zindagi – sardar jafri

Recitation

زندگی   – علی سردار  جعفری

 

کس نے کہا کہ حاصلِ وہم و گماں ہے زندگی

کس نے کہاکہ دہر کا سرِّ نہاں ہے زندگی

جتنی نہاں ہے زندگی اُتنی عیاں ہے زندگی

کتنی حسین، کتنی شوخ، کتنی جواں ہے زندگی

 

صبح سے لے کے تا بہ شام، مست خرام و  تیز گام

کرتی نہیں کہیں قیام، کرتی نہیں کہیں مقام

جذبہ شوق ہے تمام، منزلِ شوق نا تمام

دامنِ شش جہات میں، سیلِ رواں ہے زندگی

 

سرد ہے پتھروں کا دِل، برف کی جیسے ایک سِل

خاک حقیر و پست و خوار، سست و ذلیل و مضمحل

عرصہ کائنات میں اُف رے سکوتِ آب و گِل

قلبِ سکوت میں مگر، زمزمہ خواں ہے زندگی

 

اِسکے لئے حسیں ہے دِن، اِسکے لئے جواں ہے رات

مثلِ تغیراتِ دہر، صرف اِسی کو ہے  ثبات

یہ ہے نگارِ بزمِ گلُ، یہ ہے عروسِ کائنات

جانِ جہان و شاہدِ کون و مکاں ہے زندگی

 

عرصہ گہہِ حیات میں، جنگ و جنوں ہیں حکمراں

خون سے سرخ ہے زمیں، خون سے سرخ آسماں

بکھری ہوی ہیں ہڈّیاں، اُجڑی ہوی ہیں بستیاں

نالہ و نوحہ و بکا، آہ و فغاں ہے زندگی

 

بھوک کا خارزار ہے، پیاس کا ریگزار ہے

عمرِ رواں کی پشت پر، عمرِ رواں کا  بار ہے

کل بھی وہ بیقرار تھی، آج بھی وہ بیقرار ہے

قلبِ بشر میں درد کی جوۓ  رواں ہے زندگی

 

قہر کی سرُخ آگ ہے، زہر کا زرد جام ہے

دوزخِ غم کی صبح ہے، دوزخِ غم کی شام ہے

یہ وہ بہشت ہے جہاں عیش و سکوں حرام ہے

تیغ و سناں ہے زندگی، تیر و کماں ہے زندگی

 

آپ ہی بت شکن بھی ہے، آپ ہی بت تراش بھی

مرہمِ زخمِ دِل بھی ہے، دِل کی مگر خراش بھی

آپ کو گم  کئے ہوے، اپنی مگر تلاش بھی

اپنے تضاد کو لئے، گرمِ عناں ہے زندگی

 

گردشِ رقص ہے کہیں، جنبشِ گام ہے کہیں

قند و نبات ہے کہیں، تلخیِ جام ہے کہیں

تابشِ صبح ہے کہیں، آتشِ شام ہے کہیں

اپنے ہزار رنگ میں رقص کناں ہے زندگی

 

مالکِ خشک و تر بھی ہے، فاتحِ  بحر و بر بھی ہے

صاحبِ تاج و زر بھی ہے، خالقِ خیر و شر بھی ہے

اشک بھی ہے، گہر بھی ہے، سنگ بھی ہے شرر بھی ہے

شاہِ شہاں ہے زندگی، میرِ جہاں ہے زندگی

 

گاہ عروجِ تاجدار، گاہ شکستِ شہریار

گاہ سرورِ احلِ دل، گاہ شعورِ دستکار

گاہ طلسمِ رنگ و بو، گاہ فریبِ چشمِ یار

گاہ فروغِ جلوہٗ مہ و شاں ہے زندگی

 

تند مزاج و شعلہ خو، برق و شرار کی طرح

جلوہ طراز و دِل نواز، روئے نگار کی طرح

آ  تشِ گلُ کی پاسباں، بادِ بہار کی طرح

موت کے باغ کے لئے، بادِ خزاں ہے زندگی

 

اپنی نگاہِ گرم سے، سنگِ دِل کو توڑتی

انجم و مہر و ماہ سے، نور کا خوں نچوڑتی

سینہ کائنات پر، نقشِ دوام چھوڑتی

صبح ازل سے تا ابد، گرمِ تکاں ہے زندگی

 

کار کشا و کار ساز، اِس کا جوان ہات ہے

اِس کی نگاہ سے حسیں، عالمِ ممکنات ہے

بزمِ   تغیرات میں، جانِ تغیرات ہے

بربطِ اِنقلاب پر زمزمہ خواں ہے زندگی

ज़िन्दगी – अली सरदार जाफ़री

 

किस ने कहा के हासिल ए वहम ओ गुमां है ज़िन्दगी

किस ने कहा के दहर का सिर्र-ए-नेहां है ज़िन्दगी

जितनी नेहां है ज़िन्दगी उतनी अयाँ है ज़िन्दगी

कितनी हसीन, कितनी शूख़, कितनी जवां है ज़िन्दगी

 

सुबह से ले के ता बा शाम, मस्त ख़राम ओ तेज़ गाम

करती नहीं कहीं क़्याम, करती नहीं कहीं मक़ाम

जज़्बा ए शौक़ है तमाम, मंज़िल ए शौक़ नातमाम

दामन ए शश जेहात में, सैल-ए-रवां है ज़िन्दगी

 

सर्द है पत्थरों का दिल, बर्फ़ की जैसे एक सिल

ख़ाक हक़ीर ओ पस्त ओ ख़्वार, सुस्त ओ ज़लील ओ मुज़्महिल

अरसा-ए-काएनात में उफ़ रे सुकूत ए आब ओ गिल

क़ल्ब ए सुकूत में मगर, ज़मज़मा ख़्वां है ज़िन्दगी

 

इसके लिए हसीं है दिन, इसके लिए जवां है रात

मिस्ल ए तग़य्युरात ए दहर, सिर्फ़ इसी को है सबात

ये है निगार ए बज़्म ए गुल, ये है उरूस ए काएनात

जान ए जहान ओ शाहेद ए कौन ओ मकां है ज़िन्दगी

 

अरसा गह ए हयात में, जंग ओ जुनूं हैं हुक्मरां

ख़ून से सुर्ख़ है ज़मीं, ख़ून से सुर्ख़ आसमां

बिखरी हुई हैं हड्डियाँ, उजड़ी हुई हैं बस्तियां

नाला ओ नौहा ओ बुका, आह ओ फ़ुग़ां है ज़िन्दगी

 

भूक का  ख़ारज़ार है, प्यास का रेगज़ार है

उम्र ए रवां की पुश्त पर उम्र ए रवां का बार है

कल भी वो बेक़रार थी, आज भी वो बेक़रार है

क़ल्ब ए बशर में दर्द की, जू ए रवां है ज़िन्दगी

 

क़हर की सुर्ख़ आग है, ज़हर का ज़र्द जाम है

दोज़ख़ ए ग़म की सुबह है, दोज़ख़ ए ग़म की शाम है

ये वो बहिश्त है जहाँ, ऐश ओ सुकूं हराम है

तेग़ ओ सिनां है ज़िन्दगी, तीर ओ कमां है ज़िन्दगी

 

आप ही बुतशिकन भी है, आप ही बुततराश भी

मरहम ए ज़ख़्म ए दिल भी है, दिल की मगर ख़राश भी

आप को गुम किये हुए, अपनी मगर तलाश है

अपने तज़ाद को लिए, गर्म ए अनां है ज़िन्दगी

 

गर्दिश ए रक़्स है कहीं, जुम्बिश ए गाम है कहीं

क़ंद ओ नबात है कहीं, तल्ख़ी ए जाम है कहीं

ताबिश ए सुबह है कहीं, आतिश ए शाम है कहीं

अपने हज़ार रंग में, रक़्स कुनां है ज़िन्दगी

 

मालिक ए ख़ुश्क ओ तर भी है, फ़ातेह ए बहर ओ बर भी है

साहेब ए ताज ओ ज़र भी है,  ख़ालिक़ ए ख़ैर ओ शर भी है

अश्क भी है, गुहर भी है, संग भी है, शरर भी है

शाह ए शहां है ज़िन्दगी, मीर ए जहाँ है ज़िन्दगी

 

गाह उरूज ए ताजदार, गाह शिकस्त ए शहरियार

गाह सुरूर ए अहल ए दिल, गाह श’ऊर ए दस्तकार

गाह तिलस्म ए रंग ओ बू, गाह फ़रेब ए चश्म ए यार

गाह फ़रोग़ ए जलवा ए महवशां है ज़िन्दगी

 

तुंद मिज़ाज ओ शो’ला ख़ू, बर्क़ ओ शरार की तरह

जलवा तराज़ ओ दिल नवाज़, रू ए निगार की तरह

आतिश ए गुल कि पासबां, बाद ए बहार की तरह

मौत के बाग़ के लिए, बाद ए ख़िज़ां है ज़िन्दगी

 

अपनी निगाह ए गर्म से, संग ए दिल को तोडती

अंजुम ओ महर ओ माह से, नूर का ख़ूँ निचोड़ती

सीना ए काएनात पर नक़्श ए दवाम छोडती

सुबह अज़ल से ता अबद, गर्म ए तकां है ज़िन्दगी

 

कार कुशा ओ कार साज़, इस का जवान हाथ है

इस की निगाह से हसीं, आलम ए मुम्किनात है

बज़्म ए तग़य्युरात में, जान ए तग़य्युरात है

बर्बत ए इनक़ेलाब पर ज़मज़मा ख़्वां है ज़िन्दगी

zindagi – ali sardar jafri

kis ne kaha ke haasil1 e vahm2 o gumaaN3 hai zindagi
kis ne kaha ke dahar4 ka sirr-e-nehaaN5 hai zindagi
jitni nehaN6 hai zindagi utni ayaaN7 hai zindagi
kitni haseen, kitni shooKh8, kitni javaaN hai zindagi1 net yield, essence 2. superstition/doubt 3. suspicion/uncertainty 4. world 5. hidden secret 6. hidden 7. apparent, visible 8. playful, mischievous
Who says that the essence of life is fear and unertainty. Who says that the meaning of life is a hidden secret. Life is as much open as it is mysterious. Look how beautiful, how playful, how energetic life is.

subah se le ke ta ba1 sham, mast Kharam2 o tez gaam3
karti nahiN kahiN qayaam4, karti nahiN kahiN maqam5
jazba-e-shauq6 hai tamaam7, manzil-e-shauq8 natamaam9
daman10 e shash jehat11 meN, sael-e-ravaaN12 hai zindagi1 until 2. gait of a drunk, staggering 3. quick/steady step 4. used here to mean rest 5. residence, home 6. love of “desire/goal” 7. complete, embodiment 8. desired goal 9. incomplete, never achieved 10. apron 11. six directions 12. flowing/high flood
From dawn to dusk, sometimes staggering sometimes fleet footed. Never resting, not making a home anywhere. The search for its goal, always strong; the goal, never achieved. In all possible directions, life is at its full flood.

sard1 hai pattharoN ka dil, barf2 ki jaise ek sil3
Khaak haqir4 o past5 o Khwaar6, sust7 o zalil8 o muzmahil9
arsa-e-kayenaat10 meN uf re sukoot-e-aab-o-gil11
qalb-e-sukoot12 meN magar, zamzama-KhwaaN13 hai zindagi1 cold 2. ice 3. block 4. contemptible 5. lowly 6. ignoble 7. slow 8. disreputable 9. weak 10. age/epoch of creation 11. stillness of water and clay 12. heart of stillness 13. singing
All the elements (using earth/rock/dust) as metaphors … lifeless and lowly – everything silent and in that silence the song of life. Also see Josh Malihabadi marsia, zindagi o maut, zindagi 14-28. The heart of these rocks is cold, like a block of ice. This dust, despicable, inferior, wretched, slow, base and weak. In all of creation, oh this stillness of clay and water. In the heart of this stillness, life is the songmaster.

iske liye hasiN hai din, iske liye javaaN hai raat
misl1 e taGhayyurat-e-dahr2, sirf3 isi ko hai sabaat4
ye hai nigar5 e bazm-e-gul6, ye hai uroos-e-kaayenat7
jaan-e-jahaan8 o shahed9 e kaun-o-makaaN10 hai zindagi1 like, similar to 2. changes of the world, ever changing world 3. only 4. endurance, permanence 5. picture, representation 6. assembly/gathering of flowers, garden 7. bride/beauty of creation 8. ”life of the world” … meaning “energy of the world” 9. the common meaning is “witness”, but it also means beautiful, beloved 10. time and place/space.
For it (life) the day is beautiful, for it alone the night is young. Like the ever changing world, it alone endures. It is the picture of a rose garden, the bride of creation. Life is the energy of the world, beloved of time and space.

arsa-gah-e-hayaat1 meN, jang-o-junooN2 haiN hukmraN3
Khoon se surKh4 hai zamiN, Khoon se surKh aasmaN
bikhri hui haiN haDDiyaaN, ujRi hui haiN bastiyaaN
nala-o-nauha-o-buka5, aah-o-fuGhaaN6 hai zindagi1 time period of life, throughout life 2. war and madness 3. reigning 4. red 5. wailing, crying, beating chest 6. sighing and crying
Throughout life, war and madness have reigned. The earth is red with blood, the sky is colored red. Bones scattered all over, communities destroyed. Life is crying, lamentation, mourning, sighs and wailing.

bhook ka Khaarzar1 hai, pyaas ka regzar2 hai
umr-e-ravaaN3 ki pusht4 par umr e ravaaN ka baar5 hai
kal bhi vo beqaraar6 thi, aaj bhi vo beqaraar hai
qalb7 e bashar8 meN dard ki, joo-e-ravaaN9 hai zindagi1 garden of thorns 2. sandy desert 3. flowing life 4. back 5. weight 6. restless 7. heart 8. human 9. flowing river
Hunger and thirst, Life weighed down by the burden of living. Restless yesterday, restless today. Life is a flowing river of pain in the heart of man.

qahr1 ki surKh2 aag hai, zahr ka zard3 jaam4 hai
dozaKh-e-Gham5 ki subah hai, dozaKh-e-Gham ki shaam hai
ye vo behisht6 hai jahaN7, aish-o-sukooN8 haraam9 hai
teGh-o-sinaaN10 hai zindagi, teer o kamaN hai zindagi1 calamity 2. red 3. pale … usually the color of injury or death 4. cup 5. sorrowful hell 6. heaven 7. comfort and rest 8. forbidden 9. sword and spear
The red flame of calamities, the pale cup of poison. Hellish sorrow in the morning, hellish sorrow in the evening. This is a paradise where comfort and rest are forbidden. Life is sword and lance, bow and arrow.

aap hi buthshikan1 bhi hai, aap hi buthtarash2 bhi
marham e zaKhm e dil bhi hai, dil ki magar Kharash3 bhi
aap4 ko gum kye hue, apni magar talaash5 hai
apne tazaad6 ko liye, garm-e-anaaN7 hai zindagi1 destroyer of idols 2. sculptor of idols 3. wound 4. opposites, contradictions 5. busy holding reins – riding
A destroyer of idols and a sculptor at the same time. The salve of a wounded heart and the wound of the heart. Looses itself on one hand and looks for itself on the other. Life is busy riding along with its contradictions.

gardish-e-raqs1 hai kahiN, jumbish-e-gaam2 hai kahiN
qand-o-nabat3 hai kahiN, talKhi-e-jaam4 hai kahiN
taabish-e-subah5 hai kahiN, aatish-e-shaam6 hai kahiN
apne hazaar rang meN, raqs-kunaaN7 hai zindagi1 circling of dance 2. movement of feet 3. sweets 4. bitter cup 5. brilliance of dawn 6. fire/redness of evening 7. busy dancing
Circling in dance, moving forward. Sweet elixir, bitter cup of poison. Brilliance of the morning, redness of dusk. Life is busy dancing in a thousand colours.

maalik1 e Khusk-o-tar2 bhi hai, faateh3 e bahr-o-bar4 bhi hai
saaheb5 e taj-o-zar6 bhi hai, Khaaliq7 e Khair-o-shar8 bhi hai
ashk9 bhi hai, guhar10 bhi hai, sang11 bhi hai, sharar12 bhi hai
shah-e-shahaN13 hai zindagi, mir-e-jahaaN14 hai zindagi1 owner 2. dry and wet, land and sea 3. conqueror 4. ocean and trees/forest, world 5. lord 6. crown and wealth 7. creator/maker 8. good and evil 9. tear drops 10. pearl 11. stone, rock/flint 12. spark 13. king of kings 14. lord of the world
Owner of this earth, conqueror of the world. Holding wealth and crown, creating peace and conflict. Tears and pearls, flint and spark. Life is the emperor of emperors, the king of the world.

gaah1 uruj2 e tajdaar, gaah shikast3 e shahriyar4
gaah suroor5 e ahl e dil6, gaah sha’oor7 e dastkaar8
gaah tilasm9 e rang o boo10, gaah fareb11 e chashm-e-yaar12
gaah faroGh13 e jalva14 e mahvashaN15 hai zindagi1 one moment, (also) next moment 2. emergence 3. defeat 4. king, lord 5. happiness 6. people of heart, people with feelings 7. knowledge, skill 8. artisan, craftsman 9. enchantment 10. colour and fragrance 12. deception, mirage, playfulness 13. eye/image/picture of the beloved 13. brilliance 14. splendor, manifestation, image 15. moonlike, beloved
One moment the emergence of a king, the next, defeat of another. One moment ecstacy, the next creative handiwork. Enchantment of color and fragrance, vision of the beloved. Life is a glimpse of the brilliance of the beauty of the beloved.

tund mizaj1 o sho’la Khoo2, barq3 o sharaar4 ki tarah
jalva5 taraz6 o dil nawaz7, roo-e-nigar8 ki tarah
aatish9 e gul10 ki paasbaN11, baad-e-bahar12 ki tarah
maut ke baGh ke liye, baad-e-KhizaaN13 hai zindagi1 spirited, lively 2. flame natured, quick tempered, energetic 3. lightning 4. spark 5. lustre, beauty 6. maker/artist 7. cherish, be kind, benevolent 8. face/picture of the beloved 9. flame, redness, brilliance, color 10. rose 11. protector 12. spring breeze, spring showers 13. breeze of autumn, harbinger of winter
Spirited, lively and full of energy, like sparks and lightning. Presenting brilliant images, like the looks of the beloved. Protector of colourful flowers, like spring rains. But in the domain of death, life is like the autumn breeze.

apni nigah-e-garm1 se, sang-e-dil2 ko toRti
anjum3 o mahr4 o maah5 se, noor6 ka KhooN nichoRti
seena7 e kaayenat8 par naqsh-e-davaam9 choRti
subah azal10 se ta11 abad12, garm13-e-takaaN14 hai zindagi1 warm/loving eye 2. hardness of the heart 3. stars 4. sun 5. moon 6. light, brilliance 7. bosom 8. creation 9. mark/stamp of permanence/endurance 10. dawn of creation 11. until 12. end (of the world) 13. busy in, enthusiastic 14. literally tiredness, used here to mean always moving (getting tired)
With its warm, loving eye, melting hearts of stone. Squeezing brilliance out of stars, sun and moon. Leaving a lasting mark on the bosom of creation. Life is always in motion from beginning to end.

kaar kusha1 o kaar saaz2, is ka javaan haath hai
is ki nigaah se hasiN, a’alam-e-mumkinaat3 hai
bazm-e-taGhayyurat4 meN, jaan-e-taGhayyurat5 hai
barbat-e-inqilab6 par zamzama-KhwaaN7 hai zindagi1 opening/creating work 2. one who gets things done 3. world of possibilities 4. assembly of change 5. life of (centre of) change 6. harp/lute of revolution 7. musician, singer
Always working, making things, Life has a youthful arm. Seeing possibilities, making the world of possibilities beautiful. In this world of constant change, the centre of change. Life sings to the tune set by revolution.

 

zindagi – ali sardar jafri
kis ne kaha ke haasil1 e vahm2 o gumaaN3 hai zindagi
kis ne kaha ke dahar4 ka sirr-e-nehaaN5 hai zindagi
jitni nehaN6 hai zindagi utni ayaaN7 hai zindagi
kitni haseen, kitni shooKh8, kitni javaaN hai zindagi

1 net yield, essence 2. superstition/doubt 3. suspicion/uncertainty 4. world 5. hidden secret 6. hidden 7. apparent, visible 8. playful, mischievous
Who says that the essence of life is fear and unertainty.  Who says that the meaning of life is a hidden secret.  Life is as much open as it is mysterious.  Look how beautiful, how playful, how energetic life is.

subah se le ke ta ba1 sham, mast Kharam2 o tez gaam3
karti nahiN kahiN qayaam4, karti nahiN kahiN maqam5
jazba-e-shauq6 hai tamaam7, manzil-e-shauq8 natamaam9
daman10 e shash jehat11 meN, sael-e-ravaaN12 hai zindagi

1 until 2. gait of a drunk, staggering 3. quick/steady step 4. used here to mean rest 5. residence, home 6. love of “desire/goal” 7. complete, embodiment 8. desired goal 9. incomplete, never achieved 10. apron 11. six directions 12. flowing/high flood
From dawn to dusk, sometimes staggering sometimes fleet footed.  Never resting, not making a home anywhere.  The search for its goal, always strong; the goal, never achieved.  In all possible directions, life is at its full flood.

sard1 hai pattharoN ka dil, barf2 ki jaise ek sil3
Khaak haqir4 o past5 o Khwaar6, sust7 o zalil8 o muzmahil9
arsa-e-kayenaat10 meN uf re sukoot-e-aab-o-gil11
qalb-e-sukoot12 meN magar, zamzama-KhwaaN13 hai zindagi

1 cold 2. ice 3. block 4. contemptible 5. lowly 6. ignoble 7. slow 8. disreputable 9. weak 10. age/epoch of creation 11. stillness of water and clay 12. heart of stillness 13. singing
All the elements (using earth/rock/dust) as metaphors … lifeless and lowly – everything silent and in that silence the song of life.  Also see Josh Malihabadi marsia, zindagi o maut, zindagi 14-28.  The heart of these rocks is cold, like a block of ice.  This dust, despicable, inferior, wretched, slow, base and weak.  In all of creation, oh this stillness of clay and water.  In the heart of this stillness, life is the songmaster.

iske liye hasiN hai din, iske liye javaaN hai raat
misl1 e taGhayyurat-e-dahr2, sirf3 isi ko hai sabaat4
ye hai nigar5 e bazm-e-gul6, ye hai uroos-e-kaayenat7
jaan-e-jahaan8 o shahed9 e kaun-o-makaaN10 hai zindagi

1 like, similar to 2. changes of the world, ever changing world 3. only 4. endurance, permanence 5. picture, representation 6. assembly/gathering of flowers, garden 7. bride/beauty of creation 8. ”life of the world” … meaning “energy of the world” 9. the common meaning is “witness”, but it also means beautiful, beloved 10. time and place/space.
For it (life) the day is beautiful, for it alone the night is young.  Like the ever changing world, it alone endures.  It is the picture of a rose garden, the bride of creation.  Life is the energy of the world, beloved of time and space.

arsa-gah-e-hayaat1 meN, jang-o-junooN2 haiN hukmraN3
Khoon se surKh4 hai zamiN, Khoon se surKh aasmaN
bikhri hui haiN haDDiyaaN, ujRi hui haiN bastiyaaN
nala-o-nauha-o-buka5, aah-o-fuGhaaN6 hai zindagi

1 time period of life, throughout life 2. war and madness 3. reigning 4. red 5. wailing, crying, beating chest 6. sighing and  crying
Throughout life, war and madness have reigned.  The earth is red with blood, the sky is colored red.  Bones scattered all over, communities destroyed.  Life is crying, lamentation, mourning, sighs and wailing.

bhook ka Khaarzar1 hai, pyaas ka regzar2 hai
umr-e-ravaaN3 ki pusht4 par umr e ravaaN ka baar5 hai
kal bhi vo beqaraar6 thi, aaj bhi vo beqaraar hai
qalb7 e bashar8 meN dard ki, joo-e-ravaaN9 hai zindagi

1 garden of thorns 2. sandy desert 3. flowing life 4. back 5. weight 6. restless 7. heart 8. human 9. flowing river
Hunger and thirst, Life weighed down by the burden of living.  Restless yesterday, restless today.  Life is a flowing river of pain in the heart of man.

qahr1 ki surKh2 aag hai, zahr ka zard3 jaam4 hai
dozaKh-e-Gham5 ki subah hai, dozaKh-e-Gham ki shaam hai
ye vo behisht6 hai jahaN7, aish-o-sukooN8 haraam9 hai
teGh-o-sinaaN10 hai zindagi, teer o kamaN hai zindagi

1 calamity 2. red 3. pale … usually the color of injury or death 4. cup 5. sorrowful hell 6. heaven 7. comfort and rest 8. forbidden 9. sword and spear
The red flame of calamities, the pale cup of poison.  Hellish sorrow in the morning, hellish sorrow in the evening.  This is a paradise where comfort and rest are forbidden.  Life is sword and lance, bow and arrow.

aap hi buthshikan1 bhi hai, aap hi buthtarash2 bhi
marham e zaKhm e dil bhi hai, dil ki magar Kharash3 bhi
aap4 ko gum kye hue, apni magar talaash5 hai
apne tazaad6 ko liye, garm-e-anaaN7 hai zindagi

1 destroyer of idols 2. sculptor of idols 3. wound 4. opposites, contradictions 5. busy holding reins – riding
A destroyer of idols and a sculptor at the same time.  The salve of a wounded heart and the wound of the heart.  Looses itself on one hand and looks for itself on the other.  Life is busy riding along with its contradictions.

gardish-e-raqs1 hai kahiN, jumbish-e-gaam2 hai kahiN
qand-o-nabat3 hai kahiN, talKhi-e-jaam4 hai kahiN
taabish-e-subah5 hai kahiN, aatish-e-shaam6 hai kahiN
apne hazaar rang meN, raqs-kunaaN7 hai zindagi

1 circling of dance 2. movement of feet 3. sweets 4. bitter cup 5. brilliance of dawn 6. fire/redness of evening 7. busy dancing
Circling in dance, moving forward.  Sweet elixir, bitter cup of poison.  Brilliance of the morning, redness of dusk.  Life is busy dancing in a thousand colours.

maalik1 e Khusk-o-tar2 bhi hai, faateh3 e bahr-o-bar4 bhi hai
saaheb5 e taj-o-zar6 bhi hai, Khaaliq7 e Khair-o-shar8 bhi hai
ashk9 bhi hai, guhar10 bhi hai, sang11 bhi hai, sharar12 bhi hai
shah-e-shahaN13 hai zindagi, mir-e-jahaaN14 hai zindagi

1 owner 2. dry and wet, land and sea 3. conqueror 4. ocean and trees/forest, world 5. lord 6. crown and wealth 7. creator/maker 8. good and evil 9. tear drops 10. pearl 11. stone, rock/flint 12. spark 13. king of kings 14. lord of the world
Owner of this earth, conqueror of the world.  Holding wealth and crown, creating peace and conflict.  Tears and pearls, flint and spark.  Life is the emperor of emperors, the king of the world.

gaah1 uruj2 e tajdaar, gaah shikast3 e shahriyar4
gaah suroor5 e ahl e dil6, gaah sha’oor7 e dastkaar8
gaah tilasm9 e rang o boo10, gaah fareb11 e chashm-e-yaar12
gaah faroGh13 e jalva14 e mahvashaN15 hai zindagi

1 one moment, (also) next moment 2. emergence 3. defeat 4. king, lord 5. happiness 6. people of heart, people with feelings 7. knowledge, skill 8. artisan, craftsman 9. enchantment 10. colour and fragrance 12. deception, mirage, playfulness 13. eye/image/picture of the beloved 13. brilliance 14. splendor, manifestation, image 15. moonlike, beloved
One moment the emergence of a king, the next, defeat of another.  One moment ecstacy, the next creative handiwork.  Enchantment of color and fragrance, vision of the beloved.  Life is a glimpse of the brilliance of the beauty of the beloved.

tund mizaj1 o sho’la Khoo2, barq3 o sharaar4 ki tarah
jalva5 taraz6 o dil nawaz7, roo-e-nigar8 ki tarah
aatish9 e gul10 ki paasbaN11, baad-e-bahar12 ki tarah
maut ke baGh ke liye, baad-e-KhizaaN13 hai zindagi

1 spirited, lively 2. flame natured, quick tempered, energetic 3. lightning 4. spark 5. lustre, beauty 6. maker/artist 7. cherish, be kind, benevolent 8. face/picture of the beloved 9. flame, redness, brilliance, color 10. rose 11. protector 12. spring breeze, spring showers 13. breeze of autumn, harbinger of winter
Spirited, lively and full of energy, like sparks and lightning.  Presenting brilliant images, like the looks of the beloved.  Protector of colourful flowers, like spring rains.  But in the domain of death, life is like the autumn breeze.

apni nigah-e-garm1 se, sang-e-dil2 ko toRti
anjum3 o mahr4 o maah5 se, noor6 ka KhooN nichoRti
seena7 e kaayenat8 par naqsh-e-davaam9 choRti
subah azal10 se ta11 abad12, garm13-e-takaaN14 hai zindagi

1 warm/loving eye 2. hardness of the heart 3. stars 4. sun 5. moon 6. light, brilliance 7. bosom 8. creation 9. mark/stamp of permanence/endurance 10. dawn of creation 11. until 12. end (of the world) 13. busy in, enthusiastic 14. literally tiredness, used here to mean always moving (getting tired)
With its warm, loving eye, melting hearts of stone.  Squeezing brilliance out of stars, sun and moon.  Leaving a lasting mark on the bosom of creation.  Life is always in motion from beginning to end.

kaar kusha1 o kaar saaz2, is ka javaan haath hai
is ki nigaah se hasiN, a’alam-e-mumkinaat3 hai
bazm-e-taGhayyurat4 meN, jaan-e-taGhayyurat5 hai
barbat-e-inqilab6 par zamzama-KhwaaN7 hai zindagi

1 opening/creating work 2. one who gets things done 3. world of possibilities 4. assembly of change 5. life of (centre of) change 6. harp/lute of revolution 7. musician, singer
Always working, making things, Life has a youthful arm.  Seeing possibilities, making the world of possibilities beautiful.  In this world of constant change, the centre of change.  Life sings to the tune set by revolution.