The Poet’s Knowledge of God: The Work of Parvin Etesami in the Context of the Iranian Spiritual Tradition
Russian journal of cultural studies and communication. April 19, 2024 T. A. Koshemchuk, M. L. Reysner, Marzieh Yahyapour
Parvin Etesami's mystical poetry, written during a turning point in Persian culture in the first half of the twentieth century, continues the Persian tradition of searching for God while using old poetic forms with a new language. The poet's reflections on God as creator, predestination, and divine grace are analyzed through precise translations of her poems. The verses affirm the value of mystical consciousness achieved through contemplation of true reality, opposing ordinary views that see such mysticism as madness. Love for God is presented as the heart's center, with external religiosity and inner comprehension of God shown as complementary. Fidelity to spiritual tradition and individual creativity form an organic unity in her work.