Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. prem lal shifa dehlavi (1914-xxxx) najafgaRh (near dehli). Completed his medical degree 1934 and started practice. Learnt Russian and French taking degrees in 1954. Seven languages urdu, hindi, sanskrit, English, Russian, French and some German. He did urdu translations of classical Russian poems. Interested in urdu shaa’eri from childhood, memorizing ash’aar of many masters. Started composing and became shaagird of fazl-e ilaahi maKhmoor dehlavi. First publication was translation of Russian poems. His own collection of urdu was published in 1959. This Ghazal is linked to other ham-radeef Ghazal on the Refrain page under ‘kaun kare’.
1
daanista¹ taGhaaful² kartay haiN, ab un pe bharosa³ kaun karay
jab tak na ishaara⁴ ho un ka, izhaar⁵-e tamanna⁶ kaun karay   1.knowingly, intentionally 2.indifference, ignore 3.trust 4.sign, clue 5.express 6.desire
The poet/lover wants to express his desire to the beloved but is hesitant. He wants to receive some indication from her that she is willing to listen. He wants to wait because so far, she has been intentionally ignoring him. How can I trust her, he says.
2
ham apna shikasta¹ dil le kar baazaar-e Khirad² meN phirtay haiN
diivaana koi jab tak na milay, is dil ka sauda³ kaun karay    1.broken 2.knowledge, reason 3.trade
The heart is the seat of emotions/love/passion which is very different from knowledge/reason. His heart is broken because the beloved has not reciprocated his love. He is trying to offer his broken heart for sale in the market of reason. Unless someone insane comes to the bazaar, how can he hope for any trade.
3
ham zabt¹ ka daaman² kyuN chhoReN, jab tak hai vujood³-e dil baaqi⁴
hoga to karam⁵ ho jaa’ega, ab un say taqaaza⁶ kaun karay   1.self-control 2.hem of the garment 3.existence 4.remain, survive 5.kindness, favour 6.demand
Letting go of the hem of the garment of self-control is poetic expression meaning losing self-control. As long as I have my heart, why should I lose my stoic forbearance. If the beloved is going to show favours, she will. Why should I demand/beg for favours. Thus, he is using ‘self-control’ more in the sense of ‘self-respect’.
4
ek un kay karam¹ say duniya kay, har Gham ka mudaava² mumkin³ hai
jis Gham ka ta’alluq⁴ hai un say, us Gham ka mudaava² kaun karay   1.kindness, favour 2.cure 3.possible 4.relationship, used in the sense of cause
With one favour from her it is possible to cure every sorrow of the world. But the sorrow which is related to her (which is caused by her) who can cure that sorrow.
5
ham apni musiibat¹ ko apnay aa’maal² ka haasil³ kahtay haiN
tauhiin⁴-e mohabbat kaun karay, mahboob⁵ ko rusva⁶ kaun karay     1.difficulties 2.action 3.result 4.insult 5.beloved 6.embarrass
The ‘code of love’ requires that the lover never blame the beloved. Here the implication is that the beloved is responsible for his problems, but he declares that his difficulties are a result of his own actions. Who would insult love (violate the code) and embarrass the beloved.
6
har baat tasann’o¹ say pur² hai, ye daur³ hai zaahir-daari⁴ ka
vaa’de⁵ to sabhi kar letay haiN, vaa’doN ko eefa⁶ kaun karay   1.show, insincerity 2.full 3.times 4.exihibitionism 5.promises 6.fulfill
Every word is full of insincerity/deception. These are the times of exhibitionism. Everyone makes promises, but who will fulfill their commitment. This appears to be more general … not specific to the beloved.
7
har dam¹ ho jaza² ka andesha³, to sa’ii⁴-e amal⁵ na-mumkin⁶ hai
ham husn⁷-e amal⁵ kay qaa’el⁸ haiN, andesha³-e farda⁹ kaun karay    1.moment 2.reward 3.anticipation, expectation, fear 4.effort 5.action 6.impossible 7.beauty, refinement 8.convinced, believer 9.future
It is not possible to make a sustained effort if you expect a reward every moment. The poet declares himself to be a believer in refined action/effort regardless of the expectation of rewards.
8
saaqi nay nigaaheN¹ jab pheriiN², muNh moR liya maiKhaane³ say
ham rind⁴ haiN laikin ulfat⁵ ki, tazleel⁶ gavaara⁷ kaun karay 1.eyes 2.turn away, avert 3.tavern 4.wine-lover 5.love 6.insult 7.accept, bear
When the saaqi averted her eyes, I turned back from the tavern. I am a wine-lover but how can I bear this insult to love.
9
aadaab¹ juda² haiN ulfat³ kay, hai raah⁴ alag⁵ diivaanoN ki
duniya se shifa⁶ ham kya leNgay, paabandi⁷-e duniya kaun karay    1.rules, traditions 2.different, separate 3.love 4.path 5.separate, different 6.pen-name of the poet 7.bound by, obliged to
The traditions of the realm of love are different. Mad passionate ones take their own path. Why should we take any favours from the world O shifa, why should we be obliged to them.