Tum Mere Paas Hotay Ho Goyaa

                 "Tum mere paas hotay ho goyaa

                  Jab koi doosraa nahin hotaa"    

                                                    (Momin' 1800-1850)

This simple, clear and ordinary looking sher (couplet) has such a profound deep hidden meaning, that can 

only be understood by sensitive hearts. Its beauty is in its conciseness and multiple layers of meaning. It’s remarkable that in such a simple language and with very few words, the Shaayer (poet) gave expression to diverse feelings of a lover's heart. On one side, this couplet is an expression of satisfaction of meeting; of togetherness - even if it is imaginary. That is – “you are near me when there is no one else around – in my loneliness, in solitude you are with me ... in my memories ... in my fantasies.

But along with satisfaction, it also expresses some feelings of pain and sorrow. Because indirectly it also conveys the secondary meaning: "you are only with me when no one else is there” – because when someone else is there, you are not with me even if you are physically there".

 Another meaning - if we place a coma or pause after the word ‘Jab’ in the second line – would be:

“When you are with me, then no one else is (on my mind). 

There is a story that when Momin Khan 'Momin' narrated this couplet, Mirza Ghalib was so impressed that 

he said: "Momin - Give this sher to me, and in exchange, take my whole Divaan (collection of poetry)."

Analyzing it in spiritual terms, the essence of whole philosophy of the Upanishads seems to be confined in these two lines.

"When there is no other" - that is when dualism ends – when there is no sense of duality in mind - then the Lord appears right in front.

As long as the ‘duality’ exists in mind, one cannot be close to God, even though He is everywhere.

And when there is no ‘Other’ – no duality, then only we see the Lord with us - all around and within.

The experience of 'thou' begins when the 'duality' or 'other' disappears -

and the mind instantaneously starts expressing:

           "Wherever I see, there you are!"

                                           ‘Rajan Sachdeva’