Ghazals of Ghalib
Translated by
a) Yeh na thee hamaari khismath keh visaale yaar hoathaa
Agar aur jeethae rahathae yahee inthezaar hoathaa.
Were I to live longer this would still be a longing.
Therae vaade par jiyae ham, tho yeh jaan jhoot jaanaa,
Kae khushiee sae mar na jaathae agar aethibaar hoathaa?
How gleefully we would have died, were you to be worthy of trust?
Thaeri naazukee sae jaanaa kae bandha tha ahad bauda
Kabhi thoo na thoad saktha, agar oosthwaar hoathaa
You could not have ravaged it, if only were it to be stronger.
Koyi maere dil sae poochae, thaere theer neem kash koe
Only some one was to ask my heart about, your semi deadly invading looks.
Yeh khalish kahaan sae hoathee jo jigar kae paar hoathaa.
Where they had the intensity that they could pass through my lungs.
Yeh kahaan ki doasthee haye kae banae hain doasth naaseh
What kind of friendship is this, that my companions have turned preachers?
Koyee charah –saaz hoatha, koyi gamgusaar hoathaa
I wish some were curers or some were to be comforters.
Ragae sang sae tapakthaa voh lahoo keh phir na thamthaa,
Jisae gham samajh rahae hoe yeh agar sharaar hoathaa
What you think is sorrow were it to be a spark of fire.
Gham agarchae jaan gusal haye, pa baechain kahaan keh dil haye !
Ghame ishq agar na hoatha, ghame roazgaar hoathaa.
Were love not to lead to affliction grief would be the daily earnings.
Kahoon kis sae maye keh kyaa haye shabae ghum buree balaa haye.
Mujhae kyaa burraa tha marnaa agar yaek baar hoathaa
What was so difficult for me to die, were it to be only once.
Huvae mar kae hum joe ruswaa huvae kyoon na gharkae daryaa,
My death became my infamy, why did I not drown in sea.
Na kabhee janaaza uththa na kaheen mazaar hoathaa
No bier to carry my corpse, nor cost of a grave to be built.
Usae kaun daekh sakthaa keh yagaana haye voh yakthaa
Who could have seen whether it is singular or unique
Jo duvee kee boo bhi hosthee thoe kahin doe chaar hoatha
Were it to be fragrance of mating still it would be a couple or quadraple.
Yeh masaailae thassauuf yeh thaera bayaan Ghalib
These mystic proportions your testimony Oh Ghalib,
Thujhae hum valee samajhthae joe na baada-khwaar hoathaa
A prophet we would honour were you not to be inebriate.
*****
b) Dard minnath-kashae davaa na huvaa
Maye na achchaa huvaa buraa na huvaa
Neither I became well nor I became ill.
Jamaa karthae hoe kyoon raqueeboan koe
Yek thamaasha huvaa, gilaa na huvaa
Ham kahaan khismath aazmaane jayaen
Thoo hee jab khanjar aazmaan na huvaa
Kithnae shaeraen hain thaere lab kae raqueeb
Gaaliyaan khaa kae bae-mazaa na huvaa
Abuses I received, but did not feel even a bad taste.
Kyaa voh Namrood kee Khudaaii thee
What was that Namrod’s divinity.
Bandagee mae maeraa bhalaa na huvaa
Even in worship I did not benefit.
Haye khabr garm oonkae aanae kee
Aaj hee ghar mae boariyaa na huvaa
Jaan dee, dee huvee usee kee thee
Sacrificed my life, after all it was their gift.
Huq thoe yoon haye keh huq adaa na huvaa
Zaqm gar dab gayaa lahoo naa thamaa
The wound did subside but blood continued to flow.
Kaam kar ruk gayaa rawaan na huvaa
The action did come to a stop but the pain did not ease.
Rahzanee haye kee dilsithaanee haye
It is highway robbery or sorcery of heart.
Lae kae dil, dilsithaan ravaan na huvaa
Even after winning the heart the magic did not cease.
Kuch thoe padiyae keh loag kahthae hain
Do read dear readers, people are saying.
Aaj Ghalib ghazal saraa na huvaa.
Today Ghalib’s poetry did not trouble the mind.
****
c) Phir mujhae deedah-thar yaad aayaa
Once again the glowing tears I remember,
Dil jigar thashna firyaad aayaa
Heart, lungs, tormenting agony I remember.
Dam liyaa tha na khayamath nae hunooz
Had just breathed hell – fire then,
Phir thaera vaqthe safar yaad aayaa
Your parting – time did I remember.
Saadgee haye thamanna, yaanee
Simplicity O ! longing I mean
Phir voh naerang nazar yaad aayaa
That plasid looks did I remember.
Uzre vaa maandgee aye hasrathae dil
Apologetic wariness O! desireous heart
Naala karthaa tha, jigar yaad aayaa
I was crying my painful lungs did I remember.
Zindagee yoon bhee guzar hee jaathee
Life would have any way passed
Kyun thaera raahguzar yaad aayaa
Why your usual path did I remember
Kya hi Rizwaan sae ladaayee hoagee
What a fight will I have with Rizwaan (Gate keeper of heaven)
Ghar thaera khuld mae gar yaad aayaa
Your house, were in heaven, did I remember.
Aah voh jurathae faryaad kahaan
Where I have that courage to complain
Dil sae thang aake jigar yaad aayaa
Dejected heart from collapsing lungs did I remember.
Phir thaere koochae koe jaatha haye khayaal
Once again my thoughts traverse towards your home
Dil gum-gashtha, magar, yaad aayaa
The broken hearts whinning did I remember
Koyee veeraanee si veeraanee haye !
Is this desolation any desolation !
Dashth koe daekh kae ghar yaad aayaa
Looking at the desert my home did I remember
Maye nae majnoo pae ladakpan mae Asad
Looking at Majnu Oh Asad, in my adulthood
Sang uthaayaa thaa kae sar yaad aayaa
I picked up a stone when my own head did I remember.
d) Haye baskae har yek unkae ishaarae mae nashaan aur
Whereas in their every signal there is a target elsewhere.
Karthae hain muhabbath thoe guzarthaa haye gumaan aur
And when they manifest love there is an iota of doubt.
Yaa-rub voh na samjhae hain na samjhaenge maeri baath
Oh God they have not understood nor will ever understand my plea.
Dae aur dil unkoe joe na dae mujh koe zabaan aur
Why not bestow them a different heart, that you cannot endow me the convincing power.
Aabroo sae haye kyaa ooas nigah-naaz koe piyoend
What fame to their bright face can be an addition
Haye theer mukharrar magar iss kee haye kamaan aur
The arrow is well recognised only the bow keeps changing.
Thum shahar mae hoe thoe hamain kyaa gham joe uthaengae
If you are in imperial city, why should I grieve when gripped by agony
Lae aayengae bazaar sae jaa kar dil-o-jaan aur
We would go to market place and fetch a beloved of our choice.
Har chand sabakdast huvae buth-shaknee mae
Every frivolous dabbler became expert in idol breaking
Ham hain thoe abhee raah mae haye sangae giraan aur
I am still in the path but there are other searchers of precious
Stones.
Haye khoonae-jigar joash mae, dil khoal kae roathaa
Heart broken but boiling with rage I would weep unrestrained
Hoathae joe koyee deedah khunnabah fishaan aur
Were I to posses bleeding eyes some more
Marthaa hoon iss aawaz pae, har chand sar ood jaayae
I’m dying over your voice although my head do I loose
Jallad koe laikinn voh kahae jayaen keh “haan” aur.
To the executioner nevertheless they keep saying “some more”.
Loagoan koe haye khursheed jahaan thaab kaa dhoakaa
For people sun’s illuminating power’s deception
Har roaz dikhaathaa hoon maye yek daag nihaan aur
Every day I show them a new wound some more.
Laethaa na agar dil thumhaen daethaa, koyee dam chain
Were I not to take your heart, could give you some comfort
Karthaa, jo na marthaa, koyee din aah-vo-faquaan aur
Had I not died, sighed, in distress and pain some more.
Paathae naheen jub raah thoe chadhh jaathae hain naalae
When stream is stopped poetic flow does rise
Rukthee haye maeree thabaa thoe hoathee haye rawaan aur
When my inspiration is blocked, it spills over the brim some more..
Hain aur bhee duniyan mae sukhanwar bahuth achchae
This way in this world there are many outstanding in eloquence
Kahthae hain kae Ghalib kaa haye andaazae bayaan aur.
But, it is said that Ghalib’s depth in poetry is ‘some more’.
e) Laazim tha kae daekhoe maera rasthaa koyee din aur
It was important that you watch my road some other day
Thanhaa gayae kyun, ub rahoe thanhaa koyee din aur
Why you went alone, now live in solitude for some other day.
Mit jaayega sar, gar thaera paththar na ghisae gaa
The head will disappear, if the stones on your path are not worn out
Haan dar pae thaere naseeha farsaa koyee din aur
If the preacher were to be on your steps, the rubbing will be some other day.
Aayae ho kal, aur aaj hi kahthae hoe kae jaavoon
Came only yesterday, today itself you say I will leave
Maana kae hamaeshaa naheen, achcha, koyee din aur
It’s true not forever, ‘well’ some other day.
Jaathae huvae kahthae hoe Qayamath ko milaengae
While going you say let’s meet on judgement day
Kyaa khoob Qayaamath ka haye goyaa koyee din aur
What an excellent judgement day as if some other day
Haan aye falakae peer, jawaan thaa abhee Aarif
Oh Noble of Heaven young was then Aarif
Kya thaera bigadthaa joe na marthaa koyee din aur
What you would have lost, were he not to die, some other day.
Thum maah shabe chaar vahum thae maere ghar kae
You the whole month paid nightly visit around my house
Phir kyun na rahaa ghar kaa voh nakhshaa koyee din aur
Why did you miss the layout of the house some other day
Thum kaun sae thae aysae kharae-dad-vo-sithad kae !
Where were you as honest in settling your account !
Kartha malakhul mauth thakhazaa koyee din aur
Were Angel of Death to settle accounts then and not some other day.
Mujh sae thumhaen nafrath sahee Nayyar se ladaai
For me you feel contempt I agree, why fight with Nayyar (Niro)
Bachchaon ka bhee daekhaa na thamaasha koyee din aur
Have you not seen the children’s fight some other day
Guzree na, bahar – haal, yeh muddath khush-vo-nakhush
Could not pass by the way, this time happy or unhappy
Karnaa tha jawaan-marg ! guzaara koyee din aur.
Had to spent youth wishing death, living some other day.
Naadaan hoe joe kahthae hoe kae kyoon jeethae hain Ghalib
Naive you are that you say ‘why live Ghalib’
Khismath mae hai marnae kee thamanna koyee din aur.
In my destiny is the desire for death some other day.
*****
f) Aah koe chaahiyae yek umr asar hoathae thak
A sigh needs a life time to wield the influence.
Kaun jeethaa haye thaeri zulf kae sar hoathae thak.
Who lives long enough to see your curls re-tress.
Waam har mauj mae haye halqua sad kaame nihang
In every wave there’s turbulence enough to do its wont unconcerned
Daekhaen kya guzrae haye khatrae pae guhar hoathae thak
Let me see what transpires when a drop turns to a pearl.
Aashquee sabr thalab aur thamanna baethaab
Love demands patience and desire is restless
Dil ka kya rung karoon khoone jigar hoathae thak
What color do I make of my heart, till blood passes to the lungs.
Ham nae maana kae thagaaful na karaengae laikin
We agree that you will not neglect, however
Khaak hoe jaayaenge ham, thum koe khabar hoathae thak.
Will be turned to ashes by the time you get the news.
Parthavae khoor sae haye shabnam koe fanaa kee thaaleem
From the mountain range beam of light brings to the dew a terminal lesson.
Maye bhee hoon yek anayath ki nazar hoathae thak
I too live longing for a glimpse of her to appear.
Yek nazar baesh naheen fursathae hasthee gaafil
A superiority complex is no superior, if unmindful of indolent leisurely life.
Garmaee bazm haye yek raqshae sharar hoathae thak.
An angry company is dancing to the tunes of malice.
Ghamae hasthee ka Asad kiss sae hoe juz marg ilaaj
Pathatic life oh Asad who has a remedy except death
Shamaa har rung mae jalthee haye sahar hoathae thak.
The lamp keeps burning in every hue till dawn.
****
g) Voh firaaq aur voh visaal kahaan
Where is that seperation where is that union
Voh shab voh roaz voh maah voh saal kahaan.
Where is that night, that day, that month and year.
Fursathae kaarobaare shauq kisae
The leisure from business and where is the enthusiusm
Zauqe nazzarah jamaal kahaan
The joy of panoramic views and where is the elegance.
Dil tho dil voh dimaag bhee na rahaa
Leave alone heart even the mind is lost
Shaurae saudaaye khat-vo-qaul kahaan.
The noise of trade where is the occasional correspondence.
Thee voh yek shaqs kae thasawwar sae
It was there due to one persons preoccupation.
Ab voh ruanaayi khayaal kahaan
Now where is that graceful moving imagination.
Aysa asaan naheen lahoo roanaa
It is not easy to weep tears of blood
Dil mae thaaqath jigar mae haal kahaan.
Where is that strength in the heart and where is that agony in the lungs.
Ham sae chootaa khamaar khaana ishq
Our fascination for love’s gaming house is over
Vaan joe jaavaen, girah mae maal kahaan.
Those who go there where is the doe in the treasury.
Fikr duniyan mae sar khapaatha hoon
In the worries of the world I batter my head
Mai kahaan aur yeh vabaal kahaan
Where am I and where is this misfortune.
Muzmahil hoe gayae khooyee Ghalib
Infirm I have become all the vigour has gone Ghalib
Voh anaasir mae ae-thedaal kahaan.
Now in the elements of life where is the happy mean.
*****
h) Sab kahaan, kuch lala vo-gul mae numaayaan hoe gayeen
Every where some tulips and roses brought prominence
Khaak mae, kyaa soorathaen hoangee keh pinhan hoe gayeen
In ashes what faces could be, only to be concealed became.
Yaad theen ham koe bhee ranga-rung bazm aaraayiyaan
I remembered colourful feast of adornments
Laikin ab naqsh-vo- nigaare thaaque neesaan hoe gayeen.
But now all decorations unrivalled beloved’s ruin they became.
Theen banath-ul-naqshe gardoan din kae pardae mae nihaan
The constellations of stars in the wheels of the day are wrapped in veil.
Shab ko in kae jee mae kyaa aayee keh uriyaan hoe gayeen..
At night what came to their mind that naked they became.
Khaid mae Yakub nae lee, gao, na Yoosuf kee khabar.
Imprisoned Yakub if did not enquire Yusuf’s whereabouts
Laikin aankhaen roazanae deeware zindaan hoe gayeen.
But his eyes became windows of the prison walls.
Sub raqueeboan sae hoon na-khush par zanaane Misr sae
With every enemy I am unhappy but not from beauties of Misr [Egypt].
Haye Zulaekha khoosh keh maho-mah kanaan hoe gayeen.
Zulekha is happy as if life’s elexir has blinded one eye.
Jooyae qoon aankhoan sae bahnae doe kae haye shaame firaaq
Let tears of blood flow in the parting night
Maye yeh samjhoongaa keh shamyaen doe faroaza hoe gayeen
I will comfort myself that two lamps have just brightened.
In pareezaadoan sae laengae khuld mae hum inthikhaam
With these angel faces I will take revenge in paradise.
Khudrathae haq sae yahee hooraen agar vaan hoe gayeen
If God decrees and these angels were also to be there.
Neend uskee haye, dimaag uska haye, raathaen uskee hain
My sleep is hers, my mind is hers, the nights are hers
Thaeri zulfaen jiskae baazoo par paraeshaan hoe gayeen.
Her disheavelled locks on her shoulder perplexed.
Maye chaman mae kya gayaa, goyaa dabisthaan khul gayaa
What I visited the garden as if a school did open
Bulbulaen sun kar merae naalae ghazal-qwaan hoe gayeen.
The nightingales hearing my lamentations have become composers of gazals.
Voh nigaahaen kyun huvee jaathi hain yaarab dil kae paar
Those eyes oh God why they pierce through my heart
Joe maeri koathaahi khismath sae misrgaan hoe gayeen
Seeing my meanness of fortune have become tearful.
Baskae rokaa maye nae aur seenae mae ubhraen payae ba payae
I did stop them and in my breast did arise in sequence
Maeri aahaen bakhair chaake gareebaan hoe gayeen
My sighs did rent my collar in supplication.
Vaan gayaa bhee maye thoe un-kee gaaliyoan ka kya jawaab
There did I go what count I had of their abuses
Yaad theen jithnee duwaayaen sarfe-durbaan hoe gayeen.
All the prayers had I memorised did I recite to the doorman.
Jaan fizaa haye baada jis kae haath mae jaam aagayaa
Animating is wine in whose hand did the goblet come
Sub lakeeraen haath kee goyaa ragaejaan hoe gayeen
All the lines of the palm stood up as if have become arteries
Hum muvaahhid hain, hamaara kaesh haye tharkae rasoom
We believe in one God, our religion prohibits idolatory
Millathaen jab mit gayeen izzaayae eeimaan hoe gayeen
When the idols are dismembered they become part of our faith.
Ranj sae qoegar huwa insaan thoe mit jaatha haye ranj
Where grief becomes addiction of man the anguish subsides
Mushkilaen mujh par padeen ithnee keh aasaan hoe gayeen.
So engulfed with countless hardships suffering became easy.
Yoon hee gar roathaa rahaa Ghalib thoe aye ahlae jahaan
If Ghalib were to keep lamenting listen oh world
Daekhnaa in basthiyoen koe thum kae veeraan hoe gayeen
Watch those inhabitations, they soon will be deserted.
*****
i) Varastha is sae hain kae muhabbath hi kyun na hoe
Free that I am even were it of love
Keejae hamara saath, adavath hi kyun na hoe
Do associate with me, even were it in enemity.
Choadaa na mujh mae zuaf nae rung iqthilaath kaa
Abandon me not in infirmity enjoyment of friendship
Haye dil pae baar, naqshae muhabbath hi kyun na hoe
In the heart is a visage even were it in self love.
Haye mujh koe thujh sae thazikrah qair kaa gilaa
I have for you a biography of lamentations.
Har chand bar sabeelae shikaayath hee kyun na ho.e
Although, as solace to wayfarers even were it in accusations.
Paidaa huvee haye kahthae hain, har dard kee davaa
Evolved it is said for every pain a cure
Yoon hoe thoe charah-game ulfath hee kyun na ho.e
Let the remedy for pain be, even were it in attachment.
Daala na bekasee nae kisee se muaamilaa
Placed me, did my bashfulness, with none to deal with
Apnae sae kheechthaa hoon, khajaalath hi kyun na hoe.
I drag on with myself, even though in shame.
Haye aadmee bajaayae khud yek mahsharae khayaal
Man instead of himself, thinks of day of judgement
Ham anjuman samajhthae hain khalwath hee kyun na hoe.
I consider it company even were it in solitude.
Hungama zabooni, himmath haye infiaal
Vile uproar did disgrace, took courage to bear shaame
Haasil na kee jiyae dahr sae, ibrath hee kyun na hoe.
Achieve not in a lifetime, even were it as warning.
Warasthagee bahaana baeganagee naheen
Freedom is the pretence but not as an alien
Apnae sae kar, na gair sae vashhath hee kyun na hoe
Rely on yourself, do not depend on others, even if in terror.
Mitthaa haye fauthae fursathae hasthee ka gam koyee ?
Does the leisure of death efface the pain of failure ?
Umrae azeez surfae ibaadath hee kyun na hoe.
Old age esteemed but spent, even were it in prayer.
Oos fithna khoo kae dar sae ab uththae naheen Asad
From that seditious persons door you do not rise Asad.
Iss mae hamaaray sar pae khayaamath hee kyun na hoe.
In this, over our head, were to hang the judgement day (khayamath).
*****
j) Kyaa thang hum sitham-zogaan ka jahaan haye
What distressed, mutually oppressed persons world this is
Jis mae kae yek baizaa moare aasmaan haye
In which a diffusing, blooming sky there is.
Haye kaayainaath koe haarkath thaere zauk sae
To the creation, hinderance from your joy there is.
Parthavae sae aafthaab kae zarrae mae jaan haye.
From the sun’s rays, life in a glimpse there is.
Haalaankae haye yeh seeli qara sae lal rang
Though from moist thistle do reflect purple colour
Ghaafil koe maere sheeshae pae maye kaa gumaan haye
The mediocre grudge my glass, suspecting the wine there is.
Kee usnae garm, seena ahle hawas mae jaa
He displayed fiery chest going before ambitious assembly.
Aavae na kyun pasand keh thandaa makaan haye.
Why it should not be pleasing, when a cool house there is.
Kyaa khoob, thum nae ghair koe boasa naheen diyaa ?
What delight, did you not, in others kisses ?
Bas chup rahoe hamaare bhee mooh mae zabaan haye
Be silent, in my mouth too, tongue there is.
Baithaa haye joe keh saayaa deeware yaar mae
Ensconced that he is in the shadow of beloved’s home
Farma rawaaye kishware Hindoosthaan hai.
The soverignity of the territory of Hindoostan there is.
Hasthee ka aethibaar bhee gham nae mithaa diyaa
Existence’s confidence did sorrow destroy
Kiss se kahoon keh daag jigar kaa nishaan haye.
To whom do I tell, the scar in torn lungs there is.
Haye baare aethimaad vafaadaaree iss khadar
There is concern in reliable fidelity in this way
Ghalib ham iss mae khush hain keh naamahrbaan haye.
Ghalib, I am happy in this, no obligation there is.
*****
K) Thaskeen koe ham na royaen joe zaukhae nazar milae
To console we will not lament if the pleasure of a glance were I to get
Hooraane khulad mae thaeri soorath magar milae
In the virgins of paradise your face were I to get.
Apnee galee mae mujh ko na kar dafn baadae khathl
In your lane do not burry me after my execution
Maere pathae sae qalaq koe kyun thaera ghar milae
If people were to identify your house, my address, were they to get.
Saaqee giree ki sharm karoe aaj varnaa ham
The culture of saaqi do not disgrace to day we otherwise
Har shab piyaa hee karthae hain, jis khadar milae
Every night wine do we drink in whatever form were I to get.
Thujh sae thoe kuch kalaam naheen laikin ayae nadeem
With you I have no composition to send Oh, companion, but
Maera salaam kahiyo agar naama-bar milae
Do convey my greetings the addressee were you to get.
Thum koe bhee ham dikhaayaen majnu nae kyaa kiyaa
I could show you what Majnu did do
Fursath kasha kashe gham pinhan sae gar milae
If leasure from struggle, hidden grief , were I to get.
Laazim naheen kae Khizr kee ham pairavee karaen
It is not obligatory that we obey the prophet Khizr (Who drank from fountain of life).
Jaana kae yek buzarg hamaen ham-safar milae.
Granted one revered old man to us a fellow traveler was I to get.
Ayae saakinaane koocha dildaar ! daekhnaa
Oh inhabitants of tranquil narrow lane keep a look out
Thum koe kaheen joe Ghalib ashuftha sar milae.
If any where disheavelled head of Ghalib were you to get.
*****
l) Koyee ummeed bar naheen aathee
No hope as a gift does not appear
Koyee soorath nazar naheen aathee
No sign in sight does not appear.
Mauth ka ek din muayyan haye
Death is one day inevitable
Neend kyun raath bhar naheen aathee.
Why sleep the whole night does not appear.
Aagae aathee thi haale dil pae hansee
Then used to smile at my situation
Aba kisee baath par naheen aathee
Now smile in any condition does not appear.
Jaantha hoon sawaab, tha-uth-v o-zuhad
I know the reward of submission and abstinance
Par thabeeuth idhar naheen aathee.
But the fondness to this disposition does not appear.
Kyun na cheequon keh yaad karthae hain
Why not shout that I try to remember
Maeri aawaaz gar naheen aathee !
My voice however does not appear !
Haye kuch aisae hi baath joe chup hoon
It is some talk of this nature that I am silent.
Varna kya baath kar naheen aathee
The art of discourse to me does not appear.
Daage dil nazar naheen aathaa
Misfortunes of heart if cannot be seen
Boo bhi aye charahgar naheen aathee ?
The scent oh healer does not appear ?
Ham wahaan hain jahaan sae ham koe bhee
I am in that place from where to me
Kuch hamaaeee khabar naheen aathee.
My own information does not appear.
Marthae hain aarzoo mae marnae kee
Termination in death my desire of death
Mauth aathee haye par naheen aathee
Death does come, yet does not appear.
Kaabe kiss munh sae javogae Ghalib
With what face you will visit kaaba oh Ghalib
Sharm thum koe magar naheen aathee.
Shame to you does not appear.
*****
m) Dilae naadaan thujhae huvaa kya haye
Innocent heart, to you what has happened
Aakhir iss dard kee davaa kya haye.
After all to this pain is there a remedy.
Ham hain mushtaaq aur voh bezaar
I am vivacious and she is sad
Ya ilahee yeh maajra kya haye.
Oh God, what is this happening.
Maye bhi munh mae zabaan rakhtha hoon
I too have a tongue placed in my mouth
Kaash poochoe kae muddaa kya haye
Were you to ask me, what is stolen.
Jab kae thujh bin naheen koyee maujood
When nothing exists without you
Phir yeh hangaama aye Khuda kya haye
Why this tumult about what is God.
Yeh paree chahra loag kaisae hain
Who this angel faced people are
Gamza vo ishwah vo adaa kya haye
What is this ogling, coquetry and acting.
Shikne zulfe anbareen kyun hain
Why wrinkled locks are ambergris
Nigah chashme soorma sa kya haye
Why the slanting, sprinkling eyes appear filled with collegian (surmah).
Sabza-vo-gul kahaan sae aayae hain
From where the vegetation and flowers have come.
Abr kyaa cheez hai, havaaa kya haye.
What is cloud, what is wind.
Ham koe un-se vafa kee haye ummeed
To me is the belief in her sincerity
Joe naheen jaanthae vafa kya haye.
Who do not know what is fidelity.
Haan bhala kar bhala hogaa
Do good, good things will happen to you.
Aur darvaesh kee sadaa kya haye
What else do the mendicants ever say.
Jaan thum par nissaar kartha hoon
I sacrifice my life for you
Maye naheen jaantha duaa kya haye.
I do not know what prayer is.
Maye nae maana kae kuch naheen Ghalib
I agree that there is nothing Ghalib
Mufth haath aayae thoe buraa kya haye.
If you get it free what is the harm.
n) Husne mah garcha ba hangame kamaal achcha haye
Beauty of moon is good, season of perfection is good.
Oos sae maaera mahe khursheed jamaal achcha haye.
From these my beauty of sun (beloved’s face) is good.
Boasa daethe naheen aur dil pah hai har lahaza nigaah
Kiss they do not but on the heart a fleeting attention
Jee mae kahthae hain kae mufth aayae thoe maal achcha haye.
In the mind they say, if you get free, the wealth is good.
Aur baazaar sae lay aayae agar toott gayaa
If you bring it from the market and is broken
Saagarae jam sae maera jaame sifaal achcha haye.
From a wine bowl, my earthen goblet is good.
Bae thalab dain thoe mazaa usmae seeva miltha haye
If they give without demanding the flavour in addition we get
Voh gadaa jiss koe na hoe khoove-savaal achcha haye.
That beggar who has not the habit of questioning, is good.
Oonke daekhae sae joe aajaathi haye muh par raunaq
On her watching on our face appears that brightness
Voh samajhthae hain kae beemaar ka haal achcha haye.
She thinks that patients’ condition is good.
Daekhiyae paathe hain ushshaq buthoen sae kya faiz
Let us see what we get from speechless beloved’s as favour
Ek brahman nae kaha haye kae yeh saal achcha haye
One brahmin (astrologer) has said this year is good.
Ham sukhan theeshe nae Farhaad koe Shireen sae kiyaa
A frustrated author has made Furhad into Shireen
Jis tharah ka keh kisee mae hoe kamaal achcha haye.
Whatever that be, what miracle is done is good.
Khathrah daryaa mae joe mil jaaye thoe daryaa hoe jaayae
If a drop of water mingles with the sea it becomes the sea
Kaam achcha haye voh jiss ka keh maal achcha haiye
The work is good, if the payment is good.
Khizr sulthaan koe rakhae khaaliqe akbar sar subz
Khizr (prophet) sovereign let great God confer green vegetation.
Shaah kae baag mae yeh thaazah nihaal achcha haye.
In the sovereigns garden this fresh sapling is good.
Ham koe maaloom haye jannath kee haqeeqath laekin
I know the reality about heaven, but;
Dil koe khush rakhnae koe Ghalib yeh qayaal achcha haye.
To keep the heart pleased oh Ghalib the thought is good.
*****
o) Gair lain mahfil mae bosae jaam kae
Strangers take in congregation sips of wine
Ham rahaen yoon thashna-lub paighaam kae
While I remain thirsty to send an oral line (message).
Khasthagee kaa thum sae kya shikwah kae yeh
Of fatigue with you what complaint there are
Hathkandae hain charge-neeli fam kae.
The levity, who are the falcons of blue sky.
Khat likhaenge garchae mathlab kuch na hoe
Letter to you we write, if substance there is none
Ham thoe aashiq hain thumhaare naam kae
After all we are your lovers of reputation.
Raath pee zam-zam pa maye aur soobahdam
At night drank wine as if zam-zam (holy water of makkah) and at dawn
Dhoayae dhabbae jaamah ihraam kae.
Washed the stains of the ahraam (the dress worn by Haj-pilgrims).
Dil koe aankhoan nae phansaaya kya magar,
Heart was captured by the eyes still,
Yeh bhee halqae hain thumhaare daam kae.
These are the servitude of your (trap) design.
Shah kae haye gusle-sihath kee khabr,
The king is taking bath after recovery, is the news,
Daekhiyae kab din phiraen hamaam kae.
See what changes of fortune is of the bathroom.
Ishq nae Ghalib nikamma kar diyaa,
Love has made you Ghalib worthless,
Varna aadmi ham bhi thae kaam kae.
Otherwise you too were a man of substance..
p) Nookhtha – cheen haye, ghame – dil, uskoe sunaayae na banae,
Criticism is, saddening of heart hence to advise, is not done,
Kya banae baath jahaan baath banaayae na banae
What communication is possible,when to inform, is not done.
Maye bulaatha hoon uskoe magar aye jazbah-ye dil,
I keep inviting her oh turbulant heart.
Oos pae ban jaaye kuch aysee kae bin aayae na banae.
Let it so happen to her she cannot help coming, and refusal, is not done.
Khael samjhaa haye, kaheen choed na dae bhool na jaayae
Playfulness they think, release or forget, let them not.
Kaash yoon bhee hoe kae bin maere sathaaye na banae
Were it so to be, without my teasing too, is not done.
Gair phirthaa haye liyae yoon thaere khat koe keh agar
If stranger is wandering taking your letter
Koyee poochae kae yeh kya haye thoe chupayae na banae.
If asked what it is, concealing it, is not done.
Iss nazaakath ka buraa hoe, voh bhalae hain thoe kya !
This softness results in bad or good, so what !
Haath aavaen tho unhaen haath lagaaye na banae.
If comes in hand, to touch, is not done.
Kah sakae kaun kae yeh jalwah-giri kis kee haye ?
Who can say this splendour belongs to whom ?
Parda choadaa haye voh usne keh uthaayae na banae.
She has dropped the veil, to lift it, is not done.
Mauth kee raah na daekhoon ? keh bin aayae na rahae
Watch not the road of death? without coming will it remain.
Thum koe chahoon ? keh na aavoe thoe bulaayae na banae
Desire you ? you do not come, to invite you, is not done.
Boaja voh sar sae giraa haye keh uthaaye na oothae
The burden has fallen from the head, to lift, cannot be lifted
Kaam voh aan padaa haye keh banayae na banae.
Work of such shame has come, to do, is not done.
Ishq par zoar naheen, haye yeh aathish Ghalib
Love, on it don’t apply force, it is that fire oh Ghalib
Keh lagaaye na lagae aur bujhaaye na banae
That to light it cannot, to extinguish it, is not done.
q) Ibne mariyam huvaa karae koyye
Son of Mary (Christ) let some one be
Maeri dukh kee davaa karae koyee.
My agonies treatment some one do, so it be.
Shuroo voh aameen par madaar sahee
Devine code or Ameen be the central seat
Aysae khaathil ka kya karae koyee ?
Of such a killer what can one do, so it be.
Chaal jaysae kadee kamaan ka theer
The gait is as if tense bows arrow
Dil mae aysae kae jaa karae koyee
Were it to pierce the heart, so it be.
Baath par vaan zabaan katthee haye
On a word there the tongue is severed
Voh kahaen aur sunaa karae koyee
Let them tell, let some one listen, so it be.
Bak raha hoon junoon mae kya kya kuch
Babbling in madness I am what all things
Kuch na samjhae khudaa karae koyee
Let no one understand, what God does, so it be.
Na sunoe, gar buraa kahae koyee
Do not listen if bad things say some one
Na kahoe, gar buraa karae koyee.
Do not say if wrong is done, so it be.
Roak loe, gar ghalath chalae koyee
Do stop, if some one misconducts
Bakhsh doe gar khataa karae koyee
Do pardon, if crime one commits, so it be.
Kaun haye joe naheen haye haajathmand
Who is not a person in need
Kiss kee haajath rawaan karae koyee ?
Whose need can be relieved so it be.
Kya kiyaa Khizr nae Sikandar sae
What did Khizr do with Sikandar (Alexander the Great).
Ab kisae rahnuma karae koyee
Now whom do we make a sympathiser, so it be.
Jab thawaqqa hee ooth gayee Ghalib
When expectation itself is lost oh Ghalib
Kyun kisee ka gilaa karae koyee.
Why complain of any one, so it be.
*****
r) Hazaaroan qwahishaen aisee keh har qwaahish pae dam niklae
Thousands of desires were such that with every desire breath passed away.
Bahuth niklae maerae armaan laikin phir bhi kam niklae
Many desires did arise still too few passed away.
Darae kyun maera khaathil, kya raheaga uske gardan par
Why should my excuntioner fear what will be there on his neck
Voh khoon, joe chashm thar sae umr bhar yoon dam-ba-dam niklae
That blood which as tears flowed for the whole life every moment passed away
Nikalna khuld sae Aadam kaa sunthae aaye hain laikin
Have heard of Adam’s expulsion from paradise, but
Bahuth bae-aabroo hoe kar therae koochae sae ham niklae
Much disappointed from your locality we passed away.
Bharam khul jaaye zaalim, thaera khamath hee daraazi ka
Your nearest will be out oh tormentor of your height of esteem
Agar is tharha par peeh-o-gam ka paechogam niklae
In this manner the complication of the perflexity passed away.
Huvee iss daur mae mansoob mujh sae baadah aashamee
In this age I got involved with a campfire drinking
Phir aaya voh zamana joe jahaan mae jaame-jam niklae
Then came back that age when jame-jamshed (who read events in the mirror) passed away.
Magar likhwaye koyee uskoe khath thoe hamse likhwaaye
If some one wants to write a letter to her, write through me
Huvee subah aur ghar sae, kaan par rakh kar khalam niklae
On the break of dawn placing the pen on my ear I passed away.
Huvee jin sae thavaqqu khasthagee kee daad paanae kee
From those I had hope of finding relief from fatigue
Voh hum sae bhee ziyaadah khastha thaeghi sitham niklae
They turned out to be more sadistic as I passed away
Muhabbath mae naheen haye farq jeenae aur marnae ka
In love there is hardly any difference of life and death
Usee koe daekh kar jeethae hain jis kaafir pae dam niklae
I kept looking at that kaafir (beloved) looking at whom my breath passed away.
Kahaan maikhaane ka darwazah Ghalib aur kahaan waaiz
Where is the tavern’s door Ghalib and where is the preacher
Par ithna jaanthae hain, kal voh jaatha thaa kae ham niklae
But I know this much, yesterday he came in as I went away.
*****
s) Muddath huvee haye yaar koe mahmaan kiyae huvae
It is so long, my beloved; I have welcomed with hospitality
Joeshae khadah sae bazme charaagaan kiyae huvae
With flowing goblets illuminating the assembly.
Kartha hoon jamaa phir jigre lakhthe lakhth koe
I have collected a glossary of vocabulary from dictionary of my heart
Arsaa huvaa haye daavathe misrgaan kiyae huvae
It is a long time I have gathered them in my eye lids.
Phir vazye ihthiyaath sae ruknae laga haye dam
Once more with over caution my breath is choked
Arsoan huvae hain chaak gareaban kiyae huvae
It is ages I indulged in tightening my collar (commiserating).
Phir garm naala haaye shararbaar haye nafs
Once more warm tears emit sparks of fiery sensuality
Muddath huvee haye saire chiragaan kiyae huvae
It is sometimes I have visited the saint’s tomb to light a candle.
Phir pursishae jiraahath dil koe chala haye ishq
Once again love has gone inquiring about heart surgery
Saamane sad hazaar namakadaan kiyae huvae
With samples of hundreds, thousands saltcellars.
Phir bhar rahaa hoon quama misrgaan ba khoone dil
Once again filling the holder with tears of bleeding heart
Saaze chaman tharaazi daamaan kiyae huvae
Adorning the garden with mellowing musical notes.
Ba-hamde-gar huvae hain dilo deedah phir raqeeb
Inter locked is heart and eyes once more in watchfulness
Nazzarah voe khayaal ka saamaan kiyae huvae.
Making amorous glances and conceptions as habitual offences.
Dil phir thavvaafe kooye malaamath koe jaaye haye
Heart once more roams around those lanes of reviling
Pindaar ka sanamkadah veeraan kiyae huvae
Abandoning the idols of proud temples of worship
Phir shaukh kar rahaa haye khareedaar kee thalab
Once more longing is on the outlook for a desiring purchaser
Arzae mathaaye akhl-vo-dilojaan kiyae huvae
Petitioning valuable wisdom heartily embraced.
Daudae haye phir har yek gul-o-lala par khayaal
Racing is thought towards every rose and tulip
Sad gulsithaan nigaah ka saamaan kiyae huvae
Hundreds of flowers in a glance enraptured
Phir chaahthaa hoon naama dilodaar khoalnaa
Once more I desire to open the letter of sweet heart
Jaan nazre dil faraebi unwaan kiyae huvae
Life, o vision, heart alluring making as a title of book
Maange haye phir kisee koe labae baam parhawas
Demanding once again is lust for lips so desirable
Zulfae siyaah rukh pa paraeshaan kiyae huvae
The dark hair on the face as guarding distractions.
Ek nau bahaare naaz koe thaake haye phir nigaah
To an early bloom of spring coquetry is yearning for a glance
Chakra farookhe mayae sae gulisthaan kiyae huvae
The brightened face with wine as if in a garden in full bloom.
Phir jee mae haye kiraedaar pae kisee kae padae rahaen
Again does the heart desire that I remain lying in your doorstep
Sar zaer baare minnathe darbaan kiyae huvae
Under your patronage indebted as your watchman.
Jee dhoondtha haye phir vohee fursath kae raath din
The heart is searching for these idle nights and days.
Baithae rahaen thasawware janaan kiyae huvae
Sitting with your imagination as soul companion.
Ghalib hamain na chaed kae phir joashe ashk sae
Ghalib, do not insult me, as with boiling tears
Baithae hain ham thaheethar thoofaan kiyae huvae
I am perched, determined to make a storm within.