Thursday 9 January 2014

Ghalib 125

Gone is that matter which e'en addressed wouldn't matter
Why speak when what is spoken like ashes must scatter?

Union is the name of what gnaws at our Mind
If it isn't where isn't it to Loose or to Bind?

Courtesy is a mask that lacerates the face
Shame in this matter is Beauty's disgrace

Adoring his idol- how would the Brahmin eat?
Did every idol its adorer she like me treat

Even the timid glance of the mirror so excites your ire
Had you a second in the City its minarets were of Fire.

Whose fate is to face days black as mine
If Day he calls Night which Moon will repine?

My hope revives with her professions of esteem
 If further she won't inquire, my lot is but dream

The faith I placed in her epistle was no foolish mistake
What eye to eye isn't seen, is Unseen for Heaven's sake!

 Of the Theodicy of Love in Separation, if this Envoi is trite yet odd.
 Tell her, Ghalib isn't raving,  he echoes the shadow of God


gaʾī vuh bāt kih ho guftago to kyūñkar ho
kahe se kuchh nah huʾā phir kaho to kyūñkar ho

hamāre żahn meñ us fikr kā hai nām viṣāl
kih gar nah ho to kahāñ jāʾeñ ho to kyūñkar ho
adab hai aur yihī kashmakash to kyā kīje
ḥayā hai aur yihī gomago to kyūñkar ho
tumhīñ kaho kih guzārā sanam-parastoñ kā
butoñ kī ho agar aisī hī ḳho to kyūñkar ho
ulajhte ho tum agar dekhte ho āʾīnah
jo tum se shahr meñ hoñ ek do to kyūñkar ho
jise naṣīb ho roz-e siyāh merā sā
vuh shaḳhṣ din nah kahe rāt ko to kyūñkar ho
hameñ phir un se umīd aur uñheñ hamārī qadr
hamārī bāt hī pūchheñ nah vo to kyūñkar ho
ġhalat̤ nah thā hameñ ḳhat̤ par gumāñ tasallī kā
nah māne dīdah-e dīdār-jo to kyūñkar ho



mujhe junuu;N nahii;N ;Gaalib vale bah qaul-e ;hu.zuur

firaaq-e yaar me;N taskiin ho to kyuu;Nkar ho

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