For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the “Roman” or “Notes” tab.
Recitation
حسین ۔ مہندر سنگھ بیدی سحرؔ
۱
تشنہ کامی، بیکسی، غربت، فریبِ دُشمناں
نوکِ خنجر، بارشِ پیکاں، گلوئے خوںچکاں
ہے دمِ شمشیر سے بھی تیز تر راہِ جہاں
ہر قدم اِک مرحلہ ہے، ہر نفس اِک اِمتحان
زندگی پھر اہلِ دل کی اور آسانی طلب
یہ وہ مے ہے جس کا ہر قطرہ ہے قربانی طلب
۲
فطرتِ آدم کو کر دیتی ہے قربانی بلند
دِل پہ کھُل جاتی ہے اُس کے نور سے ہر راہِ بند
مہر و مہ ہوتے ہیں اُس کی خاکِ پا سے ارجمند
ہے فرشتوں کے گلوئے پاک میں اُس کی کمند
سر کہ جس میں ذوقِ قربانی ہو جھک سکتا نہیں
تِنکوں سے بڑھتا ہوا سیلاب رک سکتا نیہیں
۳
گلشنِ صدق و صفا کا لالہ رنگیں حسین
شمع عالم، مشعلِ دنیا، چراغِ دیں حسین
سر سے پا تک سرخیٔ افسانۂ خونیں حسین
جس پہ شاہوں کی خوشی قربان، وہ غمگیں حسین
مطلعِ نورِ مہ و پرویں ہے پیشانی تری
باج لیتی ہے ہر اِک مذہب سے قربانی تری
۴
جادۂ عالم میں ہے رہبر ترا نقشِ قدم
سایۂ دامن ہے تیرا پرورش گاہِ اِرم
بادۂ ہستی کا ہے تعبیر تجھ سے کیف و کم
اُٹھ نہیں سکتا ترے آگے سرِ لوح و قلم
تو نے بخشی ہے وہ رفعت ایک مشتِ خاک کو
جو بہ ایں سرکردگی حاصل نہیں افلاک کو
۵
ساقیِ بزمِ حقیقت، نغمہ سازِ حجاز
ناز کے آئینۂ روشن میں تصویرِ نیاز
دیدۂ حق بیں، دِلِ آگہ، نگاہِ پاکباز
رونقِ شامِ عجم، اے زینتِ صبح حجاز
تو نے بخشی ہر دِلِ مردہ کو وہ شمع حیات
جس کے پرتو سے چمک اُٹّھی جبینِ کائنات
۶
بارش رحمت کا مژدہ، بابِ حکمت کی کلید
روزِ روشن کی بصارت، صبح رنگیں کی نوید
ہر نظامِ کہنہ کو پیغامِ آئینِ جدید
اے کہ ہے تیری شہادت اصل میں مرگِ یزید
تیری مظلومی نے ظالم کو کیا یوں بے نشاں
ڈھوڈھتا پھرتا ہے اُس کی ہڈیوں کو آسماں
۷
ہر گُلِ رنگیں شہیدِ خنجرِ جورِ خزاں
ہر دِلِ غمگیں ہلاکِ نشترِ آہ و فغاں
جاگزیں ہے اے سحرؔ ہر شے میں وہ سوزِ نہاں
پھول پر شبنم چھڑکتا ہوں تو اُٹھتا ہے دھواں
خنجرِ آہن گلوئے مردِ تشنہ کام ہے
چھُٹ نہیں سکتا یہ وہ داغِ جبینِ شام ہے
हुसैन-मोहिंदर सिंघ बेदी सहर
१
तिश्ना कामी, बेकसी, ग़ुरबत, फ़रेब-ए दुश्मनां
नोक-ए ख़ंजर, बारिश-ए पैकाँ, गुलू-ए ख़ूं-चकां
है दम-ए शमशीर से भी तेज़-तर राह-ए जहां
हर क़दम एक मरहला है, हर नफ़स एक इम्तेहां
ज़िन्दगी, फिर अहल-ए दिल कि, और आसानी तलब
ये वो मै है जिस का हर क़तरा है क़ुरबानी तलब
२
फ़ित्रत-ए आदम को कर देती है क़ुरबानी बलन्द
दिल पे खुल जाती है उस के नूर से हर राह-ए बन्द
महर ओ मह होते हैं उस कि ख़ाक-ए पा से अरजुमंद
है फ़रिश्तों के गुलू-ए पाक में उस कि कमंद
सर, के जिस में ज़ौक़-ए क़ुरबानी हो झुक सकता नहीं
तिनकौं से बढ़ता हुआ सैलाब रुक सकता नहीं
३
गुलशन-ए सिद्क़ ओ सफ़ा का लाला-ए रंगीं हुसैन
शमा’-ए आलम, मश’अल-ए दुनिया, चिराग़-ए दीं हुसैन
सर से पा तक सुर्ख़ी-ए अफ़्साना-ए ख़ूनीं हुसैन
जिस पे शाहों कि ख़ुशी क़ुर्बान, वो ग़मगीं हुसैन
मत्ला-ए नूर-ए मह ओ पर्वीं है पेशानी तेरी
बाज लेती है हर एक मज़्हब से क़ुर्बानी तेरी
४
जादा-ए आलम में है रहबर तेरा नक़्श-ए क़दम
साया-ए दामन है तेरा परवरिश-गाह-ए इरम
बादा-ए हस्ती का है त’आबीर तुझ से कैफ़ ओ कम
उठ नहीं सकता तेरे आगे सर-ए लौह ओ क़लम
तू ने बख़्शी है वो रफ़’अत एक मुश्त-ए ख़ाक को
जो बा’ईं सरकर्दगी हासिल नहीं अफ़्लाक को
५
साक़ी-ए बज़्म-ए हक़ीक़त, नग़्मा-ए साज़-ए हिजाज़
नाज़ के आईना-ए रौशन में तस्वीर-ए नियाज़
दीदा-ए हक़-बीं, दिल-ए आगाह, निगाह-ए पाकबाज़
रौनक़-ए शाम-ए अजम, अए ज़ीनत-ए सुबह हिजाज़
तू ने बख़्शी हर दिल-ए मुर्दा को वो शमा-ए हयात
जिस के परतौ से चमक उट्ठी जबीन-ए का’एनात
६
बारिश-ए रहमत का मुज़्श्दा, बाब-ए हिकमत कि कलीद
रोज़-ए रौशन कि बसारत, सुबह रंगीं कि नवीद
हर निज़ाम-ए कोहना को पैग़ाम-ए आईन-ए जदीद
अए के तेरी शहादत अस्ल में मर्ग-ए यज़ीद
तेरी मज़्लूमी ने ज़ालिम को किया यूँ बे-निशां
ढूंढता फिरता है उस कि हड्डियों को आसमां
७
हर गुल-ए रंगीं शहीद-ए ख़ंजर-ए जोर-ए ख़िज़ां
हर दिल-ए ग़मगीं हलाक-ए नश्तर-ए आह ओ फ़ोग़ां
जा-गज़ीं है अए सहर हर शै में वो सोज़-ए नेहां
फूल पर शब्नम छिड़कता हूं तो उठता है धुंआं
ख़ंजर-ए आहन गुलू-ए मर्द-ए तिश्ना-काम है
छुट नहीं सकता ये वो दाग़-ए जबीन-ए शाम है
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. kuNwar mohindar singh bedi sahr (1909-1992) had to migrate to the Indian side after partition. In his writings he has reached across religious lines and national boundaries, writing about peace and harmony and odes to islamic as well hindu figures. The character of his compostions have a ring of sincere devotion and inclusiveness.
1
tishna-kaami1, be-kasi2, Ghurbat3, fareb4-e dushmanaaN
nok-e Khanjar, baarish-e paikaaN5, gulu-e KhooN-chakaaN6
hai dam-e-shamshir7 se bhi tez-tar8 raah-e jahaaN
har qadam ek marhala9, har nafas10 ek imtehaaN
zindagi, phir ahl-e dil ki, aur aasaani-talab11
ye vo mai hai jis ka har qatra hai qurbaani-talab12 1.thirsty throat 2.helplessness 3.migrant, leaving home 4.deception 5.arrows 6.blood dripping 7.edge of the sword 8.sharper than 9.obstacle 10.breath 11.comfort demanding 12.sacrifice demanding
Thirst, helplessness, missing home, deception by enemies, point of a dagger, rain of arrows, blood dripping throat – this is what husain faces. The path of this life is sharper than the edge of the sword. Every step an obstacle, every breath a test (of resolve). You think that the life of the brave seeks comfort! No, it is a wine every drop of which demands sacrifice.
2
fitrat-e-aadam1 ko kar deti hai qurbaani2 baland3
dil pe khul jaati hai us ke noor4 se har raah-e-band5
mahr-o-mah6 hote haiN us ke Khaak-e-paa7 se arjumand8
hai farishtauN9 ke gulu-e-paak10 meN us ki kamand11
sar, ke jis meN zauq12-e qurbaani ho jhuk sakta nahiN
tinkauN se, baRhta hua sailaab13 ruk sakta nahiN 1.human nature 2.(self)-sacrifice 3.elevated, exalted 4.brilliance 5.closed pathway 6.sun and moon 7.dust of the feet 8.honoured 9.angels 10.holy neck 11.noose 12.desire 13.flood
The human spirit is exalted by (self)-sacrifice. Pathways (to salvation/success) that were closed before open up by its light. The sun/moon/stars are honoured to become like dust under their (martyrs willing to sacrifice themselves) feet. They have angels at their beck and call (noose around their necks). The head that is held up high with the desire of self-sacrifice does not bow to anyone. How can straw stop the oncoming flood.
3
gulshan-e sidq-o-safa1 ka laala2-e raNgiN husain
shama’-e-aalam3, mash’al4-e duniya, chiraaGh-e-diiN5 husain
sar se paa tak surKhi6-e afsaana-e-Khooni7 husain
jis pe shaahauN ki Khushi qurbaan, vo GhamgiN husain
matla8-e noor-e mah-o-parviN9 hai peshaani teri
baaj10 leti hai har ek mazhab se qurbaani teri 1.truth and purity 2.tulip 3.candle of the world 4.(guiding) torch/light 5.lamp of the faith 6.redness 7.blood soaked story 8.rise (as in sunrise) 9.moon and venus 10.tribute
The red tulip of the garden of truth and purity, husain. The guiding light of the world, lamp of the faith, husain. Head to toe, redness of the blood-soaked story of karbala, husain. Royal pomp and pleasure is nothing before mourning for husain. His forehead shines like the rising moon. All faiths pay tribute to his sacrifice.
4
jaada1-e aalam meN hai rahbar2 tera naqsh-e-qadam3
saaya-e-daaman4 hai tera parvarish-gaah5-e iram6
baada7-e hasti8 ka hai t’aabeer9 tujh se kaif-o-kam10
uTh nahiN sakta tere aage sar-e lauh-o-qalam11
tu ne baKhshi12 hai vo raf’at13 ek musht-e-Khaak14 ko
jo ba-eeN15 sarkardagi16 haasil17 nahiN aflaak18 ko 1.path 2.guide 3.foot step 4.shade/protection of the hem (of the robe) 5.nurturing 6.paradise 7.wine 8.life 9.explanation/interpretation 10.special, unique 11.tablet and pen 12.bestowed 13.height, status, nobility 14.fistful of dust 15.in spite of 16.superiority, overarching 17.available 18.skies, heavens
Your footsteps are the guide of the path of life. You protect us and nurture us for a place in heaven. You give a special/unique explanation/interpretation of the “wine of life”. I cannot raise my pen and tablet to write about you. You have bestowed such a status on the soil/dust (of karbala) that is not available even to the overarching skies.
5
saaqi-e bazm-e-haqiqat1, naGhma-e saaz-e-hijaaz2
naaz3 ke aaiina-e raushan meN tasviir-e niyaaz4
diida-e haq-biiN5, dil-e aagaah6, nigaah-e paakbaaz7
raunaq8-e shama-e ajam9, aye zeenat10-e subah hijaaz11
tu ne baKhshi12 har dil-e murda ko vo shama-e hayaat13
jis ke partau14 se chamak uTThi jabiin-e-kaayenaat15 1.gathering of the truthful 2.lute of makkah/madinah 3.pride 4.offering 5.truth seeing 6.aware, knowledgable 7.dealing purity/virtue 8.brilliance 9.areas outside hijaaz 10.embellishment 11.makkah/madinah 12.bestowed 13.life 14.reflection 15.brow of the universe
You are the saaqi (serving wine of truth) of the gathering of the truthful. You are the song of the lute of makkah. In the bright mirror/reflection of (righteous) pride, you are the picture of offering (to god). You are the one who saw/knew truth and virtue. You are the brilliance of the lamp (of islam/humanity outside makkah-madinah). You are the adornment of the dawn of makkah/madinah (thus does the poet/devotee laud husain both within the religious traditions of islam – hijaaz and outside that tradition – ajam). You bestowed the light of life on dead hearts. The reflection of this light shines on the brow of the universe.
6
baarish-e rahmat1 ka muzshda2, baab-e-hikmat3 ki kaleed4
roz-e raushan ki basaarat5, subah rangiN ki naveed6
har nizaam-e-kohna7 ko paiGhaam-e aaiin-e-jadeed8
aye ke teri shahaadat9 asl10 meN marg-e-yazeed11
teri mazloomi12 ne zaalim13 ko kiya yuN be-nishaaN
DhoonDta phirta hai us ki haDDiyauN ko aasmaaN 1.benevolence 2.good news 3.door to wisdom 4.key 5.sight 6.good news 7.old/obsolete order/reign 8.new traditions/laws 9.martyrdom 10.reality 11.death/defeat of yazeed 12.victimization 13.oppressor
You are the harbinger of benevolence raining down from heaven. You are the key to the door to wisdom. You grant us the sight to see the day of brilliance/deliverance. You give us hope for a bright dawn. You are the message of change/revolution to every old/unjust order. Your martyrdom in reality was the defeat of yazeed. Your death wiped out all traces of the oppressor. Not even his bones can be found anywhere i.e. yazeed is not remembered kindly, there is no mausoleum built in his memory.
7
har gul-e raNgiN shaheed-e Khanjar-e jor1-e KhizaaN2
har dil-e GhamgiN halaak3-e nashtar4-e aah-o-foGhaaN5
ja-gaziiN6 hai aye sahr7 har shai8 meN vo soz-e-nehaaN9
phool par shabnam chhiRakta huN to uThta hai dhuaaN
Khanjar-e aahan10 gulu-e mard11-e tishna-kaam12 hai
chhuT nahiN sakta ye vo daaGh13-e jabin14-e shaam15 hai 1.cruelty 2.fall, autumn 3.prey, victim 4.dagger 5.sigh and wail 6.making a place 7.pen name of the poet 8.thing 9.hidden fire (of sorrow) 10.steel 11.brave 12.thirsty throat 13.stain 14.brow 15.Levant, the seat of power of yazeed
Every colourful rose is a martyr of the cruelty of autumn. Every sorrowful heart is a victim of the dagger of sighs and wails. The hidden fire of that sorrow makes a place for itself in everything, O, sahr. Even if I sprinkle dew drops on a rose, steam rises (because of the heat of the hidden fire of sorrow) i.e. all creation mourns the martyrdom of husain. A steel dagger on the throat of that brave! This stain of ignominy from the brow of the Levant.
kuNwar mohindar singh bedi sahr (1909-1992) had to migrate to the Indian side after partition. In his writings he has reached across religious lines and national boundaries, writing about peace and harmony and odes to islamic as well hindu figures. The character of his compostions have a ring of sincere devotion and inclusiveness.
1
tishna-kaami1, be-kasi2, Ghurbat3, fareb4-e dushmanaaN
nok-e Khanjar, baarish-e paikaaN5, gulu-e KhooN-chakaaN6
hai dam-e-shamshir7 se bhi tez-tar8 raah-e jahaaN
har qadam ek marhala9, har nafas10 ek imtehaaN
zindagi, phir ahl-e dil ki, aur aasaani-talab11
ye vo mai hai jis ka har qatra hai qurbaani-talab12
1.thirsty throat 2.helplessness 3.migrant, leaving home 4.deception 5.arrows 6.blood dripping 7.edge of the sword 8.sharper than 9.obstacle 10.breath 11.comfort demanding 12.sacrifice demanding
Thirst, helplessness, missing home, deception by enemies, point of a dagger, rain of arrows, blood dripping throat – this is what husain faces. The path of this life is sharper than the edge of the sword. Every step an obstacle, every breath a test (of resolve). You think that the life of the brave seeks comfort! No, it is a wine every drop of which demands sacrifice.
2
fitrat-e-aadam1 ko kar deti hai qurbaani2 baland3
dil pe khul jaati hai us ke noor4 se har raah-e-band5
mahr-o-mah6 hote haiN us ke Khaak-e-paa7 se arjumand8
hai farishtauN9 ke gulu-e-paak10 meN us ki kamand11
sar, ke jis meN zauq12-e qurbaani ho jhuk sakta nahiN
tinkauN se, baRhta hua sailaab13 ruk sakta nahiN
1.human nature 2.(self)-sacrifice 3.elevated, exalted 4.brilliance 5.closed pathway 6.sun and moon 7.dust of the feet 8.honoured 9.angels 10.holy neck 11.noose 12.desire 13.flood
The human spirit is exalted by (self)-sacrifice. Pathways (to salvation/success) that were closed before open up by its light. The sun/moon/stars are honoured to become like dust under their (martyrs willing to sacrifice themselves) feet. They have angels at their beck and call (noose around their necks). The head that is held up high with the desire of self-sacrifice does not bow to anyone. How can straw stop the oncoming flood.
3
gulshan-e sidq-o-safa1 ka laala2-e raNgiN husain
shama’-e-aalam3, mash’al4-e duniya, chiraaGh-e-diiN5 husain
sar se paa tak surKhi6-e afsaana-e-Khooni7 husain
jis pe shaahauN ki Khushi qurbaan, vo GhamgiN husain
matla8-e noor-e mah-o-parviN9 hai peshaani teri
baaj10 leti hai har ek mazhab se qurbaani teri
1.truth and purity 2.tulip 3.candle of the world 4.(guiding) torch/light 5.lamp of the faith 6.redness 7.blood soaked story 8.rise (as in sunrise) 9.moon and venus 10.tribute
The red tulip of the garden of truth and purity, husain. The guiding light of the world, lamp of the faith, husain. Head to toe, redness of the blood-soaked story of karbala, husain. Royal pomp and pleasure is nothing before mourning for husain. His forehead shines like the rising moon. All faiths pay tribute to his sacrifice.
4
jaada1-e aalam meN hai rahbar2 tera naqsh-e-qadam3
saaya-e-daaman4 hai tera parvarish-gaah5-e iram6
baada7-e hasti8 ka hai t’aabeer9 tujh se kaif-o-kam10
uTh nahiN sakta tere aage sar-e lauh-o-qalam11
tu ne baKhshi12 hai vo raf’at13 ek musht-e-Khaak14 ko
jo ba-eeN15 sarkardagi16 haasil17 nahiN aflaak18 ko
1.path 2.guide 3.foot step 4.shade/protection of the hem (of the robe) 5.nurturing 6.paradise 7.wine 8.life 9.explanation/interpretation 10.special, unique 11.tablet and pen 12.bestowed 13.height, status, nobility 14.fistful of dust 15.in spite of 16.superiority, overarching 17.available 18.skies, heavens
Your footsteps are the guide of the path of life. You protect us and nurture us for a place in heaven. You give a special/unique explanation/interpretation of the “wine of life”. I cannot raise my pen and tablet to write about you. You have bestowed such a status on the soil/dust (of karbala) that is not available even to the overarching skies.
5
saaqi-e bazm-e-haqiqat1, naGhma-e saaz-e-hijaaz2
naaz3 ke aaiina-e raushan meN tasviir-e niyaaz4
diida-e haq-biiN5, dil-e aagaah6, nigaah-e paakbaaz7
raunaq8-e shama-e ajam9, aye zeenat10-e subah hijaaz11
tu ne baKhshi12 har dil-e murda ko vo shama-e hayaat13
jis ke partau14 se chamak uTThi jabiin-e-kaayenaat15
1.gathering of the truthful 2.lute of makkah/madinah 3.pride 4.offering 5.truth seeing 6.aware, knowledgable 7.dealing purity/virtue 8.brilliance 9.areas outside hijaaz 10.embellishment 11.makkah/madinah 12.bestowed 13.life 14.reflection 15.brow of the universe
You are the saaqi (serving wine of truth) of the gathering of the truthful. You are the song of the lute of makkah. In the bright mirror/reflection of (righteous) pride, you are the picture of offering (to god). You are the one who saw/knew truth and virtue. You are the brilliance of the lamp (of islam/humanity outside makkah-madinah). You are the adornment of the dawn of makkah/madinah (thus does the poet/devotee laud husain both within the religious traditions of islam – hijaaz and outside that tradition – ajam). You bestowed the light of life on dead hearts. The reflection of this light shines on the brow of the universe.
6
baarish-e rahmat1 ka muzshda2, baab-e-hikmat3 ki kaleed4
roz-e raushan ki basaarat5, subah rangiN ki naveed6
har nizaam-e-kohna7 ko paiGhaam-e aaiin-e-jadeed8
aye ke teri shahaadat9 asl10 meN marg-e-yazeed11
teri mazloomi12 ne zaalim13 ko kiya yuN be-nishaaN
DhoonDta phirta hai us ki haDDiyauN ko aasmaaN
1.benevolence 2.good news 3.door to wisdom 4.key 5.sight 6.good news 7.old/obsolete order/reign 8.new traditions/laws 9.martyrdom 10.reality 11.death/defeat of yazeed 12.victimization 13.oppressor
You are the harbinger of benevolence raining down from heaven. You are the key to the door to wisdom. You grant us the sight to see the day of brilliance/deliverance. You give us hope for a bright dawn. You are the message of change/revolution to every old/unjust order. Your martyrdom in reality was the defeat of yazeed. Your death wiped out all traces of the oppressor. Not even his bones can be found anywhere i.e. yazeed is not remembered kindly, there is no mausoleum built in his memory.
7
har gul-e raNgiN shaheed-e Khanjar-e jor1-e KhizaaN2
har dil-e GhamgiN halaak3-e nashtar4-e aah-o-foGhaaN5
ja-gaziiN6 hai aye sahr7 har shai8 meN vo soz-e-nehaaN9
phool par shabnam chhiRakta huN to uThta hai dhuaaN
Khanjar-e aahan10 gulu-e mard11-e tishna-kaam12 hai
chhuT nahiN sakta ye vo daaGh13-e jabin14-e shaam15 hai
1.cruelty 2.fall, autumn 3.prey, victim 4.dagger 5.sigh and wail 6.making a place 7.pen name of the poet 8.thing 9.hidden fire (of sorrow) 10.steel 11.brave 12.thirsty throat 13.stain 14.brow 15.Levant, the seat of power of yazeed
Every colourful rose is a martyr of the cruelty of autumn. Every sorrowful heart is a victim of the dagger of sighs and wails. The hidden fire of that sorrow makes a place for itself in everything, O, sahr. Even if I sprinkle dew drops on a rose, steam rises (because of the heat of the hidden fire of sorrow) i.e. all creation mourns the martyrdom of husain. A steel dagger on the throat of that brave! This stain of ignominy from the brow of the Levant.
Key Search Words:
