For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
کیوں نہ اُس پر جفا کرے کوئی ۔ منشی رگھوناتھ سنگھ ہاجرؔ دہلوی
۱
مست و بیخود رہا کرے کوئی
آہ و نالہ کیا کرے کوئی
۲
وہ سنیں تو گلا کرے کوئی
ورنہ کہہ کر بھی کیا کرے کوئی
۳
پہلے خود کو فنا کرے کوئی
پھر تلاشِ خدا کرے کوئی
۴
کوئی حد بھی ہے ظلم سہنے کی
کب تک اُن سے گلہ کرے کوئی
۵
ہم بھی پینے کو بیٹھے ہیں تیار
جام لب آشنا کرے کوئی
۶
دل ہی قابو میں جب نہ ہو اپنا
شکوۂ غیر کیا کرے کوئی
۷
جاں نثاری کا یہ تقاضہ ہے
ہر ستم پر وفا کرے کوئی
۸
دیکھ لیں اِلتجائیں بھی کر کے
وہ نہ مانیں تو کیا کرے کوئی
۹
ہم تو اُلفت کئے ہی جائیں گے
دیکھیں کب تک جفا کرے کوئی
۱۰
ہو ہی جائے گی انتہا بھی پھر
عشق کی ابتدا کرے کوئی
۱۱
ہر جفا پر یہ اپنی خواہش ہے
ظلم اس سے سوا کرے کوئی
۱۲
جو اجل کو شفا سمجھتے ہو
اُس کی پھر کیا دوا کرے کوئی
۱۳
بخش دینا ہے گر چہ کام اُس کا
ڈرتے ڈرتے خطا کرے کوئی
۱۴
مٹ گیا دل سے وصل کا ارماں
مہرباں اب ہوا کرے کوئی
۱۵
وہ تو پہلوئے غیر گرم کریں
سوزِ غم سے جلا کرے کوئی
۱۶
خود وہ اپنی جفا پہ نادم ہیں
اُن سے اب کیا گلہ کرے کوئی
۱۷
تب تو دنیا کہے اُسے ظالم
ظلم گر برملا کرے کوئی
۱۸
کون اب قدر دانِ اُلفت ہے
کیا کسی سے وفا کرے کوئی
۱۹
مل گئے ہیں جو مثلِ شیر و شکر
کیونکر اُن کو جدا کرے کوئی
۲۰
جان کو نذرِ چشمِ ناز کرے
دِل کو وقفِ ادا کرے کوئی
۲۱
مجھ کو یہ رشک ہے مرے ہوتے
غیر پر کیوں جفا کرے کوئی
۲۲
اُٹھ گئے ہم تو اُن کی محفل سے
طعنے کب تک سنا کرے کوئی
۲۳
گر ہے منظور ترکِ رسم و راہ
کس لئے پھر وفا کرے کوئی
۲۴
بات کرنے میں عذر ہے جن کو
اُن سے کیا اِلتجا کرے کوئی
۲۵
جان و دل سے نثار ہے ہاجرؔ
کیوں نہ اُس پر جفا کرے کوئی
क्यूं न उस पर जफ़ा करे कोई – मुंशी रघुनाथ सिंघ हाजेर देहलवी
१
मस्त ओ बेख़ुद रहा करे कोई
आह ओ नाला किया करे कोई
२
वो सुनें तो गिला करे कोई
वरना कह कर भी क्या करे कोई
३
पहले ख़ुद को फ़ना करे कोई
फिर तलाश-ए ख़ुदा करे कोई
४
कोई हद भी है ज़ुल्म सहने की
कब तक उन से गिला करे कोई
५
हम भी पीने को बैठे हैं तय्यार
जाम लब-आश्ना करे कोई
६
दिल हि क़ाबू में जब न हो अपना
शिक्वा-ए ग़ैर क्या करे कोई
७
जां निसारी का ये तक़ाज़ा है
हर सितम पर वफ़ा करे कोई
८
देख लीं इल्तेजाएं भी कर के
वो न माने तो क्या करे कोई
९
हम तो उल्फ़त किये हि जाएंगे
देखें कब तक जफ़ा करे कोई
१०
हो हि जाएगी इन्तेहा भी फिर
इश्क़ की इब्तेदा करे कोई
११
हर जफ़ा पर ये अपनी ख़्वाहेश है
ज़ुल्म इस से सिवा करे कोई
१२
जो अजल को शिफ़ा समझते हो
उस कि फिर क्या दवा करे कोई
१३
बख़्श देना है गरचे काम उस का
डरते डरते ख़ता करे कोई
१४
मिट गया दिल से वस्ल का अर्मां
मेहरबां अब हुआ करे कोई
१५
वो तो पहलू-ए ग़ैर गर्म करें
सोज़-ए ग़म से जला करे कोई
१६
ख़ुद वो अपनी जफ़ा पे नादेम हैं
उन से अब क्या गिला करे कोई
१७
तब तो दुनिया कहे उसे ज़ालिम
ज़ुल्म गर बरमला करे कोई
१८
कौन अब क़द्र-दान-ए उल्फ़त है
क्या किसी से वफ़ा करे कोई
१९
मिल गये हैं जो मिस्ल-ए शीर ओ शकर
क्युंकर उन को जुदा करे कोई
२०
जान को नज़्र-ए चश्म-ए यार करे
दिल को वक़्फ़-ए अदा करे कोई
२१
मुझ को ये रश्क है मेरे होते
ग़ैर पर क्यूं जफ़ा करे कोई
२२
उठ गये हम तो उन कि महफ़िल से
ताने कब तक सहा करे कोई
२३
गर है मंज़ूर तर्क-ए रस्म ओ राह
किस लिये फिर वफ़ा करे कोई
२४
बात करने में उज़्र है जिन को
उन से क्या इल्तेजा करे कोई
२५
जान ओ दिल से निसार है हाजेर
क्यूं न उस पर जफ़ा करे कोई
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. munshi raghunath siNgh haajir dehlavi (1884-1922). Both father and grandfather were poets and scholars of urdu and faarsi. He started composing at the age of 13-14. His father died in 1906 and he moved to bhopal for work and returned to dehli in 1910 to re-start his family practice, establishing a clinic named ‘daar-ul-shifa’. He died in 1922 before he could publish his diivaan, but his son collected his papers and published it. His brother, kaviraj raghunandan singh saahir wrote the preface. In addition to his diivan, there is a collection of his Ghazal called, ‘Ghalib aur haajir’, all composed in the zamin of Ghalib. This is one of two Ghazal that hajir composed in the zamin of ‘ibn-e mariam hua kare koii’. Both are linked to that category under the icon ‘Ghalib naqsh-e qadam’, on the Theme page.
1
mast1 o beKhud2 raha kare koi
aah3 o naala4 kiya kare koi 1.intoxicated 2.in a trance, uncaring, oblivious 3.sigh 4.wail, cry
Throughout the Ghazal, in kare koi, the ‘koi’-someone can imply different people in different places. Here, in the first misra it implies the beloved and in the second misra it implies the poet/lover. Thus, the beloved is intoxicated (with her own beauty and coquetry) and uncaring of what happens to the poet/lover, while he is sighing and wailing, yearning for union with her.
2
vo suneN to gila1 kare koi
varna2 kah kar bhi kya kare koi 1.complain, protest 2.otherwise
If she ever listens, then there is some use of protesting, otherwise what is use to saying anything to her.
3
pahle Khud1 ko fana2 kare koi
phir talaash3-e Khuda kare koi 1.self 2.destroy, erase 3.search
The first condition is that one erases his own ego, only then can they look for god.
4
koi had1 bhi hai zulm2 sahne3 ki
kab tak un se gila4 kare koi 1.limit, bounds 2.torture 3.accept, bear 4.complain
The poet/lover has been constantly complaining about the pain and torture he is subjected to, but she continues to be cruel. Thus, is there any limit to how much torture/pain I can bear. How long can I continue to protest.
5
ham bhi piine ko baiThe haiN tayyaar1
jaam2 lab-aashna3 kare koi 1.ready, prepared 2.cup 3.lips familiar/intimate with
This is probably an appeal to the saaqi/beloved. She has been serving wine (perhaps through her intoxicating eyes) to others and ignoring the poet/lover. He protests; I too am ready to drink. At least sometime, the beloved should make his lips familiar with the cup i.e., serve him wine, pay attention to him, look at him.
6
dil hi qaabu1 meN jab na ho apna
shikva2-e Ghair3 kya kare koi 1.control 2.complain 3.other, rival
The poet/lover no longer has control over his heart. He has lost it to the beloved. How then, can he complain about the rival similarly losing his heart.
7
jaaN-nisaari1 ka ye taqaaza2 hai
har sitam3 par vafa4 kare koi 1.offering/sacrificing one’s own life 2.demand, requirement 3.cruelty, torture 4.faithfulness, steadfast in love
Being ready to offer/sacrifice one’s own life implies being utterly and totally devoted to the beloved. Thus, it is a requirement of total devotion that the poet/lover remain steadfast in his love, in spite of all the cruelties done to him by the beloved.
8
dekh liiN iltejaaeN1 bhi kar ke
vo na maane to kya kare koii 1.appealing, pleading
I have tried appealing to her many times. If she does not agree, what is one to do.
9
ham to ulfat1 kiye hi jaa’eNge
dekheN kab tak jafa2 kare koi 1.love 2.torture
I will keep on offering my love to her. Let us see how long she can keep torturing me.
10
ho hi jaa’egi intehaa1 bhi phir
ishq ki ibtedaa2 kare koi 1.end, come to fruition 2.beginning
This is probably meant as an encouragement to those hesitating and holding back out of fear that they will get nowhere. Finally it will come to fruition; the first requirement is to get started on the journey of love.
11
har jafa1 par ye apni Khwaahish2 hai
zulm3 is se siva4 kare koi 1.injustice, cruelty 2.wish 3.torture 4.exceeding
In poetic tradition it is a good sign if the beloved is cruel to the poet/lover; the more cruel the better. Thus, with every cruelty it is my wish that she visit even more severe torture on me.
12
jo ajal1 ko shifa2 samajhte haiN
us ki phir kya dava kare koi 1.death 2.cure
This can be interpreted in any number of ways. In the practical, modernistic interpretation (probably not what the poet meant) – those who think that death is the cure; that afterlife is better than this life, how can one cure them of this affliction. Said shaiKh ibrahim zauq …
ab to ghabra ke ye kahte haiN ki mar jaa’eNge
mar ke bhi chain na paaya to kidhar jaa’eNge
A more conventional interpretation … lovers think that fulfilment for them is to die at the hands of the beloved; then how can they be cured of their affliction.
13
baKhsh1 dena hai garche2 kaam us ka
Darte Darte Khata3 kare koi 1.granting forgiveness, forgive 2.even though 3.transgression, sin
Even though it is generally believed that god is kind and grants forgiveness, it is better to commit sins with hesitation and fear (perhaps he doesn’t trust god’s reputed generosity).
14
miT gaya dil se vasl1 ka armaaN2
mehrbaaN3 ab hua kare koi 1.union (with the beloved) 2.yearning 3.generosity, kindness
The poet/lover has suffered long (unrequited love) and has given up. His hopelessness has erased any yearning for union. What is the use now if the beloved show generosity.
15
vo to pahlu1-e Ghair2 garm kareN
soz3-e Gham4 se jala5 kare koi 1.side, embrace, lap 2.rival 3.fire, pain 4.sorrow 5.burn
The beloved gives warmth to the rival’s embrace and the poet/lover burns in the fire of sorrow. There is a nice juxtaposition of warmth and fire.
16
Khud1 vo apni jafa2 pe naadim3 haiN
un se ab kya gila4 kare koi 1.self 2.cruelty, torture 3.remorseful, penitent 4.complaint
This could well be a scene from the day of judgement when all the cruelties of the beloved are enumerated before her and she regrets having done them. The poet/lover is a witness/complainant, but seeing her so penitent he no longer wants to complain. Said shaiKh ibrahim zauq …
ham nahiN vo jo kareN Khuun ka daa’va tujh par
balkeh poochhega Khuda bhi to mukar jaa’eNge
17
tab to duniya kahe use zaalim1
zulm2 gar3 barmala4 kare koi 1.tyrant 2.cruelty 3.if 4.openly, in public
Only then will the world call her a tyrant, if she were to perpetrate her cruelties in public i.e., she does it on the sly. Said asadullah KhaaN Ghalib …
is saadagi pe kaun na mar jaaye aye Khuda
laRte haiN aur haath meN talvaar bhi nahiiN
18
kaun ab qadr-daan1-e ulfat2 hai
kya kisi se vafa3 kare koi 1.to respect, to value 2.love 3.fidelity, faithfulness
Who values love anymore. What is the use of being faithful to her.
19
mil gaye haiN jo misl1-e shiir2 o shakar3
kyuNkar4 un ko juda5 kare koi 1.like, example of 2.milk 3.sugar 4.how, why 5.separate
I am not sure who he is talking about, perhaps legendary figures like laila-majnuN. Those who have merged/dissolved into each other like milk and sugar, why/how can anyone separate them.
20
jaan ko nazr1-e chashm2-e naaz3 kareN
dil ko vaqf4-e ada5 kare koi 1.offering 2.eye 3.coquetry 4.reserved for, granted to 5.style, coquetry
I am ready to offer my life for a single coquettish glance of the beloved’s eyes. I give my heart to her titillating style.
21
mujh ko ye rashk1 hai mere hote
Ghair2 par kyuN jafa3 kare koi 1.envy 2.rival 3.cruelty
The beloved’s cruelties are interpreted as a sign of her attention/favours. Thus, the poet/lover is envious that while is ready and offering himself, why should she be cruel to the rival.
22
uTh gaye ham to un ki mahfil1 se
taane2 kab tak suna kare koi 1.gathering 2.taunts, sarcasms
The poet/lover is among the crowd at the beloved’s gathering. Not only is she showing favours to the rival but is taunting him. He is ready to get up and leave; how long can I listen to her taunts. Said mirza Ghalib …
us bazm meN mujhe nahiN banti haya kiye
baiTha raha agarche ishaare hua kiye
23
gar1 hai manzoor2 tark3-e rasm-o-raah4
kis liye phir vafa5 kare koi 1.if 2.intentions, acceptable 3.renounce 4.relationship, connection 5.fidelity, faithfulness
If it is the beloved’s intention to renounce all relationship with me, then why should I remain faithful to her.
24
baat karne meN uzr1 hai jin ko
un se kya iltejaa2 kare koi 1.objection 2.plead
If she objects even to talking, how can I plead with her.
25
jaan o dil se nisaar1 hai haajir2
kyuN na us par jafa3 kare koi 1.offering 2.pen-name of the poet 3.cruelties, opperssion
O haajir, I am ready to offer my life and soul to her. Then, why does she ignore me and not torture me.
munshi raghunath siNgh haajir dehlavi (1884-1922). Both father and grandfather were poets and scholars of urdu and faarsi. He started composing at the age of 13-14. His father died in 1906 and he moved to bhopal for work and returned to dehli in 1910 to re-start his family practice, establishing a clinic named ‘daar-ul-shifa’. He died in 1922 before he could publish his diivaan, but his son collected his papers and published it. His brother, kaviraj raghunandan singh saahir wrote the preface. In addition to his diivan, there is a collection of his Ghazal called, ‘Ghalib aur haajir’, all composed in the zamin of Ghalib. This is one of two Ghazal that hajir composed in the zamin of ‘ibn-e mariam hua kare koii’. Both are linked to that category under the icon ‘Ghalib naqsh-e qadam’, on the Theme page.
1
mast1 o beKhud2 raha kare koi
aah3 o naala4 kiya kare koi
1.intoxicated 2.in a trance, uncaring, oblivious 3.sigh 4.wail, cry
Throughout the Ghazal, in kare koi, the ‘koi’-someone can imply different people in different places. Here, in the first misra it implies the beloved and in the second misra it implies the poet/lover. Thus, the beloved is intoxicated (with her own beauty and coquetry) and uncaring of what happens to the poet/lover, while he is sighing and wailing, yearning for union with her.
2
vo suneN to gila1 kare koi
varna2 kah kar bhi kya kare koi
1.complain, protest 2.otherwise
If she ever listens, then there is some use of protesting, otherwise what is use to saying anything to her.
3
pahle Khud1 ko fana2 kare koi
phir talaash3-e Khuda kare koi
1.self 2.destroy, erase 3.search
The first condition is that one erases his own ego, only then can they look for god.
4
koi had1 bhi hai zulm2 sahne3 ki
kab tak un se gila4 kare koi
1.limit, bounds 2.torture 3.accept, bear 4.complain
The poet/lover has been constantly complaining about the pain and torture he is subjected to, but she continues to be cruel. Thus, is there any limit to how much torture/pain I can bear. How long can I continue to protest.
5
ham bhi piine ko baiThe haiN tayyaar1
jaam2 lab-aashna3 kare koi
1.ready, prepared 2.cup 3.lips familiar/intimate with
This is probably an appeal to the saaqi/beloved. She has been serving wine (perhaps through her intoxicating eyes) to others and ignoring the poet/lover. He protests; I too am ready to drink. At least sometime, the beloved should make his lips familiar with the cup i.e., serve him wine, pay attention to him, look at him.
6
dil hi qaabu1 meN jab na ho apna
shikva2-e Ghair3 kya kare koi
1.control 2.complain 3.other, rival
The poet/lover no longer has control over his heart. He has lost it to the beloved. How then, can he complain about the rival similarly losing his heart.
7
jaaN-nisaari1 ka ye taqaaza2 hai
har sitam3 par vafa4 kare koi
1.offering/sacrificing one’s own life 2.demand, requirement 3.cruelty, torture 4.faithfulness, steadfast in love
Being ready to offer/sacrifice one’s own life implies being utterly and totally devoted to the beloved. Thus, it is a requirement of total devotion that the poet/lover remain steadfast in his love, in spite of all the cruelties done to him by the beloved.
8
dekh liiN iltejaaeN1 bhi kar ke
vo na maane to kya kare koii
1.appealing, pleading
I have tried appealing to her many times. If she does not agree, what is one to do.
9
ham to ulfat1 kiye hi jaa’eNge
dekheN kab tak jafa2 kare koi
1.love 2.torture
I will keep on offering my love to her. Let us see how long she can keep torturing me.
10
ho hi jaa’egi intehaa1 bhi phir
ishq ki ibtedaa2 kare koi
1.end, come to fruition 2.beginning
This is probably meant as an encouragement to those hesitating and holding back out of fear that they will get nowhere. Finally it will come to fruition; the first requirement is to get started on the journey of love.
11
har jafa1 par ye apni Khwaahish2 hai
zulm3 is se siva4 kare koi
1.injustice, cruelty 2.wish 3.torture 4.exceeding
In poetic tradition it is a good sign if the beloved is cruel to the poet/lover; the more cruel the better. Thus, with every cruelty it is my wish that she visit even more severe torture on me.
12
jo ajal1 ko shifa2 samajhte haiN
us ki phir kya dava kare koi
1.death 2.cure
This can be interpreted in any number of ways. In the practical, modernistic interpretation (probably not what the poet meant) – those who think that death is the cure; that afterlife is better than this life, how can one cure them of this affliction. Said shaiKh ibrahim zauq …
ab to ghabra ke ye kahte haiN ki mar jaa’eNge
mar ke bhi chain na paaya to kidhar jaa’eNge
A more conventional interpretation … lovers think that fulfilment for them is to die at the hands of the beloved; then how can they be cured of their affliction.
13
baKhsh1 dena hai garche2 kaam us ka
Darte Darte Khata3 kare koi
1.granting forgiveness, forgive 2.even though 3.transgression, sin
Even though it is generally believed that god is kind and grants forgiveness, it is better to commit sins with hesitation and fear (perhaps he doesn’t trust god’s reputed generosity).
14
miT gaya dil se vasl1 ka armaaN2
mehrbaaN3 ab hua kare koi
1.union (with the beloved) 2.yearning 3.generosity, kindness
The poet/lover has suffered long (unrequited love) and has given up. His hopelessness has erased any yearning for union. What is the use now if the beloved show generosity.
15
vo to pahlu1-e Ghair2 garm kareN
soz3-e Gham4 se jala5 kare koi
1.side, embrace, lap 2.rival 3.fire, pain 4.sorrow 5.burn
The beloved gives warmth to the rival’s embrace and the poet/lover burns in the fire of sorrow. There is a nice juxtaposition of warmth and fire.
16
Khud1 vo apni jafa2 pe naadim3 haiN
un se ab kya gila4 kare koi
1.self 2.cruelty, torture 3.remorseful, penitent 4.complaint
This could well be a scene from the day of judgement when all the cruelties of the beloved are enumerated before her and she regrets having done them. The poet/lover is a witness/complainant, but seeing her so penitent he no longer wants to complain. Said shaiKh ibrahim zauq …
ham nahiN vo jo kareN Khuun ka daa’va tujh par
balkeh poochhega Khuda bhi to mukar jaa’eNge
17
tab to duniya kahe use zaalim1
zulm2 gar3 barmala4 kare koi
1.tyrant 2.cruelty 3.if 4.openly, in public
Only then will the world call her a tyrant, if she were to perpetrate her cruelties in public i.e., she does it on the sly. Said asadullah KhaaN Ghalib …
is saadagi pe kaun na mar jaaye aye Khuda
laRte haiN aur haath meN talvaar bhi nahiiN
18
kaun ab qadr-daan1-e ulfat2 hai
kya kisi se vafa3 kare koi
1.to respect, to value 2.love 3.fidelity, faithfulness
Who values love anymore. What is the use of being faithful to her.
19
mil gaye haiN jo misl1-e shiir2 o shakar3
kyuNkar4 un ko juda5 kare koi
1.like, example of 2.milk 3.sugar 4.how, why 5.separate
I am not sure who he is talking about, perhaps legendary figures like laila-majnuN. Those who have merged/dissolved into each other like milk and sugar, why/how can anyone separate them.
20
jaan ko nazr1-e chashm2-e naaz3 kareN
dil ko vaqf4-e ada5 kare koi
1.offering 2.eye 3.coquetry 4.reserved for, granted to 5.style, coquetry
I am ready to offer my life for a single coquettish glance of the beloved’s eyes. I give my heart to her titillating style.
21
mujh ko ye rashk1 hai mere hote
Ghair2 par kyuN jafa3 kare koi
1.envy 2.rival 3.cruelty
The beloved’s cruelties are interpreted as a sign of her attention/favours. Thus, the poet/lover is envious that while is ready and offering himself, why should she be cruel to the rival.
22
uTh gaye ham to un ki mahfil1 se
taane2 kab tak suna kare koi
1.gathering 2.taunts, sarcasms
The poet/lover is among the crowd at the beloved’s gathering. Not only is she showing favours to the rival but is taunting him. He is ready to get up and leave; how long can I listen to her taunts. Said mirza Ghalib …
us bazm meN mujhe nahiN banti haya kiye
baiTha raha agarche ishaare hua kiye
23
gar1 hai manzoor2 tark3-e rasm-o-raah4
kis liye phir vafa5 kare koi
1.if 2.intentions, acceptable 3.renounce 4.relationship, connection 5.fidelity, faithfulness
If it is the beloved’s intention to renounce all relationship with me, then why should I remain faithful to her.
24
baat karne meN uzr1 hai jin ko
un se kya iltejaa2 kare koi
1.objection 2.plead
If she objects even to talking, how can I plead with her.
25
jaan o dil se nisaar1 hai haajir2
kyuN na us par jafa3 kare koi
1.offering 2.pen-name of the poet 3.cruelties, opperssion
O haajir, I am ready to offer my life and soul to her. Then, why does she ignore me and not torture me.
