Couplets › Hope
From Bal-e-Jibril, 1935 · originally composed in Urdu
Tahi zindagi se nahin ye fazayen
Yahan saikron karwan aur bhi hain
Yahan saikron karwan aur bhi hain
“These open skies are not empty of life — here there are hundreds of other caravans as well.”
तही ज़िंदगी से नहीं ये फ़ज़ाएँ
यहाँ सैकड़ों कारवाँ और भी हैं
यहाँ सैकड़ों कारवाँ और भी हैं
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 answers the fear of being alone on an unfamiliar path. The vast spaces ahead only look deserted; in truth they carry many caravans, many other seekers in motion. The emptiness is an illusion of a narrow gaze.
For You, Today
When a new direction feels lonely, remember that the route only appears unpopulated because you cannot yet see the others on it. You are far less alone in your striving than the silence suggests.
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