Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. raam prakash raahi (1924-2003), dehli. There are two collections of his own and several others that he compiled and translated. Only one has a vague introduction, more vague than informative. It is not clear whether he was born in what is now pakistan but he did post-graduate work in urdu, faarsi and English from lahore and later worked for the government of India.
1
gardish-e-dauraaN¹ se Dar jaa’uN meri fitrat² nahiiN
maut se pahle³ hi mar jaa’uN meri fitrat nahiiN 1.vicissitudes of time, trials and tribulations of life 2.nature, character 3.dying before death is like ‘cowards die many times before their death’
It is not in my nature to fear the trials of life; it is not in my nature to die of fear. The poet declares his resilience and courage, rejecting the idea of succumbing to the challenges of life or fear of death. His spirit refuses to falter, asserting an unyielding nature that embraces struggle without surrender.
2
maiN junuun¹-e naarasaa² kii bad-havaasii³ kaa shikaar⁴
tere’ dar se’ bhii guzar⁵ jaa’uN meri fitrat⁶ nahiiN
1.passion 2.unreachable, unfulfilled 3.confusion, madness 4.victim, target 5.pass by
I am a victim of the madness of unfulfilled passion; that I may pass by your door, is not my nature. The poet acknowledges his restless longing born of unattainable desires, and he emphasizes his steadfast focus and effort. Even in his distracted state, abandoning the beloved’s door is against his very essence, symbolizing unwavering attachment, even though he knows that the goal is unachievable. Here the beloved can symbolize any lofty goal.
3
be-zamiirii¹ se’ Gharaz² kii je’b³ bharne’ ke liye
jo na karna ho, voh kar jaa’uN, meri fitrat nahiiN    1.lack of conscience/value system 2.lust, greed 3.pockets
It is not in my nature to ignore values/honesty and fill my pockets because of greed; to do that which should not be done is not in my nature. Here, the poet emphasizes his moral integrity, refusing to compromise his principles for material gain. He rejects the pursuit of wealth through dishonorable means, affirming his commitment to righteousness and self-respect.
4
be-Khudii¹ mauquuf² hai merii Khudii³ ke zarf⁴ par
chand⁵ paimaanoN⁶ se bhar⁷ jaa’uN meri fitrat nahiiN    1.intoxication, loss of self 2.dependent 3.selfhood 4.capacity 5.a few 6.cups, goblets 7.get filled, intoxicated, satisfied
My intoxication (sense of fulfilment) depends on the capacity of my selfhood; it is not in my nature to be filled/satisfied by just a few goblets. Reminds me of Ghalib’s misra … dete haiN baada zarf-e qadah-Khwaar dekh kar
The poet reflects on the depth of his being, suggesting that his sense of self cannot be easily overwhelmed or satisfied. He cannot be satisfied with a few goblets, a few achievements.
5
maiN huuN raahii¹ gumrahii² kaa gumrahii manzil³ merii
phir bhii puuchhuuN maiN kidhar jaa’uN meri fitrat nahiiN    1.pen-name, traveler, seeker 2.waywardness, untrodden path 3.destination
O raahi, I am a traveler/seeker on the untrodden path. The untrodden path itself is my destination. I may get lost, yet it is not in my nature to ask, ‘Where should I go?’ The poet embraces his wandering and acknowledges getting lost as part of his journey. However, he maintains his self-reliance and refuses to seek guidance, portraying a sense of agency even within uncertainty and chaos.