Image: Samurai Art I search the vastness,The deep recesses of my mind.I close my eyes, but it only turns me blind.Staring in this void,No answers I can find.An epiphany occurs,The pieces of puzzle I must bind,Body, Soul and the mind.So, I plunge in my heart, I heard that’s where the Soul resides.The darkness rings a […]
Body, Soul and The Mind
(Zarb-e-Kaleem-197) La Deeni-o-La Teeni, Kis Paich Mein Uljha Tu
La Deeni-o-La-Teeyni, Ks Paich Mein Uljha Tu
Daru Hai Zaeefon Ka ‘La Ghaliba-Illah Hu’
Secularism and Latin script! What a meaningless controversy!
The panacea for the weak is: Naught is powerful except God.
Sayyad-e-Maani Ko Yourap Se Hai Naumeedi
Dilkash Hai Faza, Lekin Be-Nafah Tamam Aahu
Those interested in spirit are despaired of Europe;
The atmosphere there is pleasant but its deer is without musk.
Be Ashak-e-Sehargahi Taqweem-e-Khudi Mushkil
Ye Lala-e-Paikani Khaushtar Hai Kinar-e-Ju
Khudi hardly becomes strong without morning tears:
This arrow‐shaped tulip can well grow by the riverside.
Sayyad Hai Kafir Ka, Nachcheer Hai Momin Ka
Ye Dair-e-Kuhan Yani Butkhana-e-Rang-o-Bu
This old tavern, the world of smell and colour,
Is the hunter of the unbeliever but the prey of the believer.
Ae Sheikh, Ameeron Ko Masjid Se Nikalwa De
Hai Un Ki Namazon Se Mehraab Tursh Aabru
O Shaykh, get these rich people out of the mosque!
The niche is sour‐faced at their prayers!
Allama Iqbal- poet of the East.
ستاروں سے آگے جہاں اور بھی ہیں
ابھی عشق کے امتحاں اوربھی ہیں
Sitaron Se Agay Jahan Aur Bhi Hain
Abhi Ishq Ke Imtihan Aur Bhi Hain
[Beyond stars, there are other worlds to behold, Many struggles lie ahead in the path of love!]
تہی زندگی سے نہیں یہ فضائیں
یہاں سینکڑوں کارواں اور بھی ہیں
Thi Zindagi Se Nahin Ye Fazaen
Yahan Saikron Karwaan Aur Bhi Hain
[These winds do not lack life. Hundreds of other caravans are here!]
قناعت نہ کر عالمِ رنگ و بو پر
چمن اور بھی آشیاں اور بھی ہیں
Qana’at Na Kar Alam-e-Rang-o-Bu Par
Chaman Aur Bhi Ashiyan Aur Bhi Hain
[Do not be content with the world of hues and fragrance. Other gardens there are, other nests, too!]
اگر کھو گیا اک نشیمن تو کیا غم
مقاماتِ آہ و فغاں اور بھی ہیں
Agar Kho Gya Ek Nasheeman To Kya Gham
Maqamat-e-Aah-o-Faghan Aur Bhi Hain
[Why be sad upon losing a single aerie? There are other places to lament and sigh!]
تُو شاہیں ہے، پرواز ہے کام تیرا
تیرے سامنے آسماں اور بھی ہیں
Tu Shaheen Hai, Parwaz Hai Kaam Tera
Tere Samne Asmaan Aur Bhi Hain
[You are a shaheen, soaring high is your specialty. Heavens stretch out before you!]
اسی روزوشب میں آُلجھ کر نہ رہ جا
کہ تیرے زماں و مکاں اور بھی ہیں
Issi Roz-o-Shab Mein Ulajh Kar Na Reh Ja
Ke Tere Zaman-o-Makan Aur Bhi Hain
[Do not get caught in today’s and tonight’s tangling. There are times and places ahead of you!]
گۓ دن کہ تنہا تھا میں انجمن میں
یہاں اب میرے رازداں اور بھی ہیں
Gaye Din Ke Tanha Tha Main Anjuman Mein
Yahan Ab Mere Raazdaan Aur Bhi Hain
[Those days are no more, when I was a lone star. Many here are my confidants now!]
This is a poem by one of the most famous poets after Rumi, in the East. Allama Iqbal a philosopher and a poet. This is an excerpt from Baal-e-Jibril (Wings of Gabriel). Shaheen is a subspecie of Eagle family. It’s native to the Indian Subcontinent, China, Burma and Srilanka. Shaheen is unique because it can fly upto a speed of 200 mph. Shaheen makes it nests in high elevations. Here, Iqbal presents Shaheen as a metaphor to latent human potential.
I thought of reading and translating this poem because I haven’t posted anything for over a month. This poem serves me a reminder to not get caught up in daily trappings. It reminds us to not get complacent, not lament over lost things. There is much more life will offer, so long as you embrace the blessings and be grateful.
If you want to read more motivational poems like this. Share and comment. Perhaps next time, I will pick one of his famous Persian poem. 👇
Macro Passions 