Couplets › Hope
From Bang-e-Dara (1924) · originally composed in Urdu
ka
ki ho magar ye se par hoga
ki ho magar ye se par hoga
“The caravan of feeble ants will make a boat of a rose petal; though a thousand waves clash against it, this boat will cross the river.”
Romanहिन्दीاردو
लेगा का
मौजों की हो मगर ये से होगा
मौजों की हो मगर ये से होगा
The couplet in Devanagari — it carries the authenticity of the original, and every Hindi reader can read it.
سفینۂ برگ گل بنا لے گا قافلہ مور ناتواں کا
ہزار موجوں کی ہو کشاکش مگر یہ دریا سے پار ہوگا
ہزار موجوں کی ہو کشاکش مگر یہ دریا سے پار ہوگا
The couplet as Iqbal wrote it, in Urdu (Nastaliq).
♪ Hear the coupletA recitation in a synthesized voice.
The Interpretation
Iqbal turns a tiny, almost absurd image into a statement of faith in effort. Frail ants on a flimsy petal still cross a turbulent river. Strength of numbers, will and resolve matters more than size or equipment. The weak who refuse to give up become unstoppable.
For You, Today
Do not let small means or modest resources convince you the crossing is impossible. With resolve and unity, a fragile boat clears a thousand waves. Begin the crossing with what you have.
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
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
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