Meaning
The cage and the nest; captivity set against the longed-for free home.
Literally: 'cage and nest'
See it in the verse
Qafas-o-aashiyaan in Iqbal’s couplets
Qanaat na kar aalam-e-rang-o-bu par
Chaman aur bhi, aashiyan aur bhi hain
Chaman aur bhi, aashiyan aur bhi hain
Do not be content with this world of colour and scent — there are other gardens, and other nests, too.
Aspiration · Restlessness
Guzar-auqat kar leta hai ye koh o bayaban mein
Ki shahin ke liye zillat hai kar-e-ashiyan-bandi
Ki shahin ke liye zillat hai kar-e-ashiyan-bandi
It makes its living among mountains and wilderness, for to the falcon the building of a comfortable nest is a disgrace.
The Falcon · Freedom · Adversity
Nahin is khuli faza mein koi gosha-e-faraghat
Ye jahan ajab jahan hai na qafas na aashiyana
Ye jahan ajab jahan hai na qafas na aashiyana
In this open expanse there is no corner of idle rest; this is a strange world, neither a cage nor a nest.
Action · Freedom · Restlessness