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Recitation
chaudhry jagat mohan lal ravaaN (1889-1934) learnt urdu, farsi and arabi, early in life and went on to earn a law degree. There is a fair collection of his verse, in spite of his short life span. His Ghazal are in chaste urdu. He also wrote odes to hindu religious figures. He badly wanted to write a masnavi to make his mark on the history of urdu literature. A “masnavi” is a long poem that tells a story/conveys a central theme which can be mystical, didactic, fictional or historical. jagat mohan lal chose to write a semi-historical masnavi about gautam buddh. It includes the story of his life and a lyrical description of his philosophy.
I do not have access to the full ‘masnavi’. I could collect only fragments that were quoted in introductions in different books. I am not even sure if the poet was able to complete his work. It might have been is various fragments with gaps which he intended to fill to make a seamless story. He died before he could complete it. In order to give a complete story line I have prefaced each fragment with the context of the verse. I hope that most readers know the basic story of gautam and with the brief prefaces followed by jagat mohan lal’s verse fragments, will be able to get a full picture. In any case, the central point is the language, the similes and metaphors that the poet uses. Some of his metaphors are entirely original and simply beautiful.
مثنوی گوتم بُدّھ ۔ چودھری جگت موہن لال رواں
۱
مثنوی لکھنے کی خواہش مین مضمون کی تلاش
پہلی مشکل اِنتخابِ داستاں
کون سا قصّہ کروں آخر بیاں
جس میں کچھ رنگِ حقیقت بھی رہے
لزّتِ عشق و محبّت بھی رہے
قال ہو اور حال سے خالی نہ ہو
بُو سے عاری پھول کی ڈالی نہ ہو
۲
گوتم بُدّھ کی کہانی کا اِنتخاب ۔ ایک فقیر کو گوتم کی پیدائش کا اِلہام ۔ اُس کی بیقراری ۔ زیارت کرنے کی خواہش میں قصرِ شاہی آنا ۔ فقیر کے آنے کی منظر کشی ۔
اِک بہشتی نور چہرے سے عیاں
آدمی جِس پر فرِشتے کا گُماں
بادۂ عرفاں کا آنکھوں میں سُرُور
چہرۂ بشّاش سے تقویٰ کا نور
شیشہ ہائے نخوت و کبر و غرور
سنگِ اِستغنا سے اُس کے چور چور
۳
فقیر کا افسوس کے دیکھنے کے لئے وہ زندہ نہ رہے گا ۔
مہر جب ہو گا سرِ نصف النّہار
صبح کا تارا نہ ہوگا آشکار
۴
گوتم کے بالغ ہونے پر ماں باپ کو تشویش کہ نجومیوں کی پیشین گوئی صحیح نکلے گی ۔ درباریوں کی تجویز کہ گوتم کی شادی کرادی جائے تا کہ وہ عشق کے پھندے میں پھنس جائے ۔ عشق کا پھندہ ۔
عشق ہی سرنامۂ کارِ حیات
عشق ہی نقّادِ اَسرارِ حیات
عشق ہی نبضِ بہارِ زندگی
عشق ہی آئینہ دارِ زندگی
عشق ہی سر منزلِ بود و نبود
عشق ہی سر مستیِ کیفِ وجود
۵
شادی کی تجویز کے تحت جسودا کو گوتم کے سامنے پیش کیا گیا ۔ جسودہ کی خوبصورتی ۔
اِس ادا سے مسکراتی آئی تھی
تحفۂ گُل شاخِ گُل خود لائی تھی
سُرخ بِندی صندلی ماتھے پہ تھی
یا جبینِ صبح پر تارا کوئی
روبرو گوتم کے آ کر رُک گئی
شاخِ گُل بارِ حیا سے جھک گئی
چُبھ گیا نشتر دِلِ بیباک میں
صیدِ وحشی آ گیا فتراک میں
۶
گوتم نے مُلک میں عبرتناک مناظر دیکھے اور اُس کا اِرادہ سنیاس کی طرف بدلنے لگا ۔
جادۂ منزل ہے گمراہی مری
عفو کے قابل ہے کوتاہی مری
۷
گوتم اور جسودا کو بیٹا پیدا ہونے کی خوشی میں جشنِ رقص و موسیقی ۔ گوتم کا غیر دلچسپی میں سو جانا۔ رقّاصہ بھی جا بجا سوئی پڑی تھیں ۔ آدھی رات کو گوتم کی آنکھ کھلنے پر ایک طرف شہوت و باالہوسی اور دوسری طرف روحانی کشمکش ۔
آرزوئے زندگی کی شام تھی
حُسنِ گونا گوں کی دعوت عام تھی
دیکھ کر اِک اِک حسیں کو محوِ خواب
مچلی جاتی تھی نگاہِ اِنتخاب
۸
ساتھ ہی جسودہ اور اپنے نومولود بیٹے کو دیکھ کر کشمکش ۔
ماں تھی اور آغوش میں پیارا بھی تھا
ماہ کے ہالے میں اِک تارا بھی تھا
۹
آخر کار اِس جدّوجہد میں روحانی تجسّس کامیاب ہوا اور سارا عالم خوشی سے جھومنے لگا ۔
جا کے یہ دِن پھر نہیں آنے کا ہے
آخری دور آج پیمانے کا ہے
ڈالیاں پھولوں کی قدموں پر جھکیں
اونگھتے تاروں نے آنکھیں کھول دیں
بوئے گُل اُٹھّی زمیں کے فرش سے
موجِ نور اُتری فرازِ عرش سے
۱۰
گوتم کا شاہی محل چھوڑ کر جنگل کی طرف روانگی ۔ شاہی لباس اُتار کر اور اپنے بال کاٹ کر دربان کے ہاتھوں جسودہ کو بھیجنا۔ ساتھ میں یہ پیغام ۔
اِس کو دینا اُس سراپا ناز کو
محرمِ درد و شریکِ راز کو
اور یہ کہنا کہ اے آرامِ جاں
میں تلاشِ حق میں ہوتا ہوں رواں
آپ سے کچھ اِلتجائیں ہیں مری
عفو کے قابل خطائیں ہیں مری
تاجِ شاہی نذرِ ایماں کر دیا
دل نے ہر مشکل کو آساں کر دیا
۱۱
اِس دوران جسودہ کی حالت کا بیان ۔
آتشِ فرقت سے ہو کر بیقرار
لے رہی تھی کروٹیں سیماب وار
ہر نظر اِک شرحِ دردِ اِشتیاق
ہر تصوّر ایک تصویرِ فراق
۱۲
کئی سال گذرنے کے بعد گوتم کی خبر پا کر ماں باپ نے شاہی محل میں طلب کیا ۔ وہ آئے تو اِس حال میں ۔
چند چیلے ساتھ میں حلقہ کئے
ننگے سر کاسے گدائی کے لئے
مانگتا ہے بھیک باہر شہر کے
کہہ کے یہ اِس ہاتھ دے اُس ہاتھ لے
دیکھ کر لیکن جمالِ ذوالجلال
شاہ کے دِل کو ہوئی حیرت کمال
سِطوتِ شاہی بھی تھی جلوے سے ماند
خلق میں یوں جس طرح تاروں میں چاند
رُخ پہ انوارِ اِلٓہیٰ کا وفور
آنکھ سے پیدا شعاعِ برقِ طور
۱۳
لیکن گوتم کو جسودہ نظر نہ آنے پر ۔۔۔
توڑ کر ضبطِ تقدّس کا حجاب
چِتونوں میں آ گیا کچھ اضطراب
۱۴
ماں باپ سے مختصر ملاقات کے بعد گوتم کی ہمالیہ کی پہاڑہوں کی طرف روانگی اور وہاں کا منظر ۔
وادیاں دردِ نہانی کی طبیب
سایۂ اشجار آغوشِ حبیب
رفعتِ کوہسار پر رنگِ سحاب
چہرۂ سیمیں پہ اِک اُودی نقاب
چل رہی ہیں ہر طرف مستانہ وار
آبشاروں کی ہوائیں خوشگوار
گو تھا پانی سرد جھرنوں کا مگر
گرم گِرتا تھا بساطِ خاک پر
یہ جگت موہن لال کا آخری شعر تھا ۔ اُن کی ۳۵ سال کی عمر میں موت ہو گئی ۔
मस्नवी गौतम बुद्ध – चौधरी जगत मोहन लाल रवां
१
मस्नवी लिखने कि ख़्वाहिश में मज़्मून की तलाश
पहली मुश्किल इन्तेख़ाब-ए दास्तां
कौन सा क़िस्सा करूं आख़िर बयां
जिस में कुछ रंग-ए हक़ीक़त भी रहे
लज़्ज़त-ए इश्क़ ओ मोहब्बत भी रहे
क़ाल हो और हाल से ख़ाली न हो
बू से आ’रि फूल का डाली न हो
२
गौतम बुद्ध कि कहानी का इन्तेख़ाब. एक फ़क़ीर को गौतम के जनम की भविष्यवाणी. उस कि बेक़रारी. दर्शन करने कि ख़्वाहिश में राज-महल को आना. फ़क़ीर के आने कि मंज़र कशी.
एक बेहिश्ती नूर चेहरे से अयां
आदमी, जिस पर फ़रिश्ते का गुमां
बादा-ए इर्फ़ां का आंखौं में सुरूर
शीशा-हा-ए नख़्वत ओ किब्र ओ ग़ुरूर
संग-ए इस्तेग़्ना से उस के चूर चूर
३
फ़क़ीर का अफ़्सोस के बुद्ध का उपदेश सुन्ने के लिए वो ज़िन्दा न रहेगा.
महर जब होगा सर-ए निस्फ़-उन-नहार
सुबह का तारा न होगा आश्कार
४
गौतम के बालेग़ होने पर मां बाप को चिंता के नुजूमियौं कि भविष्यवाणी सहीह निक्लेगी. दरबारियौं की तज्वीज़ के गौतम कि शादी करा दी जाए ता के वो इश्क़ के फंदे में फंस जाए. इश्क़ का फंदा.
इश्क़ हि सरनामा-ए कार-ए हयात
इश्क़ हि नक़्क़ाद-ए अस्रार-ए हयात
इश्क़ हि नब्ज़-ए बहार-ए ज़िन्दगी
इश्क़ हि आईना-दार-ए ज़िन्दगी
इश्क़ हि सर-मंज़िल-ए बूद ओ नबूद
इश्क़ हि सर मस्ती-ए कैफ़-ए वुजूद
५
शादी का तज्वीज़ के तहत जसोदा को गौतम के सामने पेश किया गया. जसोदा कि ख़ूबसूरती.
इस अदा से मुस्कुराती आई थी
तोहफ़ा-ए गुल शाख़-ए गुल ख़ुद लाई थी
सुर्ख़ बिन्दी सन्दली माथे पे थी
या जबीन-ए सुबह पर तारा कोई
रू ब रू गौतम के आ कर रुक गई
शाख़-ए गुल बार-ए हया से झुक गई
चुभ गया नश्तर दिल-ए बेबाक में
सैद-ए वहशी आ गया फ़ित्राक में
६
गौतम ने देश में दुखद मंज़र देखे और सन्यास का इरादा होने लगा
जादा-ए मंज़िल है गुमराही मेरी
उफ़्व के क़ाबिल है कोताहि मेरी
७
गौतम और जसोदा को बेटा जनम होने कि ख़ुशी में नाच गाने का जश्न. गौतम का ग़ैर दिल्चस्पी में सो जाना. रक़्क़ासा भि जा ब जा सोई पड़ी थीं. आधी रात कि आंख खुलने पर एक तरफ़ काम-वासना कि इच्छा और दूसरी तरफ़ सन्यास की.
आर्ज़ू-ए ज़िन्दगी कि शाम थी
हुस्न-ए गूना-गूं कि दावत आम थी
देख कर एक एक हसीं को महव-ए ख़्वाब
मचली जाती थी निगाह-ए इंतेख़ाब
८
साथ हि जसोदा और अपने नवजात बेटे को देख कर कश्मकश.
मां थि और आग़ोश में प्यारा भि था
माह के हाले में एक तारा भि था
९
आख़िरकार इस संघर्ष में आत्मा कामियाब हुई और सारा आलम झूमने लगा.
जा के ये दिन फिर नहीं आने का है
आख़िरी दौर आज पैमाने का है
डालियां फूलौं कि क़द्मौं पर झुकीं
ऊंघते तारौं ने आंखें खोल दीं
बू-ए गुल उट्ठी ज़मीं के फ़र्श से
मौज-ए नूर उतरी फ़राज़-ए अर्श से
१०
गौतम का राज महल छोड़ कर जंगल कि तरफ़ जाना. शाही कपड़े कर और अपने बाल काट कर जसोदा को दरबान के हाथौं भेजना. साथ में ये पैग़ाम.
इस को देना उस सरापा नाज़ को
महरम-ए दर्द ओ शरीक-ए राज़ को
और ये कहना के अए आराम-ए जां
मैं तलाश-ए हक़ में होता हूं रवां
आप से कुछ इल्तेजाएं हैं मेरी
उफ़्व के क़ाबिल ख़ताएं हैं मेरी
ताज-ए शाही नज़्र-ए ईमां कर दिया
दिल ने हर मुश्किल आसां कर दिया
११
इस दौरान में जसोदा कि हालत का बयान.
आतिश-ए फ़ुर्क़त से हो कर बेक़रार
ले रही थी करवटें सीमाब-वार
हर नज़र एक शरह-ए दर्द-ए इश्तियाक़
हर तसव्वुर एक तस्वीर-ए फ़िराक़
१२
कई साल गुज़रने के बाद गौतम कि ख़बर पा कर मां बाप ने राज महल में तलब किया. वो आए तो इस हाल में.
चन्द चेले साथ में हल्क़ा किए
नंगे सर, कासे गदाई के लिए
मांगता है भीक बाहर शहर के
कह के ये इस हाथ दे उस हाथ ले
देख कर लैकिन जमाल-ए ज़ुल्जलाल
शाह के दिल को हुई हैरत कमाल
सित्वत-ए शाही भि थी जल्वे से मांद
ख़ल्क़ में युं जिस तरह तारौं में चांद
रुख़ पे अन्वार-ए इलाही का वुफ़ूर
आंख से पैदा शु’आ-ए बर्क़-ए तूर
१३
लैकिन गौतम को जसोदा नज़र न आने पर …
तोड़ कर ज़ब्त-ए तक़द्दुस का हिजाब
चितवनौं में आ गया कुछ इज़्तेराब
१४
मां बाप से मुख़्तसिर मुलाक़ात के बाद गौतम कि हिमालए कि पहाढौं कि तरफ़ रवानगी और वहां का मंज़र
वादियां दर्द-ए नेहानी की तबीब
साया-ए अश्जार आग़ोश-ए हबीब
रफ़’अत-ए कोहसार पर रंग-ए सहाब
चेहरा-ए सीमीं पे एक ऊदी नक़ाब
चल रही हैं हर तरफ़ मस्ताना-वार
आब्शारौं की हवाएं ख़ुशगवार
गो था पानी सर्द झर्नौं का मगर
गरम गिरता था बिसात-ए ख़ाक पर
ये जगत मोहन लाल का आख़िरि शेर था. उन कि ३५ साल कि उम्र में मौत हो गई.
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1
The poet wanted to write a masanavi and was searching for a subject. This is how he expressed it.
pahli mushkil inteKhaab-e-daastaaN1
kaun sa qissa karuN aaKhir bayaaN
jis meN kuchh raNg-e-haqiqat2 bhi rahe
lazzat3-e ishq o mohabbat bhi rahe
qaal4 ho aur haal5 se Khaali na ho
boo se aa’ri6 phool ki Daali na ho 1.selection of story/subject 2.element of truth 3.pleasure 4.saying, pronouncement 5.present times 6.devoid
The first difficulty the poet faces is the selection of the subject. What story should I relate which has an element of truth as well as the pleasure of love and romance. It should also have a pronouncement/a lesson that is relevant to the present times. The bough of flowers should not be devoid of fragrance.
2
He finally selected the story of gautam buddh. A faqir/mendicant gets a premonition of the birth of the buddh and comes to pay homage. Description of his visit
ek behishti1 noor2 chehre se ayaaN3
aadmi, jis par farishte ka gumaaN4
bada-e-irfaaN5 ka aaNkhoN meN suroor6
sheesha-ha7-e naKhwat8 o kibr9 o Ghuroor10
saNg11-e isteGhna12 se us ke choor choor 1.heavenly 2.light 3.apparent, manifest 4.suspicion 5.wine of mystical knowledge 6.ecstacy 7.crystals 8.vanity 9.arrogance 10.pride 11.stone, rock 12.giving up material needs, abstinence
The sadhu who came to pay respects to the newborn gautam had a heavenly glow on his face. A man who could be mistaken for an angel. The ecstacy of mystical wine in his eyes. The strong rock of abstinence has shattered all vanity, arrogance and pride.
3
The faqir regrets that he will not be around by the time buddha matures.
mahr1 hoga sar2-e nisf-un-nahaar3
subah ka taara na hoga aashkaar4 1.sun 2.apex, climax 3.mid-day 4.visible, manifest
The sadhu predicts that the child gautam will one day shine like the sun but that when this sun reaches its climax at mid-day, the morning star (the sadhu himself) will be nowhere to be seen. The sadhu predicts that the child gautam will day shine like the sun but that when this sun reaches its climax at mid-day, the morning star (the sadhu himself) will be nowhere to be seen.
4
When gautam comes of age, his parents are worried that the prophecy of soothsayers will come true (that he will quit his throne assume sanyaas). The courtiers suggest that he be married and caught in the web of love.
ishq hi sar-naama1-e kaar-e-hayaat2
ishq hi naqqaad3-e asraar4-e hayaat
ishq hi nabz5-e bahaar-e zindagi
ishq hi aaiina-daar6-e zindagi
ishq hi sar-manzil7-e bood8 o na-bood9
ishq hi sar-masti10-e kaif11-e vujood12 1.headline, title 2.work/use/purpose of life 3.expert, critic, judge 4.secrets 5.vein 6.mirror holder 7.main goal 8.existence, life 9.non-existence, death 10.intoxication 11.pleasure 12.existence, life
The courtiers suggest that gautam be trapped in romantic love because … love is the headline/title of the purpose of life. Love is the judge of the secrets of life. It is the throbbing vein of the spring of life. Love holds a mirror to life i.e. it shows life what it is/can be. Love is the main destination of life and death. Love is the intoxicating pleasure of existence.
5
There is a proposal for jasoda to be his bride. She is presented to him and this is a description of her beauty.
is ada1 se muskuraati aaii thi
tohfa2-e gul shaaKh3-e gul Khud laaii thi
surKh4 bindi sandali maathe5 pe thi
ya jabin6-e subah par taara koi
ru-ba-ru7 gautam ke aa kar ruk gaii
shaaKh3-e gul baar8-e haya9 se jhuk gaii
chubh gaya nashtar10 dil-e be-baak11 meN
sayd12-e vahshi13 aa gaya fitraak14 meN 1.style 2.gift 3.branch, bough 4.red 5.forehead 6.brow 7.face to face 8.weight, burden 9.shyness, bashfulness 10.dagger, knife 11.fearless, youthful 12.prey 13.wild (animal) 14.leather strap on the side of the saddle in which prey is carried
She came in graceful style, smiling like a bough of flowers carrying a gift of flowers. A red ‘bindi’ on her fair (like sandal paste) forehead like a bright star on the brow (horizon) of dawn. She came in front of gautam and bowed, like a supple branch, bending under the burden of bashfulness. Her beauty pierced his youthful heart. She carried off her prey tied to her saddle strap.
6
Sometime later gautam goes out in the kingdom and comes across some painful scenes that make him think.
jaada1-e manzil2 hai gumraahi3 meri
afv4 ke qaabil5 hai kotaahi6 meri 1.path 2.destination 3.wandering 4.forgiveness 5.capable of but used here to mean in need of 6.shortcoming
Observing the pain and suffering gautam decides to go off in search of truth … thus wandering (in search) is now the path to my destination. My shortcoming (so far) is need of forgiveness.
7
In the meantime gautam and jasoda have a baby boy. There is celebration with singers and dancers. gautam is lost in other thoughts and falls asleep. The dancers too fall asleep all over the palace floor. He wakes up in the middle of the night with temptation all around and struggles with his thoughts.
aarzu1-e zindagi ki shaam thi
husn2-e guna-gooN3 ki daavat4 aam5 thi
dekh kar ek ek hasiN ko mahv6-e Khwaab7
machli jaati thi nigaah8-e inteKhaab9
1.desire 2.beauty 3.variety, many kinds 4.invitation 5.common, plentiful, all around 6.engrossed in 7.sleep 8.sight 9.selection
Tired and bored with festivities gautam has fallen asleep. The dancers too fall asleep all over the palace floor. He wakes up … this is the evening of the desire of life/pleasure. All around many shades of beauty invited him. He looked at each beauty, deep in sleep. His eye restless, which beauty to select. He is struggling against hedonistic temptations.
8
He also looks at his wife and newborn baby and struggles.
maaN thi aur aaGhosh1 meN pyaara bhi tha
maah2 ke haale3 meN ek taara bhi tha 1.lap 2.moon 3.halo, glow
On the other side, attachment to his wife. He saw the mother with his beloved son in her lap, like a star in the glow of the moon. He is struggling against worldly/family attachments.
9
Finally, in this struggle his soul/spirit succeeded and all creation celebrated.
jaa ke ye din phir nahiN aane ka hai
aaKhiri daur1 aaj paimaane2 ka hai
DaaliyaaN phooloN ki qadmoN par jhukiN
ooNghte taaroN ne aaNkheN khol diiN
boo-e-gul uTThi zamiN ke farsh3 se
mauj-e-noor4 utri faraaz5-e arsh6 se 1.circulation, round 2.cup of wine (of pleasure) 3.floor 4.wave of brilliance 5.height 6.skies, heavens
His soul/spirit succeeded in this struggle. He decided that once this opportunity is gone, it will not return. This should the last round of the wine of pleasure. As soon as he decided this … boughs of flowers bowed down at his feet. Sleepy stars opened their bright eyes. Fragrance of flowers rose from the earth. Brilliance descended from the skies.
10
gautam leaves the royal palace for the jungle. He takes off his robes, shaves his head and gives everything to his courtier to take back to jasoda with this message.
is ko dena us saraapa1 naaz2 ko
mahram3-e dard o sharik-e-raaz4 ko
aur ye kahna ke aye aaraam-e-jaaN5
maiN talaash-e-haq6 meN hota huN ravaaN7
aap se kuchh iltejaa’eN8 haiN meri
afv9 ke qaabil10 Khataa’eN11 haiN meri
taaj-e shaahi nazr-e-eemaaN12 kar diya
dil ne har mushkil ko aasaaN kar diya 1.head to toe, embodiment 2.delicacy 3.familair, friend 4.sharing secrets 5.comfort of my soul 6.search for truth 7.depart 8.pleading, requests 9.forgiveness 10.deserving of/in need of 11.transgressions 12.offering to faith
Give these (royal robe and hair) to that embodiment of delicacy (meaning his wife jasoda), who is familiar with my pain and with whom I have shared my secrets (deep thoughts) and tell her, “O, comfort of my soul, I depart in search of truth. I plead to you that my transgressions are in need of forgiveness”. Saying this he sacrificed the royal crown in search of faith. His heart was at peace, overcoming all difficulties.
11
Description of jasoda’s condition in separation from her husband.
aatish1-e furqat2 se ho kar be-qaraar3
le rahi thi karvaTeN seemaab-vaar4
har nazar ek sharh5-e dard-e ishtiaaq6
har tasavvur7 ek tasvir-e firaaq8 1.fire 2.separation 3.restless 4.like mercury 5.explanation, commentary 6.eagerness, longing 7.imagination 8.separation
Restless, burning in the fire of separation, she tossed and turned like quick-silver. Every look explained the pain of longing. Her every thought a picture of separation.
12
A few years later, when the king and queen hear of gautam as a mendicant outside their city, they call him to the palace.
chand1 chele2 saath meN halqa3 kiye
naNge sar, kaase4 gadaaii5 ke liye
maaNgta hai bheek baahar shahr ke
kah ke ye is haath de us haath le
dekh kar laikin jamaal6-e zul-jalaal7
shaah ke dil ko hui hairat kamaal8
sitvat-e-shaahi9 bhi thi jalve10 se maand11
Khalq12 meN yuN jis tarah taaroN meN chaand
ruKh13 pe anvaar-e-ilaahi14 ka vufoor15
aaNkh se paida shu’aa16-e barq-e-tuur17 1.a few 2.disciples 3.encircling 4.bowl 5.begging 6.dignity 7.possessor of glory, god 8.great 9.royal pomp 10.display, manifestation 11.dimmed, pale 12.universe 13.face 14.divine rays 15.abundance 16.rays 17.lightning of tuur, divine brilliance
gautam (now buddh) discovered begging on the outskirts of the city is summoned to the court. He arrives encircled by a few disciples. Bare-headed, begging bowls in hand with their beggar’s cry, “give with one hand, and you will receive (from god) in the other”. The emperor was surprised at the dignity of that possesor of glory (buddh). Even royal pomp was pale before his beauty, shining brilliantly like the moon among stars. An abundance of divine light on his face, his eyes shining like lightning on tuur. There is a seamless application of islamic/Biblical imagery such as zuljalaal (normally used for god) and the story of Moses and Mt. Sinaii/tuur.
13
gautam did not see jasoda anywhere. His reaction.
toR kar zabt1-e taqaddus2 ka hijaab3
chitvanoN4 meN aa gaya kuchh izteraab5 1.control, forebearance 2.piety, sanctity 3.veil 4.face 5.restlessness
The poet’s intent was always to include elements of romance in the masnavi. He did that with the wedding proposal fragment and now here. gautam does not see his wife and casts off the veil of forebearance and piety. His looks betray restlessness.
14
After brief visit with his parents, gautam leaves for the mountains.
vaadiyaaN1 dard-e nihaani2 ki tabeeb3
saaya-e ashjaar4 aaGhosh5-e habeeb6
raf’at7-e kohsaar8 par raNg-e sahaab9
chehra10-e seemeeN11 pe ek oodi naqaab
chal rahi hai har taraf mastaana-vaar12
aabshaaroN13 ki havaaeN Khush-gavaar14
go tha paani sard15 jharnoN ka magar
garm16 girta tha bisaat17-e Khaak par 1.valleys 2.hidden 3.healer 4.trees 5.lap 6.beloved 7.heights 8.hills 9.cloud 10.face 11.silvery, snowy 12.intoxicating 13.waterfalls 14.pleasant 15.cold 16.hot but also passionate, roaring 17.floor
gautam departed for his tapasya/sanyas to the hills. The valleys heal the hidden pain of the heart. The shade of trees welcomes like the lap of the beloved. The colour/style/appearance of clouds on hill tops looks like silvery/snowy face behind a blue veil. Blowing all around intoxicating and pleasant breeze carrying refreshing drops from waterfalls. Even though the water of the falls was cold, it came down roaring with passion on the floor of the earth. This was the last she’r that jagat mohan lal wrote. He died at the young age of 35.
Please see the overview tab for a complete introduction to the poet and to the masnavi.
1
The poet wanted to write a masanavi and was searching for a subject. This is how he expressed it.
pahli mushkil inteKhaab-e-daastaaN1
kaun sa qissa karuN aaKhir bayaaN
jis meN kuchh raNg-e-haqiqat2 bhi rahe
lazzat3-e ishq o mohabbat bhi rahe
qaal4 ho aur haal5 se Khaali na ho
boo se aa’ri6 phool ki Daali na ho
1.selection of story/subject 2.element of truth 3.pleasure 4.saying, pronouncement 5.present times 6.devoid
The first difficulty the poet faces is the selection of the subject. What story should I relate which has an element of truth as well as the pleasure of love and romance. It should also have a pronouncement/a lesson that is relevant to the present times. The bough of flowers should not be devoid of fragrance.
2
He finally selected the story of gautam buddh. A faqir/mendicant gets a premonition of the birth of the buddh and comes to pay homage. Description of his visit
ek behishti1 noor2 chehre se ayaaN3
aadmi, jis par farishte ka gumaaN4
bada-e-irfaaN5 ka aaNkhoN meN suroor6
sheesha-ha7-e naKhwat8 o kibr9 o Ghuroor10
saNg11-e isteGhna12 se us ke choor choor
1.heavenly 2.light 3.apparent, manifest 4.suspicion 5.wine of mystical knowledge 6.ecstacy 7.crystals 8.vanity 9.arrogance 10.pride 11.stone, rock 12.giving up material needs, abstinence
The sadhu who came to pay respects to the newborn gautam had a heavenly glow on his face. A man who could be mistaken for an angel. The ecstacy of mystical wine in his eyes. The strong rock of abstinence has shattered all vanity, arrogance and pride.
3
The faqir regrets that he will not be around by the time buddha matures.
mahr1 hoga sar2-e nisf-un-nahaar3
subah ka taara na hoga aashkaar4
1.sun 2.apex, climax 3.mid-day 4.visible, manifest
The sadhu predicts that the child gautam will one day shine like the sun but that when this sun reaches its climax at mid-day, the morning star (the sadhu himself) will be nowhere to be seen.
4
When gautam comes of age, his parents are worried that the prophecy of soothsayers will come true (that he will quit his throne assume sanyaas). The courtiers suggest that he be married and caught in the web of love.
ishq hi sar-naama1-e kaar-e-hayaat2
ishq hi naqqaad3-e asraar4-e hayaat
ishq hi nabz5-e bahaar-e zindagi
ishq hi aaiina-daar6-e zindagi
ishq hi sar-manzil7-e bood8 o na-bood9
ishq hi sar-masti10-e kaif11-e vujood12
1.headline, title 2.work/use/purpose of life 3.expert, critic, judge 4.secrets 5.vein 6.mirror holder 7.main goal 8.existence, life 9.non-existence, death 10.intoxication 11.pleasure 12.existence, life
The courtiers suggest that gautam be trapped in romantic love because … love is the headline/title of the purpose of life. Love is the judge of the secrets of life. It is the throbbing vein of the spring of life. Love holds a mirror to life i.e. it shows life what it is/can be. Love is the main destination of life and death. Love is the intoxicating pleasure of existence.
5
There is a proposal for jasoda to be his bride. She is presented to him and this is a description of her beauty.
is ada1 se muskuraati aaii thi
tohfa2-e gul shaaKh3-e gul Khud laaii thi
surKh4 bindi sandali maathe5 pe thi
ya jabin6-e subah par taara koi
ru-ba-ru7 gautam ke aa kar ruk gaii
shaaKh3-e gul baar8-e haya9 se jhuk gaii
chubh gaya nashtar10 dil-e be-baak11 meN
sayd12-e vahshi13 aa gaya fitraak14 meN
1.style 2.gift 3.branch, bough 4.red 5.forehead 6.brow 7.face to face 8.weight, burden 9.shyness, bashfulness 10.dagger, knife 11.fearless, youthful 12.prey 13.wild (animal) 14.leather strap on the side of the saddle in which prey is carried
She came in graceful style, smiling like a bough of flowers carrying a gift of flowers. A red ‘bindi’ on her fair (like sandal paste) forehead like a bright star on the brow (horizon) of dawn. She came in front of gautam and bowed, like a supple branch, bending under the burden of bashfulness. Her beauty pierced his youthful heart. She carried off her prey tied to her saddle strap.
6
Sometime later gautam goes out in the kingdom and comes across some painful scenes that make him think.
jaada1-e manzil2 hai gumraahi3 meri
afv4 ke qaabil5 hai kotaahi6 meri
1.path 2.destination 3.wandering 4.forgiveness 5.capable of but used here to mean in need of 6.shortcoming
Observing the pain and suffering gautam decides to go off in search of truth … thus wandering (in search) is now the path to my destination. My shortcoming (so far) is need of forgiveness.
7
In the meantime gautam and jasoda have a baby boy. There is celebration with singers and dancers. gautam is lost in other thoughts and falls asleep. The dancers too fall asleep all over the palace floor. He wakes up in the middle of the night with temptation all around and struggles with his thoughts.
aarzu1-e zindagi ki shaam thi
husn2-e guna-gooN3 ki daavat4 aam5 thi
dekh kar ek ek hasiN ko mahv6-e Khwaab7
machli jaati thi nigaah8-e inteKhaab9
1.desire 2.beauty 3.variety, many kinds 4.invitation 5.common, plentiful, all around 6.engrossed in 7.sleep 8.sight 9.selection
Tired and bored with festivities gautam has fallen asleep. The dancers too fall asleep all over the palace floor. He wakes up … this is the evening of the desire of life/pleasure. All around many shades of beauty invited him. He looked at each beauty, deep in sleep. His eye restless, which beauty to select. He is struggling against hedonistic temptations.
8
He also looks at his wife and newborn baby and struggles.
maaN thi aur aaGhosh1 meN pyaara bhi tha
maah2 ke haale3 meN ek taara bhi tha
1.lap 2.moon 3.halo, glow
On the other side, attachment to his wife. He saw the mother with his beloved son in her lap, like a star in the glow of the moon. He is struggling against worldly/family attachments.
9
Finally, in this struggle his soul/spirit succeeded and all creation celebrated.
jaa ke ye din phir nahiN aane ka hai
aaKhiri daur1 aaj paimaane2 ka hai
DaaliyaaN phooloN ki qadmoN par jhukiN
ooNghte taaroN ne aaNkheN khol diiN
boo-e-gul uTThi zamiN ke farsh3 se
mauj-e-noor4 utri faraaz5-e arsh6 se
1.circulation, round 2.cup of wine (of pleasure) 3.floor 4.wave of brilliance 5.height 6.skies, heavens
His soul/spirit succeeded in this struggle. He decided that once this opportunity is gone, it will not return. This should the last round of the wine of pleasure. As soon as he decided this … boughs of flowers bowed down at his feet. Sleepy stars opened their bright eyes. Fragrance of flowers rose from the earth. Brilliance descended from the skies.
10
gautam leaves the royal palace for the jungle. He takes off his robes, shaves his head and gives everything to his courtier to take back to jasoda with this message.
is ko dena us saraapa1 naaz2 ko
mahram3-e dard o sharik-e-raaz4 ko
aur ye kahna ke aye aaraam-e-jaaN5
maiN talaash-e-haq6 meN hota huN ravaaN7
aap se kuchh iltejaa’eN8 haiN meri
afv9 ke qaabil10 Khataa’eN11 haiN meri
taaj-e shaahi nazr-e-eemaaN12 kar diya
dil ne har mushkil ko aasaaN kar diya
1.head to toe, embodiment 2.delicacy 3.familair, friend 4.sharing secrets 5.comfort of my soul 6.search for truth 7.depart 8.pleading, requests 9.forgiveness 10.deserving of/in need of 11.transgressions 12.offering to faith
Give these (royal robe and hair) to that embodiment of delicacy (meaning his wife jasoda), who is familiar with my pain and with whom I have shared my secrets (deep thoughts) and tell her, “O, comfort of my soul, I depart in search of truth. I plead to you that my transgressions are in need of forgiveness”. Saying this he sacrificed the royal crown in search of faith. His heart was at peace, overcoming all difficulties.
11
Description of jasoda’s condition in separation from her husband.
aatish1-e furqat2 se ho kar be-qaraar3
le rahi thi karvaTeN seemaab-vaar4
har nazar ek sharh5-e dard-e ishtiaaq6
har tasavvur7 ek tasvir-e firaaq8
1.fire 2.separation 3.restless 4.like mercury 5.explanation, commentary 6.eagerness, longing 7.imagination 8.separation
Restless, burning in the fire of separation, she tossed and turned like quick-silver. Every look explained the pain of longing. Her every thought a picture of separation.
12
A few years later, when the king and queen hear of gautam as a mendicant outside their city, they call him to the palace.
chand1 chele2 saath meN halqa3 kiye
naNge sar, kaase4 gadaaii5 ke liye
maaNgta hai bheek baahar shahr ke
kah ke ye is haath de us haath le
dekh kar laikin jamaal6-e zul-jalaal7
shaah ke dil ko hui hairat kamaal8
sitvat-e-shaahi9 bhi thi jalve10 se maand11
Khalq12 meN yuN jis tarah taaroN meN chaand
ruKh13 pe anvaar-e-ilaahi14 ka vufoor15
aaNkh se paida shu’aa16-e barq-e-tuur17
1.a few 2.disciples 3.encircling 4.bowl 5.begging 6.dignity 7.possessor of glory, god 8.great 9.royal pomp 10.display, manifestation 11.dimmed, pale 12.universe 13.face 14.divine rays 15.abundance 16.rays 17.lightning of tuur, divine brilliance
gautam (now buddh) discovered begging on the outskirts of the city is summoned to the court. He arrives encircled by a few disciples. Bare-headed, begging bowls in hand with their beggar’s cry, “give with one hand, and you will receive (from god) in the other”. The emperor was surprised at the dignity of that possesor of glory (buddh). Even royal pomp was pale before his beauty, shining brilliantly like the moon among stars. An abundance of divine light on his face, his eyes shining like lightning on tuur. There is a seamless application of islamic/Biblical imagery such as zuljalaal (normally used for god) and the story of Moses and Mt. Sinaii/tuur.
13
gautam did not see jasoda anywhere. His reaction.
toR kar zabt1-e taqaddus2 ka hijaab3
chitvanoN4 meN aa gaya kuchh izteraab5
1.control, forebearance 2.piety, sanctity 3.veil 4.face 5.restlessness
The poet’s intent was always to include elements of romance in the masnavi. He did that with the wedding proposal fragment and now here. gautam does not see his wife and casts off the veil of forebearance and piety. His looks betray restlessness.
14
After brief visit with his parents, gautam leaves for the mountains.
vaadiyaaN1 dard-e nihaani2 ki tabeeb3
saaya-e ashjaar4 aaGhosh5-e habeeb6
raf’at7-e kohsaar8 par raNg-e sahaab9
chehra10-e seemeeN11 pe ek oodi naqaab
chal rahi hai har taraf mastaana-vaar12
aabshaaroN13 ki havaaeN Khush-gavaar14
go tha paani sard15 jharnoN ka magar
garm16 girta tha bisaat17-e Khaak par
1.valleys 2.hidden 3.healer 4.trees 5.lap 6.beloved 7.heights 8.hills 9.cloud 10.face 11.silvery, snowy 12.intoxicating 13.waterfalls 14.pleasant 15.cold 16.hot but also passionate, roaring 17.floor
gautam departed for his tapasya/sanyas to the hills. The valleys heal the hidden pain of the heart. The shade of trees welcomes like the lap of the beloved. The colour/style/appearance of clouds on hill tops looks like silvery/snowy face behind a blue veil. Blowing all around intoxicating and pleasant breeze carrying refreshing drops from waterfalls. Even though the water of the falls was cold, it came down roaring with passion on the floor of the earth. This was the last she’r that jagat mohan lal wrote. He died at the young age of 35.
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