Persian · noun · Spirit & the Divine
Bandagi
बंदगी
said ban-da-GEE
also written: banda, bande
Meaning
Servitude or worship; banda = servant, slave (of God, or of men).
How Iqbal uses it
He draws a sharp line: free servitude to God versus the degrading servitude to other men. He is a “banda-e-azad,” a free servant who asks no favour, and refuses any lordship that would cost him his bandagi to God.
See it in the verse
Bandagi in Iqbal’s couplets
Asar kare na kare, sun to le miri faryad
Nahin hai daad ka talib ye banda-e-azad
Nahin hai daad ka talib ye banda-e-azad
Whether it has an effect or not — at least hear my plea. This free soul is not asking for any applause.
Freedom · Courage · Selfhood
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.
Aspiration · Restlessness · Self-Knowledge
Tu qadir o adil hai magar tere jahan mein
Hain talkh bahut banda-e-mazdoor ke auqaat
Hain talkh bahut banda-e-mazdoor ke auqaat
You are all-powerful and just, yet in this world of yours the hours of the labouring worker are very bitter.
Justice