By Rahat Indori
shakhon se tut jaayen vo patte nahin hain ham
aandhi se koi kah de ki auqat mein rahe
aandhi se koi kah de ki auqat mein rahe
“We are not the kind of leaves that break off from the branches — someone tell the storm to know its limits.”
Romanहिन्दीRahat Indori
शाख़ों से टूट जाएँ वो पत्ते नहीं हैं हम
आँधी से कोई कह दे कि औक़ात में रहे
आँधी से कोई कह दे कि औक़ात में रहे
The verse in Devanagari — it carries the authenticity of the original, and every Hindi reader can read it.
♪ Hear the coupletA recitation in a synthesized voice.
The Interpretation
Indori answers a threat with sheer defiance — we are not the loose leaves a storm can claim. The second line is almost insolent, telling the storm itself to know its place. The couplet's force comes from refusing the role of the helpless and casting power as the thing that has overreached.
For You, Today
When something powerful tries to dislodge you, do not assume you are the one who must yield — stand, and let it learn its limits.
Among Indori's signature verses of defiance, beloved at mushairas for the nerve of its closing line.
Themes:DefianceCourage
More from Rahat Indori
The heart of this site stays with Iqbal: explore his couplets → Or browse the whole Other Voices shelf →