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.  This Ghazal is dated 1847 (nusKha-e raza – kalidas gupta raza) when Ghalib was coming back to composing in urdu with more straightforward and popular Ghazal.  Also see the translation done by my friend badri raina.

1
taskiN¹ ko hum na ro’eN jo zauq²-e nazar³ mil’e
hooraan⁴-e Khuld⁵ meN teri soorat magar mil’e

1.comfort, consolation, fulfilment 2.taste 3.sight 4.fairies of 5.heaven

The poet/lover is always lamenting.  The only condition under which he can stop lamenting is that if he gets fulfilment of his exquisite taste of a sight/glance of the beloved.  But he is even more particular that after he dies and goes to heaven and gets his hoories/fairies, he should be able to get a glance of her among them, because he cannot possibly derive any pleasure from looking at hoories.  They simply do not compare with her beauty. Ghalib does have sufiyaana trends.  Could this be the divine beloved that he wants to see.  There are other places too where he wants to see divine manifestation where even Moses failed/fainted …

girni thi hum pe barq-e tajalli na toor par

dete haiN baada zarf-e qadah Khwaar dekh kar

This Ghazal also posted on this site.
2
apni gali meN mujh ko na kar dafn¹ b’aad²-e qatl³
mere pate⁴ se Khalq⁵ ko kyuN tera ghar mil’e

1.bury 2.afterwards 3.killing 4.address, location 5.creation, everyone

It is a given that the beloved is going to kill the poet/lover.  Normally he would have liked to be buried in her street in order to be able to ‘touch’ her feet.  But he does not want that.  Once he is killed he will become famous (like that other mad lover majnuN) and the whole world will know that he has been killed by the beloved and buried in her street.  Thus through his grave they might be able to figure out where she lives.  Even in death he is so jealous that he cannot stand that thought, and does not want to be buried there.  Ghalib also said …
chhoRa na rashk ne ke tere ghar ka naam luN
har ek se poochhta huN ke jaauN kidhar ko maiN
The poet/lover is lost and is looking for her house.  But he cannot bring himself to ask anyone about her because his jealousy does not allow him.  If they find out about her beauty then they might become his rivals.  So, he ends up asking a meaningless question – which way shall I go?
3
saaqi-gari¹ ki sharm² karo aaj, varna³ hum
har shab⁴ piyaa hi karte haiN mai⁵ jis qadar⁶ mil’e

1.being saaqi, serving wine 2.uphold the dignity of 3.otherwise 4.evening 5.wine 6.as much

Ordinarily the poet/imbiber and his fellow imbibers drink as much wine as they can get.  But today is special.  He calls upon the saaqi to uphold the dignity of the act of serving wine and serve up her best and in plenty, otherwise tonight will be like any other night.
4
tujh se to kuchh kalaam¹ nahiN laikin aye nadiim²
mera salaam kahyo agar naama-bar³ mil’e

1.conversation, discourse, dispute 2.friend 3.messenger

There is a lot unsaid/implied in this she’r.  Let us begin with another famour she’r of Ghalib
zikr us pari-vash ka aur phir bayaan apna
ban gaya raqib aaKhir, thaa jo raaz-daaN apna
The poet/lover has been describing the beauty of that fairy/beloved and on top of it, his words are so enchanting that his confidant also fell in love with her.  In this case too, he has sent a letter with a messenger, who has disappeared (perhaps he is also enamoured of the beloved).  The poet/lover encounters the friend who recommended this messenger and tells him … I have no quarrel with you.  It is not your fault that the messenger has disappeared.  But if you run into him, please convey my greetings (which is a gentle reminder that Ghalib was asking about the fate of his letter to the beloved).
5
tum ko bhi hum dikhaa’eN ke majnuN ne kyaa kiyaa
fursat¹ kashaakash²-e Gham³-e pinhaaN⁴ se gar⁵ mil’e

1.relief, time 2.struggle 3.pain, love 4.hidden 5.if

The poet/lover is struggling with his hidden pain.  He has to keep his love hidden to uphold the dignity/reputation of the beloved.  This is double pain for him.  If ever he is relieved of this responsibility (of hiding pain), he could go into such a frenzy of pain that even a legendary mad-lover like majnuN would not be able to compare with his madness.
6
laazim¹ nahiN ke Khizr² ki hum pairavi³ kareN
jaanaa⁴ ke ek buzurg⁵ hameN hum-safar⁶ mil’e

1.necessary 2.legendary old man who is a symbol of gnostic knowledge and is a guide to lost travelers 3.follow 4.know, recongize, agree 5.respected senior 6.fellow traveler

Khizr is a widely recognized and accepted old, wise man whose guidance is taken by all lost travelers.  Not Ghalib.  It is not necessary that I follow him (because I already know where I am going).  I agree that he is a respected old man who is on the same path (gnostic/sufi knowledge seeking) as I am.
7
aye saakinaan¹-e koocha²-e dildaar³ dekhna
tum ko kahiN jo Ghaalib-e aashufta-sar⁴ mil’e

1.dwellers 2.street of 3.beloved 4.disheveled hair, mad, in a trance

All rivals/friends reside/hang out in the street of the beloved.  Not Ghalib.  He is special.  Specially mad and in a frenzy.  He is out wandering the wastelands.  O, you who are in the street of the beloved, watch out for the frenzied Ghalib.  If you see him take care of him (alternatively, beware, he is mad and might cause some harm).

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Badri Raina’s translation
1
I should be quite content in heaven should I but spot you there
For no fairies may ever resemble you is the quick of my despair
2
O bury me not in your alley, once you have murdered me;
Why should they get to know your house, from where my grave should be?
3
O pour the ample wine tonight to guard your generous pride;
For a humble draught or two I do but always have beside
4
O gentle friend, I know you not, but, should you my courier find
Do pass my greetings on to him, – some gesture to remind
7
Tell me, O all of you that are good neighbours to my love
If you should Ghalib find somewhere, quite unhinged above