Urdu · idiom · Struggle & the Sword
Sher ke munh mein haath dena
शेर के मुँह में हाथ देना
Meaning
To court grave danger knowingly.
Literally: to put one's hand in a lion's mouth
See it in the verse
Sher ke munh mein haath dena in Iqbal’s couplets
Yaqeen paida kar ai nadan yaqeen se haath aati hai
Wo darveshi ki jis ke samne jhukti hai faghfoori
Wo darveshi ki jis ke samne jhukti hai faghfoori
Cultivate conviction, O foolish one — for it is conviction that wins you the dervish's freedom, the kind before which even imperial majesty bows.
Courage · Selfhood · Freedom
Khush aa gai hai jahan ko qalandari meri
Wagarna sher mera kya hai shairi kya hai
Wagarna sher mera kya hai shairi kya hai
The world has warmed to the free, unbound spirit in me; otherwise, what is my verse, what is my poetry?
Freedom · Humility · Self-Knowledge
Ishq ki tegh-e-jigar-dar uda li kis ne
Ilm ke haath mein khali hai niyam ai saqi
Ilm ke haath mein khali hai niyam ai saqi
Who has carried off love's brave, heart-piercing sword? Knowledge holds only an empty scabbard now.
Love · Action · Courage
Man ki daulat hath aati hai to phir jati nahin
Tan ki daulat chhanw hai aata hai dhan jata hai dhan
Tan ki daulat chhanw hai aata hai dhan jata hai dhan
The wealth of the inner self, once gained, never leaves you again; the wealth of the body is mere shade, money comes and money goes.
Self-Knowledge · Selfhood