Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Na kaho gar bura kare koi - With Translation and Comments

                                          "Mirza Ghalib"  
                                          (Born:  27 December 1797 – died: 15 February 1869)

                                 Ibn-E-Mariyam Huaa Karay Koi
                                 Mere Dukh Ki Dawaa Karay Koi

Useless to me the miracles of Christ, the son of virgin Marry.
Unless someone cures my aches/ sorrow & grief
                                 
The poet is saying: 
So what if there was a Messiah (or someone claims to be one)
Is there anyone now who can free me from my sorrow - suffering?

                               Shara-o-Aain Par Madaar Sahi
                               Aise Qaatil Ka Kyaa Karay Koi

Law and scripture could surely be summoned - You can quote the scriptures or the law of the land -
But what can one do about an assassin like him/ her... whose ways of killing with his/her beauty are beyond the reach - of law or ethics...  (beloved is addressed as 'Qaatil'; murderer)

                           Baat Par Waan Zubaan Katati Hai
                           Wo Kahen - Aur Suna Karaye Koi

To open your lips is to lose your tongue
They (He or she) alone will speak, others must listen.

This stanza may have a double meaning. 
It could be understood as a complaint against one individual; the beloved - or a general observation of the organized system. Everyone is supposed to listen and obey the leader – and not talk back or question the 'head - may it be the head of the family or head of an organization; business, corporation or government. Questioning the leader or the head is usually taken as disobedience and an insult to the intelligence of the leader. By ‘Talking back’ to the head, one may lose his tongue - position and respect in society - because the society in general looks down at those who talk back to their elders and superiors. 


                        Bak Raha Hoon Junoon Main Kya Kya
                        Kuchh Na Samjhe Khudaa Karay Koi

O, how I babble in frenzied state (in ecstasy)
May no one understand it, O’ Lord.

The poet says: “in the state of madness and ecstasy, I don't know what I was babbling. I might have let out a secret (in the above stanza). May God grant that no one understands any of it – the real meaning of whatever I said”. 

                       Na Suno Gar Buraa Kahay Koi
                       Na Kaho Gar Buraa Karay Koi

Hear not if evil someone speaks,
Say not (Don’t spread it around)  if evil someone does.

                      Rok Lo Gar Ghalat Chalay Koi
                      Bakhsh Do Gar Khataa Karay Koi

Stop the one who goes astray
Forgive, if someone is at fault.

This might seem like a contradicting statement. 
Since in the previous couplet he says don't say anything- don't talk about it if someone does something wrong. Just ignore it.
And now he is saying 'stop them if someone is doing wrong'. Obviously, he wants to say that do not fight or try to harm those who might be at fault. Rather try to stop them from doing it again - gently - with kind and compassionate heart – as you would do with your own family and beloved friends.   

                          Kaun Hai Jo Nahin Hai Haajatmand
                          Kis ki Haajat Rawaa Karay Koi

Is there anyone who is not needy or desirous?
who can cater to everyone’s need and desires?
(No one can)
                             Kya Kiyaa Khijar Nay Sikandar Say 
                            Ab Kisay Rahnumaa Karay Koi

What did Khizr do for Alexander?
Who should one take for a guide now?
In other words, no one really can be trusted - not even guides. 

The folklore of a fountain or spring with water that gives eternal life has lived on in most cultures for thousands of years. 
In an epic tale 'Shah-Naama' by Persian poet Firdausi, Alexander sets out to find this fountain in the Land of Darkness - a land beyond the place of the setting of the sun. Throughout this journey, Alexander was guided by Khizr - the wise, knowledgeable vizier (minister).
When they come to a parting of the ways, each follows a different path. Somehow it is Khizr who came upon the legendary spring and was the only one who drank from it and gained the eternal life. Khizr, the guide - instead of going back to look for Alexander - accomplished the quest alone. When Alexander finally caught up with him, he felt cheated at first but later decided not to drink the water from the spring - to become immortal.

                          Jab Tawaqqo Hi uth Gayi “Ghalib”
                          Kyun Kisi Ka Gilaa Karay Koi

When all expectations are gone, O’ ‘Ghalib’
Why should one complain to (or about) anyone?
When expectations end - complaints end as well. 

                                            'Rajan Sachdeva'

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