Persian · noun · Time, Fate & the Cosmos
Sitara-Shanaas
सितारा-शनास
said si-TAA-ra-sha-NAAS
also written: sitara shanas
Meaning
A star-gazer, an astrologer; one who knows the stars.
Literally: Persian sitara (star) + shanas (knower): a knower of stars.
See it in the verse
Sitara-Shanaas in Iqbal’s couplets
Afrad ke hathon mein hai aqwam ki taqdeer
Har fard hai millat ke muqaddar ka sitara
Har fard hai millat ke muqaddar ka sitara
The destiny of nations rests in the hands of individuals — every single person is a star in the fortune of the whole.
Action · Leadership · Selfhood
Mah o sitara se aage maqam hai jis ka
Wo musht-e-khak abhi aawargan-e-rah mein hai
Wo musht-e-khak abhi aawargan-e-rah mein hai
The handful of dust whose true station lies beyond moon and stars is still wandering, lost, on the road.
Aspiration · Selfhood · Awakening
Sitara kya meri taqdir ki khabar dega
Wo khud farakhi-e-aflak mein hai khwar o zubun
Wo khud farakhi-e-aflak mein hai khwar o zubun
What can a star tell me of my destiny? It is itself helpless and lowly in the vast reach of the skies.
Selfhood · Freedom · Courage