Couplets › Self-Knowledge
From Bal-e-Jibril · originally composed in Urdu
ko gae
meri ki hai
meri ki hai
“To the wayfaring beggar were granted the secrets of kingship; the price of my song is the whole treasure of Parvez.”
Romanहिन्दीاردو
को बख़्शे गए
मेरी की है
मेरी की है
The couplet in Devanagari — it carries the authenticity of the original, and every Hindi reader can read it.
فقیر راہ کو بخشے گئے اسرار سلطانی
بہا میری نوا کی دولت پرویز ہے ساقی
بہا میری نوا کی دولت پرویز ہے ساقی
The couplet as Iqbal wrote it, in Urdu (Nastaliq).
♪ 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
Ho mera kaam ghareebon ki himayat karna
Dard-mandon se zaeefon se mohabbat karna
Dard-mandon se zaeefon se mohabbat karna
Let my work be to defend the poor — to love the suffering and the weak.
Justice · Humility · Love