Celebrating the Best of Urdu Poetry
Page 4
If these weren’t sparks of anger, but outpourings of my sorrow.
To whom can I speak of sorrows that come with the fading of light?
Death would be welcome, if it did not stand at my door every night.
उसे कौन देख सकता कि यगाना है वह यकता
जो दुई की बू भी होती तो कहीं दुचार होता
यह मसाइल-ए-तसव्वुफ़ यह तेरा बयान ग़ालिब
तुझे हम वली समझते जो न बादाख़्वार होता
Usey kaun dekh sakta ki yagaana hai voh yakta
Jo dui kee boo bhee hotee to kaheen duchaar hota
Yeh masaail-e-tasawwuf yeh tera bayaan Ghalib
Tujhey hum valee samajhtey jo na baadaakhvar hota
She is unique, the only one, who can dare to gaze upon her?
Had there been a second remotely resembling her, had there been another!
Your concern with mystic problems, Ghalib, your language is such
You could have passed off for a saint, had you not drunk so much.
ग़ज़ल २
तस्कीं को हम न रोयेँ जो ज़ौक़-ए-नज़र मिले
हूरान-ए-खुल्द में तेरी सूरत मगर मिले
अपनी गली में मुझको न कर दफ़्न बाद-ए-क़ल्ल
मेरे पते से ख़ल्क़ को क्यों तेरा घर मिले
साक़ीगरी की शर्म करो आज वर्ना हम
हर शब पिया ही करते हैं मै जिस क़दर मिले
तुझसे तो कुछ कलाम नहीं लेकिन अय नदीम
मेरा सलाम कहियो अगर नामाबर मिले
तुमको भी हम दिखायेँ कि मजनूं ने क्या किया
फ़ुर्सत कशाकश-ए-ग़म-ए-पिन्हां से गर मिले
Ghazal „२
Taskeen ko hum na royein jo zauq-e-nazar miley
Hooraan-e-khuld mein teree soorat magar miley
Apnee galee mein mujhko na kar dafn baad-e-qatl
Merey patey sey khalq ko kyon tera ghar miley
Saqeegaree kee sharm karo aaj varnaa hum
Har shab piya hee kartey hain mai jis qadar miley
Tujhsey to kuch kalaam naheen lekin aye nadeem
Mera salaam kahiyo agar naamaabar miley
Tumko bhee hum dikhayein ki Majnoon ney kya kiya
Fursat kashaakash-e-gham-e-pinhaan sey gar miley
Ghazal 2
If I found the one I long to see, I would not cry for peace of mind
Among the houris of paradise, if one like you I’d find.
After destroying me do not bury me in the house in which you dwell,
Why should someone looking for my grave find your house as well?
Do not put to shame the wine server’s oath by which you’re bound,
Know that every evening I get my drink from wherever it is found.
Though we are not on talking terms, O my friend!
Through a trusty messenger convey the greetings that I send.
What Majnoon did I could do for you to see
If of pain and turmoil within me I could be set free.
लाज़िम नहीं कि ख़िज़्र की हम पैरवी करें
माना कि इक बुज़ुर्ग हमें हमसफ़र मिले
अय साकीनान-ए-कूचा-ए-दिलदार देखना
तुमको कहीं जो ग़ालिब-ए-आशुफ़्ता सर मिले
Laazim naheen ki Khizr kee hum pairavee karein
Maanaa ki ik buzurg hamein humsafar miley
Ai sakinaan-e-koocha-e-dildar dekhna
Tumko kaheen jo Ghalib-e-aashuftha sar miley
I do not have to seek the patronage of St Christopher
I know I have as fellow-traveller a wise elder.
Beware O you who dwell in my beloved’s street
Lest the love-crazed Ghalib you might meet.
ग़ज़ल ३
किसी को देके दिल कोई नवा संज-ए-फ़ुग़ां क्यों हो
न हो जब दिल ही सीने में तो मुंह में ज़बां क्यों हो
वह अपनी ख़ू न छोड़ेंगे हम अपनी वज़ा क्यों बदलें
सुबुक सर बन के क्या पूछें कि हमसे सरगिरां क्यों हो
किया ग़मख़्वार ने रुस्वा लगे आग इस मुहब्बत को
न लावे ताब जो ग़म की वह मेरा राज़दां क्यों हो
वफ़ा कैसी कहां का इश्क़ जब सर फोड़ना ठहरा
तो फिर अय संग दिल तेरा ही संग-ए-आस्तां क्यों हो
यह कह सकते हो हम दिल में नहीं हैं पर यह बतलाओ
कि जब दिल में तुम्हीं तुम हो तो आंखों से निहां क्यों हो
Ghazal …३
Kisee ko dekey dil koi navaa sanj-e-fughaan kyon ho
Na ho jab dil hee seeney mein to phir munh mein zabaan kyon ho
Voh apnee khoo na chhorengey hum apnee vazaa kyon badlein
Subuk sar ban key kya puchhein ki humsey sargiraan kyon ho
Kiya ghamkhwar ney ruswa lagey aag is mohabbat ko
Na laavey taab jo gham kee voh mera raazdaan kyon ho
Wafa kaisee kahaan ka ishq jab sar phorna thehra
To phir aye sang dil tera hee sang-e-aastaan kyon ho
Ya kah saktey ho hum dil mein naheen hain par yeh batlao
Ki jab dil mein tumheen tum ho to aakhon sey nihaan kyon ho
Ghazal 3
Having willingly given away one’s heart to another, why should songs of lament be sung?
When there’s no heart left in the ribcage, why should the mouth have a tongue?
She will not cease to be arrogant, why should I lose my pride?
With bowed head must I ask, ‘Why me do you so much deride?’
It’s my friend and consoler who’s let me down, such love I’d gladly burn,
One who has no strength to share my sorrow, shouldn’t I her friendship spurn?
What kind of loyalty, wherefore this love? It is my own head I have to break
Then, O stone-hearted one, why at your threshold must I smash it for your sake?
You are free to say I have no place in your heart, but tell me why
When you and only you live in my heart, you are hidden from my eye?
ग़लत है जज़्ब-ए-दिल का शिकवा देखो जुर्म किस का है
न खेँचो गर तुम अपने को कशाकश दरिमयां क्यों हो
यह फ़ितना आदमी की ख़ानावीरानी को क्या कम है
हुये तुम दोस्त जिसके दुश्मन उसका आसमां क्यों हो
निकलता चाहता है काम क्या तानों से तू ग़ालिब
तेरे बेमेहर कहने से वह तुझ पर मेहरबां क्यों हो
Ghalat hai jazb-e-dil ka shikva
dekho jurm kis ka hai
Na khencho gar tum apney ko kashaakash darmiyaan kyon ho
Yeh fithna aadmi kee khaanaaveeraanee ko kya kam hai
Huey tum dost jiskey dushman uska aasmaan kyon ho
Nikaalaa chaahataa hai kaam kya taanon sey too Ghalib
Terey bemehar kehney sey voh tujh par mehrbaan kyon ho
Wrong is the stricken heart’s complaint, see who is the guilty one in this,
If you did not draw back, why would there be this tension between us?
Is not this devil in man enough to wreck life and fill it with woe?
One who has you for a friend, why need he ask for a foe?
O Ghalib, by taunts and complaints what do you hope to gain?
If you call her unkind, why expect her to be kind and remain?
ग़ज़ल ४
हुस्न-ए-मह गरचे ब हंगाम-ए-कमाल अच्छा है
उससे मेरा मह-ए-खुर्शीद जमाल अच्छा है
बोसा देते नहीं और दिल पे है हर लहज़ा निगाह
जी में कहते हैं कि मुफ़्त आये तो माल अच्छा है
उनके देखे से जो आ ज़ाती है मुंह पर फ़ैज़
इक बीराहमान ने कहा है कि यह साल अच्छा है
देखिये पाते हैं उश्शाक़ बूतों से क्या फ़ैज
इक बीराहमन ने कहा है कि यह साल अच्छा है
हम को मालूम है जन्नत की हाक़ीक़त लेकिन
दिल के खुश रखने को ग़ालिब यह ख़्याल अच्छा है
Ghazal †४
Husn-e-mah garchey ba hoongaam-e-kamaal achchhaa hai
Ussey mera mah-e-khursheed jamaal achchhaa hai
Bosa detey naheen aur dil pey hai har lehzaa nigaah
Jee mein kehtey hain ki muft aaye to maal achchhaa hai
Unkey dekhey sey jo aajaatee hai munh par raunaq
Voh samajhtey hain ki beemaar ka haal achchhaa hai
Dekhiye paatey hain ushshaaq buton sey kya faiz
Ik birahman ney kahaa hai ki yeh saal achchhaa hai
Hum ko maaloom hai jannat kee haqeeqat lekin
Dil ke khush rakhney ko Ghalib yeh khyaal achchhaa hai
Ghazal 4
Though beyond compare is the beauty of the full moon,
More beautiful is my beloved who shines like the sun at noon.
She will not let me kiss her but keeps her eyes on my heart to see:
She says to herself, ‘It is a good bargain if I get him for free.’
As my face lights up when I set eyes upon her
She thinks my illness has passed, I must be better.
Let us see what lovers get from the gods they hold dear,
A soothsayer predicts this will be a lucky year.
We all know the truth about paradise, I fear,
But Ghalib, the illusion keeps the heart in good cheer.
ग़ज़ल ५
दिल ही तो है न संग-ओ-ख़िश्त दर्द से भर न आये क्यों
रोयेँगे हम हज़ार बार कोई हमें सताये क्यों
दैर नहीं हरम नहीं दर नहीं आस्तां नहीं
बैठे हैं रहगुज़र पे हम कोई हमें उठाये क्यों
जब वह जमाल-ए-दिल फ़रोज़ सूरत-ए-मेहर-ए-नीमरोज़
आप ही हो नज़्ज़ारा सोज़ पर्दे में मुंह छुपाये क्यों
क़ैद-ए-हयात-ओ-बंद-ए-ग़म असला मेन दोनों एक है
मौत से पहले आदमी ग़म से निजात पाये क्यों
हां वह नहीं खुदा परस्त जाओ वह बेवफ़ा सही
जूसको हो दीं-ओ-दिल अज़ीज़ उसकी गली मेन जाये क्यों
ग़ालिब-ए-ख़स्ता के बग़ैर कौन से काम बंद हैं
रोइये ज़ार-ज़ार क्या कीजिये हाय हाय क्यों
Ghazal ‡५
Dil hee to hai na sang-o-khishth dard sey bhar na aaye kyon
Royenge hum hazaar baar koi humein sataaye kyon
Dair naheen haram naheen dar naheen aasthaan naheen
Baithey hain rehguzar pey hum ghair humein utthaye kyon
Jab voh jamaal-e-dil faroz soorat-e-mehr-e-neemroz
Aap hee ho nazzaara soz pardey mein munh chhupaaye kyon
Qaid-e-hayaat-o-band-e-gham asl mein dono ek hain
Maut sey pehley aadmi gham sey nijaat paaye kyon
Haan voh naheen khuda parast jaao voh bewafaa sahee
Jis ko ho deen-o-dil azeez uskee galee mein jaaye kyon
Ghalib-e-khastaa key baghair kaun sey kaam band hain
Roiye zaar-zaar kya keejiye haaye haaye kyon
Ghazal 5
It is my heart, not a thing of brick and stone, why can’t it sometimes fill with pain?
A thousand tears will I shed and moan, why should you hurt me again and again?
Not in a temple nor in a mosque; not at anyone’s door nor doorstep,
If I sit spent by a thoroughfare, why should anyone tell me to get up?
She is heart bewitching, resplendent as the sun at noon, but to understand her I fail,
When she shows herself of her own will, why is her face hid behind a veil?
Life is like a prison, sorrows like fetters that bind;
Why before death should can anyone freedom find?
Granted she has no faith in God, she also does fidelity disdain,
Then he who holds God in his heart, why should he go down her lane?
Nothing in the world will stop when wretched Ghalib is absent
Why then shed copious tears, why then the loud lament?
ग़ज़ल ६
आह को चाहिए इक असर होने तक
कौन जीता है तेरी जुल्फ़ के सर होने तक
दाम-ए-हर मौज मेन है हल्क़ा-ए-सद काम निहंग
देखें क्या गुज़रे है क़तरे पे गुहार होने तक
आशिक़ी सब्र तलब और तमन्ना बेताब
दिल का क्या रंग करूं ख़ून-ए-जिगर होने तक
हमने माना कि तग़ाफ़ुल न करोगे लेकिन
ख़ाक हो जायेँगे हम तुमको ख़बर होने तक
ग़म-ए-हस्ती का असद किससे हो जुज़ मर्ग इलाज
शमा हर रंग मेन जलती है सहर होने तक
Ghazal ६
Aah ko chaahiye ik umr asar honey tak
Kaun jeeta hai teree zulf key sar honey tak
Daam-e-har mauj mein hai halqaa-e-sad kaam nihang
Dekhein kya guzrey hai qatrey pey guhar honey tak
Aashiqee sabr talab aur tamannaa betaab
Dil ka kya rang karoon khoon-e-jigar honey tak
Hum ney maanaa ki taghaaful na karogey lekin
Khaak ho jaayengey hum tumko khabar honey tak
Gham-e-hastee ka Asad kissey ho juz marg ilaaj
Shamaa har rang mein jaltee hai sahar hon
ey tak
Ghazal 6
A sigh of longing takes an age to be heard, if ever,
What man can live long enough to win you over?
A hundred crocodiles lie in ambush behind every wave and swirl
Come, look what a drop of water must endure, before it becomes a pearl.
Love demands patience; desire wants it now and must
What colour do I give my heart when to death bleeds my lust?
Of course, when I call for you, you will not let me down, but
By the the time you hear of my state, I may have turned to dust.
There is no cure for the sorrows of life but death: O Asad you must know
A candle flickers in different hues till it is dawn of the morrow.
HAKIM MOMIN KHAN MOMIN
(1801–1852)
Momin Khan Momin was born in Delhi into a family of Unani hakims. A trained physician in his own right, his interests, besides poetry and medicine, included chess, music and astrology. Unlike Zauq and Ghalib, Momin was financially secure and did not need to depend on patronage. This might have contributed to his spirit of independence. Momin was fluent in Urdu, Persian and Arabic and had studied the Quran closely. Momin died following an accident in which he fell off the roof of his house. He was fifty-one.
खामोश सच
कुछ लोग हैं ख़ामोश
मगर सोच रहे हैं
सच बोलेंगे तब
सच के जब दाम बढ़ेंगे
Khaamosh such
Kuchh log hain khaamosh
Magar soch rahey hain
Such bolengey tab
Such key jab daam barhengey