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soorat-e urdu zabaaN hai zindagi-gopal krishn shafaq
For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
https://urdushahkar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/gksh-soorat-e-urdu-zabaaN-hai-zindagi-audio.mp3
Recitation
صورتِ اُردو زباں ہے زندگی ۔ کرشن گوپال شفقؔ
۱
داستاں ہی داستاں ہے زندگی
زندگی میں اب کہاں ہے زندگی
۲
آپ منزل آپ منزل کا جُنُوں
آپ میرِ کارواں ہے زندگی
۳
کھو گئی ہے حادثوں کی بھیڑ میں
اب کہاں ڈھونڈوں کہاں ہے زندگی
۴
نامُرادِ آرزُوئے عشق کو
ایک بیوہ کا جہاں ہے زندگی
۵
راہِ حق میں ہو گئی جو بھی نثار
زندگی وہ جاوداں ہے زندگی
۶
مل گئی خوشیوں کی ہر منزل مجھے
آج مجھ پہ مہرباں ہے زندگی
۷
دیکھنے والی نگاہیں ہی نہیں
ورنہ ہر شے میں نہاں ہے زندگی
۸
کشتیِ عمرِ رواں کی خیر ہو
ایک بحرِ بے کراں ہے زندگی
۹
جس کو اپنوں نے بگاڑا ہے شفقؔ
صورتِ اُردُو زباں ہے زندگی
सूरत-ए उर्दू ज़बां है ज़िंदगी – कृष्ण गोपाल शफ़क़
१
दास्तां ही दास्तां है ज़िंदगी
ज़िंदगी में अब कहाँ है ज़िंदगी
२
आप मंज़िल, आप मंज़िल का जुनूं
आप मीर-ए कारवां है ज़िंदगी
३
खो गई है हादसों की भीढ में
अब कहाँ ड़ूंडूं, कहाँ है ज़िंदगी
४
नामुराद-ए आर्ज़ू-ए इश्क़ को
एक बेवा का जहां है ज़िंदगी
५
राह-ए हक़ में हो गई जो भी निसार
ज़िंदगी वो जावेदां है ज़िंदगी
६
मिल गई ख़ुशियों की हर मंज़िल मुझे
आज मुझ पे मेहरबां है ज़िंदगी
७
देखने वाली निगाहें ही नहीं
वर्ना हर शै में नेहां है ज़िंदगी
८
कश्ती-ए उम्र-ए रवां की ख़ैर हो
एक बहर-ए बेकरां है ज़िंदगी
९
जिस को अपनों ने बिगाढा है शफ़क़
सूरत-ए उर्दू ज़बां है ज़िंदगी
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. shafaq-gopal krishn batta (1933-xxxx), paTiala. MA urdu in addition to a medical degree. He practiced as a physician. Organized Indo-pak mushaa’era annually in ambala. Formed a society of poets who met regularly. Published three collections of his own poetry, one in devnagiri script.
1
daastaaN1 hii2 daastaaN hai zindagi
zindagi meN ab kahaaN3 hai zindagi 1.story, fable, fairy tale 2.only 3.where
Life has become nothing but a series of stories, fairy tales, possibly of past glory and future promises. The poet questions the presence of any true life or vitality in today’s existence.
2
aap1 manzil2, aap manzil kaa junuuN3
aap miir4-e kaarvaaN5 hai zindagi 1.itself as in apn’e aap 2.destination 3.passion 4.leader 5.travel party, party of seekers
Life is self-driven: it is both the goal and the passion to reach that goal. It leads itself, like a caravan led by its own spirit, perhaps suggesting that autonomy and internal motivation is what life ought to be. If it is not that, then it is fables and promises, as in the previous she’r.
3
kho gaii1 hai haadesoN2 kii bhiiR3 meN
ab kahaaN4 DhuuNDuuN5, kahaaN hai zindagi 1.has been lost 2.accidents, calamities, curses 3.crowd 4.where 5.search
In the chaos and crowd of incidents and tragedies, life has gotten lost i.e., life is an onslaught of calamities. The poet expresses despair, asking where and how to find (energetic, happy) life again amidst such confusion.
4
naamuraad1-e aarzu2-e ishq ko
ek bevaa3 kaa jahaaN4 hai zindagi 1.disappointed, unfulfilled 2.longing, unfulfilled desire 3.widow 4.world
Culturally the life of a widow has been (sadly, still is) considered devoid of meaning/purpose. For someone whose love remains unfulfilled, life feels like the lonely and sorrowful world of a widow.
5
raah1-e haqq2 meN ho gaii jo bhii nisaar3
zindagi vo jaavedaaN4 hai zindagi 1.path 2.truth, justice 3.sacrificed itself 4.eternal, immortal
Those who sacrifice themselves in the path of truth achieve an immortal life, suggesting that real life lies in noble sacrifice and selflessness.
6
mil gaii KhushiyoN kii har manzil1 mujhe
aaj2 mujh pe mehrbaaN3 hai zindagi 1.destination, stage along the journey (of life) 2.today 3.kind, benevolent
The poet feels that today life is kind and generous, having blessed them with all possible joys and accomplishments. I am not sure if he is referring to something specific that happened on that day … perhaps he considers the opportunity to read his Ghazal before this audience to be a source of joy for him.
7
dekhne vaalii1 nigaaheN2 hii nahiiN
varna3 har shai4 meN nehaaN5 hai zindagi 1.able to see, discern 2.gaze, eyes 3.otherwise 4.thing, object 5.hidden
Life exists everywhere, in every object and moment, but people lack the insightful/discerning eyes to truly see it. This can mean that (a)there is life/energy/functionality/critical role in everything in this world and therefore it has to be respected or (b)there is life in all objects not just animals and plants.
8
kashtii-e umr1-e ravaaN2 kii Khair3 ho
ek bahr4-e bekaraaN5 hai zindagi 1.life 2.flowing, passing 3.may it be protected/preserved 4.ocean 5.boundless, vast
Life is compared to a tiny boat sailing in an endless ocean of time. The poet prays for its safety, acknowledging the vast and uncertain journey of life.
9
jis ko apnoN1 ne bigaaRaa2 hai shafaq3
suurat4-e urdu zabaaN5 hai zindagi 1.friends, our own 2.spoil, destroy 3.pen-name 4.like, similar to 5.language
Life resembles the urdu language, beautiful, delicate, and deep, but has been neglected and damaged by its own people. This is both a lament and a metaphor for linguistic/cultural erosion.
shafaq-gopal krishn batta (1933-xxxx), paTiala. MA urdu in addition to a medical degree. He practiced as a physician. Organized Indo-pak mushaa’era annually in ambala. Formed a society of poets who met regularly. Published three collections of his own poetry, one in devnagiri script.
1
daastaaN1 hii2 daastaaN hai zindagi
zindagi meN ab kahaaN3 hai zindagi
1.story, fable, fairy tale 2.only 3.where
Life has become nothing but a series of stories, fairy tales, possibly of past glory and future promises. The poet questions the presence of any true life or vitality in today’s existence.
2
aap1 manzil2, aap manzil kaa junuuN3
aap miir4-e kaarvaaN5 hai zindagi
1.itself as in apn’e aap 2.destination 3.passion 4.leader 5.travel party, party of seekers
Life is self-driven: it is both the goal and the passion to reach that goal. It leads itself, like a caravan led by its own spirit, perhaps suggesting that autonomy and internal motivation is what life ought to be. If it is not that, then it is fables and promises, as in the previous she’r.
3
kho gaii1 hai haadesoN2 kii bhiiR3 meN
ab kahaaN4 DhuuNDuuN5, kahaaN hai zindagi
1.has been lost 2.accidents, calamities, curses 3.crowd 4.where 5.search
In the chaos and crowd of incidents and tragedies, life has gotten lost i.e., life is an onslaught of calamities. The poet expresses despair, asking where and how to find (energetic, happy) life again amidst such confusion.
4
naamuraad1-e aarzu2-e ishq ko
ek bevaa3 kaa jahaaN4 hai zindagi
1.disappointed, unfulfilled 2.longing, unfulfilled desire 3.widow 4.world
Culturally the life of a widow has been (sadly, still is) considered devoid of meaning/purpose. For someone whose love remains unfulfilled, life feels like the lonely and sorrowful world of a widow.
5
raah1-e haqq2 meN ho gaii jo bhii nisaar3
zindagi vo jaavedaaN4 hai zindagi
1.path 2.truth, justice 3.sacrificed itself 4.eternal, immortal
Those who sacrifice themselves in the path of truth achieve an immortal life, suggesting that real life lies in noble sacrifice and selflessness.
6
mil gaii KhushiyoN kii har manzil1 mujhe
aaj2 mujh pe mehrbaaN3 hai zindagi
1.destination, stage along the journey (of life) 2.today 3.kind, benevolent
The poet feels that today life is kind and generous, having blessed them with all possible joys and accomplishments. I am not sure if he is referring to something specific that happened on that day … perhaps he considers the opportunity to read his Ghazal before this audience to be a source of joy for him.
7
dekhne vaalii1 nigaaheN2 hii nahiiN
varna3 har shai4 meN nehaaN5 hai zindagi
1.able to see, discern 2.gaze, eyes 3.otherwise 4.thing, object 5.hidden
Life exists everywhere, in every object and moment, but people lack the insightful/discerning eyes to truly see it. This can mean that (a)there is life/energy/functionality/critical role in everything in this world and therefore it has to be respected or (b)there is life in all objects not just animals and plants.
8
kashtii-e umr1-e ravaaN2 kii Khair3 ho
ek bahr4-e bekaraaN5 hai zindagi
1.life 2.flowing, passing 3.may it be protected/preserved 4.ocean 5.boundless, vast
Life is compared to a tiny boat sailing in an endless ocean of time. The poet prays for its safety, acknowledging the vast and uncertain journey of life.
9
jis ko apnoN1 ne bigaaRaa2 hai shafaq3
suurat4-e urdu zabaaN5 hai zindagi
1.friends, our own 2.spoil, destroy 3.pen-name 4.like, similar to 5.language
Life resembles the urdu language, beautiful, delicate, and deep, but has been neglected and damaged by its own people. This is both a lament and a metaphor for linguistic/cultural erosion.
The post soorat-e urdu zabaaN hai zindagi-gopal krishn shafaq appeared first on UrduShahkar.
View all episodes
By For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
https://urdushahkar.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/gksh-soorat-e-urdu-zabaaN-hai-zindagi-audio.mp3
Recitation
صورتِ اُردو زباں ہے زندگی ۔ کرشن گوپال شفقؔ
۱
داستاں ہی داستاں ہے زندگی
زندگی میں اب کہاں ہے زندگی
۲
آپ منزل آپ منزل کا جُنُوں
آپ میرِ کارواں ہے زندگی
۳
کھو گئی ہے حادثوں کی بھیڑ میں
اب کہاں ڈھونڈوں کہاں ہے زندگی
۴
نامُرادِ آرزُوئے عشق کو
ایک بیوہ کا جہاں ہے زندگی
۵
راہِ حق میں ہو گئی جو بھی نثار
زندگی وہ جاوداں ہے زندگی
۶
مل گئی خوشیوں کی ہر منزل مجھے
آج مجھ پہ مہرباں ہے زندگی
۷
دیکھنے والی نگاہیں ہی نہیں
ورنہ ہر شے میں نہاں ہے زندگی
۸
کشتیِ عمرِ رواں کی خیر ہو
ایک بحرِ بے کراں ہے زندگی
۹
جس کو اپنوں نے بگاڑا ہے شفقؔ
صورتِ اُردُو زباں ہے زندگی
सूरत-ए उर्दू ज़बां है ज़िंदगी – कृष्ण गोपाल शफ़क़
१
दास्तां ही दास्तां है ज़िंदगी
ज़िंदगी में अब कहाँ है ज़िंदगी
२
आप मंज़िल, आप मंज़िल का जुनूं
आप मीर-ए कारवां है ज़िंदगी
३
खो गई है हादसों की भीढ में
अब कहाँ ड़ूंडूं, कहाँ है ज़िंदगी
४
नामुराद-ए आर्ज़ू-ए इश्क़ को
एक बेवा का जहां है ज़िंदगी
५
राह-ए हक़ में हो गई जो भी निसार
ज़िंदगी वो जावेदां है ज़िंदगी
६
मिल गई ख़ुशियों की हर मंज़िल मुझे
आज मुझ पे मेहरबां है ज़िंदगी
७
देखने वाली निगाहें ही नहीं
वर्ना हर शै में नेहां है ज़िंदगी
८
कश्ती-ए उम्र-ए रवां की ख़ैर हो
एक बहर-ए बेकरां है ज़िंदगी
९
जिस को अपनों ने बिगाढा है शफ़क़
सूरत-ए उर्दू ज़बां है ज़िंदगी
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. shafaq-gopal krishn batta (1933-xxxx), paTiala. MA urdu in addition to a medical degree. He practiced as a physician. Organized Indo-pak mushaa’era annually in ambala. Formed a society of poets who met regularly. Published three collections of his own poetry, one in devnagiri script.
1
daastaaN1 hii2 daastaaN hai zindagi
zindagi meN ab kahaaN3 hai zindagi 1.story, fable, fairy tale 2.only 3.where
Life has become nothing but a series of stories, fairy tales, possibly of past glory and future promises. The poet questions the presence of any true life or vitality in today’s existence.
2
aap1 manzil2, aap manzil kaa junuuN3
aap miir4-e kaarvaaN5 hai zindagi 1.itself as in apn’e aap 2.destination 3.passion 4.leader 5.travel party, party of seekers
Life is self-driven: it is both the goal and the passion to reach that goal. It leads itself, like a caravan led by its own spirit, perhaps suggesting that autonomy and internal motivation is what life ought to be. If it is not that, then it is fables and promises, as in the previous she’r.
3
kho gaii1 hai haadesoN2 kii bhiiR3 meN
ab kahaaN4 DhuuNDuuN5, kahaaN hai zindagi 1.has been lost 2.accidents, calamities, curses 3.crowd 4.where 5.search
In the chaos and crowd of incidents and tragedies, life has gotten lost i.e., life is an onslaught of calamities. The poet expresses despair, asking where and how to find (energetic, happy) life again amidst such confusion.
4
naamuraad1-e aarzu2-e ishq ko
ek bevaa3 kaa jahaaN4 hai zindagi 1.disappointed, unfulfilled 2.longing, unfulfilled desire 3.widow 4.world
Culturally the life of a widow has been (sadly, still is) considered devoid of meaning/purpose. For someone whose love remains unfulfilled, life feels like the lonely and sorrowful world of a widow.
5
raah1-e haqq2 meN ho gaii jo bhii nisaar3
zindagi vo jaavedaaN4 hai zindagi 1.path 2.truth, justice 3.sacrificed itself 4.eternal, immortal
Those who sacrifice themselves in the path of truth achieve an immortal life, suggesting that real life lies in noble sacrifice and selflessness.
6
mil gaii KhushiyoN kii har manzil1 mujhe
aaj2 mujh pe mehrbaaN3 hai zindagi 1.destination, stage along the journey (of life) 2.today 3.kind, benevolent
The poet feels that today life is kind and generous, having blessed them with all possible joys and accomplishments. I am not sure if he is referring to something specific that happened on that day … perhaps he considers the opportunity to read his Ghazal before this audience to be a source of joy for him.
7
dekhne vaalii1 nigaaheN2 hii nahiiN
varna3 har shai4 meN nehaaN5 hai zindagi 1.able to see, discern 2.gaze, eyes 3.otherwise 4.thing, object 5.hidden
Life exists everywhere, in every object and moment, but people lack the insightful/discerning eyes to truly see it. This can mean that (a)there is life/energy/functionality/critical role in everything in this world and therefore it has to be respected or (b)there is life in all objects not just animals and plants.
8
kashtii-e umr1-e ravaaN2 kii Khair3 ho
ek bahr4-e bekaraaN5 hai zindagi 1.life 2.flowing, passing 3.may it be protected/preserved 4.ocean 5.boundless, vast
Life is compared to a tiny boat sailing in an endless ocean of time. The poet prays for its safety, acknowledging the vast and uncertain journey of life.
9
jis ko apnoN1 ne bigaaRaa2 hai shafaq3
suurat4-e urdu zabaaN5 hai zindagi 1.friends, our own 2.spoil, destroy 3.pen-name 4.like, similar to 5.language
Life resembles the urdu language, beautiful, delicate, and deep, but has been neglected and damaged by its own people. This is both a lament and a metaphor for linguistic/cultural erosion.
shafaq-gopal krishn batta (1933-xxxx), paTiala. MA urdu in addition to a medical degree. He practiced as a physician. Organized Indo-pak mushaa’era annually in ambala. Formed a society of poets who met regularly. Published three collections of his own poetry, one in devnagiri script.
1
daastaaN1 hii2 daastaaN hai zindagi
zindagi meN ab kahaaN3 hai zindagi
1.story, fable, fairy tale 2.only 3.where
Life has become nothing but a series of stories, fairy tales, possibly of past glory and future promises. The poet questions the presence of any true life or vitality in today’s existence.
2
aap1 manzil2, aap manzil kaa junuuN3
aap miir4-e kaarvaaN5 hai zindagi
1.itself as in apn’e aap 2.destination 3.passion 4.leader 5.travel party, party of seekers
Life is self-driven: it is both the goal and the passion to reach that goal. It leads itself, like a caravan led by its own spirit, perhaps suggesting that autonomy and internal motivation is what life ought to be. If it is not that, then it is fables and promises, as in the previous she’r.
3
kho gaii1 hai haadesoN2 kii bhiiR3 meN
ab kahaaN4 DhuuNDuuN5, kahaaN hai zindagi
1.has been lost 2.accidents, calamities, curses 3.crowd 4.where 5.search
In the chaos and crowd of incidents and tragedies, life has gotten lost i.e., life is an onslaught of calamities. The poet expresses despair, asking where and how to find (energetic, happy) life again amidst such confusion.
4
naamuraad1-e aarzu2-e ishq ko
ek bevaa3 kaa jahaaN4 hai zindagi
1.disappointed, unfulfilled 2.longing, unfulfilled desire 3.widow 4.world
Culturally the life of a widow has been (sadly, still is) considered devoid of meaning/purpose. For someone whose love remains unfulfilled, life feels like the lonely and sorrowful world of a widow.
5
raah1-e haqq2 meN ho gaii jo bhii nisaar3
zindagi vo jaavedaaN4 hai zindagi
1.path 2.truth, justice 3.sacrificed itself 4.eternal, immortal
Those who sacrifice themselves in the path of truth achieve an immortal life, suggesting that real life lies in noble sacrifice and selflessness.
6
mil gaii KhushiyoN kii har manzil1 mujhe
aaj2 mujh pe mehrbaaN3 hai zindagi
1.destination, stage along the journey (of life) 2.today 3.kind, benevolent
The poet feels that today life is kind and generous, having blessed them with all possible joys and accomplishments. I am not sure if he is referring to something specific that happened on that day … perhaps he considers the opportunity to read his Ghazal before this audience to be a source of joy for him.
7
dekhne vaalii1 nigaaheN2 hii nahiiN
varna3 har shai4 meN nehaaN5 hai zindagi
1.able to see, discern 2.gaze, eyes 3.otherwise 4.thing, object 5.hidden
Life exists everywhere, in every object and moment, but people lack the insightful/discerning eyes to truly see it. This can mean that (a)there is life/energy/functionality/critical role in everything in this world and therefore it has to be respected or (b)there is life in all objects not just animals and plants.
8
kashtii-e umr1-e ravaaN2 kii Khair3 ho
ek bahr4-e bekaraaN5 hai zindagi
1.life 2.flowing, passing 3.may it be protected/preserved 4.ocean 5.boundless, vast
Life is compared to a tiny boat sailing in an endless ocean of time. The poet prays for its safety, acknowledging the vast and uncertain journey of life.
9
jis ko apnoN1 ne bigaaRaa2 hai shafaq3
suurat4-e urdu zabaaN5 hai zindagi
1.friends, our own 2.spoil, destroy 3.pen-name 4.like, similar to 5.language
Life resembles the urdu language, beautiful, delicate, and deep, but has been neglected and damaged by its own people. This is both a lament and a metaphor for linguistic/cultural erosion.
The post soorat-e urdu zabaaN hai zindagi-gopal krishn shafaq appeared first on UrduShahkar.