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Recitation
مرثیہ پانی ۔ پیاس ۔ جوش ملیح آبادی
بند ٢٦
صد حیف کربلا میں وہی آبِ خوش گوار
جس پر حیاتِ نوعِ بشر کا ہے اِنحصار
جس کے بغیر آتشِ سوزاں ہے روزگار
بجتا ہے جس کے ساز پہ انفاس کا ستار
جس کا علم ہے بارگہہ مشرقین پر
اہلِ جفا نے بند کیا تھا حسین پر
بند ٢٧
اِ س حادثے پہ آج بھی گریاں ہیں بحروبر
اللہ یہ تلاطمِ پرُ ہولِ جوئے شر
یہ کفر الحفیظ یہ عدوان الحزر
پانی سی چیز بند ہو وہ بھی حسین پر
مولا کسی پہ کوئی نہ ایسی جفا کرے
کافر پہ بھی نہ بند ہو پانی خدا کرے
بند ٢٨
میدانِ کربلا کا وہ پُر ہول اِلتہاب
برسا رہا تھا آگ جہاں سوز آفتاب
خیموں میں جل رہا تھا گلستانِ بو تراب
دریا تھا اِنتہائے خجالت سے آب آب
موجوں پہ تشنگی تھی تسلط کیے ہوئے
ہر قطرہٗ فرات تھا آنسو پیے ہوئے
بند ٢٩
شعلوں پہ فرشِ گرم شراروں پہ سائبان
دوش ہوا پہ ابر اُٹھائے ہوئے نشان
چہروں پہ گرد، سر پہ کمانیں، دلوں میں بان
سینوں میں لوٗ جگر میں شعاعیں لبوں پہ جان
پیشِ نظر حیات کی بستی لُٹی ہوئی
زیرِ قدم زمین کی نبضیں چھٹی ہوئی
بند ٣٠
ذرّات آبدیدہ تھے صحرا اُداس تھا
گِرداب اشکبار تھے دریا اُداس تھا
فرشِ زمین و عرشِ معلاّ اُداس تھا
روُئے مبینِ فاطمہ زہرا اُداس تھا
گردوں کی بارِ غم سے کمر تھی جھکی ہوئی
گیتی کی سانس فرطِ الم سے رُکی ہوئی
بند ٣١
ذرّات محوِ خواب فضا غرقِ شور و شین
تپتی ہوئی زمین پر اکبر سا نورِ عین
اصغر کی سرد لاش پہ سیدانیوں کے بین
اَے وائے بر تباہی و مظلومیِ حسین
خیمے کے در کو دیدہٗ گِریاں کئے ہوئے
زینب کھڑی تھیں بال پریشاں کئے ہوئے
بند ٣٢
سکتے میں تھے رسول، ملائک تھے سوگوار
گردوں پہ مرتضیٰ و محمد تھے اشک بار
ویران پالنے سے اُداسی تھی آشکار
زہرا کی آ رہی تھی یہ آواز بار بار
سُن لے صدائیں بارِ خدا شور و شین کی
پرور دگار خیر ہو میرے حسین کی
بند ٣٣
اے میرے لال اُف یہ سماں ہائے کیا کروں
اِک جان اور یہ بارِ گراں ہائے کیا کروں
تو اور دھوپ میں ہو تپاں ہائے کیا کروں
سینے سے اُٹھ رہا ہے دھواں ہائے کیا کروں
ہے ہے کوئی نہیں جو سنبھالے حسین کو
یارب کسی جتن سے بچا لے حسین کو
بند ٣٤
گونجی ہوئی تھی عرش پہ زہرا کی یہ صدا
اور فرش تھا نمونۂ محشر بنا ہوا
حوّا کھڑی تھیں سر سے اُتارے ہوے رِدا
ٹکرا رہی تھی بارِ مشیت سے کربلا
ہر ذرّہ قتل گاہ کا مائل تھا بین پر
تاریخ کی نگاہ لگی تھی حسین پر
بند ٣٥
ذرّوں پہ سو رہے تھے رفیقانِ تشنہ کام
ہونٹوں تک آ رہا تھا شہادت کا تلخ جام
شعلوں کے بڑھ رہے تھے پرے جانبِ خیام
تنہا کھڑے تھے حلقۂ اشرار میں اِمام
پروا نہ دھوپ کی نہ کوئی فکر سائے کی
خیمے سے آ رہی تھی صدا ہائے ہائے کی
بند ٣٦
لیکن بہ ایں ہجومِ سِتم ہائے روزگار
مولا کے لب تھے عزمِ شہادت سے آبدار
رکھے خزاں کے دوش پہ سرمایۂِ بہار
چہرے پہ تابِ وجہ ذوالاِکرام آشکار
کوثر کی ہر نفس میں روانی لئے ہوئے
سیلابِ روزگار کو پانی کئے ہوئے
بند ٣٧
پھر بھی یہ چاہتے تھے کے برپا نہ ہو فساد
اربابِ کلمہ گو سے نہ کرنا پڑے جہاد
دوہرا سکے نہ وقت مآلِ ثمود و عاد
خطبے کے دونگڑے سے بجھے آتشِ عناد
گرتی ہوئی خلوص کی دیوار روک لیں
چلتی ہوئی زبان پہ تلوار روک لیں
मर्सिया – पानी – पियास – जोश मलीहाबादी
२६
सद हैफ़ करबला में वही आब ए ख़ुशगवार
जिस पर हयात ए नौ ए बशर का है इन्हेसार
जिस के बग़ैर आतिश ए सोज़ां है रोज़गार
बजता है जिस के तार पे अन्फ़ास का सितार
जिस का अलम है बारगह ए मश्रेक़ैन पर
अहल ए जफ़ा ने बंद किया था हुसैन पर
२७
इस हादसे पे आज भी गिरियां हैं बहर ओ बर
अल्लाह ये तलातुम ए पुर हौल ए जू ए शर
ये कुफ़्र अल्हफ़ीज़ ये अदू अन अल्हज़र
पानी सी चीज़ बंद हो वो भी हुसैन पर
मौला, किसी पे कोई न ऐसी जफ़ा करे
काफ़िर पे भी न बंद हो पानी ख़ुदा करे
२८
मैदान-ए करबला का वो पुर हौल इल्तेहाब
बरसा रहा था आग जहाँ-सोज़ आफ़ताब
ख़ैमों में जल रहा था गुलिस्तान ए बू तुराब
दर्या था इन्तहा ए ख़जालत से आब आब
मौजों पे तिश्नगी थी तस्सलुत किये हुए
हर क़तरा ए फ़ुरात था आंसू पिये हुए
२९
शोलों पे फ़र्श ए गर्म शरारों पे साएबां
दोश ए हवा पे अब्र उठाये हुए निशां
चेहरों पे गर्द, सर पे कमानें दिलों में बां
सीनों में लौ जिगर में शुअएं लबों पे जां
पेश ए नज़र हयात की बस्ती लुटी हुई
ज़ेर ए क़दम ज़मीन की नब्जें छुटी हुई
३०
ज़र्रात आब्दीदा थे सेहरा उदास था
गिरदाब अश्कबार थे दरया उदास था
फ़र्श ए ज़मीन ओ अर्श ए मुअल्ला उदास था
रू ए मुबीन ए फ़ातिमा ज़हरा उदास था
गर्दूं की बार ए ग़म से कमर थी झुकी हुई
गेती की सांस फ़र्त ए अलम से रुकी हुई
३१
ज़र्रात महव ए ख़्वाब, फ़िज़ा ग़र्क़ ए शोर ओ शैन
तपती हुई ज़मीन पर अकबर सा नूर ए एन
असग़र की सर्द लाश पे सैदानियों के बैन
ए वाए बर तबाही ओ मज़्लूमि ए हुसैन
ख़ैमे के दर को दीदा ए गिरियाँ किये हुए
ज़ैनब खड़ी थीं बाल परेशां किये हुए
३२
सकते में थे रसूल, मलाएक थे सोगवार
गर्दूं पे मुर्तुज़ा ओ मुहम्मद थे अश्क बार
वीरान पालने से उदासी थी आशकार
ज़हरा की आ रही थी ये आवाज़ बार बार
सुन ले सदाएं बार ए ख़ुदा शोर ओ शैन की
परवरदिगार ख़ैर हो मेरे हुसैन की
३३
ऐ मेरे लाल उफ़ ये समां हाय क्या करूं
एक जान और ये बार ए गिरां हाय क्या करूं
तू और धूप में हो तपां हाय क्या करूं
सीने से उठ रहा है धुआं हाय क्या करूं
है है, कोई नहीं जो संभाले हुसैन को
यारब किसी जतन से बचा ले हुसैन को
३४
गूंजी हुई थी अर्श पे ज़हरा की ये सदा
और फ़र्श था नमूना ए मह्शर बना हुआ
हव्वा खड़ी थीं सर से उतारे हुए रिदा
टकरा रही थी बार ए मशियत से कर्बला
हर ज़र्रा क़त्ल गाह का मआएल था बैन पर
तारीख़ की निगाह लगी थी हुसैन पर
३५
ज़र्रों पे सो रहे थे रफ़ीक़ान ए तिश्ना काम
होंटों तक आ रहा था शहादत का तल्ख़ जाम
शोलों के बढ़ रहे थे परे जानिब ए ख़याम
तनहा खड़े थे हल्क़ा ए अशरार में इमाम
परवा न धूप की न कोई फ़िक्र साए की
ख़ैमे से आ रही थी सदा हाए हाए की
३६
लैकिन बा ईं हुजूम ए सितम हा ए रोज़गार
मौला के लब थे अज़्म ए शहादत से आबदार
रक्खे ख़िज़ाँ के दोश पे सरमाया ए बहार
चेहरे पे ताब ए वजह ज़ुलिक्राम आशकार
कौसर की हर नफ़स में रवानी लिए हुए
सैलाब ए रोज़गार को पानी किये हुए
३७
फिर भी ये चाहते थे के बरपा न हो फ़साद
अरबाब ए कलमा गो से न करने पड़े जिहाद
दोहरा सके न वक़्त मआल ए समूद ओ आद
ख़ुतबे के दोंग्ड़े से बुझे आतिश ए अनाद
गिरती हुई ख़ुलूस की दीवार रोक लें
चलती हुई ज़बान पे तलवार रोक लें
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. josh takes a sharp turn towards karbala. husain and his followers were denied access to water. In these 12 stanzas josh gives an emotional (but still defiant, not pathetic) description of suffering and lament. Some of the metaphors are simply marvelous. This set is a bit unusual for josh because it has more than its normal (for josh) share of emotive lamentation.
26
sad haif1 karbala meN vahi aab e Khushgawaar2
jis par hayaat3 e nau-e-bashar4 ka hai inhesaar5
jis ke baGhair6 aatish-e-sozaaN7 hai rozgaar8
bajta hai jis ke taar pe anfaas9 ka sitaar
jis ka alam10 hai bargah11 e mashraqain12 par
ahl-e-jafa13 ne band kiya tha husain par 1.hundred sorrows, alas 2.pleasing 3.life, survival 4.human species, humanity, life 5.dependence 6.without 7.fire of sorrow 8.daily life 9.plural of “nafs”-breath, all life 10.flag, banner 11.palace 12.East and West, all the world (in shia practice husain is sometimes referred to as shah-e-mashraqain 13.perpetrators of cruelty
Alas, the same pleasing water on which, depends the survival of humanity, without which daily life is but a fiery sorrow, water the strings of which make the music of life, the flag of which flies at the darbar of husain – the perpetrators of evil had denied it to husain in karbala. In the battle of karbala, husain and his followers were denied access to the river – a major theme of mourning among the shia faithful.
27
is hadese1 pe aaj bhi giryaaN2 hai bahr-o-bar3
allah ye talatum4-e-pur haul5-e-joo-e-shar6
ye kufr7 alhafeez8 ye adu9 an alhazar10
paani si cheez band ho vo bhi husain par
maula11, kisi pe koi na aisi jafa12 kare
kaafir13 pe bhi na band ho paani Khuda kare 1.incident 2.sorrowful 3.land and sea, the whole world, creation 4.tumult 5.full of horror 6.river of evil 7.evil 8.seek protection of god, may god protect us 9.enemy 10.(from whom) no protection 11.lord 12.injustice, cruelty 13.evil person
All creation still mourns this incident. O, this horrible mightmare, this river of suffering. May god protect us from evil, the enemy that does not give refuge. A basic need like water and that denied to husain. Lord, may no one suffer such injustice. May water not be denied even to evil ones.
28
maidaan-e karbala1 ka vo pur-haul2 iltehaab3
barsa raha tha aag jahaaN-soz4 aaftab5
KhaimauN6 meN jal raha tha gulistan7-e bu-turab8
darya tha inteha-e-Khajalat9 se aab aab10
maujoN pe tishnagi11 thi tassalut12 kiye hue
har qatra13 e furaat14 tha aaNsu piye hue15 1.(battle) field of karbala 2.fearsome 3.fire 4.world burning 5.sun 6.tents 7.garden – used here to mean family 8.one of the names of ali, father of husain 9.excess of shame 10.paani paani – an expression used to mean shamefaced, ashamed 11.thirst 12.domination, overcoming 13.drop 14.River Euphrates, on the banks of which the battle of karbala was fought 15.an expression used to mean bear with great sorrow, forebearance
O that fearsome fire of heat in karbala. The sun beating down, burning the earth, the tents of the family of ali, on fire. The river ashamed that it could not give its water. Even waves were overcome by thirst. Every drop of the furaat choked on its own tears. Consider the beautiful juxtapositions used here. One, darya tha intehaa e Khajalat se aab aab… the river was “water-water” i.e. shamefaced. Two “har qatra e furaat tha aaNsu piye hue” – every drop of the river was “drinking its own tears-choking on its own tears” – an expression meaning silently bearing extreme sorrow.
29
sho’loN1 pe farsh-e-garm2 sharaaroN3 pe saa’ebaan4
dosh-e-hava5 pe abr uThaae hue nishaan6
chehroN pe gard, sar pe kamaneN7 diloN meN baan8
seenoN meN lau9, jigar10 meN shuaa’eN11, laboN pe jaan12
pesh-e-nazar13 hayaat ki basti14 luTi hui15
zer e qadam16 zamin ki nabzeN17 chhuTi18 hui 1.flames 2.hot floor, burning earth 3.sparks, flames (of the sun) 4.shelter, shade 5.shoulder/back of the wind 6.mark/symbol i.e.proudly flying the flag of defiance 7.bows (and arrows) drawn on their head 8.short for “aan baan” used here to mean “pride in their hearts”, pride of determination to die, pride of righteousness 9.flame 10.liver – considered to be the seat of life in urdu metaphor 11.rays of light 12.hanging on to life, final breath 13.before their eyes 14.community of life 15.looted – meaning death and destruction of war before their eyes 16.underfoot 17.pulse 18.lost – lost nerve
The earth on fire, the flaming sun their only shade. Even the cloud, carried by the wind, was shaped like a defiant flag of resistance. With pride in their heart, facing the bows of the enemy. Their hearts and minds aflame with certainty of virtue, to the last breath. Devastation of war before their eyes. The earth trembling with fright under their feet.
30
zarrat1 aabdida2 the sehra3 udaas tha
girdaab4 ashkbaar5 the darya6 udaas tha
farsh-e-zamin7 o arsh-e-mu’alla8 udaas tha
roo-e-mubin9 e fatima zahra10 udaas tha
gardooN11 ki baar-e-Gham12 se kamar thi jhuki hui
geti13 ki saaNs farth-e-alam14 se ruki15 hui 1.grains (of dust), earth 2.watery/teary eyes 3.desert 4.whirlpool 5.raining tears 6.river 7.floor of the earth, the earth 8.high heaven 9.brilliant face 10.mohammed’s daughter, husain’s mother 11.sky 12.weight of sorrow 13.world 14.excess of sadness 15.saaNs rukna is to be short of breath, sobbing
Consider the expression “kamar jhuki hui” – back bent with the weight of sorrow. Of course the sky always appears “bent”, reaching down to the horizon. Here the poet uses it pictorialize a “bent back”. “saaNs rukna” can also mean that there is no wind – still air which oppressive. The earth shed tears, the desert was mournful. Even the river and its waves were raining tears. The earth below and the skies above were crying. The normally bright face of fatima zahra clouded with woe. The sky was bent over with the burden of sorrow. The earth out of breath, sobbing in exceeding sadness.
31
zarraat1 mahv-e-Khwaab2, fiza3 Gharq-e-shor-o-shain4
tapti5 hui zamin par akbar6 sa noor-e-ain7
asGhar8 ki sard laash9 pe saidaniyauN10 ke bain11
aye vaae-bar-tabahi12 o mazloomi13 e husain
Khaime ke dar14 ko deeda-e-giriyaN15 kiye hue
zainab16 khaRi theeN baal pareshaaN17 kiye hue 1.particles (of dust), earth 2.engrossed in thought, lost 3.ambience, air 4.drowned in lamentations 5.scalding, hot 6.husain’s 18 year old son killed in karbala 7.light of eyes, beloved 9.cold corpse 10.women of the household of mohammed 11.lamentations 12.fie on the destruction of 13.helplessness 14.door of the tent 15.tearful eye 16.husain’s sister 17.uncovered hair – sign of great distress
The earth, losing its senses, the wind blowing in sorrow. A loved one like akbar, lying dead on the burning sand. The lamentations of the family over the death of asGhar. O, fie on the helplessness of husain in the face of ruination. The doorway to the tent like a tearful eye, zainab framed in the doorway in great distress.
32
sakte1 meN the rasool2, malaa’ek3 the sogvaar4
gardooN5 pe murtuza6 o mohammed the ashk baar7
veeran8 paalne9 se udaasi thi aashkaar10
zehra11 ki aa rahi thi ye aavaz baar baar
sun le sadaa’eN12 baar-e-Khuda13 shor-o-shain14 ki
parvardigar15 Khair16 ho mere husain ki 1.trance, shock 2.prophets 3.angels 4.sorrowful 5.skies, heaven 6.one of the names of ali, father of husain 7.shedding tears 8.deserted 9.cradle – this has reference to asGhar, the six month old baby son of husain, killed on the battlefield 10.apparent 11.fatima zehra-mother of husain 12.cries 13.by god 14.lamentaion 15.god 16.well being
The prophets were in shock, angels distraught. mohammed and ali, mournfully looking down from heaven. The deserted baby crib, the embodiment of sorrow. The cry of zehra could be heard again and again – by god hear these cries of lamentation, may my husain be safe.
33
aye mere laal uf ye samaaN1 haaye kya karooN
ek jaan aur ye baar-e-giraaN2 haaye kya karooN
tu aur dhoop meN ho tapaN3 haaye kya karooN
seene se uTh raha hai dhuaN haaye kya karooN
hai hai, koii nahiN jo sanbhaale husain ko
yarab kisi jatan4 se bacha le husain ko 1.o this scene/condition 2.heavy weight, great calamity 3.burning 4.any means
O, my beloved son, you in this condition, how helpless am I. All alone, and this great calamity, what can I do. You, burning in this hot sun, and my helplessness. My heart burns with sorrow, what else can I do. Alas, there is no one to help husain. O god, do something to save him. josh continues his emotive lamentation in the words of fatima zehra in the following stanzas.
34
goonji hui thi arsh1 pe zehra ki ye sada2
aur farsh3 tha namoona-e-mahshar4 bana hua
havva5 khaRi theeN sar se utaare hue rida6
Takra rahi thi baar-e-mashiyat7 se karbala
har zarra8 qatl-gaah9 ka maa’el10 tha bayn11 par
tareeKh12 ki nigaah13 lagi thi husain par 1.sky, heaven 2.sound, voice 3.floor, earth 4.example/model of doomsday 5.Eve, as in Adam and Eve 6.head covering, shawl – rida utarna-uncover the head is a sign of great distress 7.weight (responsibility) of (carrying out) the will of god 8.particle (of dust) 9.slaughter house – the battlefield of Karbala 19.inclined towards 11.lamentation 12.history 13.sight
And as the voice of zehra reverberated through heaven, the earth looked like doomsday. Even Eve cam down and stood bareheaded in great distress. karbala confronted the heavy burden of god’s will. Every grain of sand ready for lamentation. History had husain in its sight.
35
zarroN pe1 so rahe the rafiqaan2 e tishna kaam3
hoNToN tak aa raha tha shahaadat4 ka talKh5 jaam6
sho’loN7 ke baRh rahe the pare8 jaanib-e-Khayam9
tanha10 khaRe the halqa-e-ashraar11 meN imaam12
parva13 na dhoop ki na koi fikr saa’e ki
Khaime14 se aa rahi thi sada15 hai hai ki 1.on the dust 2.friends, supporters 3.thirsty/dry throated 4.martyrdom 5.bitter 6.draught/drink 7.flames 8.on the far side of, even past 9.towards the tents (of the family of husain 10.alone 11.circle of enemies 12.(religious) leader, husain 13.care, concern 14.tents 15.sound, cries
All his friends lay dead in the dust, killed without water. The bitter draught of his own martyrdom ready at his lips. Flames advancing towards the tents of his family, husain stood alone encircled by the enemy, oblivious to heat, no thought of shade, all he could hear was lamentations from the tents.
36
laikin ba eeN1 hujoom2 e sitam haa3 e rozgaar4
maula5 ke lab6 the azm-e-shahadat7 se aabdaar8
rakkhe KhizaaN9 ke dosh10 pe sarmaaya11 e bahaar12
chehre pe taab13 e vajah14 zulikraam15 aashkaar16
kauser17 ki har nafas18 meN ravaani19 liye hue
sailab-e-rozgaar20 ko paani kiye21 hue 1.in spite of 2.crowd, swarm 3.plural of sitam, difficulties 4.daily life, world 5.lord, leader 6.lips 7.determination of martyrdom 8.moist, slaked 9.autumn 10.shoulder 11.wealth, treasure 12.spring 13.brilliance 14.cause, pupose 15.one of the names of god 16.apparent, visible 17.river in heaven 18.breath 19.flow 20.flood (of difficulties) of life 21.paani karna is to make powerless, to overcome
But in spite of the swarm of problems facing him, husain lips slaked with the determination of martyrdom, as if youthful Spring ready to lay its head on the shoulder of Autumn. His face showing his determination to serve the will of god. His every breath a manifestation of the flow of kauser, making light of the flood of difficulties upon him. The use of “sailaab-e-rozgaar” (the flood of daily difficulties) and “paani karna” (to overcome, make light of), both phrases associated with water, juxtaposed with the thirst of karbala makes for a beautiful composition.
37
phir bhi ye chaahte the ke barpa1 na ho fasaad2
arbaab-e-kalma-go3 se na karna paRe jihaad4
dohra5 sake na vaqt6 m’aal7 e samud-o-a’ad8
Khutbe9 ke dongRe10 se bujhe aatish-e-anaad11
girti hui Khuloos12 ki divaar rok leN
chalti hui zabaan13 pe talvar rok leN 1.so that it may not happen/spread 2.disturbance, disagreemnet 3.leaders of kalma sayers (Islamic assertion of faith) 5.repeat 6.time, history 7.curse, retribution 8.Soddom and Gomorrah 9.speech 10.to pour … as pouring water over fire 11.fire of hatred/antagonism 12.sincerity, truthfulness 13.discussion
And yet husain wanted the mischief not to spread, not wishing to make war on those who professed the “kalma”, not wanting history to repeat the curse of Soddom and Gomorrah. He tried to use his speech to put out the fire of hatred, to support the structure of truthfulness and sincerity. He tried to stop the sword with his word.
josh takes a sharp turn towards karbala. husain and his followers were denied access to water. In these 12 stanzas josh gives an emotional (but still defiant, not pathetic) description of suffering and lament. Some of the metaphors are simply marvelous. This set is a bit unusual for josh because it has more than its normal (for josh) share of emotive lamentation.
Stanza 26
sad haif1 karbala meN vahi aab e Khushgawaar2
jis par hayaat3 e nau-e-bashar4 ka hai inhesaar5
jis ke baGhair6 aatish-e-sozaaN7 hai rozgaar8
bajta hai jis ke taar pe anfaas9 ka sitaar
jis ka alam10 hai bargah11 e mashraqain12 par
ahl-e-jafa13 ne band kiya tha husain par
1.hundred sorrows, alas 2.pleasing 3.life, survival 4.human species, humanity, life 5.dependence 6.without 7.fire of sorrow 8.daily life 9.plural of “nafs”-breath, all life 10.flag, banner 11.palace 12.East and West, all the world (in shia practice husain is sometimes referred to as shah-e-mashraqain 13.perpetrators of cruelty
Alas, the same pleasing water on which, depends the survival of humanity, without which daily life is but a fiery sorrow, water the strings of which make the music of life, the flag of which flies at the darbar of husain – the perpetrators of evil had denied it to husain in karbala. In the battle of karbala, husain and his followers were denied access to the river – a major theme of mourning among the shia faithful.
Stanza 27
is hadese1 pe aaj bhi giryaaN2 hai bahr-o-bar3
allah ye talatum4-e-pur haul5-e-joo-e-shar6
ye kufr7 alhafeez8 ye adu9 an alhazar10
paani si cheez band ho vo bhi husain par
maula11, kisi pe koi na aisi jafa12 kare
kaafir13 pe bhi na band ho paani Khuda kare
1.incident 2.sorrowful 3.land and sea, the whole world, creation 4.tumult 5.full of horror 6.river of evil 7.evil 8.seek protection of god, may god protect us 9.enemy 10.(from whom) no protection 11.lord 12.injustice, cruelty 13.evil person
All creation still mourns this incident. O, this horrible mightmare, this river of suffering. May god protect us from evil, the enemy that does not give refuge. A basic need like water and that denied to husain. Lord, may no one suffer such injustice. May water not be denied even to evil ones.
Stanza 28
maidaan-e karbala1 ka vo pur-haul2 iltehaab3
barsa raha tha aag jahaaN-soz4 aaftab5
KhaimauN6 meN jal raha tha gulistan7-e bu-turab8
darya tha inteha-e-Khajalat9 se aab aab10
maujoN pe tishnagi11 thi tassalut12 kiye hue
har qatra13 e furaat14 tha aaNsu piye hue15
1.(battle) field of karbala 2.fearsome 3.fire 4.world burning 5.sun 6.tents 7.garden – used here to mean family 8.one of the names of ali, father of husain 9.excess of shame 10.paani paani – an expression used to mean shamefaced, ashamed 11.thirst 12.domination, overcoming 13.drop 14.River Euphrates, on the banks of which the battle of karbala was fought 15.an expression used to mean bear with great sorrow, forebearance
O that fearsome fire of heat in karbala. The sun beating down, burning the earth, the tents of the family of ali, on fire. The river ashamed that it could not give its water. Even waves were overcome by thirst. Every drop of the furaat choked on its own tears. Consider the beautiful juxtapositions used here. One, darya tha intehaa e Khajalat se aab aab… the river was “water-water” i.e. shamefaced. Two “har qatra e furaat tha aaNsu piye hue” – every drop of the river was “drinking its own tears-choking on its own tears” – an expression meaning silently bearing extreme sorrow.
Stanza 29
sho’loN1 pe farsh-e-garm2 sharaaroN3 pe saa’ebaan4
dosh-e-hava5 pe abr uThaae hue nishaan6
chehroN pe gard, sar pe kamaneN7 diloN meN baan8
seenoN meN lau9, jigar10 meN shuaa’eN11, laboN pe jaan12
pesh-e-nazar13 hayaat ki basti14 luTi hui15
zer e qadam16 zamin ki nabzeN17 chhuTi18 hui
1.flames 2.hot floor, burning earth 3.sparks, flames (of the sun) 4.shelter, shade 5.shoulder/back of the wind 6.mark/symbol i.e.proudly flying the flag of defiance 7.bows (and arrows) drawn on their head 8.short for “aan baan” used here to mean “pride in their hearts”, pride of determination to die, pride of righteousness 9.flame 10.liver – considered to be the seat of life in urdu metaphor 11.rays of light 12.hanging on to life, final breath 13.before their eyes 14.community of life 15.looted – meaning death and destruction of war before their eyes 16.underfoot 17.pulse 18.lost – lost nerve
The earth on fire, the flaming sun their only shade. Even the cloud, carried by the wind, was shaped like a defiant flag of resistance. With pride in their heart, facing the bows of the enemy. Their hearts and minds aflame with certainty of virtue, to the last breath. Devastation of war before their eyes. The earth trembling with fright under their feet.
Stanza 30
zarrat1 aabdida2 the sehra3 udaas tha
girdaab4 ashkbaar5 the darya6 udaas tha
farsh-e-zamin7 o arsh-e-mu’alla8 udaas tha
roo-e-mubin9 e fatima zahra10 udaas tha
gardooN11 ki baar-e-Gham12 se kamar thi jhuki hui
geti13 ki saaNs farth-e-alam14 se ruki15 hui
1.grains (of dust), earth 2.watery/teary eyes 3.desert 4.whirlpool 5.raining tears 6.river 7.floor of the earth, the earth 8.high heaven 9.brilliant face 10.mohammed’s daughter, husain’s mother 11.sky 12.weight of sorrow 13.world 14.excess of sadness 15.saaNs rukna is to be short of breath, sobbing
Consider the expression “kamar jhuki hui” – back bent with the weight of sorrow. Of course the sky always appears “bent”, reaching down to the horizon. Here the poet uses it pictorialize a “bent back”. “saaNs rukna” can also mean that there is no wind – still air which oppressive. The earth shed tears, the desert was mournful. Even the river and its waves were raining tears. The earth below and the skies above were crying. The normally bright face of fatima zahra clouded with woe. The sky was bent over with the burden of sorrow. The earth out of breath, sobbing in exceeding sadness.
Stanza 31
zarraat1 mahv-e-Khwaab2, fiza3 Gharq-e-shor-o-shain4
tapti5 hui zamin par akbar6 sa noor-e-ain7
asGhar8 ki sard laash9 pe saidaniyauN10 ke bain11
aye vaae-bar-tabahi12 o mazloomi13 e husain
Khaime ke dar14 ko deeda-e-giriyaN15 kiye hue
zainab16 khaRi theeN baal pareshaaN17 kiye hue
1.grains (of dust), earth 2.engrossed in thought, lost 3.ambience, air 4.drowned in lamentations 5.scalding, hot 6.husain’s 18 year old son killed in karbala 7.light of eyes, beloved 9.cold corpse 10.women of the household of mohammed 11.lamentations 12.fie on the destruction of 13.helplessness 14.door of the tent 15.tearful eye 16.husain’s sister 17.uncovered hair – sign of great distress
The earth, losing its senses, the wind blowing in sorrow. A loved one like akbar, lying dead on the burning sand. The lamentations of the family over the death of asGhar. O, fie on the helplessness of husain in the face of ruination. The doorway to the tent like a tearful eye, zainab framed in the doorway in great distress.
Stanza 32
sakte1 meN the rasool2, malaa’ek3 the sogvaar4
gardooN5 pe murtuza6 o mohammed the ashk baar7
veeran8 paalne9 se udaasi thi aashkaar10
zehra11 ki aa rahi thi ye aavaz baar baar
sun le sadaa’eN12 baar-e-Khuda13 shor-o-shain14 ki
parvardigar15 Khair16 ho mere husain ki
1.trance, shock 2.prophets 3.angels 4.sorrowful 5.skies, heaven 6.one of the names of ali, father of husain 7.shedding tears 8.deserted 9.cradle – this has reference to asGhar, the six month old baby son of husain, killed on the battlefield 10.apparent 11.fatima zehra-mother of husain 12.cries 13.by god 14.lamentaion 15.god 16.well being
The prophets were in shock, angels distraught. mohammed and ali, mournfully looking down from heaven. The deserted baby crib, the embodiment of sorrow. The cry of zehra could be heard again and again – by god hear these cries of lamentation, may my husain be safe.
Stanza 33
aye mere laal uf ye samaaN1 haaye kya karooN
ek jaan aur ye baar-e-giraaN2 haaye kya karooN
tu aur dhoop meN ho tapaN3 haaye kya karooN
seene se uTh raha hai dhuaN haaye kya karooN
hai hai, koii nahiN jo sanbhaale husain ko
yarab kisi jatan4 se bacha le husain ko
1.o this scene/condition 2.heavy weight, great calamity 3.burning 4.any means
O, my beloved son, you in this condition, how helpless am I. All alone, and this great calamity, what can I do. You, burning in this hot sun, and my helplessness. My heart burns with sorrow, what else can I do. Alas, there is no one to help husain. O god, do something to save him. josh continues his emotive lamentation in the words of fatima zehra in the following stanzas.
Stanza 34
goonji hui thi arsh1 pe zehra ki ye sada2
aur farsh3 tha namoona-e-mahshar4 bana hua
havva5 khaRi theeN sar se utaare hue rida6
Takra rahi thi baar-e-mashiyat7 se karbala
har zarra8 qatl-gaah9 ka maa’el10 tha bayn11 par
tareeKh12 ki nigaah13 lagi thi husain par
1.sky, heaven 2.sound, voice 3.floor, earth 4.example/model of doomsday 5.Eve, as in Adam and Eve 6.head covering, shawl – rida utarna-uncover the head is a sign of great distress 7.weight (responsibility) of (carrying out) the will of god 8.particle (of dust) 9.slaughter house – the battlefield of Karbala 19.inclined towards 11.lamentation 12.history 13.sight
And as the voice of zehra reverberated through heaven, the earth looked like doomsday. Even Eve cam down and stood bareheaded in great distress. karbala confronted the heavy burden of god’s will. Every grain of sand ready for lamentation. History had husain in its sight.
Stanza 35
zarroN pe1 so rahe the rafiqaan2 e tishna kaam3
hoNToN tak aa raha tha shahaadat4 ka talKh5 jaam6
sho’loN7 ke baRh rahe the pare8 jaanib-e-Khayam9
tanha10 khaRe the halqa-e-ashraar11 meN imaam12
parva13 na dhoop ki na koi fikr saa’e ki
Khaime14 se aa rahi thi sada15 hai hai ki
1.on the dust 2.friends, supporters 3.thirsty/dry throated 4.martyrdom 5.bitter 6.draught/drink 7.flames 8.on the far side of, even past 9.towards the tents (of the family of husain 10.alone 11.circle of enemies 12.(religious) leader, husain 13.care, concern 14.tents 15.sound, cries
All his friends lay dead in the dust, killed without water. The bitter draught of his own martyrdom ready at his lips. Flames advancing towards the tents of his family, husain stood alone encircled by the enemy, oblivious to heat, no thought of shade, all he could hear was lamentations from the tents.
Stanza 36
laikin ba eeN1 hujoom2 e sitam haa3 e rozgaar4
maula5 ke lab6 the azm-e-shahadat7 se aabdaar8
rakkhe KhizaaN9 ke dosh10 pe sarmaaya11 e bahaar12
chehre pe taab13 e vajah14 zulikraam15 aashkaar16
kauser17 ki har nafas18 meN ravaani19 liye hue
sailab-e-rozgaar20 ko paani kiye21 hue
1.in spite of 2.crowd, swarm 3.plural of sitam, difficulties 4.daily life, world 5.lord, leader 6.lips 7.determination of martyrdom 8.moist, slaked 9.autumn 10.shoulder 11.wealth, treasure 12.spring 13.brilliance 14.cause, pupose 15.one of the names of god 16.apparent, visible 17.river in heaven 18.breath 19.flow 20.flood (of difficulties) of life 21.paani karna is to make powerless, to overcome
But in spite of the swarm of problems facing him, husain lips slaked with the determination of martyrdom, as if youthful Spring ready to lay its head on the shoulder of Autumn. His face showing his determination to serve the will of god. His every breath a manifestation of the flow of kauser, making light of the flood of difficulties upon him. The use of “sailaab-e-rozgaar” (the flood of daily difficulties) and “paani karna” (to overcome, make light of), both phrases associated with water, juxtaposed with the thirst of karbala makes for a beautiful composition.
Stanza 37
phir bhi ye chaahte the ke barpa1 na ho fasaad2
arbaab-e-kalma-go3 se na karna paRe jihaad4
dohra5 sake na vaqt6 m’aal7 e samud-o-a’ad8
Khutbe9 ke dongRe10 se bujhe aatish-e-anaad11
girti hui Khuloos12 ki divaar rok leN
chalti hui zabaan13 pe talvar rok leN
1.so that it may not happen/spread 2.disturbance, disagreemnet 3.leaders of kalma sayers (Islamic assertion of faith) 5.repeat 6.time, history 7.curse, retribution 8.Soddom and Gomorrah 9.speech 10.to pour … as pouring water over fire 11.fire of hatred/antagonism 12.sincerity, truthfulness 13.discussion
And yet husain wanted the mischief not to spread, not wishing to make war on those who professed the “kalma”, not wanting history to repeat the curse of Soddom and Gomorrah. He tried to use his speech to put out the fire of hatred, to support the structure of truthfulness and sincerity. He tried to stop the sword with his word.
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