Couplets › Action
From Bal-e-Jibril · originally composed in Urdu
shakh-e-tak hun meri hai mera
Mere se mai-e-lala-fam paida kar
Mere se mai-e-lala-fam paida kar
“I am a branch of the vine, my song is my fruit; from that fruit press out the tulip-red wine.”
Romanहिन्दी
मैं शाख़-ए-ताक हूँ मेरी है मेरा
मिरे से मय-ए-लाला-फ़ाम पैदा
मिरे से मय-ए-लाला-फ़ाम पैदा
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 hands the next generation not a finished answer but raw material. He has produced the fruit; the work of turning it into something living and intoxicating belongs to whoever receives it. Inheritance, in his view, is an invitation to create, not a relic to keep.
For You, Today
What you receive from a teacher, a parent or a mentor is fruit, not the final dish. Take it and make something of your own from it, rather than simply preserving it untouched.
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