Couplets › Self-Knowledge
From Bal-e-Jibril · originally composed in Urdu
Faqir-e-rah ko bakhshe gae asrar-e-sultani
Baha meri nava ki daulat-e-parvez hai saqi
Baha meri nava ki daulat-e-parvez hai saqi
“To the wayfaring beggar were granted the secrets of kingship; the price of my song is the whole treasure of Parvez.”
Romanहिन्दी
फ़क़ीर-ए-राह को बख़्शे गए असरार-ए-सुल्तानी
बहा मेरी नवा की दौलत-ए-परवेज़ है साक़ी
बहा मेरी नवा की दौलत-ए-परवेज़ है साक़ी
The couplet in Devanagari — it carries the authenticity of the original, and every Hindi reader can read it.
♪ Hear the coupletA recitation in a synthesized voice.
The Interpretation
Iqbal flips the usual ranking of the world. The wandering, possessionless seeker holds a deeper kind of power than the throne, and the poet's song outvalues the legendary wealth of kings. True worth is not measured by what you own or rule but by what you understand and create.
For You, Today
Do not let a lack of title or wealth convince you that you hold nothing. Insight and the ability to create can be worth more than the assets that look impressive from outside.
In the same spirit
Khudi ko kar buland itna ki har taqdeer se pehle
Khuda bande se khud pooche, bata teri raza kya hai
Khuda bande se khud pooche, bata teri raza kya hai
Raise your selfhood so high that, before issuing every decree of destiny, God Himself asks you: tell me, what is your wish?
Selfhood · Courage
Apne mann mein doob kar pa ja suragh-e-zindagi
Tu agar mera nahin banta na ban, apna to ban
Tu agar mera nahin banta na ban, apna to ban
Dive into your own self and find the trace of life. If you will not be mine, then do not — but at least become your own.
Selfhood · Self-Knowledge
Parwaz hai dono ki isi ek faza mein
Kargas ka jahan aur hai, shaheen ka jahan aur
Kargas ka jahan aur hai, shaheen ka jahan aur
Both take flight in this very same sky — yet the vulture's world is one thing, and the falcon's another.
The Falcon · Self-Knowledge