Urdu · proverb · Struggle & the Sword
Doob Te Ko Tinke Ka Sahara
डूबते को तिनके का सहारा
also written: doobte ko tinke ka sahara
Meaning
A drowning man clutches at a straw; the desperate grasp any hope.
Literally: for the drowning, the support of a straw
See it in the verse
Doob Te Ko Tinke Ka Sahara in Iqbal’s couplets
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
Khudi mein doob ja ghafil, ye sirr-e-zindagani hai
Nikal kar halqa-e-shaam-o-sahar se javedan ho ja
Nikal kar halqa-e-shaam-o-sahar se javedan ho ja
Dive into your selfhood, O heedless one — this is the secret of life. Step out of the ring of evening and morning, and become everlasting.
Selfhood · Self-Knowledge · Awakening
Mujhe rokega tu ai nakhuda kya gharq hone se
Ki jin ko dubna ho dub jaate hain safinon mein
Ki jin ko dubna ho dub jaate hain safinon mein
Boatman, how will you save me from drowning? Those fated to drown will drown even aboard the ship.
Courage · Selfhood · Adversity
Zara taqdir ki gahraiyon mein dub ja tu bhi
Ki is jangah se main ban ke tegh-e-be-niyam aaya
Ki is jangah se main ban ke tegh-e-be-niyam aaya
Plunge, you too, into the depths of destiny; from that battlefield I emerged as a drawn, unsheathed sword.
Courage · Action · Adversity