Couplets › Love
From Bang-e-Dara, 1924 · originally composed in Urdu
Kabhi ai haqeeqat-e-muntazir nazar aa libas-e-majaz mein
Ki hazaron sajde tarap rahe hain meri jabeen-e-niyaz mein
Ki hazaron sajde tarap rahe hain meri jabeen-e-niyaz mein
“O long-awaited Truth, show yourself once in the dress of the visible — for a thousand prostrations are stirring restlessly on my brow of longing.”
कभी ऐ हक़ीक़त-ए-मुंतज़र नज़र आ लिबास-ए-मजाज़ में
कि हज़ारों सज्दे तड़प रहे हैं मिरी जबीन-ए-नियाज़ में
कि हज़ारों सज्दे तड़प रहे हैं मिरी जबीन-ए-नियाज़ में
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 stands ready to revere, but asks the truth he is waiting for to take a form he can meet. The image of a thousand prostrations 'stirring' on his forehead is unforgettable: devotion already present, simply waiting for something worthy to land upon.
For You, Today
Sometimes the readiness is yours and only the object is missing — the cause, the work, the truth worth your whole effort. Iqbal names that ache honestly: a thousand bows, waiting for somewhere to fall.
In the same spirit
Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain
Abhi ishq ke imtihan aur bhi hain
Abhi ishq ke imtihan aur bhi hain
Beyond the stars there are worlds yet — there are still more trials of love to come.
Aspiration · Love · Restlessness
Mohabbat mujhe un jawanon se hai
Sitaron pe jo dalte hain kamand
Sitaron pe jo dalte hain kamand
My love is for those young ones who cast their lasso upon the stars.
Youth · Aspiration
Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri
Zindagi shama ki surat ho khudaya meri
Zindagi shama ki surat ho khudaya meri
My longing rises to my lips as a prayer: O God, may my life be like a candle's flame.
Hope · Aspiration