows about. |
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Elham
and sorush play an
important part in the arts, poetry and literature. In all classical poems of
popular poets, like Hafiz, Khayyam and so many others, we can find these terms
often used. So, Prophets get inspired by ‘Vahy’,
wisemen and men of God
get inspired by ‘Sorush’ and ordinary people get inspired by ‘Elham’
In my view, elham could happen at any time in
a person’s life. One can be inspired by a person, an event, or a book
and
so on. I have been inspired by so many people,
events and writings in my life. My
first inspiration and most strong one was when I was a young teacher
who had just graduated from teacher training school and left the city
to a remote village to teach. I was so lonely and did not know what to
do. It was my uncle who inspired me in these depressing time, and told me,
"You
can get anything you want as long as you do your best."
That was why I tried hard to study a lot in that remote place, to be
one of the top students who entered tertiary education, and after that I
always was one of the best in every step of higher studies.
His encouragement made a
successful academic out of a country boy! |
Interview Questions
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Edwin: What was your first memory of inspiration?
Yavar: My first experience was when I was 18 and just started
teaching in primary school in a remote areas. It was
so lonely and far from home. It was my uncle who
inspired me by writing letters to me to overcome the
loneliness and try hard to go to the capital city and
continue my studies till going overseas and getting my
PhD. It was his inspiration which changed the life of
a country boy forever.
What Persian word would you use to describe the
inspiration you received from your uncle? Also what did he tell you
that inspired you?
The word is "elhaam" as in :" man az
amum elhaam gereftam." I got inspired by my uncle. He told me:
Always remember "khaastan tavaanestan ast faghat
baayad poshtkaar daasht." You can do any thing you
want by hard work and courage. Does not matter if you
are in the country or the city. And was an
inspiration for me by which I could be always on top
in the city in my studies, writings, lectures, etc.
What does "Pir (wiseman)" mean?
Pir is the one who has gone a long way in Sophism and is closer to the truth and God. Sorush can be an
angle who is the source of inspiration. The other terms are used in Persian with a meaning
somehow different from the Arabic one and so they do
not overlap.
I'm not clear on
what Sorush means? I also saw that Sorush is
the name of an angel.. What do you think is the best
way to proceed without
having overlap with what the Arabic contributors
write?
Shorush can be an angle who is the source of
inspiration. The other terms are used in Persian with
a meaning somehow different from
the Arabic one and so
they do not overlap.
Do you have any of the writings by Hafiz, Khayyam etc. where they talk
about Elham or Sorush?
Here is a poem by Khayyam about Sorush:
Dreaming when Dawn's Left Hand was in the Sky
I heard a Voice within the Tavern cry,
Awake, my Little ones, and fill the Cup
Before Life's Liquor in its Cup be dry.
In what way do you see this poem being about
Sorush?.
Khayyam's poems which usually
talks
about an unknown voice, it means a voice of Sorush, a
voice from the above.
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title and artist unknown |
I have seen this image before and
it is one of my favorites for inspiration. The painting in this case is
cropped. The one I saw goes even higher up. I was never able to find out who it
is by and where it is located or any other information about it. Do you know any
of this information? What do you think this painting means? Does the story have
a special significance in Persian? It looks to me like the musician is receiving Ilham or Sorush from the heavens?
This picture is a typical one in Iranian paintings
which shows a pir or wiseman playing some instrument
which is a way of connecting with the above (in Sofism),
and there is always a girl serving him with wine, and
looking above to get Sorush.
Do you know who this painting is
by? I.e. Who the painter is?
I thought you may know something about the painter.
I have not been able to find out anything about him
yet.
No, actually I do not know the painter.
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Mohammad Tajvidi |
Do you think this image represents elham
or sorush? A
man writes and it looks like a
spirit moves above him.
Painting by
Mohammad Tajvidi,
I think this is a Sorush as the wise people are
inspired by it and they are characterized by the same characters as in this
picture as writers or musicians, etc. |
| Here is a
panting of what I imagine would be Vahy. (Called:
In the presence of St. Ayse,
Archangel Gabriel brings the Word of God to the Prophet Muhammad.)
In Arabic, I believe Vahy,- Wahy is brought
specifically by the angel Gabriel.
Is that the case in Persian? Yes, it
is the same in Persian with the same angel. |
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An here is
a painting of a woman playing the harp. Do
woman also experience Sorush in Persian? Or would it
be Elham?
As much as I know, Sorush is just for men, the Pirs
always were male, and so for females it just would be
Elham.
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Sometimes
to understand a feeling like inspiration it helps to see it's
opposite. Here is a Persian painting that looks like despair. in fact, that
is it's title.
This despair picture is also good but I think it does not convey
inspiration
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Despair,
M. Farshchian
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Does this painting look like it
depicts elham to you?
Yes, I think it is also one of those pictures about inspiration
(Sorush).
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I read in the article I sent you separately: Sarosh
is the angel of obedience, and is one of the "Eternal
Holy Ones" (Amesha-spentas later Amshaspands) or
archangels of the Zoroastrian faith. He guides Arta
Viraf through the different heavens. So, this word's
root comes from that angel, and that is why there are
two words: Elham and Sorush. When Arabs came to Iran,
they adapted the concept and word of Sorush and the
word was changed. So, I hope it would be
useful.
Yavar Dehghani
