Persian · noun · Nature & the Garden
Guhar / Gauhar
गुहर / गौहर
said gu-HAR
also written: gauhar, moti
Meaning
Pearl; a gem.
How Iqbal uses it
An image of the self's hidden worth. Every pearl had to break its own shell to come into being, and a thing is precious “only by the safeguarding of Khudi” — the pearl is nothing without the lustre that is its self.
See it in the verse
Guhar / Gauhar in Iqbal’s couplets
Har guhar ne sadaf ko toD diya
Tu hi aamada-e-zuhur nahin
Tu hi aamada-e-zuhur nahin
Every pearl has broken open its shell; only you are unwilling to come forth.
Selfhood · Courage · Awakening
Giran-baha hai to hifz-e-khudi se hai warna
Guhar mein aab-e-guhar ke siwa kuchh aur nahin
Guhar mein aab-e-guhar ke siwa kuchh aur nahin
If you are precious, it is from guarding your selfhood; otherwise a pearl is nothing but the lustre of a pearl.
Selfhood · Self-Knowledge · Humility
Moti samajh ke shan-e-kareemi ne chun liye
Qatre jo the mire araq-e-infial ke
Qatre jo the mire araq-e-infial ke
Mistaking them for pearls, a generous grace gathered up the drops that were only my sweat of shame.
Humility · Hope