Mirza Ghalib

Classic Poetry Series

Ghalib Mirza Asadullah Khan

- poems -

Publication Date:

2004

Publisher:

PoemHunter.Com - The World's Poetry Archive

http://www.PoemHunter.com

www.PoemHunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive 2

He was, when it was aught

Na thaa kuchh to Khudaa thaa, kuchh na hotaa to Khudaa hotaaDuboyaa mujh ko hone ne, na hotaa mai.n to kyaa hotaa

huaa jab Gam se yuu.N behis to Gam kyaa sar ke kaTane kaana hotaa gar judaa tan se to zaa.Nno.n par dharaa hotaa

huii muddat ke 'Ghalib' mar gayaa par yaad aataa haiwo har ek baat pe kahanaa ke yuu.N hotaa to kyaa hotaa

English Translation

He was, when it was aughtHe would still be, even if it might have been naughtDrowned I am in my egoWhat would have happened if "I" was notLaden with distraught and feeling apatheticdo I have to worry about the head being severedIf it did not severe from the bodyThe head would have simply reposed on the lapIt has been ages that "Ghalib" diedYet the memories linger onHis saying this on every occasionIf it was "like this" then what it would be!




Heart it is, not a brick or stone

Dil Hi To Hai Na Sang-o-KhistDard Se Bhar Na Aaye Kyon?Royenge Hum Hazaar BaarKoyee Hamein Sataye Kyon?Dair Nahin, Haram Nahin,Dar Nahin, Aastan NahinBaithe Hain Reh-Guzar Pe HumGair Hamein Uthaye Kyon?Jab Veh Jamaal-e-DilfarozeSurte-Mehre Neem-RozeAap Hi Ho Nazaar-SozeParde Mein Munh Chuppaye Kyon?Dashne-e-Gamaz Jaan-SitanNaavke-Naaz BepanahTera Hi Akse-Rukh Sahi,Saame Tere Aaye Kyon?Kaide-Hayat-O-Band-e-Gam,Asl Mein Dono Ek HainMaut Se Pehlre AadmiGum Se Nijaat Paye Kyon?Husn Aur Us Pe Husn-e-ZunReh Gayee Bulhavas Ki SharmApne Pe Etmad Hai,Gair Ko Aazmaye Kyon?Van Veh Garure-Izz-o-NaazYan Yeh Hijabe-Paase-VazanRaah Mein Hum Milen KahanBazm Mein Veh Bulaye Kyon?Han Voh Nahin Khuda ParasatJaao Veh Bewafa SahiJisko Ho Dino-Dil AzizUski Gali Mein Jaye Kyon?Ghalib-e-Khast Ke BagairKaunse Kaam Band Hain?Roeeye Zar-Zar Kaya?Keejiye Haye-Haye Kyon?

English Translation

Heart it is, not a brick or stoneWhy shouldn't it feel the pain?Let none tyrannize this heartOr I shall cry again and againNeither the temple, nor the mosqueNor on someone's door or porchI await on the path where He will treadWhy others should compel me to go?The illumined grace that lights up the heartAnd glows like the midday sunThat Self that annihilates all sightsWhen then it hides in the mysterious net?The amorous glance is the deadly dagger



And the arrows of emotions are fatalYour image may be equally powerfulWhy should it appear before you?The rules of life and bonds of sorrowIn reality are the one manifestationBefore realizing the ultimate truthHow can then one attain liberation?Love is laden with noble thoughtsYet what remains is the carnal shameTrust conscience the still little voiceWhy do you want test the rival?There the pride of modesty residesHere dwells the social moralityHow shall we meet, on which roadWhy should he invite me to the abode?True he is an atheistUnfaithful and unchasteDear to who is faith and heartWhy should he then venture there?Without the wretched "Ghalib"Has any activity come to a halt?What then is the need to cry?What then is the need to brood?




It is not Love it is Madness

Ishq Mujhko Nahin, Vehshat Hi SahiMeri Vehshat Teri Shohrat Hi SahiKatta Keeje Na Taalluk HamseKutch Nahin Hai To Adavat Hi SahiMere Hone Mein Hai Kya RusvayeeAe Veh Majlis Nahin Khallat Hi SahiHum Bhi Dushman To Nahin Hain ApneGair Ko Tujhse Mohabbat Hi SahiApni Hasti He Se Ho Jo Kutch HoAagahi Gar Nahin Gaflat Hi SahiUmr Harchand Ki Hai Barke-KharamDil Ke Khoon Ki Fursat Hi SahiHum Koyee Tarqe-Vafa Karte HainNa Sahi Ishq Museebat Hi SahiKutch To De Ae Falke-Na-InsaafAaho Fariyad Ki Rukhsat Hi SahiHum Bhi Tasleem Ki Khoo DalengeBenayazi Teri Aadat Hi SahiYaar Se Chedh Chali Jaye 'Asad'Gar Nahin Vasl To Hasrat Hi Sahi

English Translation

(You say) It is not love, it is madnessMy madness may be the cause of your fameSever not my relationship with youIf nothing then be my enemyWhat is the meaning of notoriety in meeting meIf not in public court meet me aloneI am not my own enemySo what if the stranger is in love with youWhatever you are, it is due to your own beingIf this not known then it is ignoranceLife though fleets like a lightening flashYet it is abundant Time to be in loveI do not want debate on the sustenance of loveBe it not love but another dilemmaGive something O biased OneAt least the sanction to cry and pleaI will perpetuate the ritualsEven if cruelty be your habitTeasing and cajoling the beloved cannot leave 'Asad'Even if there is no union and only the desire remains




The World is a Playground

Baazi-cha-aie-Atfal Hai Dunia, Mere AageHota Hai Shaboroze Tamasha Mere AageIk Khel Hai Aurang-e-suleman, Mere NazdeekIk Baat Hai Ajaaz-a-Maseehah, Mere AageJuz Naam, Nahin Surat-a-aalam Mujhe ManzoorJuz Vaham, Nahin Hasti-e-ashiya, Mere AageHota Hai Nihan Gard Mein Sahra, Mere HoteGhista Hai Jabin Khak Pe Dariya, Mere AageMut Poochh, Ki Kya Haal Hai Mera, Tere PeecheTu Dekh Ki Kya Rung Hai Tera, Mere AageSach Kehte Ho Khudbeen-o-Khuddara Hun, Kyon Na Hun?Baitha Hai Butt-a-Aaeena-Seema, Mere AagePhir Dekhiye, Andaz-e-Gul-Afshani-e-GuftaarRakh De Koyee Paimana-o-Sahba Mere AageNafrat Ka Guman Guzre Hai, Mein Rushk Se GuzraKyonkar Kahun, Lo Naam Na Unka Mere AageIman Mujhe Roke Hai, To Khenche Hai Mujhe KufraKaba Mere Peeche Hai, Kalisa Mere AageAashiq Hun, Per Mashook-Farebi Hai Mera KaamMajnun Ko Bura Kehti Hai Laila Mere AageKhush Hote Hain, Pur, Vasl Mein Yon Mur Nahin JaateAayee Shab-a-Hijran Ki Tamanna Mere AageHai Moujzan Ik Kulzum-e-Khun, Kaash, Yahi HoAata Hai, Abhi Dekhiye, Kya Kya, Mere AageGo Hath Mein Jumbish Nahin, Aankhon Mein To Dum HaiRahne Do Abhi Sagar-O-Meena, Mere AageHumpesh-O-Hummastrab-O-Humraaz Hai Mera"Ghalib" to Bura Kyon Kaho, Accha Mere Aage

English Translation

I perceive the world as a playgroundWhere dawn and dusk appear in eternal roundsIn His Universal form is a plaything the throne of SolomonThe miracles of the Messiah seem so ordinary in my eyesWithout name I cannot comprehend any formIllusionary but is the identity of all objectsMy anguish envelopes the entire desertSilently flows the river in front of my floodsAsk not what separation has done to meJust see your poise when I come in front of youTruly you say that I am egotistical and proudIt is the reflection, O friend, in your limited mirrorTo appreciate the style and charm of conversationJust bring in the goblet and wineHatred manifests due to my envious mindThus I say, don't take his name in front of meFaith stops me while temptations attractInspite of Kaaba behind and church aheadI am the Lover, yet notorious is my charmThus Laila calls names to Majnu in front of me"Dies" not one though the union is a delight



In premonition of the separation nightAlas, this be it, the bloody separation waveI know not what else is in store ahead of meThough the hands don't move, the eyes are aliveWine and goblet, let them stay in front of meSays "Ghalib"Conscience is companion and trusted friendDon't pass any judgments in front of me.



Education

Mirza Ghalib