Couplets › Adversity
From Bang-e-Dara · originally composed in Urdu
Kabhi jo aawara-e-junun the vo bastiyon mein phir aa basenge
Barahna-paai vahi rahegi magar naya khaarzaar hoga
Barahna-paai vahi rahegi magar naya khaarzaar hoga
“Those who once wandered in the wilderness of passion will come back and settle in the towns; the bare feet will be the same, but the field of thorns will be new.”
Romanहिन्दी
कभी जो आवारा-ए-जुनूँ थे वो बस्तियों में फिर आ बसेंगे
बरहना-पाई वही रहेगी मगर नया ख़ारज़ार होगा
बरहना-पाई वही रहेगी मगर नया ख़ारज़ार होगा
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 sees the restless and the impassioned returning to ordinary life, yet changed. The hardship does not end; only its shape changes, an old wilderness traded for a new field of thorns. Struggle is continuous, but the one who has wandered carries a tested self into each new difficulty.
For You, Today
Solving one hard chapter does not mean the hard chapters end; the next will simply look different. What carries over is you, walking in with feet already toughened by the last road.
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
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
Nahin tera nasheman qasr-e-sultani ke gumbad par
Tu shaheen hai, basera kar paharon ki chattanon mein
Tu shaheen hai, basera kar paharon ki chattanon mein
Your nest is not on the dome of a royal palace. You are a falcon — make your dwelling on the rocks of the mountains.
The Falcon · Freedom · Courage