Meaning
The gathering of existence; life seen as a transient feast.
Literally: assembly of existence
How Iqbal uses it
Iqbal uses it for the fleeting banquet of worldly life.
See it in the verse
Bazm-e-Hasti in Iqbal’s couplets
Bhari bazm mein raaz ki baat keh di
Bada be-adab hun saza chahta hun
Bada be-adab hun saza chahta hun
In the crowded gathering I blurted out the secret — I am terribly insolent; I ask for my punishment.
Courage · Love
Kuchh baat hai ki hasti mitti nahin hamari
Sadiyon raha hai dushman daur-e-zaman hamara
Sadiyon raha hai dushman daur-e-zaman hamara
There is something in us that our existence will not be erased — though for centuries the turning of the age has been our enemy.
Adversity · Hope · Unity
Raaz-e-hasti ko tu samajhti hai
Aur aankhon se dekhta hun main
Aur aankhon se dekhta hun main
You, Reason, comprehend the secret of existence; but I, the Heart, see it with my own eyes.
Self-Knowledge · Love · Awakening
Kuch baat hai ki hasti mitti nahin hamari
Sadiyon raha hai dushman daur-e-zaman hamara
Sadiyon raha hai dushman daur-e-zaman hamara
There is something about us that refuses to be erased — for centuries the turning of the age itself has been our enemy.
Hope · Adversity · Self-Knowledge
Aaya hai tu jahan mein misal-e-sharar dekh
Dam de na jaye hasti-na-paayedar dekh
Dam de na jaye hasti-na-paayedar dekh
You have come into the world like a spark — see that this fleeting existence does not slip away from you.
Action · Awakening · Aspiration