Couplets › Restlessness
From Bal-e-Jibril (1935) · originally composed in Urdu
Kabhi hui bhi aati hai rahi ko
si hai jo mein na
si hai jo mein na
“Sometimes the traveller remembers even the destination he left behind; I fear this faint ache in my chest may grow into grief for a settled place.”
Romanहिन्दीاردو
कभी छोड़ी हुई भी आती है को
सी है जो सीने में न जाए
सी है जो सीने में न जाए
The couplet in Devanagari — it carries the authenticity of the original, and every Hindi reader can read it.
کبھی چھوڑی ہوئی منزل بھی یاد آتی ہے راہی کو
کھٹک سی ہے جو سینے میں غم منزل نہ بن جائے
کھٹک سی ہے جو سینے میں غم منزل نہ بن جائے
The couplet as Iqbal wrote it, in Urdu (Nastaliq).
♪ Hear the coupletA recitation in a synthesized voice.
The Interpretation
For Iqbal the true life is the journey, not arrival. Here he catches himself feeling the pull of a place to stop and rest, and treats that longing as a danger. A destination that ends your motion can quietly become a comfortable grave for the self.
For You, Today
When you find yourself missing an old comfort or wishing the striving were over, recognise the pull for what it is. Rest when you need to, but do not mistake stillness for the goal.
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