For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
زندگی اور موت ۔ ۱۔۱۳۔انا
جوشؔ ملیح آبادی
بند ١
ہاں انا ہے وہ دبیرِ نفس و دارائے حیات
شور جس کا گرم دن، گل بانگ جسکی سرد رات
جس پہ مبنی جذبہ حفظِ حیات و حبّ ذات
کیا زمیں، کیا آسماں، جسکی جلو میں کاینات
کج اسی کے بانکپن سے ہے کلاہِ زندگی
یہ رسولِ ذہنِ انساں ہے، الِہِ زندگی
بند ٢
یہ انا ہے وہ قدم جو ڈگمگا سکتا نہیں
جس میں استثنا کے ہاتھوں جھول آسکتا نہیں
یہ کسی طوفان کو خاطر میں لاسکتا نہیں
یہ چراغِ داوری ہے جھلملا سکتا نہیں
یہ دلوں کی آبرو، یہ ولولوں کی جان ہے
رحل نفسِ آدمی پر یہ انا قران ہے
بند ٣
آدمی ہو اور اپنی ذات پر چیں بر جبیں
زندگی اور اپنی عینیت پر اُلٹے آستیں
یہ تو ممکن ہے کہ انساں توڑ دے حبلِ متیں
حشر تک لیکن انا سے ہاتھ اُٹھا سکتا نہیں
یہ انا ہی تو محافظ ہے بشر کی جان کا
یہ نہ ہو تو دم نکل جائے غریب اِنسان کا
بند ٤
خدمتِ احباب و ملک و دودمان و اقربا
جور و خلق و رحم و عشق و نفرت و بیم و رجا
شفقت و قربانی و اِخلاص و ایثار و سخا
حبّ دنیا، حبّ عقبیٰ، حبّ حق، حبّ خدا
جزر و مد یہ سب کے سب ہیں جوئے احساسات کے
کتنے لا تعداد رُخ ہیں ایک حبّ ذات کے
بند ٥
ثبت ہر اِنسان کے دِل پر ہے یہ مہرِ خیال
میں ہوں صدرِ علم و بدرِ عقل و سلطانِ جمال
معتبر ہے صرف میرا فعل میرا اِنفعال
مجھ سے بڑھ جائے یہ کس میں تاب یہ کس کی مجال
ذات میری افتخارِ مہر و نازِ ماہ ہے
مجھ سے برتر ہے کوئی تو کون؟ خیر اللہ ہے
بند ٦
قابلِ برداشت جب رہتا نہیں دردِ حیات
ڈھونڈتی ہے تلملاہٹ زہر میں راہِ نجات
اِس عمل سے عقلِ اِنسانی میں آتی ہے یہ بات
اِرتکابِ خودکشی تک ہے جنونِ حبّ ذات
آدمی جیتا ہے ساز و برگِ عشرت کے لئے
اور مرتا بھی ہے تو دفعِ اَذیت کے لئے
بند ٧
شادماں ہوتا ہے تو اپنی خوشی کے واسطے
نقدِ جاں کھوتا ہے تو اپنی خوشی کے واسطے
کاٹتا بوتا ہے تو اپنی خوشی کے واسطے
جاگتا سوتا ہے تو اپنی خوشی کے واسطے
کام رکھتا ہے فقط اپنے ہی مرغوبات سے
کس قدر اِنسان کو ہے عشق اپنی ذات سے
بند ٨
سوچتا ہے آدمی ارض و سما کچھ بھی نہیں
زیرِ محرابِ فلک، میرے سوا کچھ بھی نہیں
مجھ سے کٹ جائیں اگر تو انبیا کچھ بھی نہیں
رشتہ مجھ سے توڑ ڈالے تو خدا کچھ بھی نہیں
جملہ اِنساں ہیچ ہیں، محبوبِ آب و گِل ہوں میں
سب ہیں اعضا، سینۂ فرشِ زمیں کا دِل ہوں میں
بند ٩
میں جمالِ وادیِ ایمن غزالِ کوہِ قاف
قلب میرا قدسیوں کی بارگاہِ اعتکاف
انفس و آفاق میرے گرد سرگرمِ طواف
نامۂ اعمال میرا عین کعبے کا غلاف
خاک پر مجھ سا ادا سنجِ قضا کوئی نہیں
اس کرُے پر صرف میں ہوں دوسرا کوئی نہیں
بند ١٠
میں دلِ عرشِ بر یں ہوں، دیدۂ فرشِ زمیں
ہاں میری تخیل کے باہر، نہ دنیا ہے نہ دیں
مجھ کو اِس آ ئینہ خانے میں بربّ عالمیں
اپنے چہرے کے سوا کچھ بھی نظر آتا نہیں
میں حقائق کی زباں ہوں، داستاں ہے کائینات
کارواں میں ہوں غبارِ کارواں ہے کائینات
بند ١١
یہ عجب دھنُ ہے کے ہر فردِ بشر کے رو بہ رو
صرف اپنا مدّعا ہے، صرف اپنی آرزو
صرف اپنا کرّ و فر ہے صرف اپنی آبرو
صرف اپنا ذکر، اپنی فکر، اپنی گفتگو
کان دھرتا ہی نہیں کوئی کسی کی بات پر
کس قدر لہلوٹ ہے اِنسان ا پنی ذات پر
بند ١٢
نیلم و یاقوت و مروارید و الماس و نگیں
لالہ و شمشاد و نسرین و چنار و یاسمین
سُبّح و زنّار و خیت ابیض و حبل متین
سب ہیں مہمل جب گلے میں سانس کا ڈورا نہیں
صرف میرا ایک کھلونا ہے جہاں کچھ بھی نہیں
میں نہیں تو یہ زمیں یہ آسماں کچھ بھی نہیں
بند ١٣
خواہ کتنی برہمی ہو خواہ کتنی ابتری
خواہ کتنا ہی بھنبھونڑیں گردشیں افلاک کی
خواہ کتنی ہی بلاؤں میں گھری ہو زندگی
پھر بھی جینے کی دعایں مانگتا ہے آدمی
تھرتھراتا، تلملاتا، بلبلاتا ہے بشر
زندگی کو پھر بھی سینے سے لگاتا ہے بشر
बन्द १
हाँ अना है वो दबीर ए नफ़स ओ दारा ए हयात
शोर जिस का गर्म दिन, गुल बांग जिसकी सर्द रात
जिसपे मुब्नी जज़्बा ए हिफ़्ज़ ए हयात ओ हुब्ब ए ज़ात
क्या ज़मीं, क्या आसमां, जिसकी जिलौ में काएनात
कज इसी के बांकपन से है कुलाह ए ज़िन्दगी
ये रसूल ए ज़हन ए इन्सां है इलाह ए ज़िन्दगी
बन्द २
ये अना है वो क़दम जो डगमगा सकता नहीं
जिस में इस्तेसना के हाथों झोल आ सकता नहीं
ये किसी तूफ़ान को ख़ातिर में ला सकता नहीं
ये चिराग़ ए दावरी है झिलमिला सकता नहीं
ये दिलों की आबरू, ये वल्वलों की जान है
रहल ए नफ़स ए आदमी पर ये अना क़ुर’आन है
बन्द ३
आदमी हो और अपनी ज़ात पर चीं बर जबीं
ज़िन्दगी और अपनी ऐनियत पर उलटे आस्तीं
ये तो मुमकिन है के इन्सां तोड़ दे हब्ल ए मतीं
हश्र तक लेकिन अना से हाथ उठा सकता नहीं
ये अना ही तो मुहाफ़िज़ है बशर की जान का
ये न हो तो दम निकल जाए ग़रीब इन्सान का
बन्द ४
ख़िदमत ए अहबाब ओ मुल्क ओ दूद्मान ओ अक़रोबा
जोर ओ ख़ल्क़ ओ रहम ओ इश्क़ ओ नफ़्रत ओ बीम ओ रजा
शफ़क़त ओ क़ुरबानी ओ इख़लास ओ ईसार ओ सख़ा
हुब्ब ए दुनिया हुब्ब ए उक़बा हुब्ब ए हक़ हुब्ब ए ख़ुदा
जज़र ओ मद ये सब के सब हैं जू ए एहसासात के
कितने लातादाद रुख़ हैं एक हुब्ब ए ज़ात के
बन्द ५
सब्त हर इन्सान के दिल पर है ये महर ए ख़्याल
मैं हूँ सदर ए इल्म ओ बद्र ए अक़्ल ओ सुल्तान ए जमाल
मो’अतबर है सिर्फ़ मेरा फ़ा’अल मेरा इन्फ़े’अल
मुझ से बढ़ जाए ये किस में ताब ये किस की मजाल
ज़ात मेरी इफ़्तेख़ार ए महर ओ नाज़ ए माह है
मुझ से बरतर है कोई तो कौन? ख़ैर अल्लाह है
बन्द ६
क़ाबिल ए बर्दाश्त जब रहता नहीं दर्द ए हयात
ढूँढती है तिलमिलाहट ज़हर में राह ए नजात
इस अमल से अक़ल ए इंसानी में आती है ये बात
इर्तेकाब ए ख़ुदकुशी तक है जुनून ए हुब्ब ए ज़ात
आदमी जीता है साज़ ओ बर्ग ए इशरत के लिए
और मरता भी है तो दफ़ा’अ अज़ियत के लिए
बन्द ७
शादमां होता है तो अपनी ख़ुशी के वास्ते
नक़्द ए जां खोता है तो अपनी ख़ुशी के वास्ते
काटता बोता है तो अपनी ख़ुशी के वास्ते
जागता सोता है तो अपनी ख़ुशी के वास्ते
काम रखता है फ़क़त अपने ही मरग़ूबात से
किस क़दर इन्सान को है इश्क़ अपनी ज़ात से
बन्द ८
सोचता है आदमी अर्ज़ ओ समा कुछ भी नहीं
ज़ेर ए मेहराब ए फ़लक मेरे सिवा कुछ भी नहीं
मुझ से कट जाएँ अगर तो अंबिया कुछ भी नहीं
रिश्ता मुझ से तोड़ डाले तो ख़ुदा कुछ भी नहीं
जुमला इन्सां हेच हैं, महबूब ए आब ओ गिल हूँ मैं
सब हैं अ’अज़ा सीना ए फ़र्श ए ज़मीं का दिल हूँ मैं
बन्द ९
मैं जमाल ए वादी ए ऐमन गज़ाल ए कोह ए क़ाफ़
क़ल्ब मेरा कुद्सिओं की बारगाह ए एतेकाफ़
अन्फ़स ओ आफ़ाक़ मेरे गिर्द सरगर्म ए तवाफ़
नामा ए आमाल मेरा ऐन काबे का ग़िलाफ़
ख़ाक पर मुझ सा अदा संज ए क़ज़ा कोई नहीं
इस कुरे पर सिर्फ़ मैं हूँ दूसरा कोई नहीं
बन्द १०
मैं दिल ए अर्श ए बरीं हूँ, दीदा ए फ़र्श ए ज़मीं
हाँ मेरी तख़’ईल के बाहिर न दुनिया है न दीं
मुझ को इस आईना ख़ाने में ब रब्ब ए आलमीं
अपने चेहरे के सिवा कुछ भी नज़र आता नहीं
मैं हक़आ’एक़ की ज़बां हूँ, दास्ताँ है काएनात
कारवां मैं हूँ, ग़ुबार ए कारवां है काएनात
बन्द ११
ये अजब धुन है के हर फ़र्द ए बशर के रू ब रू
सिर्फ़ अपना मुद्दुआ है, सिर्फ़ अपनी आरज़ू
सिर्फ़ अपना कर्र ओ फ़र सिर्फ़ अपनी आबरू
सिर्फ़ अपना ज़िक्र, अपनी फ़िक्र, अपनी गुफ़्तगू
कान धर्ता ही नहीं कोई किसी की बात पर
किस क़दर लह्लोट है इंसान अपनी ज़ात पर
बन्द १२
नीलम ओ याक़ूत ओ मरवारीद ओ अल्मास ओ नगीं
लाला ओ शमशाद ओ नसरीन ओ चिनार ओ यास्मीं
सुभ ओ ज़ुन्नार ओ ख़ैत ए अबिअज़ ओ हबल ए मतीं
सब हैं मोहमिल जब गले में सांस का डोरा नहीं
सिर्फ़ मेरा एक खिलौना है जहाँ कुछ भी नहीं
मैं नहीं तो ये ज़मीं ये आसमान कुछ भी नहीं
बन्द १३
ख़्वाह कितनी बरहमी हो ख़्वाह कितनी अबतरी
ख़्वाह कितना ही भंभोंड़े गर्दिशें अफ़्लाक की
ख़्वाह कितनी ही बलाओं में घिरी हो ज़िन्दगी
फिर भी जीने की दुआएं मांगता है आदमी
थरथराता, तिलमिलाता, बिलबिलाता है बशर
ज़िन्दगी को फिर भी सीने से लगाता है बशर
Click here for overall comments and on any stanza for meanings and interpretation. In the opening of zindagi o maut, Josh begins very powerfully describing the human ego. He takes 12 stanzas to describe love of self, sense of self preservation and transitions beautifully in the 13th stanza to describe how this strong ego leads to a desire to live, no matter what.
Stanza 1
haN anaa1 hai voh dabir-e-nafs2 o dara-e-hayat3
shor4 jis ka garm din5, gul baang6 jiski sard raat7
jis pe mabni8 jazba9-e-hifz10-e-hayat11-o-hubb-e-zaat12
kya zameeN, kya aasmaN, jiski jilau13 meN kae’naat14
kaj15 isi ke baaNkpan16 se hai kulah17 e zindagi
ye rasool e zahn18 e insaN hai ilah19 e zindagi1. ego, personhood 2. writer of rules of life 3. king of life 4. noise, sound 5. active day 6. declaration, assertion 7. cold night 8. dependent 9. desire 10. protection 11. life 12. love of self 13. company 14. creation 15. crooked, tilted 16. vigour 17. cap 18.guide of the mind 19. god
It is Ego that writes the code of living. It is the lord of life. Ego proclaims commands all day and asserts itself all night. The desire of self-preservation, the love of life is based on it. Not just the earth and sky, all creation marches with it. Life is defiant and bold because of it. It is ego that guides the mind, is the lord of life. Josh uses “ana” as a combination of ego, self awareness, self preservation, and pride. “kaj kulahi” is a phrase literally meaning “tilted cap”, used here to imply a defiant attitude.
Stanza 2
ye anaa hai vo qadam jo Dagmaga sakta nahiN
jis me istesna1 ke haathoN jhol2 aa sakta nahiN
ye kisi toofan ko Khaatir3 meN laa sakta nahiN
ye chiraaGh-e-dawari4 hai jhilmila5 sakta nahiN
ye diloN ki aabroo6, ye valvaloN7 ki jaan hai
rahl8-e-nafs9 e aadmi par ye ana Quran hai1. exception 2. sag, loose 3. bring into consideration, care about 4. royalty 5. flicker 6. honour, dignity 7. fervour, zeal 8. criss-cross book stand for the Quran 9. soul
Ego, has a steady, determined step. It does not stumble. It makes no exceptions, there is no sagging of its desires. Ego cares little for threatening storms. This is the lamp of royalty, it does not flicker. It is the dignity of feelings, the very life of zeal. Ego is like the Quran placed on the “rehaal” of man’s soul.
Stanza 3
aadmi ho aur apni zaat1 par chiN bar jabiN2
zindagi aur apni ainiyat3 par ulTe aastiN4
ye to mumkin hai ke insaN toR de habl-e-matiN5
hashr6 tak laikin anaa se haath uTha7 sakta nahiN
ye anaa hi to muhafiz8 hai bashar9 ki jaan ka
ye na ho to dam nikal jaaye Gharib insaan ka1. person, self 2. wrinkled brow, get angry 3. essentials 4. roll up the sleeve i.e. get ready to fight 5. strong bonds, relationships 6. end, doomsday 7. lift up hand – let go 8. protector 9. human
Man and be displeased with his own person! This cannot be! Life rolling up its sleeves to fight its own essentials! This cannot be! It is possible that man may break all strong bonds but he cannot let go of his ego until doomsday. It is the ego that protects human life. If there is no ego, poor Man would simply die.
Stanza 4
Khidmat1-e-ahbab2-o-mulk-o-dudman-o-aqruba3
jor4-o-Khalq5-o-rahm-o-ishq-o-nafrat-o-bim6-o-raja7
shafqat8-o-qurbani9-o-iKhlas10-o-eesar11-o-saKha12
hubb-e-duniya13 hubb-e-uqaba14 hubb-e-haq15 hubb-e-Khuda
jazr-o-mad16 ye sab ke sab haiN ju-e-ehsasat17 ke
kitne latadaad18 ruKh19 haiN ek hubb-e-zaat20 ke1. service 2. friends 3. family and relatives 4. anger 5. creativity 6. fear 7. greed 8. nurturing 9. sacrifice 10. “Khuloos”, attachment 11. consideration for others 12. generosity 13. love of world/life 14. love of relatives 15. love of righteousness 16. ebb and flow 17. river of feelings/emotions 18. innumerable 19. faces, facets 20. self love Service of friends, country, family and relatives; anger, creativity, kindness, love, hatred, fear and greed; nurturing, sacrificing, caring, empathy and kindness; love of life, love of relatives, love of justice, love of god – all are but the ebb and flow of the river of emotions. Oh, how many faces there are of this one love of self!
Stanza 5
sabt1 har insaan ke dil par hai ye mahr-e-Khiyaal2
maiN huN sadr-e-ilm3 o badr-e-aql4 o sultan-e-jamal5
mo’atabar6 hai sirf7 mera fa’al8 mera infe’aal9
mujh se baRh jaye ye kis meN taab10 ye kis ki majal11
zaat12 meri ifteKhar-e-mahr13 o naz-e-maah14 hai
mujh se bartar15 hai koi to kaun? Khair16 allah hai1. stamped, engraved 2. sun of thoughts, brilliant thought 3. centre of knowledge 4. the full moon of intelligence 5. king of good looks 6. credible 7. only 8. action 9. inaction, reticence 10. brilliance 11. foolhardiness, daring 12. person, self 13. pride of the sun 14. pride of the moon 15. superior 16. after all
On every mind is stamped this unshakeable thought that “I” am the centre of knowledge, the sun of wisdom, the king of beauty. Only my words, my reticence have any credibility. Is there anyone who can dare get past me. My person is the pride of the sun and the moon. Who can be better than me! Oh well, after all there is god.
Stanza 6
qaabil-e bardaasht1 jab rahta nahiN dard e hayat2
DhoonDti hai tilmilahaT3 zahr meN rah e najat4
is amal5 se aql e insani meN aati hai ye baat
irtekab6 e Khudkushi7 tak hai junoon8 e hubb e zaat9
aadmi jeeta hai saz o barg10 e ishrat11 ke liye
aur marta bhi hai to dafa’a12 azi’at13 ke liye1. bearable, tolerable 2. pain of living 3. restlessness 4. way of deliverance/relief 5. action 6. execute, perform 7. suicide 8. passion 9. self love 10. music and flowers (metaphor for pleasures) 11. pleasures 12. repel, dismiss 13. pain
Even when the pain of living becomes unbearable, and restlessness seeks relief in poison; even this action shows us that love of self drives the passion to live even up to the act of suicide. As long as he lives, man lives for pleasure and comfort. If he chooses to die, it is only to overcome pain.
Stanza 7
shaadmaN1 hota hai to apni Khushi ke vaaste
naqd e jaaN2 khota hai to apni Khushi ke vaaste
kaTta bota3 hai to apni Khushi ke vaaste
jagta sota hai to apni Khushi ke vaaste
kaam rakhta hai faqat4 apne hi marGhubaat5 se
kis qadar6 insan ko hai ishq apni zaat se1. happy 2. cash of life i.e. life, time 3. sow and reap 4. only 5. interests 6. how much
If he is at peace, it is only for his own happiness. He spends his time, only for his own happiness. If he works hard, it is only for his own happiness. He sleeps and wakes, only for his own happiness. He concerns himself only with his own interests. Oh, how much in love man is with his own person.
Stanza 8
sochta hai aadmi arz o samaa1 kuchh bhi nahiN
zer2-e-mehraab3-e-falak4 mere siva5 kuch bhi nahiN
mujh se kaT jayeN agar to anbia6 kuch bhi nahiN
rishta7 mujh se toR Daale to Khuda kuch bhi nahiN
jumla8 insaN hech9 haiN, mahboob10-e-aab-o-gil11 huN maiN
sab haiN a’aza12 sina e farsh-e-zamiN13 ka dil huN maiN1. earth and sky 2. under 3. arch 4. sky 5. except for me 6. prophets 7. relationship 8. total, all 9. nothing, no value 10. beloved 11. water and clay, creation … the legend of creation is that man was made of clay and water 12. limbs, parts, organs 13. bosom of everything on the earth’s surface
Man thinks the even the whole earth and sky do not compare, that under the arch of the sky there is nothing except him. If the prophets separate from him, then they are nothing. If god severs his relationship with me, then even he is nothing. All humanity is nothing, I am the beloved of creation. Everyone are mere limbs, I am the throbbing heart in the bosom of the earth.
Stanza 9
maiN jamal1-e-vaadi-e-aiman2 Ghazaal-e-koh-e-qaf3
qalb4 mera qudsioN5 ki bargaah6-e-etekaaf7
anfas o aafaq8 meray gird sargarm9-e-tawaaf10
nama-e-aamaal11 mera ayn12 ka’abe ka Ghilaaf13
Khaak14 par mujh sa adaasanj15-e-qaza16 koi nahiN
is kure17 par sirf18 maiN huN doosra koi nahiN1. face/beauty 2. valley (garden) of paradise, garden of Eden 3. deer of the Caucuses mountain (legendary, unseen, unicorn) 4. heart 5. angels 6. palace 7. retreat (sanyaas) 8. life and horizons i.e. earth and skies 9. busy 10. circumambulation 11. record of achievements 12. essential 13. Kaaba’s cover 14. dust, earth 15. selected, chosen 16. destiny 17. pile/hill/earth 18. only
I am the beauty of the Garden of Eden, I am the beauty and mystery of the Unicorn. My heart is the palace where angels retreat. The earth and the skies are busy revolving around me. My accomplishments are embroidered on the curtain of the Ka’aba. On this earth, none other than me is the chosen of destiny. I alone stand on this heap of dust, no other.
Stanza 10
maiN dil-e-arsh-e-bariN1 huN, dida2-e-farsh-e-zamiN3
haaN meri taKh’eel4 ke baahir na duniya hai na diN5
mujh ko is aaiina Khaane6 meN ba rabb-e-aalamiN7
apne chehre8 ke siva kuchh bhi nazar aata nahiN
maiN haqaa’eq9 ki zabaaN huN, dastaaN10 hai kayenat11
karvaaN12 maiN huN, Ghubaar-e-karvaN13 hai kayenat1. sky (beyond the seventh sky) where god lives 2. eye 3. floor of the earth 4. (khiyaal) imagination 5. next world (as in din duniya) 6. house of mirrors 7. lord of the worlds 8. face 9. facts 10. story 11. creation 12. caravan 13. dust behind the caravan
I am heaven’s throbbing heart, the apple of eye of the earth. Beyond my imagination there is neither heaven nor earth. In this beautiful house of mirrors, by god I don’t see any visage, except mine. I am the voice, creation is the story. I am the caravan, the world is the dust behind it.
Stanza 11
ye ajab1 dhun2 hai ke har fard e bashar3 ke ru ba ru4
sirf apna muddua5 hai, sirf apni aarzu6
sirf apna karr o far7 hai sirf apni aabru8
sirf apna zikr9, apni fikr10, apni guftagu11
kaan dharta hi nahiN koi kisi ki baat par
kis qadar12 lahloT13 hai insaan apni zaat14 par1. strange 2. obsession 3. individual 4. face to face 5. purpose 6. desire 7. glory and grandeur 8. honour 9. mention, story 10. concern 11. conversation 12. how much 13. absorbed 14. self A strange obsession that everyone has, that only his own goals, his desires, only his own praise, his honour, only his story, his interests, his discussion. No one pays any attention to anyone else. How absorbed is man with his own person.
Stanza 12
neelam o yaqoot o marwareed o almaas o nagiN1
laala o shamshad o nasrin o chinar o yasmiN2
subh3 o zunnar4 o khait-e-abiaz5 o habl-e-matiN6
sab haiN muhmil7 jab gale meN saaNs ka Dora8 nahiN
sirf mera ek khilona hai jahaN kuchh bhi nahiN
maiN nahiN to ye zamiN ye aasmaN kuchh bhi nahiN1. precious gems- sapphire, rubies, pearls etc(wealth) 2. flowers and trees – tulips, crocuses, cypress (natural beauty) 3. tasbeeh – Islamic prayer beads 4. janev or Hindu sacred thread 5. white line on the horizon at dawn – white thread 6. bond of relationships 7. useless 8. thread of breathing – continuous breathing
Sapphire, emeralds, rubies, pearls and diamonds; jasmine, crocus, tulip and rose, cypress, poplar, teak and pine; rosary, janev, the line of dawn, the string of love that binds – all are useless unless the string of breath plays in the throat. The world is my playground and nothing else. If I am not here then the sky and the earth mean nothing. This stanza is noteworthy because of the musicality of the “simple” listing of things and attributes. Translation cannot reproduce that rhythm. Also the first line of the verse is a listing of gems, the second of things of natural beauty and the third of “strings” that are important to man … the string that hold the rosary, the holy thread, the string of bright light on the horizon just before dawn, the string of love that holds us together … all these strings are naught if the primary string – the string of breath is absent.
Stanza 13
Khwah1 kitni barhami2 ho Khwah kitni abtari3
Khwah kitna hi bhanbhonRe4 gardisheN5 aflak6 ki
Khwah kitni hi balaaoN7 meN ghiri ho zindagi
phir bhi jiine ki duaeN maNgta hai aadmi
thartharata8, tilmilata9, bilbilata10 hai bashar11
zindagi ko phir bhi seene se lagata hai bashar1. no matter 2. conflict 3. worries 4. shake up 5. unpredictable events 6. skies 7. calamities 8. trembles 9. agonizes 10. pleads 11. man
No matter how many conflicts, no matter how many worries; no matter how rudely events of the world shake him up; no matter how many afflictions surround him – even then man continues to pray for life. He trembles, he agonizes, he pleads, but he keeps holding life close to his bosom. Josh transitions from importance of ego to the beauty of life. He suggests that ego compels man to love life dearly and hang on, no matter what. The next many stanzas are an absolutely marvelous description of the beauty of life.
Stanza 1
haN anaa1 hai voh dabir-e-nafs2 o dara-e-hayat3
shor4 jis ka garm din5, gul baang6 jiski sard raat7
jis pe mabni8 jazba9-e-hifz10-e-hayat11-o-hubb-e-zaat12
kya zameeN, kya aasmaN, jiski jilau13 meN kae’naat14
kaj15 isi ke baaNkpan16 se hai kulah17 e zindagi
ye rasool e zahn18 e insaN hai ilah19 e zindagi
1. ego, personhood 2. writer of rules of life 3. king of life 4. noise, sound 5. active day 6. declaration, assertion 7. cold night 8. dependent 9. desire 10. protection 11. life 12. love of self 13. company 14. creation 15. crooked, tilted 16. vigour 17. cap 18.guide of the mind 19. god
It is Ego that writes the code of living. It is the lord of life. Ego proclaims commands all day and asserts itself all night. The desire of self-preservation, the love of life is based on it. Not just the earth and sky, all creation marches with it. Life is defiant and bold because of it. It is ego that guides the mind, is the lord of life. Josh uses “ana” as a combination of ego, self awareness, self preservation, and pride. “kaj kulahi” is a phrase literally meaning “tilted cap”, used here to imply a defiant attitude.
Stanza 2
ye anaa hai vo qadam jo Dagmaga sakta nahiN
jis me istesna1 ke haathoN jhol2 aa sakta nahiN
ye kisi toofan ko Khaatir3 meN laa sakta nahiN
ye chiraaGh-e-dawari4 hai jhilmila5 sakta nahiN
ye diloN ki aabroo6, ye valvaloN7 ki jaan hai
rahl8-e-nafs9 e aadmi par ye ana Quran hai
1. exception 2. sag, loose 3. bring into consideration, care about 4. royalty 5. flicker 6. honour, dignity 7. fervour, zeal 8. criss-cross book stand for the Quran 9. soul
Ego, has a steady, determined step. It does not stumble. It makes no exceptions, there is no sagging of its desires. Ego cares little for threatening storms. This is the lamp of royalty, it does not flicker. It is the dignity of feelings, the very life of zeal. Ego is like the Quran placed on the “rehaal” of man’s soul.
Stanza 3
aadmi ho aur apni zaat1 par chiN bar jabiN2
zindagi aur apni ainiyat3 par ulTe aastiN4
ye to mumkin hai ke insaN toR de habl-e-matiN5
hashr6 tak laikin anaa se haath uTha7 sakta nahiN
ye anaa hi to muhafiz8 hai bashar9 ki jaan ka
ye na ho to dam nikal jaaye Gharib insaan ka
1. person, self 2. wrinkled brow, get angry 3. essentials 4. roll up the sleeve i.e. get ready to fight 5. strong bonds, relationships 6. end, doomsday 7. lift up hand – let go 8. protector 9. human
Man and be displeased with his own person! This cannot be! Life rolling up its sleeves to fight its own essentials! This cannot be! It is possible that man may break all strong bonds but he cannot let go of his ego until doomsday. It is the ego that protects human life. If there is no ego, poor Man would simply die.
Stanza 4
Khidmat1-e-ahbab2-o-mulk-o-dudman-o-aqruba3
jor4-o-Khalq5-o-rahm-o-ishq-o-nafrat-o-bim6-o-raja7
shafqat8-o-qurbani9-o-iKhlas10-o-eesar11-o-saKha12
hubb-e-duniya13 hubb-e-uqaba14 hubb-e-haq15 hubb-e-Khuda
jazr-o-mad16 ye sab ke sab haiN ju-e-ehsasat17 ke
kitne latadaad18 ruKh19 haiN ek hubb-e-zaat20 ke
1. service 2. friends 3. family and relatives 4. anger 5. creativity 6. fear 7. greed 8. nurturing 9. sacrifice 10. “Khuloos”, attachment 11. consideration for others 12. generosity 13. love of world/life 14. love of relatives 15. love of righteousness 16. ebb and flow 17. river of feelings/emotions 18. innumerable 19. faces, facets 20. self love
Service of friends, country, family and relatives; anger, creativity, kindness, love, hatred, fear and greed; nurturing, sacrificing, caring, empathy and kindness; love of life, love of relatives, love of justice, love of god – all are but the ebb and flow of the river of emotions. Oh, how many faces there are of this one love of self!
Stanza 5
sabt1 har insaan ke dil par hai ye mahr-e-Khiyaal2
maiN huN sadr-e-ilm3 o badr-e-aql4 o sultan-e-jamal5
mo’atabar6 hai sirf7 mera fa’al8 mera infe’aal9
mujh se baRh jaye ye kis meN taab10 ye kis ki majal11
zaat12 meri ifteKhar-e-mahr13 o naz-e-maah14 hai
mujh se bartar15 hai koi to kaun? Khair16 allah hai
1. stamped, engraved 2. sun of thoughts, brilliant thought 3. centre of knowledge 4. the full moon of intelligence 5. king of good looks 6. credible 7. only 8. action 9. inaction, reticence 10. brilliance 11. foolhardiness, daring 12. person, self 13. pride of the sun 14. pride of the moon 15. superior 16. after all
On every mind is stamped this unshakable thought that “I” am the centre of knowledge, the sun of wisdom, the king of beauty. Only my words, my reticence have any credibility. Is there anyone who can dare get past me. My person is the pride of the sun and the moon. Who can be better than me! Oh well, after all there is god.
Stanza 6
qaabil-e bardaasht1 jab rahta nahiN dard e hayat2
DhoonDti hai tilmilahaT3 zahr meN rah e najat4
is amal5 se aql e insani meN aati hai ye baat
irtekab6 e Khudkushi7 tak hai junoon8 e hubb e zaat9
aadmi jeeta hai saz o barg10 e ishrat11 ke liye
aur marta bhi hai to dafa’a12 azi’at13 ke liye
1. bearable, tolerable 2. pain of living 3. restlessness 4. way of deliverance/relief 5. action 6. execute, perform 7. suicide 8. passion 9. self love 10. music and flowers (metaphor for pleasures) 11. pleasures 12. repel, dismiss 13. pain
Even when the pain of living becomes unbearable, and restlessness seeks relief in poison; even this action shows us that love of self drives the passion to live even up to the act of suicide. As long as he lives, man lives for pleasure and comfort. If he chooses to die, it is only to overcome pain.
Stanza 7
shaadmaN1 hota hai to apni Khushi ke vaaste
naqd e jaaN2 khota hai to apni Khushi ke vaaste
kaTta bota3 hai to apni Khushi ke vaaste
jagta sota hai to apni Khushi ke vaaste
kaam rakhta hai faqat4 apne hi marGhubaat5 se
kis qadar6 insan ko hai ishq apni zaat se
1. happy 2. cash of life i.e. life, time 3. sow and reap 4. only 5. interests 6. how much
If he is at peace, it is only for his own happiness. He spends his time, only for his own happiness. If he works hard, it is only for his own happiness. He sleeps and wakes, only for his own happiness. He concerns himself only with his own interests. Oh, how much in love man is with his own person.
Stanza 8
sochta hai aadmi arz o samaa1 kuchh bhi nahiN
zer2-e-mehraab3-e-falak4 mere siva5 kuch bhi nahiN
mujh se kaT jayeN agar to anbia6 kuch bhi nahiN
rishta7 mujh se toR Daale to Khuda kuch bhi nahiN
jumla8 insaN hech9 haiN, mahboob10-e-aab-o-gil11 huN maiN
sab haiN a’aza12 sina e farsh-e-zamiN13 ka dil huN maiN
1. earth and sky 2. under 3. arch 4. sky 5. except for me 6. prophets 7. relationship 8. total, all 9. nothing, no value 10. beloved 11. water and clay, creation … the legend of creation is that man was made of clay and water 12. limbs, parts, organs 13. bosom of everything on the earth’s surface
Man thinks the even the whole earth and sky do not compare, that under the arch of the sky there is nothing except him. If the prophets separate from him, then they are nothing. If god severs his relationship with me, then even he is nothing. All humanity is nothing, I am the beloved of creation. Everyone are mere limbs, I am the throbbing heart in the bosom of the earth.
Stanza 9
maiN jamal1-e-vaadi-e-aiman2 Ghazaal-e-koh-e-qaf3
qalb4 mera qudsioN5 ki bargaah6-e-etekaaf7
anfas o aafaq8 meray gird sargarm9-e-tawaaf10
nama-e-aamaal11 mera ayn12 ka’abe ka Ghilaaf13
Khaak14 par mujh sa adaasanj15-e-qaza16 koi nahiN
is kure17 par sirf18 maiN huN doosra koi nahiN
1. face/beauty 2. valley (garden) of paradise, garden of Eden 3. deer of the Caucuses mountain (legendary, unseen, unicorn) 4. heart 5. angels 6. palace 7. retreat (sanyaas) 8. life and horizons i.e. earth and skies 9. busy 10. circumambulation 11. record of achievements 12. essential 13. Kaaba’s cover 14. dust, earth 15. selected, chosen 16. destiny 17. pile/hill/earth 18. only
I am the beauty of the Garden of Eden, I am the beauty and mystery of the Unicorn. My heart is the palace where angels retreat. The earth and the skies are busy revolving around me. My accomplishments are embroidered on the curtain of the Ka’aba. On this earth, none other than me is the chosen of destiny. I alone stand on this heap of dust, no other.
Stanza 10
maiN dil-e-arsh-e-bariN1 huN, dida2-e-farsh-e-zamiN3
haaN meri taKh’eel4 ke baahir na duniya hai na diN5
mujh ko is aaiina Khaane6 meN ba rabb-e-aalamiN7
apne chehre8 ke siva kuchh bhi nazar aata nahiN
maiN haqaa’eq9 ki zabaaN huN, dastaaN10 hai kayenat11
karvaaN12 maiN huN, Ghubaar-e-karvaN13 hai kayenat
1. sky (beyond the seventh sky) where god lives 2. eye 3. floor of the earth 4. (khiyaal) imagination 5. next world (as in din duniya) 6. house of mirrors 7. lord of the worlds 8. face 9. facts 10. story 11. creation 12. caravan 13. dust behind the caravan
I am heaven’s throbbing heart, the apple of eye of the earth. Beyond my imagination there is neither heaven nor earth. In this beautiful house of mirrors, by god I don’t see any visage, except mine. I am the voice, creation is the story. I am the caravan, the world is the dust behind it.
Stanza 11
ye ajab1 dhun2 hai ke har fard e bashar3 ke ru ba ru4
sirf apna muddua5 hai, sirf apni aarzu6
sirf apna karr o far7 hai sirf apni aabru8
sirf apna zikr9, apni fikr10, apni guftagu11
kaan dharta hi nahiN koi kisi ki baat par
kis qadar12 lahloT13 hai insaan apni zaat14 par
1. strange 2. obsession 3. individual 4. face to face 5. purpose 6. desire 7. glory and grandeur 8. honour 9. mention, story 10. concern 11. conversation 12. how much 13. absorbed 14. self
A strange obsession that everyone has, that only his own goals, his desires, only his own praise, his honour, only his story, his interests, his discussion. No one pays any attention to anyone else. How absorbed is man with his own person.
Stanza 12
neelam o yaqoot o marwareed o almaas o nagiN1
laala o shamshad o nasrin o chinar o yasmiN2
subh3 o zunnar4 o khait-e-abiaz5 o habl-e-matiN6
sab haiN muhmil7 jab gale meN saaNs ka Dora8 nahiN
sirf mera ek khilona hai jahaN kuchh bhi nahiN
maiN nahiN to ye zamiN ye aasmaN kuchh bhi nahiN
1. precious gems- sapphire, rubies, pearls etc(wealth) 2. flowers and trees – tulips, crocuses, cypress (natural beauty) 3. tasbeeh – Islamic prayer beads 4. janev or Hindu sacred thread 5. white line on the horizon at dawn – white thread 6. bond of relationships 7. useless 8. thread of breathing – continuous breathing
Sapphire, emeralds, rubies, pearls and diamonds; jasmine, crocus, tulip and rose, cypress, poplar, teak and pine; rosary, janev, the line of dawn, the string of love that binds – all are useless unless the string of breath plays in the throat. The world is my playground and nothing else. If I am not here then the sky and the earth mean nothing. This stanza is noteworthy because of the musicality of the “simple” listing of things and attributes. Translation cannot reproduce that rhythm. Also the first line of the verse is a listing of gems, the second of things of natural beauty and the third of “strings” that are important to man … the string that hold the rosary, the holy thread, the string of bright light on the horizon just before dawn, the string of love that holds us together … all these strings are naught if the primary string – the string of breath is absent.
Stanza 13
Khwah1 kitni barhami2 ho Khwah kitni abtari3
Khwah kitna hi bhanbhonRe4 gardisheN5 aflak6 ki
Khwah kitni hi balaaoN7 meN ghiri ho zindagi
phir bhi jiine ki duaeN maNgta hai aadmi
thartharata8, tilmilata9, bilbilata10 hai bashar11
zindagi ko phir bhi seene se lagata hai bashar
1. no matter 2. conflict 3. worries 4. shake up 5. unpredictable events 6. skies 7. calamities 8. trembles 9. agonizes 10. pleads 11. man
No matter how many conflicts, no matter how many worries; no matter how rudely events of the world shake him up; no matter how many afflictions surround him – even then man continues to pray for life. He trembles, he agonizes, he pleads, but he keeps holding life close to his bosom. Josh transitions from importance of ego to the beauty of life. He suggests that ego compels man to love life dearly and hang on, no matter what. The next many stanzas are an absolutely marvelous description of the beauty of life.
