Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. hasrat mohani (1878-1951), freedom fighter who was jailed several times. He was a very devout, observant muslim, known as “maulana” for his orthodox practice. He went to hajj several times as well as to baGhdaad, najaf and karbala on pilgrimage. What is unusual is that he also did pilgrimages to mathura and nandgaam several times and wrote Ghazal style paens to krishn as well bhajans in the style of meera baaii. He also wrote bhajan style paens to sufi scholars/saints in colloquial language. At the same time, he declared himself to be a socialist/communist. This is a sufiyaana/romantic Ghazal in the style of Ghalib’s Ghair mudarraf ‘maiN huN apni shikast ki aavaaz’ and is linked to a series of Ghazal in the same style under ‘Ghalib naqsh-e qadam’.
1
hum kaheN taa-kuja¹ hadees²-e niyaaz³
jab sune bhi kahiiN vo dilbar⁴-e naaz⁵    1.how long 2.appeal, recite 3.offering, devotion 4.beloved 5.proud, aloof
How long can we keep reciting/chanting devotional offerings when the aloof beloved does not even hear it. Could this possibly also be about god who is aloof and does not answer prayers.
2
ishq¹ taa’at-guzaar² ho keh na ho
husn³ har haal⁴ meN hai banda-navaaz⁵   1.love, devotion 2.obeying laws, following traditions 3.beauty 4.condition 5.nurturing the servant/devotee
In sufi tradition “ishq” can denote the devotee and “husn” can represent divine glory. Thus, even if the devotee transgresses and does not follow god’s commandments, god, under all conditions is nurturing/loving/forgiving.
3
rah gaye zaat¹-e haq² meN ho ke fana³
ab na hum haiN na dil na soz⁴ na saaz⁵    1.being, person 2.truth, god 3.annihilation, losing identity, merging 4.fire, passion, pain 5.music, celebration, joy
The sufi concept of ‘fana’ is merger with the great spirit – losing one’s identity by getting absorbed in thoughts of god, perhaps in the bhakti tradition. He has become so absorbed that he no longer has any awareness of pain or pleasure. This is very much in keeping with siraj auraNgabadi’s …
Khabar-e tahayyur-e ishq sun, na junuuN raha na pari rahi
na to tu raha, na to maiN raha jo rahi so be-Khabari rahi
4
daulat¹-e aarzu² se maala-maal³
dil-e aashiq⁴ hai ek dafiina⁵-e raaz⁶  1.wealth, treasure 2.desire, love 3.well endowed, possessing wealth 4.lover, devotee 5.buried/hidden treasure 6.secrets, mysteries
The heart of the (sufi) devotee is well endowed with love/devotion. It is this that is his treasure buried/hidden in his heart.
5
Khoon-e dil se vuzoo¹ kareN to kaheN
ban-paRe² jaa ke aashiqoN³ ki namaaz⁴  1.ritual ablutions before prayer 2.bear fruit, be accepted 3.lovers, devotees 4.prayers
Normally ritual ablutions are done with clean water. Doing it with ‘blood of the heart’ is a measure of the intensity/sincerity of devotion. When the devotee does that, then we can say that his prayers have been accepted.
6
hind¹ o iraaN haiN Khaas² maskan³-e ishq⁴
maavara⁵-e iraaq o shaam⁶ o hijaaz⁷    1.hindostan 2.special 3.residence, domain 4.love, devotion 5.beyond 6.syria 7.arabia
This is a reflection about the bhakti tradition and the sufiyaana traditions of iraan and hindostan. These are beyond the religious traditions of arabia. He is recognizing the equal standing and acceptability of bhakti and sufi traditions.
7
dekhiye dil pe kya bane¹ hasrat²
ishva-gar³ husn⁴, ishq⁵ hai jaaN-baaz⁶  1.happening, becoming 2.pen-name of the poet 3.teasing, being aloof 4.beauty, beloved, god 5.lover, devotee 6.wagering life
Let us see what will become of your heart, O hasrat. The beloved (or god) remains aloof and teasing, the lover/devotee is willing to wager his life. Thus, if both of these continue, then the lover/devotee will end up in ‘fana’.