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4 Urdu couplets and shers with khwaahish

khwaahish(f): desire, aspiration

Description of khwaahish: Khwaahish is an Urdu word meaning a deep, heartfelt desire or longing, often evoking intense emotional yearning. Unlike fleeting whims, it persists as a profound inner pull shaping one's thoughts and actions. Differs from mere wants by its poetic intensity, binding the soul to unfulfilled dreams. In Urdu literature, poets like Ghalib use khwaahish to depict love's torment, as in verses where it enslaves the heart to impossible passions.

1 / 4: khwaahish

khauf-e-dozakh se kabhi khwaahish-e-jannat se kabhi

mujh ko is tarz-e-ibaadat pe

hansi aati hai

sometimes fearing hell

sometimes desiring heaven

this manner of worship

makes me laugh

Arzoo Lakhnavi (9)

khauf (m) (3)

fear, terror

dozakh (m) (4)

hell

kabhi (26)

on occasion

khwaahish (f) (4)

desire, aspiration

jannat (f) (8)

heaven

tarz (m) (3)

style, manner

ibaadat (f) (1)

worship

hansi (f) (1)

laugh

Theme: Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

2 / 4: khwaahish

hazaaron khwaahishen aisi ki har khwaahish pe dum nikle

bahut nikle mere armaan

lekin phir bhi kam nikle

thousands of aspirations

each would consume a life

many desires came true

but still just not enough

Mirza Ghalib (63)

hazaaron (4)

thousands

khwaahishen (f) (1)

desires

khwaahish (f) (4)

desire, aspiration

dum (m) (2)

breath, life

nikle (m) (6)

emerge, come out

armaan (m) (1)

wish, hope

Theme: Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

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3 / 4: khwaahish

insaan ki khwahishon ki koi inteha nahi

do gaz zameen bhi chahiye

do gaj kafan ke baad

there is no limit

to the human need

after two yards of shroud

needs two yards of land

Kaifi Azmi (7)

zameen (m) (13)

ground, earth, land

khwaahish (f) (4)

desire, aspiration

inteha (m) (3)

ending, finale

insaan (m) (12)

human

Theme: Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

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4 / 4: khwaahish

vaaye khush-fahmi ki parvaaz-e-yaqeen se bhi gaye

aasmaan chuune ki khwaahish mein

zameen se bhi gaye

alas, our delusion soared

beyond the flight of reality

in the desire to kiss the sky

we lost touch with the ground

Zafar Kaleem (1)

vaaye (m) (1)

alas

khush-fahmi (f) (1)

delusion, false hope

parvaaz (m) (3)

flight

yaqeen (m) (10)

faith, belief

aasmaan (m) (17)

sky

chuune (2)

touch

khwaahish (f) (4)

desire, aspiration

zameen (m) (13)

ground, earth, land

Theme: Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Featured Themes

Quest, Journey, & Destination (54)

Nature, World & Universe (50)

Voice, Expression, & Language (78)

Friends, Family, & Community (139)

Oppression, Rebellion, & Freedom (61)

Beauty, Charm, & Union (109)

Love, Passion, and Longing (113)

Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

Creativity, Philosophy, & Enlightenment (40)

Home, Country, & Belonging (30)

Miscellany (44)

Loneliness, Separation, & Grief (118)

Grit, Resilience, & Courage (58)

Hopes, Aspirations, & Dreams (37)

Heart, Mind, & Memory (66)

Life, Learning, & Living (127)

Alfaaz Ki Mehfil is a curated space for timeless poetry celebrating words, emotions, and the enduring beauty of expression. From classic Urdu couplets to modern reflections, it brings together generations of poetic voices that speak of love, longing, hope, and the human soul.

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khwaahish(f): desire, aspiration

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