For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the “Roman” or “Notes” tab.
Recitation
رباعیات۔جمالِ یار۔جوش ملیح آبادی
۱
گفتار میں کھِل رہی ہے بیلے کی کلی
رفتار میں مُڑ رہی ہے ساون کی ندی
چہرے پہ سرورِ نور، آنکھوں میں غرور
سرکار نے کیا آئینہ دیکھا تھا ابھی
۲
زلفیں ہیں کہ ژولیدہ خیالات کی رات
اے جانِ حیا! ٹھہر بھی رات کی رات
اِن تیرہ گھٹاؤں میں کِدھر جائیگی
شانوں پہ لئے ہوئے برسات کی رات
۳
اللہ رے بدمست جوانی کی بکھار
ہر نقشِ قدم پر سجدہ کرتی ہے بہار
اِس طرح وہ گامزن ہے فرشِ گُل پر
پڑتی ہے ہری دوب پہ جس طرح پھوار
۴
زلفوں کو ہٹا کے کنمنایا کوئی
فرشِ مخمل پہ رسمسایہ کوئی
جیسے کُندن پہ موجِ عکسِ مہتاب
یوں چونک کے صبح مُسکُرایا کوئی
۵
اے پھول، سبا ہمیشہ مہکائے تجھے
اے چاند کبھی گھٹا نہ سنولائے تجھے
اِس نیند بھرے لوچ سے لللہ نہ چل
ڈرتا ہوں، کہیں نظر نہ لگ جائے تجھے
۶
زلفوں کی مہک ہے نرم جھونکوں کی سنک
مُڑتی ہوئی کشتی میں ہے شیشوں کی کھنک
واللہ کہ میں بندہ نہیں ہوں اِس وقت
پہلو میں ہے اِک زہرہ جبیں سر پہ دھنک
۷
اے کعبۂ ذوقِ دید و اے دیرِ نگاہ
اے رہزنِ انجم و غارت گرِ ماہ
کیا تیرہ شبی کا اُس مسافر کو ہو خوف
تیرے مُکھڑے کی لو ہے جس کے ہمراہ
۸
کِس ناز سے گلشن میں ٹہلتی ہوئی آئی
سانچے میں شگفتگی کے ڈھلتی ہوئی آئی
کلیوں کی گرہ کھُل گئی جب وہ دمِ صبح
آنکھوں کو ہتھیلی سے مسلتی ہوئی آئی
۹
تابش میں رُخِ شمس و قمر سے بہتر
قیمت میں جواہر و گوہر سے بہتر
آغوشِ نگار میں جو گذرے اے جوش
وہ نیم نفس عمرِ خزر سے بہتر
۱۰
پلکیں ہیں کہ میکدے کے در کی درباں
آنکھیں کہ دریچہ ہائے صبح خنداں
یا چرخِ جوانی کے دمکتے تارے
یا جامِ بلوریں میں مُقیّد پریاں
۱۱
بادل میں یہ روئے ماہِ تاباں کیسا
ظلمات میں یہ نورِ شبستاں کیسا
حلقے میں لئے ہوے ہے رُخ کو کاکل
یہ کفر کے زیرِ سایہ قرآں کیسا
रुबाईयात-जमाल-ए यार-जोश मलीहाबादी
१
गुफ़्तार में खिल रही है बेले कि कलि
रफ़्तार में मुड़ रही है सावन कि नदी
चेहरे पे सुरूर-ए नूर, आंखों में ग़ुरूर
सरकार ने क्या आईना देखा था अभी
२
ज़ुल्फ़ें हैं के ज़्शोलीदा ख़यालात कि रात
अए जान-ए हया! ठहर भी रात कि रात
इन तीरा घटाओं में किधर जाएगी
शानौं पे लिए हुए बरसात कि रात
३
अल्लाह रे बदमस्त जवानी कि बखार
हर नक़्श-ए क़दम पर सिजदा करती है बहार
इस तरह वो गामज़न है फ़र्श-ए गुल पर
पड़ती है दरी दूब पे जिस तरह फुआर
४
ज़ुल्फ़ों को हटा के कुनमुनाया कोई
फ़र्श-ए मख़्मल पर रस्मसाया कोई
जैसे कुंदन पे मौज-ए अक्स-ए महताब
यूँ चौंक के सुबह मुस्कुराया कोई
५
अए फूल सबा हमेशा महकाए तुझे
अए चाँद कभी घटा न सनोलाए तुझे
इस नींद भरे लोच से लिल्लाह न चल
डरता हूं कहीं नज़र न लग जाए तुझे
६
ज़ुल्फ़ों कि महक है नर्म झोंकों कि सनक
मुडती हुई किश्ती में है शीशों कि धनक
वल्लाह के मैं बन्दा नहीं हूं इस वक़्त
पहलु में है एक ज़ोहरा जबीं, सर पे धनक
७
अए काबा-ए ज़ौक़-ए दीद ओ अए दैर-ए निगाह
अए रहज़न-ए अंजुम ओ ग़ारत-गर-ए माह
क्या तीर शबी का उस मुसाफ़िर को हो ख़ौफ़
तेरे मुखड़े कि लौ है जिस के हमराह
८
किस नाज़ से गुलशन में टहलती हुई आई
सांचे में शगुफ्तगी के ढलती हुई आई
कालियौं कि गिरह खुल गई जब वो दम-ए सुबह
आंखौं को हथेली से मलती हुई आई
९
ताबिश में रुख़-ए शम्स ओ क़मर से बेहतर
क़ीमत में जवाहेर ओ गौहर से बेहतर
आग़ोश-ए निगार में जो गुज़्रे अए जोश
वो नीम नफ़स उम्र-ए ख़िज़र से बेहतर
१०
पल्कें हैं के मैकदे के दर कि दरबाँ
आँखें के दरीचा-हा-ए सुबह ख़न्दां
या चर्ख़-ए जवानी के दमकते तारे
या जाम-ए बिलोरीं में मुक़य्यद परियां
११
बादल में ये रू-ए माह-ए ताबां कैसा
ज़ुल्मात में ये नूर-ए शबिस्तां कैसा
हल्क़े में लिए हुए है रुख़ को काकुल
ये कुफ़्र के ज़ेर-ए साया क़ुर’आं कैसा
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. josh malihabadi is well known for his fiery nazm. He also wrote many romantic as well as cerebral nazm and Ghazal. His marsia are a celebration of dignified death rather than bowing to injustice even at the cost of life. He also wrote numerous rubaaii. This series is a collection of nearly 300 rubaaiyaat from various books organized by subject. This selection is about the beauty of the beloved. Times have changed and in the “me too” era, this might be considered offensive. I hope that those who find it offensive, will forgive the transgression, considering the beauty of the language, the metaphor and layered meanings.
1
guftaar1 meN khil rahi hai bele2 ki kali
raftaar3 meN muR rahi hai saavan ki nadi
chehre pe suroor4-e noor5, aaNkhauN meN Ghuroor6
sarkaar ne kya aaiina dekha tha abhi 1.conversation 2.jasmine 3.speed, gait 4.happiness, joy 5.light, brilliance 6.pride
The beloved’s face shines in joy, her conversation is pleasant like blooming jasmine, her gait like the curve of a flowing stream in spring. The poet/lover suspects that she has just looked at herself in the mirror and is pleased and proud.
2
zulfeN haiN ke zsholeeda1 Khayaalat ki raat
aye jaan-e haya2! Thahr bhi raat ki raat
in teera3 ghaTaauN meN kidhar jaayegi
shaanauN pe liye hue barsaat ki raat 1.tangled 2.shyness, bashfulness 3.dark
The poet/lover is trying to persuade the beloved to stay the night. Your hair, like tangled thoughts of the night, O soul of shyness, please stay the night. Where will you go in these dark clouds with spring rain falling on your shoulders. Of course the juxtapostion of clouds and dark hair falling on her shoulders is intended.
3
allah re badmast1 javaani ki bakhaar2
har naqsh-e-qadam3 par sijda4 karti hai bahaar
is tarah vo gaam-zan5 hai farsh-e-gul6 par
paRti hai hari doob7 pe jis tarah phuwaar8 1.intoxicating 2.treasure, harvest heap 3.foot-print 4. obeisance 5.setting foot on, walking 6.floor of strewn flowers 7.grass 8.drizzle
By god, that intoxicating harvest of youth. It is as if Spring offers obeisance at her feet. She walks gently on the ground strewn with flowers like soft drizzle on green grass.
4
zulfauN1 ko haTa ke kunmunaaya2 koii
farsh-e-maKhmal3 pe rasmasaaya4 koii
jaise kundan5 pe mauj6-e aks7-e mahtaab8
yuN chauNk9 ke subah muskuraaya koii 1.hair 2.stretching restlessly (while waking up) 3.velvet floor/bed 4.swinging gait of youthful intoxication 5.polished flawless silver/gold 6.waves, ripples 7.image 8.full moon 9.startled
The beloved is startled, wakes up and smiles. It is as if she has parted her hair and emerged with a restless stretch. As if someone might sensuously swing off a velvet bed in youthful intoxication (of beauty). As if you see ripples of the full moon reflected on polished silver.
5
aye phool, saba1 hamesha mahkaaye2 tujhe
aye chaand kabhi ghaTa na sanolaaye3 tujhe
is neend bhare loch4 se lillah5 na chal
Darta huN, kahiN nazar6 na lag jaaye tujhe 1.morning breeze 2.make fragrant, bloom 3.make pale, fade 4.lilt, sensuous swing 5.by god 6.evil eye, bad omen
The poet lover likens the beloved to flower that blooms and spreads fragrance when touched by the morning breeze. He likens her to the moon and wishes that clouds never fade her brilliance. For god’s sake, do walk with that sensuous swinging gait. I am afraid that some bad omen may befall you.
6
zulfauN1 ke mahak2 hai narm jhoNkauN ki sanak3
muRti hui kishti4 meN hai shishauN ki khanak5
vallaah6 ke maiN banda7 nahiN huN is vaqt
pahlu8 meN hai ek zohra-jabiN9 sar pe dhanak10 1.hair 2.fragrance 3.gentle flow 4.boat shaped wine flask 5.tinkle 6.by god 7.servant/creature (of god) 8.by my side, in company 9.bright/shining brow 10.rainbow
This appears to be a take-off on omar Khayyaam. The fragrance from her hair blows gently like soft waves. There is a tinkle of glass as the flask of is turned to pour wine. By god I am not an ordinary creature at this time. I have the company of a bright browed saaqi as if a blessed rainbow arches over my head.
7
aye kaaba1-e zauq-e-deed2 o aye dair-e-nigaah3
aye rahzan4-e anjum5 o Ghaarat-gar6-e maah7
kya teera-shabi8 ka is musaafir9 ko ho Khauf10
tere mukhRe ki lau11 hai jis ke hamraah12 1.focal point of obeisance 2.desire to catch a glimpse 3.temple of sight 4.bandit 5.stars 6.robber 7.moon 8.darkness 9.traveler 10.fear 11.flame 12.in company of, traveling with
josh likens the beloved to the kaaba/focal point of “the desire to catch a glimpse”. She is the temple of sight (meaning glimpse of the beloved – what else is sight for!!!!!). She robs the stars of their shine and the moon of its brilliance. How can the traveler who has the company of your bright face (even if only in imagination) be afraid of the dark night?
8
kis naaz1 se gulshan2 meN Tahalti hui aaii
saaNche3 meN shaguftagi4 ke Dhalti5 hui aaii
kaliyauN ki girah6 khul gaii jab vo dam-e-subah7
aaNkhauN ko hatheli se malti hui aaii 1.style 2.garden 3.mould 4.blooming of flowers, smiling, being happy 5.getting cast (as in a mould) 6.knot 7.time of dawn
She came in great style for a walk/saunter in the garden. She came as if she was cast in the mould of happiness. The knot of buds was undone (the opened up/bloomed into fragrant flowers) when she came rubbing her eyes with her palms.
9
taabish1 meN ruKh2-e shams3 o qamar4 se behtar
qeemat5 meN javaahir6 o gohar7 se behtar
aaGhosh8-e nigaar9 meN jo guzre aye josh
vo neem-nafas10 umr-e-Khizar11 se behtar 1.brilliance 2.face of 3.sun 4.moon 5.value 6.gems 7.pearls 8.lap of 9.beauty/beloved 10.half/short life 11.long life
Khizar is a legendary old man who discovered the water of life, drank of it and is therefore immortal. He is a symbol of long life. josh says that a short life spent in the company of the beloved is better than … long life of Khizar. It is better in brilliance than the sun and the moon. It is higher in value than gems and pearls.
10
palkeN haiN ke maikade1 ke dar2 ki darbaaN3
aaNkheN ke dareecha-haa4-e subah KhandaaN5
ya charKh6-e javaani ke damakte7 taare
ya jaam8-e biloreeN9 meN muqayyad10 pariyaaN 1.tavern 2.door 3.door-men, gate-keepers 4.windows 5.smiling 6.skies 7.glowing, twinkling 8.cup 9.crystalline 10.imprisoned
In urdu poetic tradition the eyes of the beloved are likened to wine, wine cups or tavern … they are intoxicating. Taking this imagery a step further josh suggests that the eyelids are gate-keepers of the tavern. Then he likens them to windows to a smiling/shining dawn, or the twinkling stars of the sky of youth, or fairies imprisoned is sparkling crystalline goblet of wine.
11
baadal meN ye roo1-e maah-e-taabaaN2 kaisa
zulmaat3 meN ye noor-e-shabistaaN4 kaisa
halqe5 meN liye hue hai ruKh6 ko kaakul7
ye kufr8 ke zer9-e saaya quraaN kaisa 1.face of 2.brilliant (full) moon 3.darkness 4.ray/shaft of light at night 5.circle 6.face 7.curly hair 8.darkness, evil 9.under, behind
In urdu poetic tradition the face/beauty of the beloved is likened to the full moon or rays of light and here to the qur’aan. Her dark hair is likened to clouds, dark night and here also to darkness/evil. Thus, her beautiful face ringed by dark hair is like the brilliant moon in clouds, or a shaft of brilliance through the darkness of the night. Under dark curly hair her bright face is like the qur’aan in the dark shadow of evil.
josh malihabadi is well known for his fiery nazm. He also wrote many romantic as well as cerebral nazm and Ghazal. His marsia are a celebration of dignified death rather than bowing to injustice even at the cost of life. He also wrote numerous rubaaii. This series is a collection of nearly 300 rubaaiyaat from various books organized by subject. This selection is about the beauty of the beloved. Times have changed and in the “me too” era, this might be considered offensive. I hope that those who find it offensive, will forgive the transgression, considering the beauty of the language, the metaphor and layered meanings.
1
guftaar1 meN khil rahi hai bele2 ki kali
raftaar3 meN muR rahi hai saavan ki nadi
chehre pe suroor4-e noor5, aaNkhauN meN Ghuroor6
sarkaar ne kya aaiina dekha tha abhi
1.conversation 2.jasmine 3.speed, gait 4.happiness, joy 5.light, brilliance 6.pride
The beloved’s face shines in joy, her conversation is pleasant like blooming jasmine, her gait like the curve of a flowing stream in spring. The poet/lover suspects that she has just looked at herself in the mirror and is pleased and proud.
2
zulfeN haiN ke zsholeeda1 Khayaalat ki raat
aye jaan-e haya2! Thahr bhi raat ki raat
in teera3 ghaTaauN meN kidhar jaayegi
shaanauN pe liye hue barsaat ki raat
1.tangled 2.shyness, bashfulness 3.dark
The poet/lover is trying to persuade the beloved to stay the night. Your hair, like tangled thoughts of the night, O soul of shyness, please stay the night. Where will you go in these dark clouds with spring rain falling on your shoulders. Of course the juxtapostion of clouds and dark hair falling on her shoulders is intended.
3
allah re badmast1 javaani ki bakhaar2
har naqsh-e-qadam3 par sijda4 karti hai bahaar
is tarah vo gaam-zan5 hai farsh-e-gul6 par
paRti hai hari doob7 pe jis tarah phuwaar8
1.intoxicating 2.treasure, harvest heap 3.foot-print 4. obeisance 5.setting foot on, walking 6.floor of strewn flowers 7.grass 8.drizzle
By god, that intoxicating harvest of youth. It is as if Spring offers obeisance at her feet. She walks gently on the ground strewn with flowers like soft drizzle on green grass.
4
zulfauN1 ko haTa ke kunmunaaya2 koii
farsh-e-maKhmal3 pe rasmasaaya4 koii
jaise kundan5 pe mauj6-e aks7-e mahtaab8
yuN chauNk9 ke subah muskuraaya koii
1.hair 2.stretching restlessly (while waking up) 3.velvet floor/bed 4.swinging gait of youthful intoxication 5.polished flawless silver/gold 6.waves, ripples 7.image 8.full moon 9.startled
The beloved is startled, wakes up and smiles. It is as if she has parted her hair and emerged with a restless stretch. As if someone might sensuously swing off a velvet bed in youthful intoxication (of beauty). As if you see ripples of the full moon reflected on polished silver.
5
aye phool, saba1 hamesha mahkaaye2 tujhe
aye chaand kabhi ghaTa na sanolaaye3 tujhe
is neend bhare loch4 se lillah5 na chal
Darta huN, kahiN nazar6 na lag jaaye tujhe
1.morning breeze 2.make fragrant, bloom 3.make pale, fade 4.lilt, sensuous swing 5.by god 6.evil eye, bad omen
The poet lover likens the beloved to flower that blooms and spreads fragrance when touched by the morning breeze. He likens her to the moon and wishes that clouds never fade her brilliance. For god’s sake, do walk with that sensuous swinging gait. I am afraid that some bad omen may befall you.
6
zulfauN1 ke mahak2 hai narm jhoNkauN ki sanak3
muRti hui kishti4 meN hai shishauN ki khanak5
vallaah6 ke maiN banda7 nahiN huN is vaqt
pahlu8 meN hai ek zohra-jabiN9 sar pe dhanak10
1.hair 2.fragrance 3.gentle flow 4.boat shaped wine flask 5.tinkle 6.by god 7.servant/creature (of god) 8.by my side, in company 9.bright/shining brow 10.rainbow
This appears to be a take-off on omar Khayyaam. The fragrance from her hair blows gently like soft waves. There is a tinkle of glass as the flask of is turned to pour wine. By god I am not an ordinary creature at this time. I have the company of a bright browed saaqi as if a blessed rainbow arches over my head.
7
aye kaaba1-e zauq-e-deed2 o aye dair-e-nigaah3
aye rahzan4-e anjum5 o Ghaarat-gar6-e maah7
kya teera-shabi8 ka is musaafir9 ko ho Khauf10
tere mukhRe ki lau11 hai jis ke hamraah12
1.focal point of obeisance 2.desire to catch a glimpse 3.temple of sight 4.bandit 5.stars 6.robber 7.moon 8.darkness 9.traveler 10.fear 11.flame 12.in company of, traveling with
josh likens the beloved to the kaaba/focal point of “the desire to catch a glimpse”. She is the temple of sight (meaning glimpse of the beloved – what else is sight for!!!!!). She robs the stars of their shine and the moon of its brilliance. How can the traveler who has the company of your bright face (even if only in imagination) be afraid of the dark night?
8
kis naaz1 se gulshan2 meN Tahalti hui aaii
saaNche3 meN shaguftagi4 ke Dhalti5 hui aaii
kaliyauN ki girah6 khul gaii jab vo dam-e-subah7
aaNkhauN ko hatheli se malti hui aaii
1.style 2.garden 3.mould 4.blooming of flowers, smiling, being happy 5.getting cast (as in a mould) 6.knot 7.time of dawn
She came in great style for a walk/saunter in the garden. She came as if she was cast in the mould of happiness. The knot of buds was undone (the opened up/bloomed into fragrant flowers) when she came rubbing her eyes with her palms.
9
taabish1 meN ruKh2-e shams3 o qamar4 se behtar
qeemat5 meN javaahir6 o gohar7 se behtar
aaGhosh8-e nigaar9 meN jo guzre aye josh
vo neem-nafas10 umr-e-Khizar11 se behtar
1.brilliance 2.face of 3.sun 4.moon 5.value 6.gems 7.pearls 8.lap of 9.beauty/beloved 10.half/short life 11.long life
Khizar is a legendary old man who discovered the water of life, drank of it and is therefore immortal. He is a symbol of long life. josh says that a short life spent in the company of the beloved is better than … long life of Khizar. It is better in brilliance than the sun and the moon. It is higher in value than gems and pearls.
10
palkeN haiN ke maikade1 ke dar2 ki darbaaN3
aaNkheN ke dareecha-haa4-e subah KhandaaN5
ya charKh6-e javaani ke damakte7 taare
ya jaam8-e biloreeN9 meN muqayyad10 pariyaaN
1.tavern 2.door 3.door-men, gate-keepers 4.windows 5.smiling 6.skies 7.glowing, twinkling 8.cup 9.crystalline 10.imprisoned
In urdu poetic tradition the eyes of the beloved are likened to wine, wine cups or tavern … they are intoxicating. Taking this imagery a step further josh suggests that the eyelids are gate-keepers of the tavern. Then he likens them to windows to a smiling/shining dawn, or the twinkling stars of the sky of youth, or fairies imprisoned is sparkling crystalline goblet of wine.
11
baadal meN ye roo1-e maah-e-taabaaN2 kaisa
zulmaat3 meN ye noor-e-shabistaaN4 kaisa
halqe5 meN liye hue hai ruKh6 ko kaakul7
ye kufr8 ke zer9-e saaya quraaN kaisa
1.face of 2.brilliant (full) moon 3.darkness 4.ray/shaft of light at night 5.circle 6.face 7.curly hair 8.darkness, evil 9.under, behind
In urdu poetic tradition the face/beauty of the beloved is likened to the full moon or rays of light and here to the qur’aan. Her dark hair is likened to clouds, dark night and here also to darkness/evil. Thus, her beautiful face ringed by dark hair is like the brilliant moon in clouds, or a shaft of brilliance through the darkness of the night. Under dark curly hair her bright face is like the qur’aan in the dark shadow of evil.
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