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phir jaa’e muNh shamshiir ka-George Puech Jr. shor
For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
https://urdushahkar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/GPsh-phir-jaae-muNh-shamshiir-ka-audio.mp3
Recitation
پھر جائے منہ شمشیر کا ۔ جارج پیِش شورؔ
۱
پیش آئے گا وہ ہی لِکّھا جو ہے تقدیر کا
اس لیے قائل نہیں بندہ کسی تدبیر کا
۲
خوں بہایا جس نے ناحق عاشقِ دلگیر کا
جوں شفق خون ہوگا دامنگیر اُس بے پیر کا
۳
غرقۂ دریا ہوا اُس زلف پیچاں کا اسیر
موج نے نقشہ اُتارا صاف جو زنجیر کا
۴
خاکساری سے سِوا دولت کوئی دیکھی نہیں
اس کے پانے سے ہمیں رتبہ ملا اکسیر کا
۵
غیر کے خط میں مجھے آیا ہے جو اُن کا سلام
آ گیا لِکّھا مرے آگے مری تقدیر کا
۶
عذر اُس کو کیا رہا جو جان و دل بھی دے چکا
کاٹ ڈالا تم نے سر مفت ایسے بے تقسیر کا
۷
شیشہ ساں جب چرخ جیسا سنگ دل پانی ہوا
کیوں نہ ہوں مرہوں میں اپنی آہ کی تاثیر کا
۸
کھینچ لایا جذبۂ دل اپنا اُس بے مہر کو
سیکھ لے ہم سے کوئی آ کر عمل تسخیر کا
۹
آگے پروانے کے لی منہ میں زبانِ شمع کو
ہم سے یہ دیکھا نہیں جاتا ستم گلگیر کا
۱۰
کھینچ لے مجھ زار جیسے کی اگر مانی شبیہ
تب میں سمجھوں اُس کو ہی کامِل فنِ تصویر کا
۱۱
میں ہوں وہ سینہ سپر اور وہ دم و خم مجھ میں ہے
روبرو آ کر مرے پھر جائے منہ شمشیر کا
۱۲
آیا پہلو سے جگر میں کہ جگر سے دل میں راہ
کیوں نہ مِنّت کش ہوں تیر انداز کا اور تیر کا
۱۳
شورؔ تم نے چن دیے حرفوں سے کاغذ میں شرر
کام دیتا ہے تمہارا خامہ آتشگیر کا
फिर जाए मुँह शमशीर का – जॉर्ज़ पेइश शोर
१
पेश आएगा वही लिक्खा जो है तक़्दीर का
इस लिये क़ा’एल नहीं बंदा किसी तद्बीर का
२
ख़ूँ बहाया जिस ने नाहक़ आशेक़-ए दिलगीर का
ज्यूं शफ़क़ ख़ूं होगा दामनगीर उस बे-पीर का
३
ग़र्क़ा-ए दरिया हुआ उस ज़ुल्फ़-ए पेचाँ का असीर
मौज ने नक़्शा उतारा साफ़ जो ज़ंजीर का
४
ख़ाकसारी से सिवा दौलत कोई देखी नहीं
उस के पाने से हमें रुत्बा मिला एक्सीर का
५
ग़ैर के ख़त में मुझे आया है जो उन का सलाम
आ गया लिक्खा मेरे आगे मेरी तक़्दीर का
६
उज़्र उस को क्या रहा जो जान-ओ-दिल भी दे चुका
काट डाला तुम ने सर मुफ़्त ऐसे बे-तक़्सीर का
७
शीशा-साँ जब चर्ख़ जैसा संगदिल पानी हुआ
क्यूं न हूं मरहूँ मैं अपनी आह की तासीर का
८
खींच लाया जज़्बा-ए दिल अपना उस बे-महर को
सीख ले हम से कोई आ कर अमल तस्ख़ीर का
९
आगे परवाने के ली मुँह में ज़बान-ए शमा’ को
हम से ये देखा नहीं जाता सितम गुलगीर का
१०
खींच ले मुझ ज़ार जैसे की अगर मानी शबीह
तब मैं समझूँ उस को ही कामिल फ़न-ए तस्वीर का
११
मैं हूँ वो सीना-सिपर और वो दम-ओ-ख़म मुझ में है
रू-बरू आ कर मेरे फिर जाए मुँह शमशीर का
१२
आया पहलू से जिगर में के जिगर से दिल में राह
क्यूं न मिन्नत-कश हूँ तीर-अंदाज़ का और तीर का
१३
शोर तुम ने चुन दिये हर्फ़ों से काग़ज़ में शरर
काम देता है तुम्हारा ख़ामा आतिशगीर का
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. George Puech shor (1823-1894). aligaRh, meeraTh and dehli. French and German descent from both grandfathers. Received education in urdu and faarsi at the insistence of his father. Six collections of Ghazal and a diary describing the events of 1857. He was well known in poetic circles including Ghalib, daaGh and tufta. This is linked to Ghalib naqsh-e qadam – shooKhi-e tahriir ka, which is dated 1812, much earlier than the birth year of shor.
1
pesh aa’e1 ga voh hii likkha jo hai taqdiir2 ka
is liye qaa’el3 nahiiN banda4 kisi tadbiir5 ka 1.pesh aana-unfold, happen 2.fate, destiny 3.convinced, believer 4.servant, self-deprecating reference to oneself 5.planning, strategy, effort
The poet expresses his resignation to fate. Whatever is written in destiny will unfold, so he sees no point in relying on human effort or clever strategies. A deeply fatalistic view.
2
KhooN bahaaya jis ne naahaq1 aashiq2-e dilgiir3 ka
jyuN4 shafaq5 KhooN ho ga daaman-giir6 us be-piir7 ka 1.unjustly 2.lover 3.heartbroken 4.like, similar to 5.twilight, blood-soaked 6.clinging to the hem (symbol of accountability) 7.without equal, peerless, unmatched, beloved
The peerless/unmatched beloved has unjustly shed the blood of the heartbroken lover. His blood, like the blood-red colour of twilight will cling to the hem of her garment i.e., it will appeal for justice.
3
Gharqa1-e dariya2 hua us zulf3-e pechaaN4 ka asiir5
mauj6 ne naqsha7 utaara8 saaf9 jo zanjiir10 ka 1.drowned 2.ocean, sea or river 3.hair 4.curly 5.captive 6.wave 7.image, likeness 8.draw, sketch, trace 9.clear 10.chain
The captive of those curly tresses (the beloved’s hair) drowned in the sea. Her curly hair are like chains; the lover is bound by those chains and drown in the sea (perhaps the sea/ocean of love). The waves, moved by his death, sketched a clear image of a chain as memorial to the lover. The ripples in the sea look like the curly hair of the beloved.
4
Khaaksaari1 se sivaa2 daulat3 koi dekhi nahiiN
us ke paane4 se humeN rutba5 mila eksiir6 ka 1.humility 2.beyond, more than 3.wealth 4.acquiring 5.rank, status 6.alchemy, something that turns base to gold
The poet exalts humility above all worldly riches. It is through humility that he gained the status of something like alchemy, a transformative/ennobling force. Spiritual richness through self-effacement.
5
Ghair1 ke Khat2 meN mujhe aaya hai jo unn ka salaam3
aa gaya likkha mere aage4 meri taqdiir5 ka 1.rival 2.letter 3.greeting 4.before, in front of 5.destiny
The beloved sends her greeting not directly, but through the rival’s letter. The poet sees this as confirmation of his bitter fate. A resigned acceptance that even affectionate greeting comes second-hand.
6
uzr1 us ko kya raha jo jaan-o-dil2 bhi de chuka
kaaT Daala tum ne sar muft3 aise be-taqsiir4 ka 1.excuse, stated reason 2.life and heart 3.for nothing 4.faultless, blameless
What excuse could she possibly have for slaying someone who had already given her his life and heart? The poet condemns the beloved’s cruelty in killing the blameless, a powerful indictment of emotional injustice. Of course, the poet/lover is talking about his own slaying (but still writing after his own death).
7
shiisha-saaN1 jab charKh2 jaisa3 saNgdil4 paani hua5
kyuN na huN marhoon6 maiN apni aah ki taasiir7 ka 1.glass-like, mirror-like 2.fate 3.like, similar to 4.hard-hearted 5.paani hona to turn to water, to melt – become kind and forgiving 6.indebted 7.effect, impact
In the first misra both shiisha-saaN and charKh jaisa are used as descriptors of the beloved. The former means fragile/delicate and/or shining/bright and beautiful. The latter is used to mean hard-hearted like fate (the poet/lover is always ill-fated). Thus, even a beautiful, hard-hearted beloved can melt (become more kind and forgiving). This is the effect of his sigh. Why should he not be indebted to the impact of his sigh – thus, this is an expression of pride in his own strength.
8
khiiNch1 laaya jazba2-e dil apna us be-mahr3 ko
seekh4 le hum se koi aa kar amal5-e tasKhiir6 ka 1.pull, attract 2.emotion 3.unkind, unloving 4.learn 5.action, art 6.conquest, especially of hearts
The poet’s expression of pride in his own abilities continues. Through the sheer force of love, the poet has drawn even the unloving beloved to himself. He offers his love as a lesson in the conquest of hearts, as though he’s mastered the craft of emotional victory.
9
aage1 parvaane2 ke lii muNh meN zabaan3-e sham’a4 ko
hum se ye dekha nahiiN jaata sitam5 gulgiir6 ka 1.in front of 2.moth 3.tongue 4.candle, lamp 5.cruelty 6.scissor like wick snipping tool
The parvaana is the quintessential lover of the candle flame. It goes round and round and even gets burnt to death. The gulgiir is a scissor-like tool that is used to snip the charred wick of the candle or the oil lamp. This snipping/trimming is done while the candle/lamp is still burning. This is akin to taking the tongue of the candle in its mouth; and the gulgiir is doing it in front of the ideal lover-moth. Of course, this make it jealous and the poet cannot bear to watch this cruelty of the gulgiir.
10
khiiNch1 le mujh zaar2 jaise ki agar maani3 shabiih4
tab5 maiN samjhuN6 us ko hii kaamil7 fan8-e tasviir9 ka 1.sketch, draw 2.wretched, miserable 3.legendary painter of ancient Persia reputed to paint true likeness 5.then 6.understand, accept 7.perfect 8.art, skill 9.painting, drawing
maani was an legendary painter of ancient Persia. His reputation rested on doing such a realistic picture that it could be confused for the original object e.g., butterflies would alight at his painting of flowers. It is very difficult to represent the intensity of emotions of the lover in a picture. If maani succeeds in doing so then the poet/lover would accept him as the perfect artist. The implication is the even maani will not be able to represent the lover’s misery.
11
maiN huN voh siina-sipar1 aur voh dam-o-Kham2 mujh meN hai
ruu-ba-ruu3 aa kar mere phir4 jaa’e muNh shamshiir5 ka 1.shield-like chest, brave 2.literally the shine/sharpness of the curve of a sword, strength and daring 3.face to face 4.turn back 5.sword
The poet declares himself courageous and strong; claiming to be so strong that the sword would turn away when it comes face to face with him. Of course, the sword might be a metaphor for anything … critics of his poetry, trials and tribulations of life or oppression of the beloved. We are left to imagine.
12
aaya pahluu1 se jigar2 meN ke jigar se dil meN raah
kyuN na minnat-kash3 huN tiir-andaz4 ka aur tiir5 ka 1.side, also used for heart 2.liver (seat of courage) 3.indebted to 4.archer, beloved 5.arrow, beloved’s sidelong glance
The arrow, the beloved’s sidelong glance entered the side of his chest (his heart) and made its way to the liver, or was it the other way around, the poet wonders. Said Ghalib …
dil se teri nigaah jigar tak utar gaii
donoN ko ek adaa meN razaa-mand kar gaii
13
shor1 tum ne chun2 diye harfoN3 se kaaGhaz4 meN sharar5
kaam deta hai tumhaara Khaama5 aatishgiir6 ka 1.pen-name 2.selected, weaved into 3.words 4.paper 4.sparks 5.pen 6.incendiary, fire-catching
O shor you have weaved selected words like sparks on the paper such that your pen spreads fire i.e., his words are intensely passionate.
George Puech shor (1823-1894). aligaRh, meeraTh and dehli. French and German descent from both grandfathers. Received education in urdu and faarsi at the insistence of his father. Six collections of Ghazal and a diary describing the events of 1857. He was well known in poetic circles including Ghalib, daaGh and tufta. This is linked to Ghalib naqsh-e qadam – shooKhi-e tahriir ka, which is dated 1812, much earlier than the birth year of shor.
1
pesh aa’e1 ga voh hii likkha jo hai taqdiir2 ka
is liye qaa’el3 nahiiN banda4 kisi tadbiir5 ka
1.pesh aana-unfold, happen 2.fate, destiny 3.convinced, believer 4.servant, self-deprecating reference to oneself 5.planning, strategy, effort
The poet expresses his resignation to fate. Whatever is written in destiny will unfold, so he sees no point in relying on human effort or clever strategies. A deeply fatalistic view.
2
KhooN bahaaya jis ne naahaq1 aashiq2-e dilgiir3 ka
jyuN4 shafaq5 KhooN ho ga daaman-giir6 us be-piir7 ka
1.unjustly 2.lover 3.heartbroken 4.like, similar to 5.twilight, blood-soaked 6.clinging to the hem (symbol of accountability) 7.without equal, peerless, unmatched, beloved
The peerless/unmatched beloved has unjustly shed the blood of the heartbroken lover. His blood, like the blood-red colour of twilight will cling to the hem of her garment i.e., it will appeal for justice.
3
Gharqa1-e dariya2 hua us zulf3-e pechaaN4 ka asiir5
mauj6 ne naqsha7 utaara8 saaf9 jo zanjiir10 ka
1.drowned 2.ocean, sea or river 3.hair 4.curly 5.captive 6.wave 7.image, likeness 8.draw, sketch, trace 9.clear 10.chain
The captive of those curly tresses (the beloved’s hair) drowned in the sea. Her curly hair are like chains; the lover is bound by those chains and drown in the sea (perhaps the sea/ocean of love). The waves, moved by his death, sketched a clear image of a chain as memorial to the lover. The ripples in the sea look like the curly hair of the beloved.
4
Khaaksaari1 se sivaa2 daulat3 koi dekhi nahiiN
us ke paane4 se humeN rutba5 mila eksiir6 ka
1.humility 2.beyond, more than 3.wealth 4.acquiring 5.rank, status 6.alchemy, something that turns base to gold
The poet exalts humility above all worldly riches. It is through humility that he gained the status of something like alchemy, a transformative/ennobling force. Spiritual richness through self-effacement.
5
Ghair1 ke Khat2 meN mujhe aaya hai jo unn ka salaam3
aa gaya likkha mere aage4 meri taqdiir5 ka
1.rival 2.letter 3.greeting 4.before, in front of 5.destiny
The beloved sends her greeting not directly, but through the rival’s letter. The poet sees this as confirmation of his bitter fate. A resigned acceptance that even affectionate greeting comes second-hand.
6
uzr1 us ko kya raha jo jaan-o-dil2 bhi de chuka
kaaT Daala tum ne sar muft3 aise be-taqsiir4 ka
1.excuse, stated reason 2.life and heart 3.for nothing 4.faultless, blameless
What excuse could she possibly have for slaying someone who had already given her his life and heart? The poet condemns the beloved’s cruelty in killing the blameless, a powerful indictment of emotional injustice. Of course, the poet/lover is talking about his own slaying (but still writing after his own death).
7
shiisha-saaN1 jab charKh2 jaisa3 saNgdil4 paani hua5
kyuN na huN marhoon6 maiN apni aah ki taasiir7 ka
1.glass-like, mirror-like 2.fate 3.like, similar to 4.hard-hearted 5.paani hona to turn to water, to melt – become kind and forgiving 6.indebted 7.effect, impact
In the first misra both shiisha-saaN and charKh jaisa are used as descriptors of the beloved. The former means fragile/delicate and/or shining/bright and beautiful. The latter is used to mean hard-hearted like fate (the poet/lover is always ill-fated). Thus, even a beautiful, hard-hearted beloved can melt (become more kind and forgiving). This is the effect of his sigh. Why should he not be indebted to the impact of his sigh – thus, this is an expression of pride in his own strength.
8
khiiNch1 laaya jazba2-e dil apna us be-mahr3 ko
seekh4 le hum se koi aa kar amal5-e tasKhiir6 ka
1.pull, attract 2.emotion 3.unkind, unloving 4.learn 5.action, art 6.conquest, especially of hearts
The poet’s expression of pride in his own abilities continues. Through the sheer force of love, the poet has drawn even the unloving beloved to himself. He offers his love as a lesson in the conquest of hearts, as though he’s mastered the craft of emotional victory.
9
aage1 parvaane2 ke lii muNh meN zabaan3-e sham’a4 ko
hum se ye dekha nahiiN jaata sitam5 gulgiir6 ka
1.in front of 2.moth 3.tongue 4.candle, lamp 5.cruelty 6.scissor like wick snipping tool
The parvaana is the quintessential lover of the candle flame. It goes round and round and even gets burnt to death. The gulgiir is a scissor-like tool that is used to snip the charred wick of the candle or the oil lamp. This snipping/trimming is done while the candle/lamp is still burning. This is akin to taking the tongue of the candle in its mouth; and the gulgiir is doing it in front of the ideal lover-moth. Of course, this make it jealous and the poet cannot bear to watch this cruelty of the gulgiir.
10
khiiNch1 le mujh zaar2 jaise ki agar maani3 shabiih4
tab5 maiN samjhuN6 us ko hii kaamil7 fan8-e tasviir9 ka
1.sketch, draw 2.wretched, miserable 3.legendary painter of ancient Persia reputed to paint true likeness 5.then 6.understand, accept 7.perfect 8.art, skill 9.painting, drawing
maani was an legendary painter of ancient Persia. His reputation rested on doing such a realistic picture that it could be confused for the original object e.g., butterflies would alight at his painting of flowers. It is very difficult to represent the intensity of emotions of the lover in a picture. If maani succeeds in doing so then the poet/lover would accept him as the perfect artist. The implication is the even maani will not be able to represent the lover’s misery.
11
maiN huN voh siina-sipar1 aur voh dam-o-Kham2 mujh meN hai
ruu-ba-ruu3 aa kar mere phir4 jaa’e muNh shamshiir5 ka
1.shield-like chest, brave 2.literally the shine/sharpness of the curve of a sword, strength and daring 3.face to face 4.turn back 5.sword
The poet declares himself courageous and strong; claiming to be so strong that the sword would turn away when it comes face to face with him. Of course, the sword might be a metaphor for anything … critics of his poetry, trials and tribulations of life or oppression of the beloved. We are left to imagine.
12
aaya pahluu1 se jigar2 meN ke jigar se dil meN raah
kyuN na minnat-kash3 huN tiir-andaz4 ka aur tiir5 ka
1.side, also used for heart 2.liver (seat of courage) 3.indebted to 4.archer, beloved 5.arrow, beloved’s sidelong glance
The arrow, the beloved’s sidelong glance entered the side of his chest (his heart) and made its way to the liver, or was it the other way around, the poet wonders. Said Ghalib …
dil se teri nigaah jigar tak utar gaii
donoN ko ek adaa meN razaa-mand kar gaii
13
shor1 tum ne chun2 diye harfoN3 se kaaGhaz4 meN sharar5
kaam deta hai tumhaara Khaama5 aatishgiir6 ka
1.pen-name 2.selected, weaved into 3.words 4.paper 4.sparks 5.pen 6.incendiary, fire-catching
O shor you have weaved selected words like sparks on the paper such that your pen spreads fire i.e., his words are intensely passionate.
The post phir jaa’e muNh shamshiir ka-George Puech Jr. shor 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/GPsh-phir-jaae-muNh-shamshiir-ka-audio.mp3
Recitation
پھر جائے منہ شمشیر کا ۔ جارج پیِش شورؔ
۱
پیش آئے گا وہ ہی لِکّھا جو ہے تقدیر کا
اس لیے قائل نہیں بندہ کسی تدبیر کا
۲
خوں بہایا جس نے ناحق عاشقِ دلگیر کا
جوں شفق خون ہوگا دامنگیر اُس بے پیر کا
۳
غرقۂ دریا ہوا اُس زلف پیچاں کا اسیر
موج نے نقشہ اُتارا صاف جو زنجیر کا
۴
خاکساری سے سِوا دولت کوئی دیکھی نہیں
اس کے پانے سے ہمیں رتبہ ملا اکسیر کا
۵
غیر کے خط میں مجھے آیا ہے جو اُن کا سلام
آ گیا لِکّھا مرے آگے مری تقدیر کا
۶
عذر اُس کو کیا رہا جو جان و دل بھی دے چکا
کاٹ ڈالا تم نے سر مفت ایسے بے تقسیر کا
۷
شیشہ ساں جب چرخ جیسا سنگ دل پانی ہوا
کیوں نہ ہوں مرہوں میں اپنی آہ کی تاثیر کا
۸
کھینچ لایا جذبۂ دل اپنا اُس بے مہر کو
سیکھ لے ہم سے کوئی آ کر عمل تسخیر کا
۹
آگے پروانے کے لی منہ میں زبانِ شمع کو
ہم سے یہ دیکھا نہیں جاتا ستم گلگیر کا
۱۰
کھینچ لے مجھ زار جیسے کی اگر مانی شبیہ
تب میں سمجھوں اُس کو ہی کامِل فنِ تصویر کا
۱۱
میں ہوں وہ سینہ سپر اور وہ دم و خم مجھ میں ہے
روبرو آ کر مرے پھر جائے منہ شمشیر کا
۱۲
آیا پہلو سے جگر میں کہ جگر سے دل میں راہ
کیوں نہ مِنّت کش ہوں تیر انداز کا اور تیر کا
۱۳
شورؔ تم نے چن دیے حرفوں سے کاغذ میں شرر
کام دیتا ہے تمہارا خامہ آتشگیر کا
फिर जाए मुँह शमशीर का – जॉर्ज़ पेइश शोर
१
पेश आएगा वही लिक्खा जो है तक़्दीर का
इस लिये क़ा’एल नहीं बंदा किसी तद्बीर का
२
ख़ूँ बहाया जिस ने नाहक़ आशेक़-ए दिलगीर का
ज्यूं शफ़क़ ख़ूं होगा दामनगीर उस बे-पीर का
३
ग़र्क़ा-ए दरिया हुआ उस ज़ुल्फ़-ए पेचाँ का असीर
मौज ने नक़्शा उतारा साफ़ जो ज़ंजीर का
४
ख़ाकसारी से सिवा दौलत कोई देखी नहीं
उस के पाने से हमें रुत्बा मिला एक्सीर का
५
ग़ैर के ख़त में मुझे आया है जो उन का सलाम
आ गया लिक्खा मेरे आगे मेरी तक़्दीर का
६
उज़्र उस को क्या रहा जो जान-ओ-दिल भी दे चुका
काट डाला तुम ने सर मुफ़्त ऐसे बे-तक़्सीर का
७
शीशा-साँ जब चर्ख़ जैसा संगदिल पानी हुआ
क्यूं न हूं मरहूँ मैं अपनी आह की तासीर का
८
खींच लाया जज़्बा-ए दिल अपना उस बे-महर को
सीख ले हम से कोई आ कर अमल तस्ख़ीर का
९
आगे परवाने के ली मुँह में ज़बान-ए शमा’ को
हम से ये देखा नहीं जाता सितम गुलगीर का
१०
खींच ले मुझ ज़ार जैसे की अगर मानी शबीह
तब मैं समझूँ उस को ही कामिल फ़न-ए तस्वीर का
११
मैं हूँ वो सीना-सिपर और वो दम-ओ-ख़म मुझ में है
रू-बरू आ कर मेरे फिर जाए मुँह शमशीर का
१२
आया पहलू से जिगर में के जिगर से दिल में राह
क्यूं न मिन्नत-कश हूँ तीर-अंदाज़ का और तीर का
१३
शोर तुम ने चुन दिये हर्फ़ों से काग़ज़ में शरर
काम देता है तुम्हारा ख़ामा आतिशगीर का
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. George Puech shor (1823-1894). aligaRh, meeraTh and dehli. French and German descent from both grandfathers. Received education in urdu and faarsi at the insistence of his father. Six collections of Ghazal and a diary describing the events of 1857. He was well known in poetic circles including Ghalib, daaGh and tufta. This is linked to Ghalib naqsh-e qadam – shooKhi-e tahriir ka, which is dated 1812, much earlier than the birth year of shor.
1
pesh aa’e1 ga voh hii likkha jo hai taqdiir2 ka
is liye qaa’el3 nahiiN banda4 kisi tadbiir5 ka 1.pesh aana-unfold, happen 2.fate, destiny 3.convinced, believer 4.servant, self-deprecating reference to oneself 5.planning, strategy, effort
The poet expresses his resignation to fate. Whatever is written in destiny will unfold, so he sees no point in relying on human effort or clever strategies. A deeply fatalistic view.
2
KhooN bahaaya jis ne naahaq1 aashiq2-e dilgiir3 ka
jyuN4 shafaq5 KhooN ho ga daaman-giir6 us be-piir7 ka 1.unjustly 2.lover 3.heartbroken 4.like, similar to 5.twilight, blood-soaked 6.clinging to the hem (symbol of accountability) 7.without equal, peerless, unmatched, beloved
The peerless/unmatched beloved has unjustly shed the blood of the heartbroken lover. His blood, like the blood-red colour of twilight will cling to the hem of her garment i.e., it will appeal for justice.
3
Gharqa1-e dariya2 hua us zulf3-e pechaaN4 ka asiir5
mauj6 ne naqsha7 utaara8 saaf9 jo zanjiir10 ka 1.drowned 2.ocean, sea or river 3.hair 4.curly 5.captive 6.wave 7.image, likeness 8.draw, sketch, trace 9.clear 10.chain
The captive of those curly tresses (the beloved’s hair) drowned in the sea. Her curly hair are like chains; the lover is bound by those chains and drown in the sea (perhaps the sea/ocean of love). The waves, moved by his death, sketched a clear image of a chain as memorial to the lover. The ripples in the sea look like the curly hair of the beloved.
4
Khaaksaari1 se sivaa2 daulat3 koi dekhi nahiiN
us ke paane4 se humeN rutba5 mila eksiir6 ka 1.humility 2.beyond, more than 3.wealth 4.acquiring 5.rank, status 6.alchemy, something that turns base to gold
The poet exalts humility above all worldly riches. It is through humility that he gained the status of something like alchemy, a transformative/ennobling force. Spiritual richness through self-effacement.
5
Ghair1 ke Khat2 meN mujhe aaya hai jo unn ka salaam3
aa gaya likkha mere aage4 meri taqdiir5 ka 1.rival 2.letter 3.greeting 4.before, in front of 5.destiny
The beloved sends her greeting not directly, but through the rival’s letter. The poet sees this as confirmation of his bitter fate. A resigned acceptance that even affectionate greeting comes second-hand.
6
uzr1 us ko kya raha jo jaan-o-dil2 bhi de chuka
kaaT Daala tum ne sar muft3 aise be-taqsiir4 ka 1.excuse, stated reason 2.life and heart 3.for nothing 4.faultless, blameless
What excuse could she possibly have for slaying someone who had already given her his life and heart? The poet condemns the beloved’s cruelty in killing the blameless, a powerful indictment of emotional injustice. Of course, the poet/lover is talking about his own slaying (but still writing after his own death).
7
shiisha-saaN1 jab charKh2 jaisa3 saNgdil4 paani hua5
kyuN na huN marhoon6 maiN apni aah ki taasiir7 ka 1.glass-like, mirror-like 2.fate 3.like, similar to 4.hard-hearted 5.paani hona to turn to water, to melt – become kind and forgiving 6.indebted 7.effect, impact
In the first misra both shiisha-saaN and charKh jaisa are used as descriptors of the beloved. The former means fragile/delicate and/or shining/bright and beautiful. The latter is used to mean hard-hearted like fate (the poet/lover is always ill-fated). Thus, even a beautiful, hard-hearted beloved can melt (become more kind and forgiving). This is the effect of his sigh. Why should he not be indebted to the impact of his sigh – thus, this is an expression of pride in his own strength.
8
khiiNch1 laaya jazba2-e dil apna us be-mahr3 ko
seekh4 le hum se koi aa kar amal5-e tasKhiir6 ka 1.pull, attract 2.emotion 3.unkind, unloving 4.learn 5.action, art 6.conquest, especially of hearts
The poet’s expression of pride in his own abilities continues. Through the sheer force of love, the poet has drawn even the unloving beloved to himself. He offers his love as a lesson in the conquest of hearts, as though he’s mastered the craft of emotional victory.
9
aage1 parvaane2 ke lii muNh meN zabaan3-e sham’a4 ko
hum se ye dekha nahiiN jaata sitam5 gulgiir6 ka 1.in front of 2.moth 3.tongue 4.candle, lamp 5.cruelty 6.scissor like wick snipping tool
The parvaana is the quintessential lover of the candle flame. It goes round and round and even gets burnt to death. The gulgiir is a scissor-like tool that is used to snip the charred wick of the candle or the oil lamp. This snipping/trimming is done while the candle/lamp is still burning. This is akin to taking the tongue of the candle in its mouth; and the gulgiir is doing it in front of the ideal lover-moth. Of course, this make it jealous and the poet cannot bear to watch this cruelty of the gulgiir.
10
khiiNch1 le mujh zaar2 jaise ki agar maani3 shabiih4
tab5 maiN samjhuN6 us ko hii kaamil7 fan8-e tasviir9 ka 1.sketch, draw 2.wretched, miserable 3.legendary painter of ancient Persia reputed to paint true likeness 5.then 6.understand, accept 7.perfect 8.art, skill 9.painting, drawing
maani was an legendary painter of ancient Persia. His reputation rested on doing such a realistic picture that it could be confused for the original object e.g., butterflies would alight at his painting of flowers. It is very difficult to represent the intensity of emotions of the lover in a picture. If maani succeeds in doing so then the poet/lover would accept him as the perfect artist. The implication is the even maani will not be able to represent the lover’s misery.
11
maiN huN voh siina-sipar1 aur voh dam-o-Kham2 mujh meN hai
ruu-ba-ruu3 aa kar mere phir4 jaa’e muNh shamshiir5 ka 1.shield-like chest, brave 2.literally the shine/sharpness of the curve of a sword, strength and daring 3.face to face 4.turn back 5.sword
The poet declares himself courageous and strong; claiming to be so strong that the sword would turn away when it comes face to face with him. Of course, the sword might be a metaphor for anything … critics of his poetry, trials and tribulations of life or oppression of the beloved. We are left to imagine.
12
aaya pahluu1 se jigar2 meN ke jigar se dil meN raah
kyuN na minnat-kash3 huN tiir-andaz4 ka aur tiir5 ka 1.side, also used for heart 2.liver (seat of courage) 3.indebted to 4.archer, beloved 5.arrow, beloved’s sidelong glance
The arrow, the beloved’s sidelong glance entered the side of his chest (his heart) and made its way to the liver, or was it the other way around, the poet wonders. Said Ghalib …
dil se teri nigaah jigar tak utar gaii
donoN ko ek adaa meN razaa-mand kar gaii
13
shor1 tum ne chun2 diye harfoN3 se kaaGhaz4 meN sharar5
kaam deta hai tumhaara Khaama5 aatishgiir6 ka 1.pen-name 2.selected, weaved into 3.words 4.paper 4.sparks 5.pen 6.incendiary, fire-catching
O shor you have weaved selected words like sparks on the paper such that your pen spreads fire i.e., his words are intensely passionate.
George Puech shor (1823-1894). aligaRh, meeraTh and dehli. French and German descent from both grandfathers. Received education in urdu and faarsi at the insistence of his father. Six collections of Ghazal and a diary describing the events of 1857. He was well known in poetic circles including Ghalib, daaGh and tufta. This is linked to Ghalib naqsh-e qadam – shooKhi-e tahriir ka, which is dated 1812, much earlier than the birth year of shor.
1
pesh aa’e1 ga voh hii likkha jo hai taqdiir2 ka
is liye qaa’el3 nahiiN banda4 kisi tadbiir5 ka
1.pesh aana-unfold, happen 2.fate, destiny 3.convinced, believer 4.servant, self-deprecating reference to oneself 5.planning, strategy, effort
The poet expresses his resignation to fate. Whatever is written in destiny will unfold, so he sees no point in relying on human effort or clever strategies. A deeply fatalistic view.
2
KhooN bahaaya jis ne naahaq1 aashiq2-e dilgiir3 ka
jyuN4 shafaq5 KhooN ho ga daaman-giir6 us be-piir7 ka
1.unjustly 2.lover 3.heartbroken 4.like, similar to 5.twilight, blood-soaked 6.clinging to the hem (symbol of accountability) 7.without equal, peerless, unmatched, beloved
The peerless/unmatched beloved has unjustly shed the blood of the heartbroken lover. His blood, like the blood-red colour of twilight will cling to the hem of her garment i.e., it will appeal for justice.
3
Gharqa1-e dariya2 hua us zulf3-e pechaaN4 ka asiir5
mauj6 ne naqsha7 utaara8 saaf9 jo zanjiir10 ka
1.drowned 2.ocean, sea or river 3.hair 4.curly 5.captive 6.wave 7.image, likeness 8.draw, sketch, trace 9.clear 10.chain
The captive of those curly tresses (the beloved’s hair) drowned in the sea. Her curly hair are like chains; the lover is bound by those chains and drown in the sea (perhaps the sea/ocean of love). The waves, moved by his death, sketched a clear image of a chain as memorial to the lover. The ripples in the sea look like the curly hair of the beloved.
4
Khaaksaari1 se sivaa2 daulat3 koi dekhi nahiiN
us ke paane4 se humeN rutba5 mila eksiir6 ka
1.humility 2.beyond, more than 3.wealth 4.acquiring 5.rank, status 6.alchemy, something that turns base to gold
The poet exalts humility above all worldly riches. It is through humility that he gained the status of something like alchemy, a transformative/ennobling force. Spiritual richness through self-effacement.
5
Ghair1 ke Khat2 meN mujhe aaya hai jo unn ka salaam3
aa gaya likkha mere aage4 meri taqdiir5 ka
1.rival 2.letter 3.greeting 4.before, in front of 5.destiny
The beloved sends her greeting not directly, but through the rival’s letter. The poet sees this as confirmation of his bitter fate. A resigned acceptance that even affectionate greeting comes second-hand.
6
uzr1 us ko kya raha jo jaan-o-dil2 bhi de chuka
kaaT Daala tum ne sar muft3 aise be-taqsiir4 ka
1.excuse, stated reason 2.life and heart 3.for nothing 4.faultless, blameless
What excuse could she possibly have for slaying someone who had already given her his life and heart? The poet condemns the beloved’s cruelty in killing the blameless, a powerful indictment of emotional injustice. Of course, the poet/lover is talking about his own slaying (but still writing after his own death).
7
shiisha-saaN1 jab charKh2 jaisa3 saNgdil4 paani hua5
kyuN na huN marhoon6 maiN apni aah ki taasiir7 ka
1.glass-like, mirror-like 2.fate 3.like, similar to 4.hard-hearted 5.paani hona to turn to water, to melt – become kind and forgiving 6.indebted 7.effect, impact
In the first misra both shiisha-saaN and charKh jaisa are used as descriptors of the beloved. The former means fragile/delicate and/or shining/bright and beautiful. The latter is used to mean hard-hearted like fate (the poet/lover is always ill-fated). Thus, even a beautiful, hard-hearted beloved can melt (become more kind and forgiving). This is the effect of his sigh. Why should he not be indebted to the impact of his sigh – thus, this is an expression of pride in his own strength.
8
khiiNch1 laaya jazba2-e dil apna us be-mahr3 ko
seekh4 le hum se koi aa kar amal5-e tasKhiir6 ka
1.pull, attract 2.emotion 3.unkind, unloving 4.learn 5.action, art 6.conquest, especially of hearts
The poet’s expression of pride in his own abilities continues. Through the sheer force of love, the poet has drawn even the unloving beloved to himself. He offers his love as a lesson in the conquest of hearts, as though he’s mastered the craft of emotional victory.
9
aage1 parvaane2 ke lii muNh meN zabaan3-e sham’a4 ko
hum se ye dekha nahiiN jaata sitam5 gulgiir6 ka
1.in front of 2.moth 3.tongue 4.candle, lamp 5.cruelty 6.scissor like wick snipping tool
The parvaana is the quintessential lover of the candle flame. It goes round and round and even gets burnt to death. The gulgiir is a scissor-like tool that is used to snip the charred wick of the candle or the oil lamp. This snipping/trimming is done while the candle/lamp is still burning. This is akin to taking the tongue of the candle in its mouth; and the gulgiir is doing it in front of the ideal lover-moth. Of course, this make it jealous and the poet cannot bear to watch this cruelty of the gulgiir.
10
khiiNch1 le mujh zaar2 jaise ki agar maani3 shabiih4
tab5 maiN samjhuN6 us ko hii kaamil7 fan8-e tasviir9 ka
1.sketch, draw 2.wretched, miserable 3.legendary painter of ancient Persia reputed to paint true likeness 5.then 6.understand, accept 7.perfect 8.art, skill 9.painting, drawing
maani was an legendary painter of ancient Persia. His reputation rested on doing such a realistic picture that it could be confused for the original object e.g., butterflies would alight at his painting of flowers. It is very difficult to represent the intensity of emotions of the lover in a picture. If maani succeeds in doing so then the poet/lover would accept him as the perfect artist. The implication is the even maani will not be able to represent the lover’s misery.
11
maiN huN voh siina-sipar1 aur voh dam-o-Kham2 mujh meN hai
ruu-ba-ruu3 aa kar mere phir4 jaa’e muNh shamshiir5 ka
1.shield-like chest, brave 2.literally the shine/sharpness of the curve of a sword, strength and daring 3.face to face 4.turn back 5.sword
The poet declares himself courageous and strong; claiming to be so strong that the sword would turn away when it comes face to face with him. Of course, the sword might be a metaphor for anything … critics of his poetry, trials and tribulations of life or oppression of the beloved. We are left to imagine.
12
aaya pahluu1 se jigar2 meN ke jigar se dil meN raah
kyuN na minnat-kash3 huN tiir-andaz4 ka aur tiir5 ka
1.side, also used for heart 2.liver (seat of courage) 3.indebted to 4.archer, beloved 5.arrow, beloved’s sidelong glance
The arrow, the beloved’s sidelong glance entered the side of his chest (his heart) and made its way to the liver, or was it the other way around, the poet wonders. Said Ghalib …
dil se teri nigaah jigar tak utar gaii
donoN ko ek adaa meN razaa-mand kar gaii
13
shor1 tum ne chun2 diye harfoN3 se kaaGhaz4 meN sharar5
kaam deta hai tumhaara Khaama5 aatishgiir6 ka
1.pen-name 2.selected, weaved into 3.words 4.paper 4.sparks 5.pen 6.incendiary, fire-catching
O shor you have weaved selected words like sparks on the paper such that your pen spreads fire i.e., his words are intensely passionate.
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