Sunday 1 October 2017

(Bang-e-Dra-014) Shama-o-Parwana



Shama-o-Parwana
Moth And Candle

Parwana Tujh Se Karta Hai Ae Shama! Pyar Kyun
Ye Jaan-e-Be-Qarar Hai Tujh Par Nisar Kyun

Why is the moth your lover, O flame,
Giving life in a yielding move?

Seemabwaar Rakhti Hai Teri Ada Isse
Adab-e-Ishq Tu Ne Sikhaye Hain Kya Isse?

You make its ways the quicksilver’s ways.
You taught it, what rites of love?

Karta Hai Ye Tawaf-e-Teri Jalwagah Ka
Phoonka Huwa Hai Kya Teri Barq-e-Nigah Ka?

The creature circles around your flare.
How burnt in your flash of sight!

Azaar-e-Mout Mein Isse Aram-e-Jaan Hai Kya?
Shaole Mein Tere Zindagi-e-Javidan Hai Kya?

Does it know life’s peace in the throes of death?
Life endures in your ardour bright?

Ghumkhana-e-Jahan Mein Jo Teri Zia Na Ho
Iss Tafta Dil Ka Nakhle-e-Tamana Hara Na Ho

Had your lustre not been in the world’s house of woe
The tree of hot love had not been green.

Girna Tere Huzoor Mein Iss Ki Namaz Hai
Nanhe Se Dil Mein Lazzat-e-Souz-o-Gudaz Hai

Moth sinks before you making its prayer,
Frail heart to feel scorching keen.

Kuch Iss Mein Josh-e-Ashiq-e-Husn-e-Qadeem Hai
Chota Sa Toor Tu, Ye Zara Sa Kaleem Hai

It must throb like one loving the beauty of old:
Small prophet! small mountain of fire!

Parwana, Aur Zauq-e-Tamashaye Roshni
Keera Zara Sa, Aur Tamanaye Roshni!

The moth with its urge to envisage the flame!
Poor worm, with its light’s desire!

(Bang-e-Dra-013) Khuftagan-e-khak Se Istafsar


Khuftagan-e-Khak Se Istafsar
The Interrogation Of The Dead


Mehr-e-Roshan Chup Gya, Uthi Niqab-e-Ruye Sham
Shan-e-Hasti Pe Hai Bikhra Huwa Gaisuay Sham

The bright sun is hidden, the night shows its face
The night’s hair is spread on shoulders of the earth


Ye Seyh Poshi  Ki Tayari Kisi Ke Gham Mein Hai
Mehfil-e-Qudrat Magar Khurshid Ke Matam Mein Hai

This black dress is preparation for some one’s mourning
Perhaps the Nature’s assemblage for the sun is mourning


Ker Raha Hai Aasman Jadoo Lab-e-Guftar Per
Sahar-e-Shab Ki Nazar Hai Didah-e-Beedar Per

The sky is casting a spell over the talking lip
The night’s magician is watching the awakened eye


Ghota Zan Daryae Khamoshi Mein Hai Mouj-e-Hawa
Haan, Magar Ek Door Se Ati Hai Awaz E Dra

The wind current is submerged in the river of silence
However, the tolling bell’s sound comes from the distance


Dil Ke Hai Betabi-e-Ulfat Mein Duniya Se Nafoor
Khanch Laya Hai Mujhe Hangama E Aalam Se Door

Heart which in love’s turmoil is evading the world
Has dragged me here far from the maddening crowd


Manzar-e-Herman Naseebi Ka Tamashayi Hun Main
Hum Nasheen-e-Khuftagan-e-Kunj Tanhai Hun Main

I am the spectator of the spectacle of disappointments
I am the associate of those sleeping in solitude’s corner


Tham Zara Betabi-e-Dil! Baith Jane De Mujhe
Aur Iss Basti Pe Char Aansu Girane De Mujhe

O My restlessness! Wait and let me rest awhile
And let me shed a few tears at this habitation


Ae Mye Ghaflat Ke Sermasto! Kahan Rehte Ho Tum?
Kuch Kaho Uss Dais Ki Aakhir, Jahan Rehte Ho Tum

O those steeped in a swoon, “Where are you?
Tell me something of the land where you live


Woh Bhi Hairat Khana-e-Amroz O Farda Hai Koi?
Aur Pikar-e-Anasir Ka Tamasha Hai Koi

Is that world also one of prevarication?
Is that world also one of denizens’ struggle?


Admi Wan Bhi Hisar-e-Gham Mein Hai Mehsoor Kya?
Uss Walayat Mein Bhi Hai Insan Ka Dil Majboor Kya?

Is Man engulfed by sorrow in that land also?
Is Man’s heart suppressed and helpless in that land also?


Wan Bhi Jal Merta Hai Soz-e-Shama Per Parwana Kya?
Uss Chaman Mein Bhi Gull-o-Bulbul Ka Hai Afsana Kya?

Does the moth burn itself in candle’s love in that land also?
Does the tale of flower and nightingale exist in that garden also?


Yan To Ek Misre Mein Pehlu Se Nikal Jata Hai Dil
Shair Ki Germi Se Kya Wan Bi Phigalta Jata Hai Dil?

In this world a single hemistich perturbs the heart
Does there also the warmth of verse soften the heart?


Rishta-o-Pewandiyan Ke Jaan Ka Azaar Hain
Uss Gulistan Mein Bhi Kya Aese Nukile Khar Hain?

This world’s relations and alliances life’s woes are
Are similar sharp thorns present in that garden also?


Iss Jahan Mein Ek Maeeshat Aur So Uftad Hai
Rooh Kya Uss Daes Mein Iss Fikar Se Azad Hai?

The daily bread and a million calamities this world has
Does the soul freedom from anxieties in that world has?


Kya Wahan Bijli Bhi Hai, Dehqan Bhi Hai, Kherman Bhi Hai?
Kafle Wale Bhi Hain, Andaisha Rehzan Bhi Hai?

Are the thunder, the farmer, the harvest there also?
Are the caravan and the robber’s fear there also?


Tinke Chunte Hain Wahan Bhi Aashiyan Ke Wastay?
Khishat-e-Gill Ki Fikar Hoti Hai Makan Ke Wastay?

Do birds collect bits of straw for nests there also?
Is the search for bricks and clay for house there also?


Wan Bhi Insan Apni Asliyat Se Begane Hain Kya ?
Imtiaz-e-Millat-o-Aaeen Ke Diwane Hain Kya?

Are the humans unaware of their reality there also?
Are they after nations’ and customs’ discrimination there also


Wan Bhi Kya Faryad-e-Bulbul Per Chaman Rota Nahin?
Iss Jahan Ki Tarah Wan Bhi Dard-e-Dil Hota Nahin?

Does garden not cry at the nightingale’s wail there also?
Like this world is there no sympathy in that world also?


Bagh Hai Fardous Ya Ek Manzal-e-Aramhai?
Ya Rukh E Be Perwa Husn-e-Azal Ka Naam Hai?

Does the Paradise a garden or a restful mansion constitute?
Or does the Eternal Beauty’s Unveiled Face it constitute?


Kya Jahanum Maseeyat Sozi Ki Ek Tarkeeb Hai?
Aag Ke Sholon Mein Pinhan Maqsad-e-Tadeeb Hai?

Does hell a method of burning away sins constitute?
Or it in flames of fire a way of discipline constitute?


Kya Ewz Raftar Ke Uss Dais Mein Parwaz Hai?
Mout Kehte Hain Jise Ahle Zameen, Kya Raaz Hai?

Has walking given way to speedy flying in that world?
What is the secret of what is called death by denizens of this world?


Iztarab-e-Dil Ka Saman Yan Ki Hast-o-Bood Hai
Ilm E Insan Uss Walayat Mein Bhi Kya Mehdood Hai?

Life eases the heart’s restlessness in this world
Is human knowledge also restricted in that world?


Deed Se Taskeen Pata Hai Dil-e-Mahjoor Bhi?
'Lan Tarani' Keh Rahe Hain Ya Wahan Ke Toor Bhi?

Does the separated heart get satisfaction by sight there also?
Are “Lan Tarani” saying the Turs of that land also


Justujoo Mein Hai Wahan Bhi Rooh Ko Aaram Kya?
Wan Bhi Insan Hai Qateel-e-Zauq-e-Istafham Kya?

Does the soul get solace in longing there also?
Is man a victim of desire to learn there also?


Aah! Vo Kishwar Bhi Tareeki Se Kya Mamoor Hai?
Ya Mohabbat Ki Tajalli Se Sarapa Noor Hai?

Ah! Is that land also filled with darkness?
Or with Love’s light is completely illuminated?


Tum Bata Do, Raaz Jo Iss Gunbad-e-Gardan Mein Hai
Mout Ek Chubhta Huwa Kanta Dil-e-Insan Mein Hai

Tell us what the secret under this rotating dome is
Death a pricking sharp thorn in the human heart is.

(Bang-e-Dra-011) Maan Ka Khawab


Maan Ka Khawab
(Makhooz - Bachon Ke Liye)

A Mother’s Dream
(Adopted For Children From William Cowper)

Mein Soyi Jo Ek Shab To Dekha Ye Khawab
Barha Aur Jis Se Mera Iztarab

As I slept one night I saw this dream
Which further increased my vexation

Ye Dekha Ke Mein Ja Rahi Hun Kahin
Andhera Hai Aur Rah Milti Nahin

I dreamt I was going somewhere on the way
Dark it was and impossible to find the way

Larazta Tha Der Se Mera Baal Baal
Qadam Ka Tha Dehshat Se Uthna Mahal

Trembling all over with fear I was
Difficult to take even a step with fear was

Jo Kuch Hosla Pa Ke Aagay Berhi
To Dekha Qitar Aik Larkon Ki Thi

With some courage as I forward moved
I saw some boys as lined in nice array

Zumurad Si Poshak Pehne Huay
Diye Sub Ke Hathon Mein Jalte Huay

Dressed in emerald‐like raiment they were
Carrying lighted lamps in their hands they were

Woh Chup Chap Thay Agay Peche Rawan
Khuda Jane Jana Tha Un Ko Kahan

They were going quietly behind each other
No one knew where they were to go

Iss Soch Mein Thi Ke Mera Pisar
Mujhe Uss Jamat Mein Aya Nazar

Involved in this thought was I
When in this troupe my son saw I

Woh Peche Tha Aur Taez Chalta Na Tha
Diya Uss Ke Hathon Mein Jalta Na Tha

He was walking at the back, and was not walking fast
The lamp he had in his hand was not lighted

Kaha Mein Ne Pehchan Ker, Meri Jaan!
Mujhe Chor Ker Aa Gye Tum Kahan?

Recognizing him I said “O My dear!
Where have you come leaving me there?

Judai Mein Rehti Hun Main Be-Qarar
Paroti Hun Her Rouz Ashkon Ke Haar

Restless due to separation I am
Weeping every day for ever I am

Na Perwa Humari Zara Tum Ne Ki
Gye Chor, Achi Wafa Tum Ne Ki!

You did not care even a little for me
What loyalty you showed, you left me”!

Jo Bache Ne Dekha Mera Peach O Taab
Diya Uss Ne Munh Phair Ker Yun Jawab

As the child saw the distress in me
He replied thus, turning around to me

Rulati Hai Tujh Ko Juddai Meri
Nahin Uss Mein Kuch Bhi Bhalai Meri

“The separation from me makes you cry
Not least little good does this to me”
Ye Keh Ker Vo Kuch Dair Tak Chup Raha
Diya Phir Dikha Ker Ye Kehne Laga

He remained quiet for a while after talking
Showing me the lamp then he started talking

Samajhti Hai Tu Ho Gaya Kya Issay?
Tere Aanasuon Ne Bhujaya Issay!

“Do you understand what happened to this?
Your tears have extinguished this”!