For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
ahmad faraz
محاصرہ ۔ اَحْمَد فراز
۱
مرے غنیم نے مجھ کو پیام بھیجا ہے
كہ ہیں میرے گرد لشکری اُس كے
فصیل شہر كے ہر برج، ہر منارے پر
کماں بہ دست ستادہ ہیں عسکری اُس كے
۲
وہ برق بجھا دی گئی ہے جس کی تپش
وجود خاک میں آتَش فشاں جگاتی تھی
بِچھا دیا گیا بارود اس كے پانی میں
وہ جوُئے آب جو میری گلی کو آتی تھی
سبھی دریدہ دہن اب بدن دریدہ ہوئے
سپردِ دار و رسن سارے سر کشیدہ ہوئے
۳
تمام صوفی و سالِک سبھی شیوخ و امام
امیدِ لطف پہ ایوانِ کج کلاہ میں ہیں
معززینِ عدالت بھی حلف اٹھانے کو
مثالِ سا ئلِ مُبّرم نشستہ راہ میں ہیں
۴
تم اہلِ حرف کی پندار كے ثناگر تھے
وہ آسْمانِ ہُنر كے نجوم سامنے ہیں
بس اک مصاحبِ دربار كے اِشارے پر
گداگرانِ سخن كے ہجوم سامنے ہیں
۵
قلندرانِ وفا کی اساس تو دیکھو
تمہارے ساتھ ہے کون آس پاس تو دیکھو
سو شرط یہ ہے جو جاں کی امان چاہتے ہو
تو اپنے لوح و قلم قتل گاہ میں رکھ دو
وگرنہ اب كے نشانہ کمانداروں کا
بس اک تم ہو، سو غیرت کو راہ میں رکھ دو
۶
یہ شرط نامہ جو دیکھا تو ایلچی سے کہا
اُسے خبر نہیں تاریخ کیا سِکھاتی ہے
کہ رات جب کسی خورشید کو شہید کرے
تو صبح اک نیا سورج تراش لاتی ہے
۷
سو یہ جواب ہے میرا میرے عدو كے لئے
كہ مجھ کو حرصِ کرم ہے نہ خوفِ خمیازہ
اُسے ہے سطوتِ شمشیر پر گھمنڈ بہت
اُسے شِكوہِ قلم کا نہیں ہے اندازہ
۸
میرا قلم نہیں کردار اُس محافظ کا
جو اپنے شہر کو محصور کر كے ناز کرے
میرا قلم نہیں کاسہ کسی سبک سر کا
جو غاصبوں کو قصیدوں سے سرفراز کرے
۹
میرا قلم نہیں اوزار اُس نقب زن کا
جو اپنے گھر کی ہی چھت میں شگاف ڈالتا ہے
میرا قلم نہیں اُس دزدِ نیم شب کا رفیق
جو بے چراغ گھروں پر کمند ڈالتا ہے
۱۰
میرا قلم نہیں تسبیح اُس مبلغ کا
جو بندگی کا بھی ہر دم حساب رکھتا ہے
میرا قلم نہیں میزان ایسے عادل کی
جو اپنے چہرے پہ دوہرا نقاب رکھتا ہے
۱۱
میرا قلم تو امانت ہے میرے لوگوں کی
میرا قلم تو عدالت مرے ضمیر کی ہے
اِسی لئے تو جو لکھا تپاک جاں سے لکھا
جب ہی تو لوچ کماں کا، زبان تیر کی ہے
۱۲
میں کٹ گِروں كہ سلامت رہوں یقیں ہے مجھے
كہ یہ حصارِ ستم کوئی تو گرائے گا
تمام عمر کی ایذا نصیبیوں کی قسم
میرے قلم کا سفر رائگاں نہ جائگا
۱۳
سرشتِ عشق نے اُفتادگی نہیں پائی
تو قد سرو نہ بینی و سایہ پیمائی
मुहासिरा – अहमद फ़राज़
१
मेरे ग़नीम ने मुझ को पयाम भेजा है
के हलक़ा-ज़न हैं मेरे गिर्द लशकरी उस के
फ़सील-ए शहर के हर बुरज, हर मीनारे पर
कमां ब दस्त सीतादा हैं अस्करी उस के
२
वो बर्क़ लहर बुझा दी गई है जिस की तपिश
वुजूद-ए ख़ाक में आतिश फ़िशां जगाती थी
बिच्छा दिया गया बारूद उस के पानी में
वो जू-ए आब जो मेरी गली को आती थी
सभी दरीदा-दहन अब बदन-दरीदा हुए
सुपुर्द-ए दार ओ रसन सारे सर-कशीदा हुए
३
तमाम सूफ़ी ओ सालिक सभी शुयुख़ ओ इमाम
उमीद-ए लुत्फ़ पे ऐवान-ए काज कुलाह में हैं
मो’अज़्ज़िज़ीन-ए अदालत भी हलफ़ उठाने को
मिसाल-ए सा’एल-ए मुबररम नशिस्ता राह में हैं
४
तुम हल-ए हरफ़ की पिंदार के सना-गर थे
वो आसमान-ए हुनर के नुजूम सामने हैं
बस एक मुसाहेब-ए दरबार के इशारे पर
गदा-गरान-ए सुख़न के हुजूम सामने हैं
५
क़लंदरान-ए वफ़ा की असास तो देखो
तुम्हारे साथ है कौन आस-पास तो देखो
सो शर्त ये है जो जां की अमान चाहते हो
तो अपने लौह ओ क़लम क़त्ल-गाह में रख दो
वगरना अब के निशाना कमान-दारौं का
बस एक तुम हो सो ग़ैरत को राह में रख दो
६
ये शर्त नामा जो देखा तो ऐल्ची से कहा
उसे ख़बर नहीं तारीख़ क्या सिखाती है
के रात जब किसी ख़ुर्शीद को शहीद करे
तो सुबह एक नया सूरज तराश लाती है
७
सो ये जवाब है मेरा मेरे अदू के लिए
के मुझ को हिर्स-ए करम है ना ख़ौफ़-ए ख़मयाज़ा
उसे है सित्वत-ए शमशीर पर घमंड बहुत
उसे शिकोह-ए क़लम का नहीं है अंदाज़ा
८
मेरा क़लम नहीं किरदार उस मुहाफ़िज़ का
जो अपने शहर को महसूर कर के नाज़ करे
मेरा क़लम नहीं कासा किसी सुबुक-सर का
जो ग़ासिबौं को क़सीदों से सरफ़राज़ करे
९
मेरा क़लम नहीं औज़ार उस नक़ब ज़न का
जो अपने घर की ही छत में शिगाफ़ डालता है
मेरा क़लम नहीं उस दुज़्द-ए नीम-शब का रफ़ीक़
जो बे-चराग़ घरों पर कमंद उछालता है
१०
मेरा क़लम नहीं तसबीह उस मुबल्लिग़ की
जो बंदगी का भी हर दम हिसाब रखता है
मेरा क़लम नहीं मीज़ान ऐसे आदिल की
जो अपने चेहरे पे दोहरा नक़ाब रखता है
११
मेरा क़लम तो अमानत है मेरे लोगौं की
मेरा क़लम तो अदालत मेरे ज़मीर की है
इसी लिए तो जो लिक्खा तपाक-ए जां से लिखा
जभी तो लोच कमां का, ज़बान तीर की है
१२
मैं कट गिरूं के सलामत रहूं यकीं है मुझे
के ये हिसार-ए सितम कोइ तो गिराएगा
तमाम उम्र की ईज़ा नसीबियौं की क़सम
मेरे क़लम का सफ़र राएगां ना जाएगा
१३
सरिष्त-ए इश्क़ ने उफ़तादगी नहीं पाई
तू क़द्द-ए सर्व ना बीनी ओ साया पैमाई
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. ahmad faraaz (1931-2008) popular love and romance poet as well as a substantial contributor to progressive themes. As he himself narrates he was invited to recite this nazm at a gathering and that very same night the dictatorship of the time exiled him.
1
mire Ghanim1 ne mujh ko payaam bheja hai
ke halqa-zan2 haiN mere gird3 lashkari4 us ke
fasil5-e shahr ke har burj6, har minaare par
kamaaN7 ba dast8 sitaada9 haiN askari10 us ke1.enemy 2.encircling 3.around 4.soldiers 5.parapet, boundary wall 6.tower 7.bow 8.in hand 9.stationed 10. soldiers
The poet has received a message from the oppressive ruler (the Pakistani dictatorship) that he is surrounded by armed men and that there is no chance of escape. On every tower and minaret of the parapet wall are stationed archers with bows in hand.
2
voh barq1 lahr2 bujha3 di gaii hai jis ki tapish4
vujood5-e Khaak meN aatish-fishaaN6 jagaati thi
bichha diya gaya barood us ke paani meN
vo joo-e aab7 jo meri gali ko aati thi
sabhi darida-dahan8 ab badan-darida9 hue
supurd10-e daar o rasan11 saare sar-kashida12 hue1.lightning 2.wave 3.extinguished 4.heat, fire 5.existence, being 6.volcano 7.river 8.insolent, loud mouthed, plain speaking 9.torn bodies 10.consigned to 11.hangman’s noose and platform 12.head/neck stretched/pulled
The poet/rebel has received warnings … that wave of lightning (the writings of poets/rebels) the fire of which used to be able to cause volcanoes to erupt from ashes, has now been extinguished. The very river that flows to his street has been used to render his gunpowder useless. All who have spoken (plain spoken) out have been punished – bodies torn – consigned to the hangman, their neck stretched/pulled.
3
tamaam sufi1 o saalik2 sabhi shuyuKh3 o imaam4
umeed-e lutf5 pe aivaan6-e kaj kulaah7 meN haiN
mo’azzizin8-e adaalat9 bhi halaf10 uThaane ko
misaal11-e saa’el12-e mubarram13 nashista14 raah15 meN haiN1.mystic, saint 2.seeker (of knowledge) 3.religious/holy (Islamic) man 4.(religious) leader 5.hope of (receiving) joy/pleasure 6.hallway 7.slanted cap, most often a slanted cap is used as a metaphor for rebellion. Sometimes it is also used for the beloved. In this case it is being used very sarcastically for the “beloved” where the beloved is the state 8.distinguised/respected ones of 9.the court of justice 10.oath (of office) 11.example, like 12.beggar 13.persistent 14.stationed 15.pathway
The message/warning from the oppressor continues that all others have fallen in line … the mystic, the seeker, the shaiKh and the imaam are all hoping to receive favours and are gathered in the hallway of the “beloved” (sarcastically meaning the oppressive state). The elders of the court are ready to take the oath of fealty and are eager like persistent beggars, waiting in line.
4
tum ahl-e harf1 ki pindaar2 ke sanaa-gar3 the
vo aasmaan-e hunar4 ke nujoom5 saamne haiN
bas ek musaahib6-e darbaar7 ke ishaare8 par
gada-garaan9-e suKhan10 ke hujoom11 saamne haiN1.people of the word, poets 2.pride, defiance 3.singer of praise 4.sky of talent 5.stars 6.helper, officer 7.royal court 8.nod, casual order 9.beggars 10.word, verse, poetry 11.crowds
Just look … you used to sing praises of the upright defiance of your fellow poets. Those stars of the constellation of talent are before you. At the slightest nod of a functionary of the court, the crowd of fawning poets has arrived (to pay tribute).
5
qalandaraan1-e vafa2 ki asaas3 to dekho
tumhaare saath hai kaun aas-paas to dekho
so shart4 ye hai jo jaaN ki amaan5 chaahte ho
to apne lauh o qalam6 qatl-gaah7 meN rakh do
vagarna8 ab ke nishaana9 kamaan-daarauN10 ka
bas ek tum ho so Ghairat11 ko raah12 meN rakh do1.holy men 2.faith 3.basis, foundation, resolve 4.condition 5.protection, safety 6.writing tablet and pen 7.slaughter house 8.otherwise 9.aim 10.bow-bearer, archer 11.respect 12.road
Just look at the weak resolve of these holy men. Look around you and see who is standing with you. So now the condition is that if you want the safety of your life, surrender your pen and paper at the slaughter house. Otherwise the arrows of the archers will be pointed at you. You are left standing alone, so forget about your self-respect (and do as we say).
6
ye shart-naama1 jo dekha to elchi2 se kaha
usey Khabar3 nahiN taariKh4 kya sikhaati5 hai
ki raat jab kisi Khurshid6 ko shaheed7 kare
to subah ek naya suraj taraash8 laati hai1.message of conditions 2.messenger 3.awareness, knowledge 4.history 5.teaches 6.sun 7.make a martyr of, kill 8.sculpt
When I saw this list of conditions, I told the messenger that, he (the oppressor) does not know that history teaches us that whenever Night (oppression) kills/martyrs the Sun (hope, truth), then Dawn (resistance, revolution) sculpts a new sun.
7
so ye javaab1 hai mera mere adu2 ke liye
ke mujh ko hirs3-e karam4 hai na Khauf-e Khamyaza5
use hai satvat6-e shamshir7 par ghamaND8 bahut
use shikoh9-e qalam ka nahiN hai andaaza10 1.answer 2.enemy 3.greed 4.kindness, mercy 5.consequences 6.grandeur 7.shamshir 8.hubris 9.respect 10.estimate, idea
Then this is my answer to the enemy. I do not desire any mercy nor am I fearful of any consequences. He (the oppressor) is full of hubris of power (of the sword), he does not have any idea of the power of the pen.
8
mera qalam nahiN kirdaar1 us muhaafiz2 ka
jo apne shahr ko mahsur3 kar ke naaz4 kare
mira qalam nahiN kaasa5 kisi subuk-sar6 ka
jo GhaasibauN7 ko qasidauN8 se sarfaraz9 kare1.character 2.protector 3.encircle, trap 4.pride 5.skull 6.light head, fool 7.usurper 8.praise, ode, peaen 9.bestow, honour
My pen is not like the protector who is proud to trap/deceive his own people. My pen is not like a fool who would sing praises of the usurper.
9
mera qalam nahiN auzar1 us naqab-zan2 ka
jo apne ghar ki hi chhat meN shigaaf3 Daalta hai
mira qalam nahiN us duzd4-e niim-shab5 ka rafiiq6
jo be-chiraaGh7 gharauN par kamand8 uchhaalta hai1.tool 2.thief who breaches a wall for robbery 3.hole 4.thief 5.half night, midnight 6.friend, helper 7.without lamp, dark 8.hook tied to a rope and thrown up to scale walls, lasso
My pen is not a tool in the hands of the thief who makes a hole in the roof of his own house. My pen is not a companion of the night prowler who throws a lasso to scale the walls of dark (poverty stricken) houses, to rob them.
10
mera qalam nahiN tasbiih1 us mubbaliGh2 ki
jo bandagi3 ka bhi har dam4 hisaab5 rakhta hai
mera qalam nahiN miizaan6 aise aadil7 ki
jo apne chehre pe dohra8 naqaab9 rakhta hai1.rosary 2.old/senior/holy man 3.servitude 4.every moment 5.accounting 6.balance 7.judge 8.double 9.mask
My pen is not like the rosary of the holy man who (with the clicking of his rosary) always keeps track (of profit and loss) to see if his interests lie in serving the people in power (rather than god). My pen is not like the balance of the judge who wears a mask (to deceive).
11
mera qalam to amaanat1 hai mere logauN ki
mera qalam to adaalat2 mere zamir3 ki hai
isi liye to jo likkha tapaak4-e jaaN se likha
jabhi to loch5 kamaaN6 ka, zabaan tiir ki hai1.gift given for safekeeping 2.justice 3.conscience 4.warmth, enthusiasm 5.springiness 6.bow
My pen has been entrusted to me by my people. My pen has a sense of justice dictated by my conscience. That is why whatever it writes, it writes with the warmth of my soul. That is why it is taught like a bow and has a tongue like an arrow.
12
maiN kaT giruN ke salaamat1 rahuN yaqiN hai mujhe
ke ye hisaar2-e sitam3 koii to giraaega
tamaam umr ki eeza4 nasiibiyauN5 ki qasam
mere qalam ka safar raaegaaN6 na jaaega1.survive 2.encirclement, fence, trap 3.oppression 4.pain, affliction 5.fate 6.waste
Whether I fall or survive, this much I am sure of, that someone will break this trap of oppression. By the life-long pain that I have suffered, I promise, the journey of my pen will not go to waste.
13
sarisht1-e ishq ne uftaadagi2 nahiN paaii
tu qadd3-e sarv4 na biini5 o saaya paimaaii61.nature, temperament 2.standing 3.height, stature 4.cypress 5.have not seen 6.measuring (the length of) shadow
Nature/temperament/character (of those who you held in high regard) has not yet achieved a good standing. You don’t see the stature of the cypress and are measuring its shadow for its height. Here the stature of the cypress is used as a metaphor for upright defiance (which poets were supposed to have had). Thus, faraz is addressing himself that he has been measuring the wrong thing … only the shadow of the real thing to get an idea of its height.
ahmad faraaz (1931-2008) popular love and romance poet as well as a substantial contributor to progressive themes. As he himself narrates he was invited to recite this nazm at a gathering and that very same night the dictatorship of the time exiled him.
1
mire Ghanim1 ne mujh ko payaam bheja hai
ke halqa-zan2 haiN mere gird3 lashkari4 us ke
fasil5-e shahr ke har burj6, har minaare par
kamaaN7 ba dast8 sitaada9 haiN askari10 us ke
1.enemy 2.encircling 3.around 4.soldiers 5.parapet, boundary wall 6.tower 7.bow 8.in hand 9.stationed 10. soldiers
The poet has received a message from the oppressive ruler (the Pakistani dictatorship) that he is surrounded by armed men and that there is no chance of escape. On every tower and minaret of the parapet wall are stationed archers with bows in hand.
2
voh barq1 lahr2 bujha3 di gaii hai jis ki tapish4
vujood5-e Khaak meN aatish-fishaaN6 jagaati thi
bichha diya gaya barood us ke paani meN
vo joo-e aab7 jo meri gali ko aati thi
sabhi darida-dahan8 ab badan-darida9 hue
supurd10-e daar o rasan11 saare sar-kashida12 hue
1.lightning 2.wave 3.extinguished 4.heat, fire 5.existence, being 6.volcano 7.river 8.insolent, loud mouthed, plain speaking 9.torn bodies 10.consigned to 11.hangman’s noose and platform 12.head/neck stretched/pulled
The poet/rebel has received warnings … that wave of lightning (the writings of poets/rebels) the fire of which used to be able to cause volcanoes to erupt from ashes, has now been extinguished. The very river that flows to his street has been used to render his gunpowder useless. All who have spoken (plain spoken) out have been punished – bodies torn – consigned to the hangman, their neck stretched/pulled.
3
tamaam sufi1 o saalik2 sabhi shuyuKh3 o imaam4
umeed-e lutf5 pe aivaan6-e kaj kulaah7 meN haiN
mo’azzizin8-e adaalat9 bhi halaf10 uThaane ko
misaal11-e saa’el12-e mubarram13 nashista14 raah15 meN haiN
1.mystic, saint 2.seeker (of knowledge) 3.religious/holy (Islamic) man 4.(religious) leader 5.hope of (receiving) joy/pleasure 6.hallway 7.slanted cap, most often a slanted cap is used as a metaphor for rebellion. Sometimes it is also used for the beloved. In this case it is being used very sarcastically for the “beloved” where the beloved is the state 8.distinguised/respected ones of 9.the court of justice 10.oath (of office) 11.example, like 12.beggar 13.persistent 14.stationed 15.pathway
The message/warning from the oppressor continues that all others have fallen in line … the mystic, the seeker, the shaiKh and the imaam are all hoping to receive favours and are gathered in the hallway of the “beloved” (sarcastically meaning the oppressive state). The elders of the court are ready to take the oath of fealty and are eager like persistent beggars, waiting in line.
4
tum ahl-e harf1 ki pindaar2 ke sanaa-gar3 the
vo aasmaan-e hunar4 ke nujoom5 saamne haiN
bas ek musaahib6-e darbaar7 ke ishaare8 par
gada-garaan9-e suKhan10 ke hujoom11 saamne haiN
1.people of the word, poets 2.pride, defiance 3.singer of praise 4.sky of talent 5.stars 6.helper, officer 7.royal court 8.nod, casual order 9.beggars 10.word, verse, poetry 11.crowds
Just look … you used to sing praises of the upright defiance of your fellow poets. Those stars of the constellation of talent are before you. At the slightest nod of a functionary of the court, the crowd of fawning poets has arrived (to pay tribute).
5
qalandaraan1-e vafa2 ki asaas3 to dekho
tumhaare saath hai kaun aas-paas to dekho
so shart4 ye hai jo jaaN ki amaan5 chaahte ho
to apne lauh o qalam6 qatl-gaah7 meN rakh do
vagarna8 ab ke nishaana9 kamaan-daarauN10 ka
bas ek tum ho so Ghairat11 ko raah12 meN rakh do
1.holy men 2.faith 3.basis, foundation, resolve 4.condition 5.protection, safety 6.writing tablet and pen 7.slaughter house 8.otherwise 9.aim 10.bow-bearer, archer 11.respect 12.road
Just look at the weak resolve of these holy men. Look around you and see who is standing with you. So now the condition is that if you want the safety of your life, surrender your pen and paper at the slaughter house. Otherwise the arrows of the archers will be pointed at you. You are left standing alone, so forget about your self-respect (and do as we say).
6
ye shart-naama1 jo dekha to elchi2 se kaha
usey Khabar3 nahiN taariKh4 kya sikhaati5 hai
ki raat jab kisi Khurshid6 ko shaheed7 kare
to subah ek naya suraj taraash8 laati hai
1.message of conditions 2.messenger 3.awareness, knowledge 4.history 5.teaches 6.sun 7.make a martyr of, kill 8.sculpt
When I saw this list of conditions, I told the messenger that, he (the oppressor) does not know that history teaches us that whenever Night (oppression) kills/martyrs the Sun (hope, truth), then Dawn (resistance, revolution) sculpts a new sun.
7
so ye javaab1 hai mera mere adu2 ke liye
ke mujh ko hirs3-e karam4 hai na Khauf-e Khamyaza5
use hai satvat6-e shamshir7 par ghamaND8 bahut
use shikoh9-e qalam ka nahiN hai andaaza10
1.answer 2.enemy 3.greed 4.kindness, mercy 5.consequences 6.grandeur 7.shamshir 8.hubris 9.respect 10.estimate, idea
Then this is my answer to the enemy. I do not desire any mercy nor am I fearful of any consequences. He (the oppressor) is full of hubris of power (of the sword), he does not have any idea of the power of the pen.
8
mera qalam nahiN kirdaar1 us muhaafiz2 ka
jo apne shahr ko mahsur3 kar ke naaz4 kare
mira qalam nahiN kaasa5 kisi subuk-sar6 ka
jo GhaasibauN7 ko qasidauN8 se sarfaraz9 kare
1.character 2.protector 3.encircle, trap 4.pride 5.skull 6.light head, fool 7.usurper 8.praise, ode, peaen 9.bestow, honour
My pen is not like the protector who is proud to trap/deceive his own people. My pen is not like a fool who would sing praises of the usurper.
9
mera qalam nahiN auzar1 us naqab-zan2 ka
jo apne ghar ki hi chhat meN shigaaf3 Daalta hai
mira qalam nahiN us duzd4-e niim-shab5 ka rafiiq6
jo be-chiraaGh7 gharauN par kamand8 uchhaalta hai
1.tool 2.thief who breaches a wall for robbery 3.hole 4.thief 5.half night, midnight 6.friend, helper 7.without lamp, dark 8.hook tied to a rope and thrown up to scale walls, lasso
My pen is not a tool in the hands of the thief who makes a hole in the roof of his own house. My pen is not a companion of the night prowler who throws a lasso to scale the walls of dark (poverty stricken) houses, to rob them.
10
mera qalam nahiN tasbiih1 us mubbaliGh2 ki
jo bandagi3 ka bhi har dam4 hisaab5 rakhta hai
mera qalam nahiN miizaan6 aise aadil7 ki
jo apne chehre pe dohra8 naqaab9 rakhta hai
1.rosary 2.old/senior/holy man 3.servitude 4.every moment 5.accounting 6.balance 7.judge 8.double 9.mask
My pen is not like the rosary of the holy man who (with the clicking of his rosary) always keeps track (of profit and loss) to see if his interests lie in serving the people in power (rather than god). My pen is not like the balance of the judge who wears a mask (to deceive).
11
mera qalam to amaanat1 hai mere logauN ki
mera qalam to adaalat2 mere zamir3 ki hai
isi liye to jo likkha tapaak4-e jaaN se likha
jabhi to loch5 kamaaN6 ka, zabaan tiir ki hai
1.gift given for safekeeping 2.justice 3.conscience 4.warmth, enthusiasm 5.springiness 6.bow
My pen has been entrusted to me by my people. My pen has a sense of justice dictated by my conscience. That is why whatever it writes, it writes with the warmth of my soul. That is why it is taught like a bow and has a tongue like an arrow.
12
maiN kaT giruN ke salaamat1 rahuN yaqiN hai mujhe
ke ye hisaar2-e sitam3 koii to giraaega
tamaam umr ki eeza4 nasiibiyauN5 ki qasam
mere qalam ka safar raaegaaN6 na jaaega
1.survive 2.encirclement, fence, trap 3.oppression 4.pain, affliction 5.fate 6.waste
Whether I fall or survive, this much I am sure of, that someone will break this trap of oppression. By the life-long pain that I have suffered, I promise, the journey of my pen will not go to waste.
13
sarisht1-e ishq ne uftaadagi2 nahiN paaii
tu qadd3-e sarv4 na biini5 o saaya paimaaii6
1.nature, temperament 2.standing 3.height, stature 4.cypress 5.have not seen 6.measuring (the length of) shadow
Nature/temperament/character (of those who you held in high regard) has not yet achieved a good standing. You don’t see the stature of the cypress and are measuring its shadow for its height. Here the stature of the cypress is used as a metaphor for upright defiance (which poets were supposed to have had). Thus, faraz is addressing himself that he has been measuring the wrong thing … only the shadow of the real thing to get an idea of its height.
