For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Recitation
زیرِ قدم دیکھتے ہیں ۔ شیش چندر سکسینہ طالبؔ دہلوی
۱
ہر اِک دل میں خارِ الم دیکھتے ہیں
خوشی جس کو کہتے ہیں کم دیکھتے ہیں
۲
جو دل ہی میں حُسنِ صنم دیکھتے ہیں
کہیں جانِبِ جامِ جم دیکھتے ہیں؟
۳
کسے کس قدر پائداری ہے حاصل
ترا قول اپنی قسم دیکھتے ہیں
۴
یقین و عمل ساتھ رہتے ہیں جن کے
وہ منزل کو زیرِ قدم دیکھتے ہیں
۵
بھر آتا ہے دل خون روتی ہیں آنکھیں
کسی کو جو ہم چشم نم دیکھتے ہیں
۶
جہاں درد مندوں سے خالی نہیں ہے
یہ ہر اشک میں موجِ یم دیکھتے ہیں
۷
یہ حسن و محبت کا رشتہ عجب ہے
ہم اِن کو ہمیشہ بہم دیکھتے ہیں
۸
یہ مانا سکت دیکھنے کی نہیں ہے
تجھے پھر بھی تیری قسم دیکھتے ہیں
۹
تیری پردہ داری ہے ملحوظِ خاطر
تجھے دل کی آنکھوں سے ہم دیکھتے ہیں
۱۰
ربابِ نفس پر ہمیشہ نظر ہے
ہم اِس ساز کا زیر و بم دیکھتے ہیں
۱۱
سلیقہ ادب کا سکھاتی ہے پیری
جو جھکتے نہ تھے اُن کو خم دیکھتے ہیں
۱۲
جو آئینہ آتا ہے اُن کے مقابل
وہ آئینہ حیرت سے ہم دیکھتے ہیں
۱۳
اِدھر جذبِ اُلفت اُدھر کم نگاہی
عجب عالم شوق و رم دیکھتے ہیں
۱۴
وہیں ڈالتے ہیں حرم کی بِنا ہم
جہاں تیرا نقشِ قدم دیکھتے ہیں
۱۵
کسی کے کوئی بے سبب کام آئے
یہ دستور دنیا میں کم دیکھتے ہیں
ज़ेर-ए क़दम देखते हैं – शीश चन्द्र सक्सेना तालिब देहलवी
१
हर एक दिल में ख़ार-ए अलम देखते हैं
ख़ुशी जिस को कहते हैं कम देखते हैं
२
जो दिल ही में हुस्न-ए सनम देखते हैं
कहीं जानिब-ए जाम-ए जम देखते हैं?
३
किसे किस क़दर पाएदारी है हासिल
तेरा क़ौल अपनी क़सम देखते हैं
४
यक़ीन ओ अमल साथ रहते हैं जिन के
वो मंज़िल को ज़ेर-ए क़दम देखते हैं
५
भर आता है दिल ख़ून रोती हैं आँखें
किसी को जो हम चश्म-ए नम देखते हैं
६
जहाँ दर्द-मंदों से ख़ाली नहीं है
ये हर अश्क में मौज-ए यम देखते हैं
७
ये हुस्न ओ मुहब्बत का रिश्ता अजब है
हम इन को हमेशा बहम देखते हैं
८
ये माना स़कत देखने की नहीं है
तुझे फिर भी तेरी क़सम देखते हैं
९
तेरी पर्दा-दारी है मल्हूज़-ए ख़ातेर
तुझे दिल की आँखों से हम देखते हैं
१०
रबाब-ए नफ़स पर हमेशा नज़र है
हम इस साज़ का ज़ेर ओ बम देखते हैं
११
सलीक़ा अदब का सिखाती है पीरी
जो झुकते न थे उन को ख़म देखते हैं
१२
जो आइना आता है उन के मुक़ाबिल
वो आइना हैरत से हम देखते हैं
१३
इधर जज़्ब-ए उल्फ़त उधर कम निगाही
अजब आलम-ए शौक़ ओ रम देखते हैं
१४
वहीं डालते हैं हरम की बिना’ हम
जहाँ तेरा नक़्श-ए क़दम देखते हैं
१५
किसी के कोई बे-सबब काम आए
ये दस्तूर दुनिया में कम देखते हैं
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. taalib dehlavi-shiish chandr saxena (1910-1975), born and raised in ambaala. High school, 1925. After some interruption, BA (1935) from Hindu College, dehli. Started composing in 1927; shaagird of munshi maharaaj barq dehlavi. He may have been independently wealthy. He writes about frequent mushaa’era held at his house. He collected and compiled the works of munshi maharaj barq dehlavi, ramprakash sahir hoshiarpuri and chandrbhan kaifi dehlavi, which might otherwise have been lost. In addition, he compiled a collection called ‘hamaare husain’, elegies composed by non-muslim shu’ara as tributes to husain and karbala. This Ghazal is linked to Ghalib naqsh-e qadam.
1
har ek dil meN Khaar1-e alam2 dekhte haiN
Khushii jis ko kahte haiN kam dekhte haiN 1.thorn, pricking 2.sorrow
We see sorrow pricking every heart like a thorn. We see less of that which is called happiness.
2
jo dil hii meN husn1-e sanam2 dekhte haiN
kahiiN jaanib3-e jaam-e-jam4 dekhte haiN? 1.beauty, glory 2.beloved, idol, god 3.towards 4.cup of jamshed
The ‘cup of jamshed’ is legendary. jamshed was an ancient Persian monarch who is said to have a had a cup that you could look into and see all of creation. It could also predict the future. Thus, those who can see the glory of god in their own heart, do they ever look towards the cup of jamshed … of course not, because they can see god and the whole universe in their own heart.
3
kise kis qadar1 paae’daarii2 hai haasil3
teraa qaul4 apnii qasam5 dekhte haiN 1.how much 2.durability, permanence 3.available 4.saying, pronouncement 5.swear
‘apnii qasam’ – stands for ‘I swear on my own life’. It is a common life that nothing is permanent except god. That is transformed here as ‘teraa qaul’ – your statement, with the implication ‘your’ is attributed to god. Thus, I swear by my life that I see your statement. I see who has how much permanence is available to them. The implication is that the poet can see his own mortality clearly.
4
yaqiin1 o amal2 saath rahte haiN jin ke
voh manzil3 ko zer4-e qadam5 dekhte haiN 1.certainty, confidence 2.action 3.destination 4.underneath 5.feet, steps
Those who are accompanied by confidence and action see their destination right under their feet.
5
bhar aata hai dil Khuun rotii haiN aaNkheN
kisii ko jo ham chashm1-e nam2 dekhte haiN 1.eyes 2.moist, tearful
The heart wells up with sorrow, eyes cry tears of blood, when we see someone with tearful eyes.
6
jahaaN1 dard-mandoN2 se Khaalii3 nahiiN hai
yeh har ashk4 meN mauj-e-yam5 dekhte haiN 1.world 2.sympathizer 3.empty, devoid 4.tears 5.waves of the ocean
There is no shortage of people in this world, who feel the pain of others. In every tear they see ocean waves. I am not sure what is implied by ‘mauj-e yam’ and what it means to see it in every tear. But here is a beautiful she’r by amiir miinaaii …
Khanjar chal’e kisii pe taRapt’e haiN ham amiir
saare jahaaN kaa dard hamaare jigar meN hai
7
yeh husn1 o mohabbat kaa rishta2 ‘ajab3 hai
ham in ko hamesha baham4 dekhte haiN 1.beauty 2.relationship 3.fascinating 4.together, one with the other
This relationship between beauty and love is fascinating. We always see one with the other.
8
yeh maanaa1 sakat2 dekhne kii nahiiN hai
tujhe phir bhii terii qasam3 dekhte haiN 1.admit, agree 2.strength, ability 3.swear by
We admit that we don’t have the ability to see but still, I swear in your name that we see you … probably addressed to god.
9
terii parda-daarii1 hai malhuuz-e-Khaatir2
tujhe dil kii aaNkhoN se ham dekhte haiN 1.observing parda, veiling 2.keeping in mind, in consideration of
This is also addressed to god … you observing parda i.e., remaining hidden from us keeps in consideration our capability. We see you with our inner eye.
10
rabaab1-e nafas2 par hamesha nazar3 hai
ham is saaz4 kaa zer-o-bam5 dekhte haiN 1.musical instrument, harp 2.breath 3.sight, view 4.music 5.ups and downs
We always keep an eye on the harp of the breath of life … rhythmic breathing in and out is likened to music and the poet is watchful listening to the ups and downs, highs and lows of this music. The idea is that it might stop at anytime. This is an expression of the recognition of impermanence of life.
11
saliiqa1 adab2 kaa sikhaatii3 hai piirii4
jo jhukt’e5 na the unn ko Kham6 dekhte haiN 1.manners 2.respect 3.teaches 4.old age 5.bend, bow down 6.bent, bowed
Old age teaches manners, respectful behaviour. We see thos bent over who never used to bend to anyone – a reference to bent back due to old age. qamar jalalavi uses the concept in a different way …
baRha baRha ke jafaa’eN jhuka hi do ge kamar
ghaTa ghaTa ke qamar ko hilaal kar do ge
12
jo aa’iina aata hai unn ke muqaabil1
voh aa’iina hairat2 se ham dekhte haiN 1.before, in front of 2.amazement, astonishment
This is about the beauty of the beloved. The mirror before her reflects her beauty and the poet is amazed at the ability of the mirror; or perhaps at the sheer good luck of the mirror that it gets to contemplate that beauty; or jealousy that he cannot get the opportunity that the mirror does.
13
idhar jazb1-e ulfat2 udhar kam-nigaahii3
‘ajab3 ‘aalam4-e shauq5 o ram6 dekhte haiN 1.jazba-feelings 2.love 3.overlook, ignore, indifference 3.strange 4.condition 5.desire 6.running away, leaping like a startled deer
The poet/lover has intense feelings of love while the beloved is completely indifferent. This is a strange condition of desire on one side and running away startled on the other.
14
vahiiN Daalte haiN haram1 kii binaa’2 ham
jahaaN teraa naqsh-e-qadam3 dekhte haiN 1.mosque, place of worship 2.foundation 3.footprint
Wherever we see your footprints, that is where we lay the foundation of the place of worship. This is using a misra of Ghalib …
jahaaN tera naqsh-e qadam dekhte haiN
KhyaabaaN KhyaabaaN iram dekhte haiN
I also composed a Ghazal in this zamin, but it is highly irreverential
yeh kaisa anokha bharam dekhte haiN
jahaaN tera naqsh-e qadam dekhte haiN
15
kisii ke ko’ii be-sabab1 kaam aa’e
yeh dastuur2 duniyaa meN kam dekhte haiN
1.without reason, without a selfish motive 2.tradition
That someone helps someone in need without a selfish motive is a tradition that we see less and less of in this world.
taalib dehlavi-shiish chandr saxena (1910-1975), born and raised in ambaala. High school, 1925. After some interruption, BA (1935) from Hindu College, dehli. Started composing in 1927; shaagird of munshi maharaaj barq dehlavi. He may have been independently wealthy. He writes about frequent mushaa’era held at his house. He collected and compiled the works of munshi maharaj barq dehlavi, ramprakash sahir hoshiarpuri and chandrbhan kaifi dehlavi, which might otherwise have been lost. In addition, he compiled a collection called ‘hamaare husain’, elegies composed by non-muslim shu’ara as tributes to husain and karbala. This Ghazal is linked to Ghalib naqsh-e qadam.
1
har ek dil meN Khaar1-e alam2 dekhte haiN
Khushii jis ko kahte haiN kam dekhte haiN
1.thorn, pricking 2.sorrow
We see sorrow pricking every heart like a thorn. We see less of that which is called happiness.
2
jo dil hii meN husn1-e sanam2 dekhte haiN
kahiiN jaanib3-e jaam-e-jam4 dekhte haiN?
1.beauty, glory 2.beloved, idol, god 3.towards 4.cup of jamshed
The ‘cup of jamshed’ is legendary. jamshed was an ancient Persian monarch who is said to have a had a cup that you could look into and see all of creation. It could also predict the future. Thus, those who can see the glory of god in their own heart, do they ever look towards the cup of jamshed … of course not, because they can see god and the whole universe in their own heart.
3
kise kis qadar1 paae’daarii2 hai haasil3
teraa qaul4 apnii qasam5 dekhte haiN
1.how much 2.durability, permanence 3.available 4.saying, pronouncement 5.swear
‘apnii qasam’ – stands for ‘I swear on my own life’. It is a common life that nothing is permanent except god. That is transformed here as ‘teraa qaul’ – your statement, with the implication ‘your’ is attributed to god. Thus, I swear by my life that I see your statement. I see who has how much permanence is available to them. The implication is that the poet can see his own mortality clearly.
4
yaqiin1 o amal2 saath rahte haiN jin ke
voh manzil3 ko zer4-e qadam5 dekhte haiN
1.certainty, confidence 2.action 3.destination 4.underneath 5.feet, steps
Those who are accompanied by confidence and action see their destination right under their feet.
5
bhar aata hai dil Khuun rotii haiN aaNkheN
kisii ko jo ham chashm1-e nam2 dekhte haiN
1.eyes 2.moist, tearful
The heart wells up with sorrow, eyes cry tears of blood, when we see someone with tearful eyes.
6
jahaaN1 dard-mandoN2 se Khaalii3 nahiiN hai
yeh har ashk4 meN mauj-e-yam5 dekhte haiN
1.world 2.sympathizer 3.empty, devoid 4.tears 5.waves of the ocean
There is no shortage of people in this world, who feel the pain of others. In every tear they see ocean waves. I am not sure what is implied by ‘mauj-e yam’ and what it means to see it in every tear. But here is a beautiful she’r by amiir miinaaii …
Khanjar chal’e kisii pe taRapt’e haiN ham amiir
saare jahaaN kaa dard hamaare jigar meN hai
7
yeh husn1 o mohabbat kaa rishta2 ‘ajab3 hai
ham in ko hamesha baham4 dekhte haiN
1.beauty 2.relationship 3.fascinating 4.together, one with the other
This relationship between beauty and love is fascinating. We always see one with the other.
8
yeh maanaa1 sakat2 dekhne kii nahiiN hai
tujhe phir bhii terii qasam3 dekhte haiN
1.admit, agree 2.strength, ability 3.swear by
We admit that we don’t have the ability to see but still, I swear in your name that we see you … probably addressed to god.
9
terii parda-daarii1 hai malhuuz-e-Khaatir2
tujhe dil kii aaNkhoN se ham dekhte haiN
1.observing parda, veiling 2.keeping in mind, in consideration of
This is also addressed to god … you observing parda i.e., remaining hidden from us keeps in consideration our capability. We see you with our inner eye.
10
rabaab1-e nafas2 par hamesha nazar3 hai
ham is saaz4 kaa zer-o-bam5 dekhte haiN
1.musical instrument, harp 2.breath 3.sight, view 4.music 5.ups and downs
We always keep an eye on the harp of the breath of life … rhythmic breathing in and out is likened to music and the poet is watchful listening to the ups and downs, highs and lows of this music. The idea is that it might stop at anytime. This is an expression of the recognition of impermanence of life.
11
saliiqa1 adab2 kaa sikhaatii3 hai piirii4
jo jhukt’e5 na the unn ko Kham6 dekhte haiN
1.manners 2.respect 3.teaches 4.old age 5.bend, bow down 6.bent, bowed
Old age teaches manners, respectful behaviour. We see thos bent over who never used to bend to anyone – a reference to bent back due to old age. qamar jalalavi uses the concept in a different way …
baRha baRha ke jafaa’eN jhuka hi do ge kamar
ghaTa ghaTa ke qamar ko hilaal kar do ge
12
jo aa’iina aata hai unn ke muqaabil1
voh aa’iina hairat2 se ham dekhte haiN
1.before, in front of 2.amazement, astonishment
This is about the beauty of the beloved. The mirror before her reflects her beauty and the poet is amazed at the ability of the mirror; or perhaps at the sheer good luck of the mirror that it gets to contemplate that beauty; or jealousy that he cannot get the opportunity that the mirror does.
13
idhar jazb1-e ulfat2 udhar kam-nigaahii3
‘ajab3 ‘aalam4-e shauq5 o ram6 dekhte haiN
1.jazba-feelings 2.love 3.overlook, ignore, indifference 3.strange 4.condition 5.desire 6.running away, leaping like a startled deer
The poet/lover has intense feelings of love while the beloved is completely indifferent. This is a strange condition of desire on one side and running away startled on the other.
14
vahiiN Daalte haiN haram1 kii binaa’2 ham
jahaaN teraa naqsh-e-qadam3 dekhte haiN
1.mosque, place of worship 2.foundation 3.footprint
Wherever we see your footprints, that is where we lay the foundation of the place of worship. This is using a misra of Ghalib …
jahaaN tera naqsh-e qadam dekhte haiN
KhyaabaaN KhyaabaaN iram dekhte haiN
I also composed a Ghazal in this zamin, but it is highly irreverential
yeh kaisa anokha bharam dekhte haiN
jahaaN tera naqsh-e qadam dekhte haiN
15
kisii ke ko’ii be-sabab1 kaam aa’e
yeh dastuur2 duniyaa meN kam dekhte haiN
1.without reason, without a selfish motive 2.tradition
That someone helps someone in need without a selfish motive is a tradition that we see less and less of in this world.
