European International Journal of Philological Sciences
103
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TYPE
Original Research
PAGE NO.
103-106
DOI
OPEN ACCESS
SUBMITED
28 February 2025
ACCEPTED
29 March 2025
PUBLISHED
30 April 2025
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue 04 2025
COPYRIGHT
© 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms
of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License.
The Philosophy of Life in
Samandar Vohidov's
Quatrains: Labor, Honesty,
And Purity
Saodat Narziyeva
Independent Researcher, Samarkand State University, Uzbekistan
Abstract
: The article discusses the significance of poems
written in the aruz meter in studying the components of
classical poetics. It explores the artistic mastery and
thematic range of poet Samandar Vohidov’s quatrains
through illustrative examples. Unique features of the
poet's quatrains composed in the aruz meter are
supported with specific instances. The article also
provides a literary analysis of his ghazals, which were
inspired by earlier classical poets and created in full
adherence to traditional norms. Additionally, it
examines minor lyrical genres and the artistic imagery
used within them.
Keywords:
Classical poetics, aruz prosody, rhyme, lyric,
quatrain, fard, musallas, rubai, tuyugh, quatrain, qit'a,
artistic imagery.
Introduction:
Lyric poetry is not just the expression of
one's life experiences or emotions through words, but
also the depiction of reality, capturing the expression of
feelings or emotional experiences within it. In poetry,
there are various genres and styles. In classical poetics,
there are small miniature genres, including fard,
musallas, rubai, tuyuk, to’rtlik (quatrain), and qita,
which belong to this category. Quatrains, through short
yet meaningful phrases, enrich the reader's world and
serve to express emotions, feelings, and life
experiences. Small lyrical genres can take the form of a
single line, a short poem, an aphorism, or an epigram.
Unlike other genres, they are characterized by the
expression of internal feelings and psychological states.
Among the small lyrical genres, quatrains hold a special
place. When describing quatrains, any four-line poem
that does not meet the requirements of rubai and tuyuk
is referred to as a quatrain or a "mixed" genre. The
topics of quatrains are broad, covering all aspects of life.
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Poet Jamol Kamol, when discussing the four essential
features of quatrains, mentions that these four
elements distinguish them from other genres. These
are: a) the free expression of the lyric in a spontaneous
manner; b) the clear reflection of the subtlest
emotions in feelings; c) the harmony between speech-
monologue and imagery; d) absolute freedom in
meter. Indeed, the rhyme schemes in quatrains are so
universal that we encounter patterns like a-a-b-b, a-a-
b-a, or a-b-a-b. In Uzbek literature, quatrains have
found a significant place in the works of poets such as
Hamid Olimjon, Abdulla Oripov, and Erkin Vohidov
METHOD
In recent years, composing in the aruz meter has been
regarded as a somewhat rare phenomenon. Quatrains
continue to hold their place in literature, even among
the new generation of authors. The poet from Bukhara,
Samandar Vohidov, who does not limit himself to a
specific meter and demonstrates the ability to create
freely in various poetic forms, has captured the hearts
of readers with his aruz-based poems. His works,
created over many years, showcase a diversity of
meters and genres. In his collection "Gullayotgan
kunlar" ("Blossoming Days"), we can see the elegant
brilliance of quatrains that have come to light over the
years.
Bir umr mehrimni qalamga tutdim,
Koʻngil buyurganin baytlarda bitdim.
Umrim adog‘ida anglaganim shu,
Nechun she’r yozganim bilolmay oʻtdim.
The quatrain genre is a poetic form generally consisting
of four lines, characterized by a specific rhythm and
melody. This genre holds a unique place in Uzbek
literature due to its brevity and rich content structure.
Quatrains are often distinguished by their musical tone
and the beauty of poetic expression. Typically, they
present a concise and clear thought. In quatrains,
musical rhythm and melody play a significant role.
They usually follow a specific poetic rhythm, which
contributes to the smooth flow of the poem. Each
quatrain stands out with its light and impactful
meaning.
Usually, these poems express themes such as love,
nature, and philosophical aspects of life. The quatrain
is one of the ancient traditions of Uzbek literature, and
many classical Uzbek poets have written in this genre.
The quatrain genre first emerged in the poetry of
Turkic peoples. In Uzbek literature as well, this genre
has been used by many famous poets. For example,
Alisher Navoi and other classical poets widely
employed quatrains in their works. Their poems are
short yet meaningful and profound. The quatrain genre
is distinguished by its traditional style, musicality, and
richness of content.
This genre has been enriched and developed into new
forms by Uzbek poets over time. Let us now analyze the
following quatrain in depth, exploring the meaning of
each line and the poetic devices used:
Bir umr mehrimni qalamga tutdim,
Koʻngil buyurganini baytlarda bitdim.
Umrim adog‘ida anglaganim shu,
Nechun she’r yozganim bilolmay oʻtdim.
In this quatrain by Samandar Vohidov, great meaning is
conveyed through brevity. Each line complements and
clarifies the others. The poet expresses his life journey,
his love for literature, and the inner emotional process
of writing poetry. The poem portrays the poet’s
devotion to literature, his confidence in his creative
voice, and the ongoing search for meaning through his
artistic path.
First line: “Bir umr mehrimni qalamga tutdim” —
This
line expresses the poet’s lifelong devotion to literature
and poetry. The phrase “mehrimni qalamga tutdim” (I
held my love in the pen) metaphorically presents poetry
as the primary medium through which the poet has
expressed his innermost feelings.
S
econd line: “Koʻngil buyurganini baytlarda bitdim” —
This highlights the poet's transformation of inner
thoughts and feelings into verse. It suggests a deep
sincerity and authenticity in his poetry, where the heart
dictates what is written.
Third line: “Umrim adog‘ida anglaganim shu” —
Here,
the poet, nearing the end of his life, acknowledges a
single profound realization: that his life has been wholly
dedicated to poetry and its unrelenting pull.
Fourth line: “Nechun she’r yozganim bilolmay oʻtdim” —
In this final line, the poet admits that although he has
written poetry all his life, the exact reason or purpose
behind it has eluded him. It reflects a moment of
introspective uncertainty and deep humility.
Despite its brevity, this quatrain is rich in meaning. Let's
examine the key poetic devices used:
Metaphor: “Mehrimni qalamga tutdim” —
This
metaphor emphasizes how the poet channels his love
and emotions through the act of writing. The “pen”
becomes a symbol of inner expression.
Simile/Reflection (Conceptu
al comparison): In “Nechun
she’r yozganim bilolmay oʻtdim,” the poet compares his
life’s journey with a quest for understanding, only to
realize he never fully understood the true reason for
writing.
Parallelism: The lines “Bir umr mehrimni qalamga
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tutdim”
and “Koʻngil buyurganini baytlarda bitdim”
show structural and thematic parallelism, both
reflecting the poet's intimate relationship with poetry
and his internal world.
This quatrain showcases the poet’s devotion to
literature and how central poetry is to his identity. The
final line introduces a subtle shift
—
despite years of
writing, the poet still questions the purpose of his
creative drive. This delayed realization adds emotional
depth, implying that meaning sometimes emerges only
in retrospect.
The rhythm of the quatrain is calm and steady,
supporting the introspective tone. The smooth,
flowing nature of the lines aligns well with the poem’s
reflective message. The soft application of the aruz
meter enhances the meditative atmosphere.
In summary, this
quatrain expresses the poet’s
enduring love for poetry, his bond with the written
word, and the poignant realization that the purpose of
his writing remained unclear for much of his life. The
poetic
devices
—
metaphor,
reflection,
and
parallelism
—
enrich its meaning and leave a lasting
emotional impression on the reader.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
In the quatrain, the poet reflects on life and moral
values, labor, and patience.
"If you want to live in this world, be honest and pure,
Do not grieve, even if your heart is torn to shreds.
If not struck by the hoe’s blade,
The soil would not be a rose garden but a thorn field."
In the quatrain, the poet speaks about living an honest,
pure, and hardworking life. He calls on every person to
be sincere and truthful in pursuing the desires of their
heart. The poet connects nature with labor, trying to
highlight human strength and the role of individuals in
society.
First line: “If you want to live in this world, be honest
and pure” —
emphasizes the importance of choosing
the right path in life and maintaining honesty and
purity. It implies living cleanly and refraining from lies
and w
rongdoing. The words “honest” and “pure”
reflect national moral values.
Second line: “Do not grieve, even if your heart is torn
to shreds” —
this speaks of the nobility of one’s inner
aspirations and emotions. “Do not grieve” encourages
striving sincerely
for one’s heartfelt desires. “Torn to
shreds” expresses direct and deep feelings, suggesting
the need to be genuine and open-hearted.
Third line: “If not struck by the hoe’s blade” —
here the
poet emphasizes the hardship of labor and how results
depend on
hard work. The “hoe” is a necessary tool for
cultivating the land, and the poet shows that labor is a
process requiring determination and patience.
Fourth line: “The soil would not be a rose garden but a
thorn field” —
this line shows that without effort, the
soil cannot yield anything fruitful. If one neglects the
land, it remains barren
—
represented by thorns, not
roses. The poet stresses that any transformation in life
can only be achieved through persistent effort.
Poetic Devices:
Metaphor: “The soil wou
ld not be a rose garden but a
thorn field” —
this metaphor suggests that without
labor, growth and development are impossible. “Rose
garden” symbolizes productivity and progress, while
“thorn
field”
represents
negligence
and
unproductiveness.
Simile (compa
rison): “If not struck by the hoe’s blade”
—
the poet compares the difficulty of labor and the
futility of efforts without action. He emphasizes that
change is impossible without effort.
Imagery: The word “soil” represents not only a physical
space but also the potential for transformation through
human labor. It is portrayed as a place that can be
changed through work and care.
The rhythm of the poem is simple and clear; each line
flows well with the others. This rhythmic structure helps
the poet clearly and vividly convey his message. The
tone is firm, enhancing the emotional impact of the
poem.
The quatrain emphasizes that to achieve success in life,
one must be honest, pure-hearted, and hardworking.
The poet shows that labor is essential, and without it,
nothing in life will change. To realize one’s dreams, one
must walk the honest path, and on this path, hard work
plays a vital role.
In this quatrain, the poet reveals a life truth: only by
living honestly and purely, and by working hard, can one
achieve their dreams. The artistic devices used in the
poem
—
such as metaphors and similes
—
convey deep
meaning to the reader. The poet’s core message is that
success in life comes through labor and integrity
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Samandar Vohidov, through his quatrains,
uniquely portrays the essential values of life, the inner
world of human beings, moral issues, and social
concerns. His quatrains especially focus on core values
such as labor, honesty, and purity, and the relationship
between a person and their inner self.
Each line in Vohidov’s quatrains carries deep meaning
and significance. With brief yet powerful expressions,
the poet reveals the spiritual state of humanity, their
way of life, and their goals. The main idea in his poetry
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is to convey that achieving success in life requires hard
work, honesty, listening to one's heart, and being open
to natural changes.
In his poetry, Samandar Vohidov presents honesty and
purity as fundamental values. In the line, “If you want
to live in this world, be h
onest and pure,” the poet calls
upon
individuals
to
live
truthfully
and
straightforwardly. He advises people to maintain
honesty and purity in life, and to stay away from evil,
lies, and empty words. This line serves not only as a
guide for personal morality but also as an important
ethical compass for society as a whole.
The poet’s thought continues in phrases often found in
his poetry, such as “Even if your heart is torn to
shreds.” Here, he calls on people to listen to the voice
of their heart and express their inner emotions openly.
Listening to the heart means living sincerely and
performing every action wholeheartedly.
The significance of labor holds a special place in
Samandar Vohidov’s quatrains. In lines such as “If not
struck by the hoe’s blade” and “The soil would not be
a rose garden but a thorn field,” the role of labor in life
is clearly and vividly emphasized. The poet stresses
that one must work hard and be persistent and patient.
Without results from labor, no change can occur, and
one cannot reach their dreams. He highlights the
delicacy of labor, the necessity of determination to
gain from the land, and the need for one’s efforts to be
stable and productive. According to the poet, only
achievements gained through hard work are true and
meaningful. Therefore, every person must understand
the importance of labor in life.
Change and Action in Life:
Another important aspect in Samandar Vohidov’s
quatrains is the idea of being open to change in life.
The poet emphasizes the importance of personal
transformation, understanding one’s inner world, and
being able to endure new challenges. In the line “The
soil would not be a rose garden but a thorn field,” the
poet uses nature and the power of the earth as an
example. He shows that the soil can only be
transformed through labor and that productivity
comes from effort. Through this line, the poet explains
that life itself can only be changed through continuous
movement and transformation.
Although Samandar Vohidov’s quatrains are short,
they contain deep reflections on the most fundamental
issues of humanity. Honesty, purity, labor, and change
are the core ideas in his poetry. By embedding these
values into his verses, the poet encourages readers to
be honest, sincere, and hardworking. Each line
contains profound thoughts about the inner world of a
person, their goals, and their role in life, providing the
reader with new insights about existence.
Vohidov’s quatrains are not only artistic expressions of
literature but also serve as valuable moral guides that
influence the human spirit.
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