Couplets › Courage
From Bal-e-Jibril (1935) · originally composed in Urdu
Apne bhi khafa mujh se hain begane bhi na-khush
Main zahr-e-halahal ko kabhi kah na saka qand
Main zahr-e-halahal ko kabhi kah na saka qand
“My own people are displeased with me and strangers are unhappy too; I could never bring myself to call deadly poison sugar.”
Romanहिन्दी
अपने भी ख़फ़ा मुझ से हैं बेगाने भी ना-ख़ुश
मैं ज़हर-ए-हलाहल को कभी कह न सका क़ंद
मैं ज़हर-ए-हलाहल को कभी कह न सका क़ंद
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 accepts the cost of honesty. He has displeased everyone, friends and strangers alike, for one simple reason: he refused to flatter, to call what is harmful sweet. Truth-telling isolates you, and Iqbal names this price plainly and pays it without complaint.
For You, Today
Speaking the truth will sometimes put you offside with everyone at once. That is not a sign you are wrong. Refusing to call poison sugar may cost you popularity, but it keeps your self intact.
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
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