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behuda-sarii itni-momin KhaaN momin
For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
https://urdushahkar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/mKhm-behuda-sarii-itni-audio.mp3
Recitation
بیہودہ سری اِتنی ۔ مومن خاں مومنؔ
۱
منہ کو نہ سیا ناصح کی بخیہ گری اِتنی
لوں میں بھی ابھی لتّے، ہیں! پردہ دری اِتنی
۲
تم اُٹھ گئے محفل سے ذکر آتے ہی مجنوں کا
سایہ سے مرے وحشت اے رشکِ پری اِتنی
۳
دل لے کے وفا کیسی پر قول تو دینا تھا
اے سیم تن آفت ہے تو مفت بری اِتنی
۴
بے پردہ پسِ چلمن یکبار تم آ بیٹھے
ہے تابِ نظر کس کو کیوں جلوہ گری اِتنی
۵
لازم تھا عذر مجھ سے ناچیز کے نالوں سے
پر تجھ کو کہاں غیرت اے بے اثری اِتنی
۶
لو چھیڑے ہے نِکہت کو گلہائے شبینہ کی
اب تم سے بھی چل نکلی بادِ سحری اِتنی
۷
یہ کون کہے اُس سے کی ترکِ وفا میں نے
کر تو ہی ذرا ناصح پیغام بری اِتنی
۸
کیا ہو گئی خود بینی اب غیر سے چشمک ہے
یا خوش نگہی وہ کچھ یا بد نظری اِتنی
۹
کہتا ہے میرے آگے وہ مجھ پہ عدو غش ہے
ہے ہے میری اُلفت سے ہے بے خبری اِتنی
۱۰
سجدہ نہ کہیں کرنا مومنؔ قدمِ بُت پر
کعبے ہی میں ہوتی ہے بیہودہ سری اِتنی
बेहूदा-सरी इतनी – मोमिन ख़ाँ मोमिन
१
मुँह को न सिया नास’ह की बख़िया-गरी इतनी
लूँ मैं भी अभी लत्ते, हैं! पर्दा-दरी इतनी
२
तुम उठ गए महफ़िल से ज़िक्र आते ही मजनूँ का
साये से मेरे वहशत अए रश्क-ए परी इतनी
३
दिल ले के वफ़ा कैसी पर क़ौल तो देना था
अए सीम-तन आफ़त है तू मुफ़्त-बरी इतनी
४
बे-पर्दा पस-ए चिलमन यकबार तुम आ बैठे
है ताब-ए नज़र किस को क्यूँ जल्वा-गरी इतनी
५
लाज़िम था उज़र मुझ से नाचीज़ के नालों से
पर तुझ को कहाँ ग़ैरत अए बे-असरी इतनी
६
लो छेढे है निक्हत को गुल-हा-ए शबीना की
अब तुम से भी चल निकली बाद-ए सहरी इतनी
७
ये कौन कहे उस से की तर्क-ए वफ़ा मैं ने
कर तू ही ज़रा नास’ह पैग़ाम-बरी इतनी
८
क्या हो गई ख़ुद-बीनी अब ग़ैर से चश्मक है
या ख़ुश-निगही वो कुछ या बद-नज़री इतनी
९
कहता है मेरे आगे वो मुझ पे अदू ग़श है
है है मेरी उल्फ़त से है बे-ख़बरी इतनी
१०
सज्दा न कहीं करना मोमिन क़दम-ए बुत पर
का’बे ही में होती है बेहूदा-सरी इतनी
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. momin KhaaN momin (1800-1852), was a hakim following the profession of his father and grandfather. momin received education in arabi, faarsi, urdu and in medicine, mathematics, and astrology – which must have involved some study of astronomy, which he uses in his compositions. momin composed unabashedly about romantic themes with much witticism on his taKhallus.
1
muNh ko na siya1 naaseh2 kii baKhiya-gari3 itni
luN maiN bhi abhi latt’e4, haiN5! parda-dari6 itni 1.stitch 2.moralist, preacher 3.sewing, mending, stitching 4.latt’e lena – punish, get even, ‘I will ‘see’ you’ 5.used as an exclamation – Oh! 6.veil-lifting, exposing
The moralist/enforcer has been sewing/mending the lover’s torn collar – kii baKhiya-gari intni, but he has failed to stitch his lips i.e., he has been talking about the lover to others, exposing his secret love – parda-dari itni. The lover threatens/warns him, I will take care of you.
2
tum uTh ga’e mahfil1 se zikr2 aate hi majnuN3 ka
saaye4 se mer’e vahshat5 aye rashk-e-pari6 itni 1.gathering 2.mention 3.legendary lover of laila 4.shadow 5.madness, fear, dread 6.envy of fairies, because she is more beautiful than fairies
The poet/lover calls majnuN his shadow i.e., he is the real lover and majnuN is merely his shadow, a faint reflection of the real lover. In a similar exaggeration the beloved is described as so beautiful that she is the envy of fairies. You left the gathering the moment majnuN was mentioned; O envy of fairies, do you have so much dread/abhorence for even a reflection of my love.
3
dil le ke vafa1 kaisi par qaul2 to dena tha
aye siim-tan3 aafat4 hai tu muft-bari5 itni 1.loyalty, faithfulness 2.word, promise 3.silver-bodied, delicate beauty 4.calamity, trouble 5.making with something without paying, free acquisition
You made off with my heart without any recompense, without even giving me your word/promise. O silver-bodied one, this free usurping is a calamity.
4
be-parda1 pas2-e chilman3 yakbaar4 tum aa baiTh’e
hai taab5-e nazar6 kis ko kyuN jalva-gari7 itni 1.unveiled 2.behind 3.curtain 4.all of a sudden 5.strength, endurance 6.sight 7.manifestation in full glory, display of beauty
The beloved suddenly appeared unveiled, in full glory, behind the curtain. But her glory filters through the curtain, but who has the capacity to bear even this filtered sight.
5
laazim1 tha uzr2 mujh se naachiiz3 ke naaloN4 se
par tujh ko kahaaN Ghairat5 aye be-asari6 itni 1.necessary 2.excuse, objection 3.worthless, insignificant (the poet himself) 4.lament 6.sense of honor/pride 7.ineffectiveness
The lover’s laments have no effect; they are annoying; everyone (even effectiveness) objects to them, except ineffectiveness itself. It was necessary/proper to object to the laments of a worthless person like me, but where do you have the pride to care, O ineffectiveness! You are the only one that recognizes my laments i.e., they remain ineffective.
6
lo chheRe1 hai nik’hat2 ko gul-haa3-e shabiina4 ki
ab tum se bhi chal nikli baad5-e sahari6 itni 1.stirred 2.fragrance 3.flowers 4.nightly 5.breeze 6.early morning
gul-haa-e shabiina could be literally the flower garland that the beloved was wearing last night or they could symbolize delicate memories of a night of celebration. The early morning breeze has gone beyond you, is doing one better than you, is surpassing your mischief; it is stirring up the fragrance of the nightly flowers (stirring up memories). This is likely to reveal the secrets of the night … hence this mischief is even more than what the beloved usually does.
7
ye kaun kah’e uss se kii tark1-e vafa2 maiN ne
kar tuu hi zara naaseh3 paiGhaam-bari4 itni 1.abandonment, giving up 2.loyalty, fidelity 3.moralizer, preacher 4.message-bearing
This interpretation assumes a lot of background and may be a bit of a stretch, but it is typically witty momin. The naaseh has been lecturing the lover warning him to stay away from the beloved. The lover pretends to agree to do that, but turns around and asks the naasseh, who would dare tell her that I abandoned loyalty? And follows up with this suggestion … O naaseh, since you’re the one who has persuaded me to give up my love, why don’t you carry this message too? A sarcastic jab – either the naaseh would not dare, or if he does, he might be afflicted with love of the beloved himself upon seeing her beauty; or he might get chewed out, much to the delight of the lover who finds this chance to get even with the pestering preacher.
8
kya ho ga’ii Khud-biini1 ab Ghair2 se chashmak3 hai
yaa Khush-nigahi4 voh kuchh yaa bad-nazari5 itni 1.self-regard, self-respect 2.other, rival 3.winking 4.beautiful/dignified glance 5.lecherous gaze
What has happened to that erstwhile self-respect, when you even refused to look directly at me; you now wink at the rival. Once you maintained a reserved/dignified glance and now you cast lecherous glances at the rival. What a transformation!
9
kahta hai mer’e aag’e1 voh mujh pe adu2 Ghash3 hai
hai-hai4 meri ulfat5 se hai be-Khabari6 itni 1.in front of me, before me, to me 2.enemy, rival 3.faints 4.short for haa’e-haa’e – an expression of anguish 5.love 6.unawareness, indifference, ignorance
The beloved is praising the rival before the lover by saying that the rival’s love is so sincere/deep that he faints upon seeing me. Alas, she is totally unaware of my love.
10
sajda1 na kahiiN karna momin2 qadam3-e but4 par
kaa’be hi meN hoti hai behooda-sari5 itni 1.prostration, bowing down in devotion 2.pen-name 3.feet 4.idol, beloved 5.absurdity, foolishness
I find two possible interpretations … both very explosive. (a)O momin, don’t go prostrating before the idol (beloved), such foolishness is reserved only for the holy k’aaba! or (b)don’t prostrate at the feet of the beloved for fear of dirtying her feet. You can do all the defiling you want at the k’aaba.
momin KhaaN momin (1800-1852), was a hakim following the profession of his father and grandfather. momin received education in arabi, faarsi, urdu and in medicine, mathematics, and astrology – which must have involved some study of astronomy, which he uses in his compositions. momin composed unabashedly about romantic themes with much witticism on his taKhallus.
1
muNh ko na siya1 naaseh2 kii baKhiya-gari3 itni
luN maiN bhi abhi latt’e4, haiN5! parda-dari6 itni
1.stitch 2.moralist, preacher 3.sewing, mending, stitching 4.latt’e lena – punish, get even, ‘I will ‘see’ you’ 5.used as an exclamation – Oh! 6.veil-lifting, exposing
The moralist/enforcer has been sewing/mending the lover’s torn collar – kii baKhiya-gari intni, but he has failed to stitch his lips i.e., he has been talking about the lover to others, exposing his secret love – parda-dari itni. The lover threatens/warns him, I will take care of you.
2
tum uTh ga’e mahfil1 se zikr2 aate hi majnuN3 ka
saaye4 se mer’e vahshat5 aye rashk-e-pari6 itni
1.gathering 2.mention 3.legendary lover of laila 4.shadow 5.madness, fear, dread 6.envy of fairies, because she is more beautiful than fairies
The poet/lover calls majnuN his shadow i.e., he is the real lover and majnuN is merely his shadow, a faint reflection of the real lover. In a similar exaggeration the beloved is described as so beautiful that she is the envy of fairies. You left the gathering the moment majnuN was mentioned; O envy of fairies, do you have so much dread/abhorence for even a reflection of my love.
3
dil le ke vafa1 kaisi par qaul2 to dena tha
aye siim-tan3 aafat4 hai tu muft-bari5 itni
1.loyalty, faithfulness 2.word, promise 3.silver-bodied, delicate beauty 4.calamity, trouble 5.making with something without paying, free acquisition
You made off with my heart without any recompense, without even giving me your word/promise. O silver-bodied one, this free usurping is a calamity.
4
be-parda1 pas2-e chilman3 yakbaar4 tum aa baiTh’e
hai taab5-e nazar6 kis ko kyuN jalva-gari7 itni
1.unveiled 2.behind 3.curtain 4.all of a sudden 5.strength, endurance 6.sight 7.manifestation in full glory, display of beauty
The beloved suddenly appeared unveiled, in full glory, behind the curtain. But her glory filters through the curtain, but who has the capacity to bear even this filtered sight.
5
laazim1 tha uzr2 mujh se naachiiz3 ke naaloN4 se
par tujh ko kahaaN Ghairat5 aye be-asari6 itni
1.necessary 2.excuse, objection 3.worthless, insignificant (the poet himself) 4.lament 6.sense of honor/pride 7.ineffectiveness
The lover’s laments have no effect; they are annoying; everyone (even effectiveness) objects to them, except ineffectiveness itself. It was necessary/proper to object to the laments of a worthless person like me, but where do you have the pride to care, O ineffectiveness! You are the only one that recognizes my laments i.e., they remain ineffective.
6
lo chheRe1 hai nik’hat2 ko gul-haa3-e shabiina4 ki
ab tum se bhi chal nikli baad5-e sahari6 itni
1.stirred 2.fragrance 3.flowers 4.nightly 5.breeze 6.early morning
gul-haa-e shabiina could be literally the flower garland that the beloved was wearing last night or they could symbolize delicate memories of a night of celebration. The early morning breeze has gone beyond you, is doing one better than you, is surpassing your mischief; it is stirring up the fragrance of the nightly flowers (stirring up memories). This is likely to reveal the secrets of the night … hence this mischief is even more than what the beloved usually does.
7
ye kaun kah’e uss se kii tark1-e vafa2 maiN ne
kar tuu hi zara naaseh3 paiGhaam-bari4 itni
1.abandonment, giving up 2.loyalty, fidelity 3.moralizer, preacher 4.message-bearing
This interpretation assumes a lot of background and may be a bit of a stretch, but it is typically witty momin. The naaseh has been lecturing the lover warning him to stay away from the beloved. The lover pretends to agree to do that, but turns around and asks the naasseh, who would dare tell her that I abandoned loyalty? And follows up with this suggestion … O naaseh, since you’re the one who has persuaded me to give up my love, why don’t you carry this message too? A sarcastic jab – either the naaseh would not dare, or if he does, he might be afflicted with love of the beloved himself upon seeing her beauty; or he might get chewed out, much to the delight of the lover who finds this chance to get even with the pestering preacher.
8
kya ho ga’ii Khud-biini1 ab Ghair2 se chashmak3 hai
yaa Khush-nigahi4 voh kuchh yaa bad-nazari5 itni
1.self-regard, self-respect 2.other, rival 3.winking 4.beautiful/dignified glance 5.lecherous gaze
What has happened to that erstwhile self-respect, when you even refused to look directly at me; you now wink at the rival. Once you maintained a reserved/dignified glance and now you cast lecherous glances at the rival. What a transformation!
9
kahta hai mer’e aag’e1 voh mujh pe adu2 Ghash3 hai
hai-hai4 meri ulfat5 se hai be-Khabari6 itni
1.in front of me, before me, to me 2.enemy, rival 3.faints 4.short for haa’e-haa’e – an expression of anguish 5.love 6.unawareness, indifference, ignorance
The beloved is praising the rival before the lover by saying that the rival’s love is so sincere/deep that he faints upon seeing me. Alas, she is totally unaware of my love.
10
sajda1 na kahiiN karna momin2 qadam3-e but4 par
kaa’be hi meN hoti hai behooda-sari5 itni
1.prostration, bowing down in devotion 2.pen-name 3.feet 4.idol, beloved 5.absurdity, foolishness
I find two possible interpretations … both very explosive. (a)O momin, don’t go prostrating before the idol (beloved), such foolishness is reserved only for the holy k’aaba! or (b)don’t prostrate at the feet of the beloved for fear of dirtying her feet. You can do all the defiling you want at the k’aaba.
The post behuda-sarii itni-momin KhaaN momin appeared first on UrduShahkar.
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By For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
https://urdushahkar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/mKhm-behuda-sarii-itni-audio.mp3
Recitation
بیہودہ سری اِتنی ۔ مومن خاں مومنؔ
۱
منہ کو نہ سیا ناصح کی بخیہ گری اِتنی
لوں میں بھی ابھی لتّے، ہیں! پردہ دری اِتنی
۲
تم اُٹھ گئے محفل سے ذکر آتے ہی مجنوں کا
سایہ سے مرے وحشت اے رشکِ پری اِتنی
۳
دل لے کے وفا کیسی پر قول تو دینا تھا
اے سیم تن آفت ہے تو مفت بری اِتنی
۴
بے پردہ پسِ چلمن یکبار تم آ بیٹھے
ہے تابِ نظر کس کو کیوں جلوہ گری اِتنی
۵
لازم تھا عذر مجھ سے ناچیز کے نالوں سے
پر تجھ کو کہاں غیرت اے بے اثری اِتنی
۶
لو چھیڑے ہے نِکہت کو گلہائے شبینہ کی
اب تم سے بھی چل نکلی بادِ سحری اِتنی
۷
یہ کون کہے اُس سے کی ترکِ وفا میں نے
کر تو ہی ذرا ناصح پیغام بری اِتنی
۸
کیا ہو گئی خود بینی اب غیر سے چشمک ہے
یا خوش نگہی وہ کچھ یا بد نظری اِتنی
۹
کہتا ہے میرے آگے وہ مجھ پہ عدو غش ہے
ہے ہے میری اُلفت سے ہے بے خبری اِتنی
۱۰
سجدہ نہ کہیں کرنا مومنؔ قدمِ بُت پر
کعبے ہی میں ہوتی ہے بیہودہ سری اِتنی
बेहूदा-सरी इतनी – मोमिन ख़ाँ मोमिन
१
मुँह को न सिया नास’ह की बख़िया-गरी इतनी
लूँ मैं भी अभी लत्ते, हैं! पर्दा-दरी इतनी
२
तुम उठ गए महफ़िल से ज़िक्र आते ही मजनूँ का
साये से मेरे वहशत अए रश्क-ए परी इतनी
३
दिल ले के वफ़ा कैसी पर क़ौल तो देना था
अए सीम-तन आफ़त है तू मुफ़्त-बरी इतनी
४
बे-पर्दा पस-ए चिलमन यकबार तुम आ बैठे
है ताब-ए नज़र किस को क्यूँ जल्वा-गरी इतनी
५
लाज़िम था उज़र मुझ से नाचीज़ के नालों से
पर तुझ को कहाँ ग़ैरत अए बे-असरी इतनी
६
लो छेढे है निक्हत को गुल-हा-ए शबीना की
अब तुम से भी चल निकली बाद-ए सहरी इतनी
७
ये कौन कहे उस से की तर्क-ए वफ़ा मैं ने
कर तू ही ज़रा नास’ह पैग़ाम-बरी इतनी
८
क्या हो गई ख़ुद-बीनी अब ग़ैर से चश्मक है
या ख़ुश-निगही वो कुछ या बद-नज़री इतनी
९
कहता है मेरे आगे वो मुझ पे अदू ग़श है
है है मेरी उल्फ़त से है बे-ख़बरी इतनी
१०
सज्दा न कहीं करना मोमिन क़दम-ए बुत पर
का’बे ही में होती है बेहूदा-सरी इतनी
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. momin KhaaN momin (1800-1852), was a hakim following the profession of his father and grandfather. momin received education in arabi, faarsi, urdu and in medicine, mathematics, and astrology – which must have involved some study of astronomy, which he uses in his compositions. momin composed unabashedly about romantic themes with much witticism on his taKhallus.
1
muNh ko na siya1 naaseh2 kii baKhiya-gari3 itni
luN maiN bhi abhi latt’e4, haiN5! parda-dari6 itni 1.stitch 2.moralist, preacher 3.sewing, mending, stitching 4.latt’e lena – punish, get even, ‘I will ‘see’ you’ 5.used as an exclamation – Oh! 6.veil-lifting, exposing
The moralist/enforcer has been sewing/mending the lover’s torn collar – kii baKhiya-gari intni, but he has failed to stitch his lips i.e., he has been talking about the lover to others, exposing his secret love – parda-dari itni. The lover threatens/warns him, I will take care of you.
2
tum uTh ga’e mahfil1 se zikr2 aate hi majnuN3 ka
saaye4 se mer’e vahshat5 aye rashk-e-pari6 itni 1.gathering 2.mention 3.legendary lover of laila 4.shadow 5.madness, fear, dread 6.envy of fairies, because she is more beautiful than fairies
The poet/lover calls majnuN his shadow i.e., he is the real lover and majnuN is merely his shadow, a faint reflection of the real lover. In a similar exaggeration the beloved is described as so beautiful that she is the envy of fairies. You left the gathering the moment majnuN was mentioned; O envy of fairies, do you have so much dread/abhorence for even a reflection of my love.
3
dil le ke vafa1 kaisi par qaul2 to dena tha
aye siim-tan3 aafat4 hai tu muft-bari5 itni 1.loyalty, faithfulness 2.word, promise 3.silver-bodied, delicate beauty 4.calamity, trouble 5.making with something without paying, free acquisition
You made off with my heart without any recompense, without even giving me your word/promise. O silver-bodied one, this free usurping is a calamity.
4
be-parda1 pas2-e chilman3 yakbaar4 tum aa baiTh’e
hai taab5-e nazar6 kis ko kyuN jalva-gari7 itni 1.unveiled 2.behind 3.curtain 4.all of a sudden 5.strength, endurance 6.sight 7.manifestation in full glory, display of beauty
The beloved suddenly appeared unveiled, in full glory, behind the curtain. But her glory filters through the curtain, but who has the capacity to bear even this filtered sight.
5
laazim1 tha uzr2 mujh se naachiiz3 ke naaloN4 se
par tujh ko kahaaN Ghairat5 aye be-asari6 itni 1.necessary 2.excuse, objection 3.worthless, insignificant (the poet himself) 4.lament 6.sense of honor/pride 7.ineffectiveness
The lover’s laments have no effect; they are annoying; everyone (even effectiveness) objects to them, except ineffectiveness itself. It was necessary/proper to object to the laments of a worthless person like me, but where do you have the pride to care, O ineffectiveness! You are the only one that recognizes my laments i.e., they remain ineffective.
6
lo chheRe1 hai nik’hat2 ko gul-haa3-e shabiina4 ki
ab tum se bhi chal nikli baad5-e sahari6 itni 1.stirred 2.fragrance 3.flowers 4.nightly 5.breeze 6.early morning
gul-haa-e shabiina could be literally the flower garland that the beloved was wearing last night or they could symbolize delicate memories of a night of celebration. The early morning breeze has gone beyond you, is doing one better than you, is surpassing your mischief; it is stirring up the fragrance of the nightly flowers (stirring up memories). This is likely to reveal the secrets of the night … hence this mischief is even more than what the beloved usually does.
7
ye kaun kah’e uss se kii tark1-e vafa2 maiN ne
kar tuu hi zara naaseh3 paiGhaam-bari4 itni 1.abandonment, giving up 2.loyalty, fidelity 3.moralizer, preacher 4.message-bearing
This interpretation assumes a lot of background and may be a bit of a stretch, but it is typically witty momin. The naaseh has been lecturing the lover warning him to stay away from the beloved. The lover pretends to agree to do that, but turns around and asks the naasseh, who would dare tell her that I abandoned loyalty? And follows up with this suggestion … O naaseh, since you’re the one who has persuaded me to give up my love, why don’t you carry this message too? A sarcastic jab – either the naaseh would not dare, or if he does, he might be afflicted with love of the beloved himself upon seeing her beauty; or he might get chewed out, much to the delight of the lover who finds this chance to get even with the pestering preacher.
8
kya ho ga’ii Khud-biini1 ab Ghair2 se chashmak3 hai
yaa Khush-nigahi4 voh kuchh yaa bad-nazari5 itni 1.self-regard, self-respect 2.other, rival 3.winking 4.beautiful/dignified glance 5.lecherous gaze
What has happened to that erstwhile self-respect, when you even refused to look directly at me; you now wink at the rival. Once you maintained a reserved/dignified glance and now you cast lecherous glances at the rival. What a transformation!
9
kahta hai mer’e aag’e1 voh mujh pe adu2 Ghash3 hai
hai-hai4 meri ulfat5 se hai be-Khabari6 itni 1.in front of me, before me, to me 2.enemy, rival 3.faints 4.short for haa’e-haa’e – an expression of anguish 5.love 6.unawareness, indifference, ignorance
The beloved is praising the rival before the lover by saying that the rival’s love is so sincere/deep that he faints upon seeing me. Alas, she is totally unaware of my love.
10
sajda1 na kahiiN karna momin2 qadam3-e but4 par
kaa’be hi meN hoti hai behooda-sari5 itni 1.prostration, bowing down in devotion 2.pen-name 3.feet 4.idol, beloved 5.absurdity, foolishness
I find two possible interpretations … both very explosive. (a)O momin, don’t go prostrating before the idol (beloved), such foolishness is reserved only for the holy k’aaba! or (b)don’t prostrate at the feet of the beloved for fear of dirtying her feet. You can do all the defiling you want at the k’aaba.
momin KhaaN momin (1800-1852), was a hakim following the profession of his father and grandfather. momin received education in arabi, faarsi, urdu and in medicine, mathematics, and astrology – which must have involved some study of astronomy, which he uses in his compositions. momin composed unabashedly about romantic themes with much witticism on his taKhallus.
1
muNh ko na siya1 naaseh2 kii baKhiya-gari3 itni
luN maiN bhi abhi latt’e4, haiN5! parda-dari6 itni
1.stitch 2.moralist, preacher 3.sewing, mending, stitching 4.latt’e lena – punish, get even, ‘I will ‘see’ you’ 5.used as an exclamation – Oh! 6.veil-lifting, exposing
The moralist/enforcer has been sewing/mending the lover’s torn collar – kii baKhiya-gari intni, but he has failed to stitch his lips i.e., he has been talking about the lover to others, exposing his secret love – parda-dari itni. The lover threatens/warns him, I will take care of you.
2
tum uTh ga’e mahfil1 se zikr2 aate hi majnuN3 ka
saaye4 se mer’e vahshat5 aye rashk-e-pari6 itni
1.gathering 2.mention 3.legendary lover of laila 4.shadow 5.madness, fear, dread 6.envy of fairies, because she is more beautiful than fairies
The poet/lover calls majnuN his shadow i.e., he is the real lover and majnuN is merely his shadow, a faint reflection of the real lover. In a similar exaggeration the beloved is described as so beautiful that she is the envy of fairies. You left the gathering the moment majnuN was mentioned; O envy of fairies, do you have so much dread/abhorence for even a reflection of my love.
3
dil le ke vafa1 kaisi par qaul2 to dena tha
aye siim-tan3 aafat4 hai tu muft-bari5 itni
1.loyalty, faithfulness 2.word, promise 3.silver-bodied, delicate beauty 4.calamity, trouble 5.making with something without paying, free acquisition
You made off with my heart without any recompense, without even giving me your word/promise. O silver-bodied one, this free usurping is a calamity.
4
be-parda1 pas2-e chilman3 yakbaar4 tum aa baiTh’e
hai taab5-e nazar6 kis ko kyuN jalva-gari7 itni
1.unveiled 2.behind 3.curtain 4.all of a sudden 5.strength, endurance 6.sight 7.manifestation in full glory, display of beauty
The beloved suddenly appeared unveiled, in full glory, behind the curtain. But her glory filters through the curtain, but who has the capacity to bear even this filtered sight.
5
laazim1 tha uzr2 mujh se naachiiz3 ke naaloN4 se
par tujh ko kahaaN Ghairat5 aye be-asari6 itni
1.necessary 2.excuse, objection 3.worthless, insignificant (the poet himself) 4.lament 6.sense of honor/pride 7.ineffectiveness
The lover’s laments have no effect; they are annoying; everyone (even effectiveness) objects to them, except ineffectiveness itself. It was necessary/proper to object to the laments of a worthless person like me, but where do you have the pride to care, O ineffectiveness! You are the only one that recognizes my laments i.e., they remain ineffective.
6
lo chheRe1 hai nik’hat2 ko gul-haa3-e shabiina4 ki
ab tum se bhi chal nikli baad5-e sahari6 itni
1.stirred 2.fragrance 3.flowers 4.nightly 5.breeze 6.early morning
gul-haa-e shabiina could be literally the flower garland that the beloved was wearing last night or they could symbolize delicate memories of a night of celebration. The early morning breeze has gone beyond you, is doing one better than you, is surpassing your mischief; it is stirring up the fragrance of the nightly flowers (stirring up memories). This is likely to reveal the secrets of the night … hence this mischief is even more than what the beloved usually does.
7
ye kaun kah’e uss se kii tark1-e vafa2 maiN ne
kar tuu hi zara naaseh3 paiGhaam-bari4 itni
1.abandonment, giving up 2.loyalty, fidelity 3.moralizer, preacher 4.message-bearing
This interpretation assumes a lot of background and may be a bit of a stretch, but it is typically witty momin. The naaseh has been lecturing the lover warning him to stay away from the beloved. The lover pretends to agree to do that, but turns around and asks the naasseh, who would dare tell her that I abandoned loyalty? And follows up with this suggestion … O naaseh, since you’re the one who has persuaded me to give up my love, why don’t you carry this message too? A sarcastic jab – either the naaseh would not dare, or if he does, he might be afflicted with love of the beloved himself upon seeing her beauty; or he might get chewed out, much to the delight of the lover who finds this chance to get even with the pestering preacher.
8
kya ho ga’ii Khud-biini1 ab Ghair2 se chashmak3 hai
yaa Khush-nigahi4 voh kuchh yaa bad-nazari5 itni
1.self-regard, self-respect 2.other, rival 3.winking 4.beautiful/dignified glance 5.lecherous gaze
What has happened to that erstwhile self-respect, when you even refused to look directly at me; you now wink at the rival. Once you maintained a reserved/dignified glance and now you cast lecherous glances at the rival. What a transformation!
9
kahta hai mer’e aag’e1 voh mujh pe adu2 Ghash3 hai
hai-hai4 meri ulfat5 se hai be-Khabari6 itni
1.in front of me, before me, to me 2.enemy, rival 3.faints 4.short for haa’e-haa’e – an expression of anguish 5.love 6.unawareness, indifference, ignorance
The beloved is praising the rival before the lover by saying that the rival’s love is so sincere/deep that he faints upon seeing me. Alas, she is totally unaware of my love.
10
sajda1 na kahiiN karna momin2 qadam3-e but4 par
kaa’be hi meN hoti hai behooda-sari5 itni
1.prostration, bowing down in devotion 2.pen-name 3.feet 4.idol, beloved 5.absurdity, foolishness
I find two possible interpretations … both very explosive. (a)O momin, don’t go prostrating before the idol (beloved), such foolishness is reserved only for the holy k’aaba! or (b)don’t prostrate at the feet of the beloved for fear of dirtying her feet. You can do all the defiling you want at the k’aaba.
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