Couplets › Self-Knowledge
From Bang-e-Dara (1924) · originally composed in Urdu
Zahir ki aankh se na tamasha kare koi
Ho dekhna to dida-e-dil va kare koi
Ho dekhna to dida-e-dil va kare koi
“Let no one watch the spectacle with the outward eye alone; if you would truly see, open the eye of the heart.”
Romanहिन्दी
ज़ाहिर की आँख से न तमाशा करे कोई
हो देखना तो दीदा-ए-दिल वा करे कोई
हो देखना तो दीदा-ए-दिल वा करे कोई
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 distinguishes two ways of seeing. The outward eye registers only surfaces. The eye of the heart, inner perception, sees meaning, depth and truth. He insists that real seeing is an act of the inner self, not the senses.
For You, Today
Before you judge a person or a situation by what is on the surface, slow down and look with the inner eye. The most important things, character, intent, truth, are never visible to the outward glance.
In the same spirit
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
Na samjhoge to mit jaoge ai Hindostan walon
Tumhari dastan tak bhi na hogi dastanon mein
Tumhari dastan tak bhi na hogi dastanon mein
If you will not understand, you will be erased, O people of Hindustan — not even your story will remain among the stories.
Awakening · Courage
Parwaz hai dono ki isi ek faza mein
Kargas ka jahan aur hai, shaheen ka jahan aur
Kargas ka jahan aur hai, shaheen ka jahan aur
Both take flight in this very same sky — yet the vulture's world is one thing, and the falcon's another.
The Falcon · Self-Knowledge