ilhaam ab tak-faarsi-urdu-Ghalib-shahed

For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the “Roman” or “Notes” tab.

فارسی غزل ۔ مرزا اسداللہ خاں غالبؔ

۱

ہِند را رِندِ سخن پیشۂ گمنامی ہست

اندریں دیرِ کہن میکدہ آشامی ہست

۲

خسروی بادہ درین دور اگر می خواہی

پیشِ ما آے کہ تہِ جرعۂ اس جامے ہست

۳

نامہ از سوزِ درونم بہ رقم سوختہ شد

قاصد اردم زنداز حوصلہ، پیغامی ہست

۴

جغد و آزادیٔ جاوید، ہما را نازم

کش بہ ہر سو کششی از شکنِ دامی ہست

۵

گفتہ اند از تو کہ بر سادہ دِلاں بخشائی

پختہ کاری است کہ مارا طمعِ خامی ہست

۶

گہ رُخ آرائی و گہ زُلفِ سیہ تاب دہی

یاد ناری کہ مرا تیرہ سر انجامی ہست

۷

بے تو گر زیستہ ام سختیِ این درد بسنج

بگزر از مرگ کہ وابستۂ ہنگامی ھست

۸

کیست در کعبہ کہ رطلی ز نبیزم بخشد

ور گروگاں طلبد، جامۂ احرامی ھست

۹

مۓ صافی ز فرنگ آید و شاہد ز تتار

ما ندانیم کہ بغدادے و بِسطامی ھست

۱۰

بر دلِ نازکِ دِلدار گرانی مکناد

خواہشِ ما کہ جِگر گوشۂ اِبرامی ھست

۱۱

شعرِ غالبؔ نبود وحی و نگویم ولے

تو و یزداں، نتواں گفت کہ الہامی ھست

فارسی غزل ۔ مرزا اسداللہ خاں غالبؔ

اُردو ترجمہ ۔ سید محمّد شاہدؔ

۱

ہِند میں اِک رِندِ سخن پیشہ ہے بے نام اب تک

ہے اِس میکدۂ دیرِ کہن میں تشنہ کام اب تک

۲

گر تجھے بادۂ خسرو کی طلب ہے تو میرے ساتھ

بیٹھ آ کر کہ ہیں کچھ قطرے تہِ جام اب تک

۳

سوزِ نہانی سے جلا نامہ تمنّا جو رقم کی میں نے

حوصلہ آور جو ہو قاصد، زبانی تو ہے پیغام اب تک

۴

تا ابد آزاد ہے اُلّو، کوئی نہ پکڑنا چاہے

شان عنقا کی کہ ہر سُو ہے کھنچا دام اب تک

۵

سنا ہے سادہ دلوں کو تو بخش دیتا ہے

پختہ کاری ہے لئے بیٹھا ہوں میں حسرتِ خام اب تک

۶

گاہ آرائشِ رُخ، گاہ سیہ زلف میں خم

یاد اُس کو نہیں رہتا کہ سیہ تر میرا انجام اب تک

۷

زندہ تیرے بغیر ہوں، سخت جانی کا ہے ثبوت

ورنہ ہے مرگ فقط ایک گذرتا ہوا ہنگام اب تک

۸

ہے کوئی کعبہ میں ایسا کہ جو پیمانۂ صہبا دے دے

گِروی رکھنے کو ہے تیّار مرا جامۂ احرام اب تک

۹

ہے مۓ ناب فرنگی تو ہے دلدار بھی تاتاری

ہم نہیں جانتے ہے بادۂ بغداد و بِسطام اب تک

۱۰

ڈر ہے دلدار کے دل پر یہ گراں نہ گذرے

جگری خواہش میں میری سخت ہے اِبرام اب تک

۱۱

مانا کہ نہیں ہے یہ وحی پر تو اور خدا بھی شاہدؔ

غالبؔ کے سخن میں ہے وہی تابانیِ اِلہام اب تک

ग़ालिब की फ़ार्सी ग़ज़ल का उर्दू तर्जुमा – शाहेद

हिन्द में एक रिन्द-ए सुख़न-पेशा है बे-नाम अब तक

है इस मय-कदा-ए दैर-ए कोहन में तिश्ना-काम अब तक

गर तुझे बादा-ए ख़ुस्रो कि तलब है तो मेरे साथ

बैठ आ कर के हैं कुछ क़त्रे तह-ए जाम अब तक

सोज़-ए नेहानी से जला नामा, तमन्ना जो रक़म की मै ने

हौसला-आवर जो हो क़ासिद, ज़बानी तो है पैग़ाम अब तक

ता अबद आज़ाद है उल्लू, कोई न पकढना चाहे

शान अन्क़ा की के हर सू है खिंचा दाम अब तक

सुना है सादा-दिलौं को तु बख़्श देता है

पोख़्ता-कारी है लिये बैठा हुं मैं हस्रत-ए ख़ाम अब तक

गाह आराएश-ए रुख़, गाह सियह ज़ुल्फ़ मे ख़म

याद उस को नहीं रहता के सियह-तर मेरा अंजाम अब तक

ज़िन्दा तेरे बग़ैर हुं, सख़्त-जानी का है सुबूत

वरना है मर्ग फ़क़त एक गुज़रता हुआ हंगाम अब तक

है कोई काबे में ऐसा के जो पैमाना-ए सहबा दे दे

गिर्वी रखने को है तय्यार मेरा जामा-ए अहराम अब तक

है मय-ए नाब फ़िरंगी हो है दिल्दार भी तातारी

हम नहीं जांते है बादा-ए बग़्दाद ओ बिस्ताम अब तक

१०

डर है दिल्दार के दिल पर ये गिरां ना गुज़्रे

जिग्री ख़्वाहश में मेरी सख़्त है इब्राम अब तक

११

माना के नहीं है ये वही, पर तू ओ ख़ुदा भी शाहेद

ग़ालिब के सुख़न में है वही ताबानी-ए इल्हाम अब तक

 

Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. mirza asadullah KhaaN Ghalib (1797-1869). I dare not write any introduction. On more than one occasion Ghalib has warned his readers that he needs no introduction or even address. I humbly comply. Ghalib’s faarsi Ghazal recomposed in urdu by shahed (1944-still kicking) and also in English, maintaining the classical format in both.
1
hind meN ek rind1-e suKhan-pesha2 hai be-naam3 ab tak
hai is maikada4-e daer5-e kohan6 meN tishna-kaam7 ab tak    
1.wine lover 2.professional versifier 3.without recognition 4.tavern 5.temple 6.ancient 7.dry throat, thirsty
In hindostan, a wine-loving poet, is still waiting for due recognition (of his versification). In this ancient land of temples and taverns, he is still thirsting for a draught.

2
gar1 tujhe baada2-e Khusro3 ki talab4 hai to mere saath
baiTh aa kar ke haiN kuchh qatre5 tah6-e jaam7 ab tak    
1.if 2.wine 3.Khusro, legendary king of Persia, a lover/connoisseur of wine 4.desire, search 5.drops 6.bottom 7.wine cup, goblet
If you are looking for fine wine, fit for the legendary Khusro, then come to me to sip the last few remaining drops in my goblet. This fine wine, of course, is his verse that he is offering.

3
soz1-e nihaani2 se jala naama3 tamanna4 jo raqam5 ki maiN ne
hausla-aavar6 ho jo qaasid7, zabaani8 to hai paiGhaam9 ab tak   
1.fire, passion 2.inner, hidden 3.letter 4.desire 5.write 6.interpid, courageous 7.messenger 8.oral 9.message
The poet/lover writes with such intense passion that paper cannot withstand the heat, it burns up. He is looking for a brave messenger (brave because the beloved is known to abuse messengers), for he still has his message to convey orally, even the paper burnt to ashes.

4
taa1 abad2 aazad hai ulloo, koii na pakaRna chaahe
shaan anqa3 ki ke har soo4 hai khiNcha5 daam6 ab tak    
1.until 2.end of time 3.legendary phoenix bird, cannot be seen, brings good fortune 4.direction 5.stretched, spread 6.net, trap
The owl (in Eastern tradition, it is NOT considered wise, but a bird of darkness and ill-omen) will be free forever, for no one wants to catch it. But the anqa has great dignity, in every direction webs are spread out to trap it. His verse is the ‘anqa’ and the verse of other poets is like the owl … muddua anqa hai apne aalam-e taqrir ka.

5
suna hai saada-diloN1 ko tu baKhsh2 deta hai
poKhta-kaari3 hai liye baiTha huN maiN hasrat4-e Khaam5 ab tak   
1.simpletons 2.forgive 3.mature/wise act/decision 4.desire 5.useless
The beloved may be indulgent towards the simple-minded, out of pity. The poet/lovers knows full well that his desire of her is foolish/useless. But he is making a wise choice to make his desire known to her hoping that she will think of him as a simpleton and have pity on him and show some favours.

6
gaah1 aaraaesh2-e ruKh3, gaah1 siyah4 zulf5 meN Kham6
yaad us ko nahiN rahta ke siyah-tar7 mera anjaam8 ab tak    
1.moment 2.embellishment 3.face 4.dark 5.hair 6.curls 7.even darker 8.result, final condition, fate
She is busy primming herself one moment and curling her dark hair the next, totally forgetful/oblivious to the poet/lover’s fate, which is darker still.

7
zinda tere baGhair1 huN, saKht-jaani2 ka hai suboot3
varna4 hai marg5 faqat6 aek guzarta7 hua haNgaam8 ab tak    
1.without 2.hardy life, accepting pain 3.proof 4.otherwise 5.death 6.only 7.passing 8.moment
It is easy for the poet/lover to die. He knows that death is but a passing moment. Keeping on living without her is painful and much more difficult. The fact that he keeps on living is proof of his ability to bear pain.

8
hai koii kaabe meN aisa ke jo paimaana1-e sahba2 de de
girvi3 rakhne ko hai tayyaar4 mera jaama5-e ahraam6 ab tak    
1.cup 2.wine 3.mortgage 4.ready 5.ritual clothing required for hajj 6.ritual circumambulation of the k’aaba during hajj
The hajj, is a high point of a devout person’s life. The poet/wine lover has gone to hajj, his ritual and compulsory clothing ready. But he is willing to mortgage it to procure a cup of wine instead of performing hajj.

9
hai mai-e-naab1 firaNgi2, to hai dildaar3 bhi taataari4
hum nahiN jaante hai baada5-e baGhdaad o bistaam6 ab tak    
1.genuine/pure/strong wine 2.Europe 3.beloved 4.from Tartary, the region of Ghalib’s forebears 5.wine 6.ancient city known for its wine
It is well known that Ghalib liked European wine. He claims that his beloved is from Tartary. He is not interested in getting wine from traditional sources of baGhdaad and bistaam. He claims that he still does not know anything about it.

10
Dar hai dildaar1 ke dil par ye giraaN2 na guzre3
jigri-Khwaahish4 meN meri saKht5 hai ibraam6 ab tak    
1.beloved 2.heavy, painful 3.pass, happen 4.heart-felt wish, strong desire 5.hard 6.persistent solicitation
The poet/lover has been strong in his solicitation. He fears that this will be unbearable to the beloved (and she might throw him out, avoid him).

11
maana ke nahiN hai ye vahi1 par tu aur Khuda bhi shahed2
Ghalib ke suKhan3 meN hai vahi4 tabaani5-e ilhaam6 ab tak    
1.divine revelation/message 2.witness 3.verse 4.same 5.brilliance 6.divine inspiration (a notch lower than revelation)
I agree that this is not a divine message, but you and even god can bear witness that Ghalib’s verse has the same (as of yore) brilliance of divine inspiration.

mirza asadullah KhaaN Ghalib (1797-1869).  I dare not write any introduction.  On more than one occasion Ghalib has warned his readers that he needs no introduction or even address.   I humbly comply.  Ghalib’s faarsi Ghazal recomposed in urdu by shahed (1944-still kicking) and also in English, maintaining the classical format in both.
1
hind meN ek rind1-e suKhan-pesha2 hai be-naam3 ab tak
hai is maikada4-e daer5-e kohan6 meN tishna-kaam7 ab tak

1.wine lover 2.professional versifier 3.without recognition 4.tavern 5.temple 6.ancient 7.dry throat, thirsty

In hindostan, a wine-loving poet, is still waiting for due recognition (of his versification).  In this ancient land of temples and taverns, he is still thirsting for a draught.
2
gar1 tujhe baada2-e Khusro3 ki talab4 hai to mere saath
baiTh aa kar ke haiN kuchh qatre5 tah6-e jaam7 ab tak

1.if 2.wine 3.Khusro, legendary king of Persia, a lover/connoisseur of wine 4.desire, search 5.drops 6.bottom 7.wine cup, goblet

If you are looking for fine wine, fit for the legendary Khusro, then come to me to sip the last few remaining drops in my goblet.  This fine wine, of course, is his verse that he is offering.
3
soz1-e nihaani2 se jala naama3 tamanna4 jo raqam5 ki maiN ne
hausla-aavar6 ho jo qaasid7, zabaani8 to hai paiGhaam9 ab tak

1.fire, passion 2.inner, hidden 3.letter 4.desire 5.write 6.interpid, courageous 7.messenger 8.oral 9.message

The poet/lover writes with such intense passion that paper cannot withstand the heat, it burns up.  He is looking for a brave messenger (brave because the beloved is known to abuse messengers), for he still has his message to convey orally, even the paper burnt to ashes.
4
taa1 abad2 aazad hai ulloo, koii na pakaRna chaahe
shaan anqa3 ki ke har soo4 hai khiNcha5 daam6 ab tak

1.until 2.end of time 3.legendary phoenix bird, cannot be seen, brings good fortune 4.direction 5.stretched, spread 6.net, trap

The owl (in Eastern tradition, it is NOT considered wise, but a bird of darkness and ill-omen) will be free forever, for no one wants to catch it.  But the anqa has great dignity, in every direction webs are spread out to trap it.  His verse is the ‘anqa’ and the verse of other poets is like the owl … muddua anqa hai apne aalam-e taqrir ka.
5
suna hai saada-diloN1 ko tu baKhsh2 deta hai
poKhta-kaari3 hai liye baiTha huN maiN hasrat4-e Khaam5 ab tak

1.simpletons 2.forgive 3.mature/wise act/decision 4.desire 5.useless

The beloved may be indulgent towards the simple-minded, out of pity.  The poet/lovers knows full well that his desire of her is foolish/useless.  But he is making a wise choice to make his desire known to her hoping that she will think of him as a simpleton and have pity on him and show some favours.
6
gaah1 aaraaesh2-e ruKh3, gaah1 siyah4 zulf5 meN Kham6
yaad us ko nahiN rahta ke siyah-tar7 mera anjaam8 ab tak

1.moment 2.embellishment 3.face 4.dark 5.hair 6.curls 7.even darker 8.result, final condition, fate

She is busy primming herself one moment and curling her dark hair the next, totally forgetful/oblivious to the poet/lover’s fate, which is darker still.
7
zinda tere baGhair1 huN, saKht-jaani2 ka hai suboot3
varna4 hai marg5 faqat6 aek guzarta7 hua haNgaam8 ab tak

1.without 2.hardy life, accepting pain 3.proof 4.otherwise 5.death 6.only 7.passing 8.moment

It is easy for the poet/lover to die.  He knows that death is but a passing moment.  Keeping on living without her is painful and much more difficult.  The fact that he keeps on living is proof of his ability to bear pain.
8
hai koii kaabe meN aisa ke jo paimaana1-e sahba2 de de
girvi3 rakhne ko hai tayyaar4 mera jaama5-e ahraam6 ab tak

1.cup 2.wine 3.mortgage 4.ready 5.ritual clothing required for hajj 6.ritual circumambulation of the k’aaba during hajj

The hajj, is a high point of a devout person’s life.  The poet/wine lover has gone to hajj, his ritual and compulsory clothing ready.  But he is willing to mortgage it to procure a cup of wine instead of performing hajj.
9
hai mai-e-naab1 firaNgi2, to hai dildaar3 bhi taataari4
hum nahiN jaante hai baada5-e baGhdaad o bistaam6 ab tak

1.genuine/pure/strong wine 2.Europe 3.beloved 4.from Tartary, the region of Ghalib’s forebears 5.wine 6.ancient city known for its wine

It is well known that Ghalib liked European wine.  He claims that his beloved is from Tartary.  He is not interested in getting wine from traditional sources of baGhdaad and bistaam.  He claims that he still does not know anything about it.
10
Dar hai dildaar1 ke dil par ye giraaN2 na guzre3
jigri-Khwaahish4 meN meri saKht5 hai ibraam6 ab tak

1.beloved 2.heavy, painful 3.pass, happen 4.heart-felt wish, strong desire 5.hard 6.persistent solicitation

The poet/lover has been strong in his solicitation.  He fears that this will be unbearable to the beloved (and she might throw him out, avoid him).
11
maana ke nahiN hai ye vahi1 par tu aur Khuda bhi shahed2
Ghalib ke suKhan3 meN hai vahi4 tabaani5-e ilhaam6 ab tak

1.divine revelation/message 2.witness 3.verse 4.same 5.brilliance 6.divine inspiration (a notch lower than revelation)

I agree that this is not a divine message, but you and even god can bear witness that Ghalib’s verse has the same (as of yore) brilliance of divine inspiration.

Recomposition in English Ghazal style – Shahed
1
A wine loving poet of hind, for due recognition waiting still
In the ancient temple of taverns, for a draught, thirsting still
2
Looking for wine fit for Khusro, sit with me to sip
Share the few drops in the goblet, remaining still
3
Paper turns to ashes, with burning passion, if I write
To carry my message, for a brave soul, I am searching still
4
The crow free to fly, ubiquitous nuisance, no one traps
Nets of wisdom for the phoenix unseen, but trying still
5
They say you forgive and favour the simpleton
With feigned foolishness I wait, to vain hope clinging still
6
One moment primming, curling her dark locks the next
That my fate is even darker, she keeps forgetting still
7
What more proof of hardy patience, without you I keep living
Death, only a passing pain, agony of separation, bearing still
8
Anyone around the k’aaba, who can give me a cup of wine
For mortgage I have on offer, my ritual hajj clothing still
9
Genuine wine from Europe and the beloved from Tartary
We do not know if in Baghdad, good wine they are offering still
10
I fear that this will bear heavy on her delicate heart
That my fond wish be fulfilled, if I keep insisting still
11
Not divine revelation, but you and even god bear witness
O Shahed, that Ghalib’s verse, is divinely inspiring still