Ghalib's ghazal 21

This poem was written after 1826- the year Ghalib set out for Calcutta. It explores the Sufi Talwin/Tamkin szygy in a charming, popular, style. 

Complaint is 'talwin'- colorful and changeful, an attribute, like the song of the love-struck nightingale- whereas 'tamkin'- is fixed and self-possessed- it is an essence, like the scent of the rose of which the doomed bird sings. This is related to the 'rang o bu'- color/scent syzygy pervasive in Urdu poetry.

Ghalib uses the phrase 'shikāyat'hā-e rangīñ- lover's complaints of countless hues- whereas 'tamkin' means assured possession. Thus, in contemporary Iran, 'tamkin' refers to the Law by which wives must make themselves attractive and available to their husbands. Of course, Islam regards this as a reciprocal duty- but, men are made of a baser clay.

'Taghaful'- the coquetry of feigned indifference- could be regarded as something which enhances attractiveness. Thus appearing not to comply with 'tamkin'- i.e. to delay the Lord's gratification- and being changeable (talwin), arbitrary, capricious, etc. may actually be a superior type of observance of the underlying duty.

From the point of view of Tawhid- i.e. pure Islamic Monism- the talvin/tamkin binary can mislead seekers- but only if God has so willed. This gives a complex theological poignancy- to attest aught is to but absurdly test the impassibility of a Deus Absconditus (taġhāfulhā-e tamkīñ-āzmāna)- to what would otherwise be a melodious sonnet written by a handsome and witty young courtier on the make.

Yearning's endearing delighters, how various and nefarious are they?

Ah! In sooth, if no Death is, in truth, Life were yet more grey

When, from head to toe, there is no conceit not coquetry's play

What boots this blazon of Courtesy's chill display?

Blandishments are so lavished on the blameworthy today

Complaint is itself ravished of what, Pure, it might say

Blushing, I desire an eye utterly naked in assay

Coyness in a King proves- what exactly pray?

The life of a rush light is but a single breath

Yearning is Honor's death in Faith's affray.

Pneuma is a wave of the Ocean of washing itself away

The Saqi's uncatchable eye is the decanter on her tray

The scent of raiment, indical, glitters not in the Mind's array

The mistral's mission of sorrow brooks no languorous delay

In the pulse of every droplet is the shell-song- 'the Sea is me!'

Than-"Yours utterly are we!"- what more can utterance say?

Why so circumspect? I stood bail for this. Look at me, not away!

Martyring me with a glance, how much weregild will you pay?

Listen! O plunderer of the dear purchased goblet of the Heart's Fidelity

Does the sound of its shattering enliven your revelry gay?

Long suffering in Love renders rank its own thorn wrought bouquet

That our livers are lily pale, did we ever gainsay?

An Assassin, this Vow of Endurance whose trials are durance for aye

Hope is a strength stealing Delilah, impatient for infidel pay!

Life-blighting is every trope, talking, utter she what she may

Her every air, every grace, a mocking 'I hear & obey!'.

I've copied what follows from Francis Pritchett's 'desertful of roses' website which gives further commentary

havas ko hai nishāt̤-e kār kyā kyā

nah ho marnā to jīne kā mazā kyā

{21,2}

tajāhul-peshagī se muddaʿā kyā
kahāñ tak ay sarāpā nāz kyā kyā

{21,3}

navāzish'hā-e be-jā dekhtā hūñ
shikāyat'hā-e rangīñ kā gilā kyā

{21,4}

nigāh-e be-muḥābā chāhtā hūñ
taġhāfulhā-e tamkīñ-āzmā kyā

{21,5}

furoġh-e shuʿlah-e ḳhas yak nafas hai
havas ko pās-e nāmūs-e vafā kyā

{21,6}

nafas mauj-e muḥīt̤-e be-ḳhvudī hai
taġhāfulhā-e sāqī kā gilā kyā

{21,7}

dimāġh-e ʿit̤r-e pairāhan nahīñ hai
ġham-e āvāragīhā-e ṣabā kyā

{21,8}

dil-e har qat̤rah hai sāz-e anā al-baḥr
ham us ke haiñ hamārā pūchhnā kyā

{21,9}

muḥābā kyā hai maiñ ẓāmin idhar dekh
shahīdān-e nigah kā ḳhūñ-bahā kyā

{21,10}

sun ay ġhārat-gar-e jins-e vafā sun
shikast-e qīmat-e dil kī ṣadā kyā

{21,11}

kiyā kis ne jigar-dārī kā daʿvâ
shikeb-e ḳhātir-e ʿāshiq bhalā kyā

{21,12}

yih qātil vaʿdah-e ṣabr-āzmā kyūñ
yih kāfir fitnah-e t̤āqat-rubā kyā

{21,13}

balā-e jāñ hai ġhālib us kī har bāt
ʿibārat kyā ishārat kyā adā kyā