Couplets › Aspiration
From Bal-e-Jibril (1935) · originally composed in Urdu
Mata-e-be-baha hai dard-o-soz-e-arzumandi
Maqam-e-bandagi de kar na lun shan-e-khudawandi
Maqam-e-bandagi de kar na lun shan-e-khudawandi
“The ache and fire of longing is a priceless treasure; I would not trade the striving of a seeker even for the splendour of a master.”
Romanहिन्दी
मता-ए-बे-बहा है दर्द-ओ-सोज़-ए-आरज़ूमंदी
मक़ाम-ए-बंदगी दे कर न लूँ शान-ए-ख़ुदावंदी
मक़ाम-ए-बंदगी दे कर न लूँ शान-ए-ख़ुदावंदी
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 prizes the state of longing itself. The restless ache of wanting, of reaching for something not yet reached, is to him a treasure beyond price. He would not give up the live, striving condition of the seeker even in exchange for the settled glory of having arrived. Desire kept alive is worth more than comfort attained.
For You, Today
Do not rush to extinguish your longing by settling. The hunger that keeps you reaching is itself valuable; a comfortable arrival can cost you the very fire that made you grow.
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
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
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