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126 Urdu ash'ar / shaayari (shers, couplets) on the theme:

Life, Learning, & Living

daagh duniya ne diyezakhm zamaane se mile

hum ko tohfe ye

tumhein dost banaane se mile

i got the scars from the world

and the wounds from life

the few gifts i got

from having you as a friend

Kaif Bhopali (2)
zakhm (m) (15)

wound, injury

daagh (m) (6)

scars, stains

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duuriyaan majbuuriyaan

tanhaaiyaan

life perhaps

is just this

distances, compulsions

loneliness

zindagi (f) (41)

life

shaayad (m) (8)

perhaps, maybe

duuriyaan (f) (1)

distances

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milta faqat hai

zauq-e-tajassus ke baab mein

don’t you forget, 'shahed',

that the pleasures of life

are found only at the doorstep

of the joy of curiosity

bhool (f) (15)

forget, mistake

zindagi (f) (41)

life

lutf (m) (8)

comfort, joy, pleasure

faqat (6)

only, just, simply

zauq (m) (6)

pleasure, delight, joy

tajassus (m) (1)

quest, curiosity

baab (m) (2)

door

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ajab insaaf hai dekho

kahan karna, kahan bharna

the mistakes are of the past

but punishments given now

see what strange justice this is

where to do, where to pay?

khataaen (m) (2)

mistakes, crimes

sazaaen (m) (1)

punishments

ajab (m) (9)

strange, odd, unique

insaaf (m) (2)

justice

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zeest ke ranj

bhool jaate hain

when your eyes

do smile

the sorrows of life

i forget for a while

nain (m) (1)

eyes

smile

zeest (m) (4)

living, life

ranj (m) (3)

grief, hurt, sorrow

bhool (f) (15)

forget, mistake

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haadsa ek dam

naheen hota

time nurtures

things for years

a disaster never

happens suddenly

waqt (m) (20)

time

parvarish (f) (2)

nurturing, bringing up

barson (m) (4)

years

haadsa (m) (2)

misfortune, accident

dam (m) (9)

moment, breath

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20


baazaar se guzra huun

kharidaar naheen huun

i am in the world

but i am not a seeker of worldly desires

i have passed through the market

but i am not a buyer

duniya (m) (25)

world

talabgaar (m) (1)

seeker, suitor

baazaar (m) (1)

market

guzra (2)

happened, pass through

kharidaar (m) (1)

buyer, customer

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aag ye kis ne lagaayi

mujhe maloom naheen

i have always been

a spectator of my own ruin

as to who lit the fire

am yet to figure out

always

tamashaayi (f) (2)

spectator

aag (m) (4)

fire

maloom (4)

to know

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48


ek aftaab ke

bewaqt Doob jaane se

who knows how many

lamps gained fame

because a sun

sank unexpectedly

chiraagon (m) (1)

lamps

mil (7)

meet

shohrat (f) (1)

unsheath, fame

aftaab (m) (2)

sun

bewaqt (1)

untimely

Doob (m) (4)

sink, drown

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ek ajnabi ki tarah

main khud apne ghar mein tha

no one in my home

understood my joys and sorrows

like a stranger, i lived

in my own home

Anonymous

understand, deem

dukh (m) (6)

sorrow, grief

ajnabi (f) (5)

stranger

khud (23)

myself

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ye khaaki apni fitrat mein

na noori hai na naari hai

action shapes life

both heaven and hell

this earthly being, in its nature,

is neither of light nor of fire

amal (m) (2)

action, labor

zindagi (f) (41)

life

jannat (f) (8)

heaven

jahannam (m) (2)

hell

khaaki (f) (1)

earthly being

fitrat (f) (2)

nature

noori (1)

light

naari (f) (1)

fire

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kuch aur thak gaya hoon

aaraam karte karte

it was essential to get tired

while doing some work

i was even more exhausted

while resting

laazmi (2)

necessary

aaraam (m) (3)

rest

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zindagi mein

zindagi jaisa koi to kaam ho

declare your love

regardless of the outcome

let there be in life

something that resembles life

izhaar (m) (5)

express, announce

anjaam (m) (7)

result, end

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2.4K


na kuchh marne ka gham hota

na jeene ka maza hota

if one is not familiar

with the pain of love

he feels neither sadness of death

nor joy of life

dard (m) (20)

pain

mohabbat (f) (41)

love

insaan (m) (12)

human

aashna (6)

familiar, friend, beloved

gham (m) (19)

sorrow, sadness

maza (m) (2)

fun

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ajeeb log hain

deewaane hona chaahte hain

all wish to be

moths to a flame

strange people…

all seeking to be mad

ajeeb (m) (7)

strange, weird

charaagh (m) (15)

lamp, light, flame

parvaane (m) (1)

moths

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baa-wafaa jo aaj hain

kal bewafa ho jaayenge

passion is like the rising sun

and with time, the shade diminishes

those who are loyal today

will become disloyal tomorrow

shauq (m) (14)

passion, zeal

chaanv (m) (3)

shade

bewafa (m) (5)

unfaithful, disloyal

dhoop (m) (10)

heat from sun

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mujhe wajuud ke girte hue

makaan se nikaal

let me not be buried

within my own body

free me from this

crumbling house of existence

jism (m) (6)

body

andar (6)

inside

dafn (m) (2)

burial

wajuud (m) (1)

existence

girte (2)

to fall down

makaan (m) (5)

house

1

1

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ke naadaani hai

behtar aagahi se

i have learnt

this much from life

that ignorance is

better than awareness

Anonymous

zindagi (f) (41)

life

behtar (5)

better

aagahi (f) (4)

awareness

seekha (3)

learned

naadaani (f) (2)

innocence, naivete

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khud mere tauba ke

TukDe ho gaye

i wished to break

the wine cup

but what shattered

was my vow of abstinence

saaghar (m) (3)

goblet, wine cup

toD (4)

to break

khud (23)

myself

tauba (m) (3)

repentance, abstinence

TukDe (m) (1)

pieces

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ruuth kar waqt ganvaane ki

zaroorat kya hai

life is so short

even for love

why waste any

being upset

Anonymous

zindagi (f) (41)

life

yuunhi (f) (1)

as it is

bahut (20)

too much or many

mohabbat (f) (41)

love

ruuth (2)

angry

waqt (m) (20)

time

ganvaane (m) (1)

waste

zaroorat (f) (4)

need, necessity

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nakaam-e-mohabbat ka

itna hi fasana

joyless youth,

painless life

for those unsuccessful in love,

this is the only story

withoutjoy

nakaam (3)

without success, failure

fasana (m) (1)

story

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abhi to log taraste hain

zindagi ke liye

where this love and passion

where this separation and union

right now, people just

long for life

ishq (m) (34)

love

mohabbat (f) (41)

love

hijr (m) (4)

separation from beloved.

visaal (m) (4)

union, meeting

taraste (m) (2)

long for, thirst

zindagi (f) (41)

life

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bahut hote hain, yaaro,

chaar din bhi

it is true that life is

just four days long

even these four days, friends,

are too many

1969: Jnanpith

1997: India Commemorative Stamp

zindagi (f) (41)

life

maana (5)

agreed, listen to

chaar (m) (5)

four

bahut (20)

too much or many

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ki log rone lage

taaliyaan bajaate hue

the story ended

and it ended in such a way

that people started to cry

even as they were clapping

kahaani (f) (3)

story, sob story

khatm (2)

end, finish

taaliyaan (f) (1)

claps

bajaate (m) (1)

tomakesound

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tamaam raat parinde

zameen pe baiThe rahe

the tree was cut down, nasir

but such was the bond

all night long, the birds

sat on the ground below

darakht (m) (3)

trees, tree

raabte (m) (1)

connections, bonds

tamaam (7)

entire, all, whole

raat (f) (11)

night

zameen (m) (12)

ground, earth, land

rahe (m) (19)

remain

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8

135


chaman mein aayegi fasl-e-baharaan

hum naheen honge

flame of life will shine bright

but i won't be there

season of blossoms will come to the garden

but i won't be there

charaagh (m) (15)

lamp, light, flame

zindagi (f) (41)

life

farozan (m) (1)

radiant, lit up

chaman (m) (6)

garden

fasl (m) (4)

crop, season

baharaan (m) (1)

spring

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7


ik sukoon-e-dil ke khaatir

umr bhar taDapaa kiye

in short

this is the story of my life

just for some peace and calm

i kept yearning all my life

mukhtasar (m) (2)

abbreviated, concise, short

daastaan (m) (4)

story, tale

zindagi (f) (41)

life

sukoon (m) (6)

comfort, peace

dil (m) (106)

heart

khaatir (m) (5)

caring

umr (m) (15)

life

bhar (m) (10)

fill

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1


ki is ke baad ye duniyaa

kahaan se laaunga main

i wish for all decisions

be made right here

for, after this, where will i

find such a world again

faisle (m) (1)

decision

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dard bechaara pareshaan hai

kahaan se nikle

not just a wound or two

the whole body is torn

poor pain is troubled

as to where to emerge from

zakhm (m) (15)

wound, injury

jism (m) (6)

body

chhalni (f) (1)

perforated, riddled with holes

dard (m) (20)

pain

bechaara (m) (2)

helpless, miserable

pareshaan (m) (6)

distressed, troubled

nikle (m) (6)

emerge, come out

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78


mard ka eitbaar

khoti hai

poverty robs

all seasons of their beauty

and it strips man

of his dignity and trust

muflisi (f) (3)

poverty, destitution

sab (13)

all

bahaar (m) (12)

spring

khoti (1)

lost, diminished in value

mard (m) (4)

man, men

eitbaar (m) (5)

faith, belief

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2

24


kya haqeeqi o

kya majaazi ka

the best occupation

is that of love

whether divine or worldly,

doesn't matter

shaghl (m) (1)

hobby, occupation

behtar (5)

better

ishq (m) (34)

love

baazi (f) (3)

gamble, bet

haqeeqi (f) (1)

real, essential (divine)

majaazi (f) (1)

metaphorical, worldly

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35


saath hi daant ke neeche

koi kankar aaya

a morsel

that we obtained with ease

we also found a stone

under our teeth

mayassar (m) (4)

possible, available

luqma (m) (1)

morsel

daant (m) (1)

teeth

kankar (m) (1)

stone

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vahi ghar hai

vahi qissa hamaara

our address so far

has not changed

same house

same story ours

pata (m) (5)

address, whereabouts

badla (m) (1)

change

qissa (m) (2)

story, account

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main kahaan dafan hoon

kuchh pataa to chale

bring the shovels

dig into the depths of the earth

so i may find out

where i am buried

belche (m) (1)

spade

zameen (m) (12)

ground, earth, land

tahen (m) (1)

bottom, depth

dafan (2)

bury

pataa (m) (2)

address, whereabouts

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do gaz zameen bhi na mili

kuu-e-yaar mein

how wretched is your fate, ‘zafar’

that for your burial

you couldn’t get two yards

in the lane of the beloved

unfortunate

dafn (m) (2)

burial

gaz (m) (1)

yard

zameen (m) (12)

ground, earth, land

kuu (m) (1)

lane

yaar (m) (19)

friend, beloved

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woh zindagi hai jo

kaanTon ke darmiyaan guzre

the company of flowers

is indeed beautiful

but that is life which

happens amid thorns

1959: Sahitya Akademi

bahut (20)

too much or many

haseen (10)

beautiful

sohbaten (f) (1)

company, association

gulon (m) (2)

flowers

magar (25)

yet, but

zindagi (f) (41)

life

kaanTon (m) (2)

thorns

darmiyaan (f) (5)

between

guzre (m) (3)

transpires, passes

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zindagi bhar zindagi ki

justuju karte raho

in deep darkness,

keep looking for light

all through life,

keep looking for life

zulmaton (m) (1)

darkness

roshni (f) (5)

light, brightness

search, quest

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maut ka ek din muayyin hai

neend kyun raat bhar nahi aati

no hope comes to pass

no face seen anywhere

death has a fixed day to arrive

why then doesn't sleep come all night

ummeed (m) (10)

hope, expectation

soorat (f) (5)

face, in the form of

nazar (m) (30)

perspective, sight

maut (m) (4)

death

muayyin (m) (1)

fixed, appointed

neend (f) (5)

sleep

1

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kab zindagi guzaari hai

apne hisaab mein

no control over dreams

no power over memories

when has life ever

transpired on my terms

khwaabon (m) (2)

dreams

ikhtiyaar (m) (2)

control, authority

yaadon (m) (10)

memories, thoughts

zor (m) (4)

power, control

spent, transpired

hisaab (m) (3)

count, account

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agar aasaniyaan hon

zindagi dushwar ho jaaye

i go along laughing and playing

with waves of adversity

if life were to be all easy

how painful it would be

laughing playing

mauj (m) (6)

wave, waves, enjoyment

zindagi (f) (41)

life

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maut se pahle aadmi

gham se najaat paaye kyun

the prison of life and

the chain of sorrow are the same

why should we seek

release from grief before dying?

qaid (m) (5)

imprisoned, captive

hayaat (f) (4)

life

band (m) (7)

string, hostage, captive

gham (m) (19)

sorrow, sadness

asl (m) (1)

actually, in reality

maut (m) (4)

death

pahle (m) (7)

before

najaat (f) (1)

freedom, deliverance

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0

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4


zindagi ko faqat

imtihaan mat samajh

life is beautiful

with melodies and moons

don't think life is just

trials and troubles

naghma (m) (2)

melody, song

mahtaab (m) (5)

moon

faqat (6)

only, just, simply

imtihaan (m) (1)

trials, tests

1

0

3

3.1K


kahin kuchh cheez zyaada hai

kahin kuchh kam hai

today, wherever you see

it seems in this world

some are too many

and, some too few

1987: Sahitya Akademi

2008: Jnanpith

cheez (m) (6)

things, matter

zyaada (m) (6)

excess, too many

1

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gulaab apni hi khushbu se

darne lagte hain

tormenting often are

the times of youth

the rose starts to fear

its own fragrance

aksar (6)

often

shabaab (m) (5)

youth

khushbu (m) (10)

fragrance

azaab (m) (1)

torment, punishment

ghadiyan (f) (1)

times, hours

gulaab (m) (4)

rose

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jo zakhm mile tum ko

phoolon ki qabaa kehna

call it the fragrance of henna

call it a gentle breeze

whatever wound you get in life

call it a robe of roses

khushbu (m) (10)

fragrance

hinaa (m) (1)

henna

narmi (f) (2)

gentle, soft, softness

saba (m) (5)

breeze, zephyr

zakhm (m) (15)

wound, injury

phoolon (m) (3)

flowers

qabaa (m) (1)

robe, garment

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4

2.5K


baaqi umr

izaafi hai

one love

is enough

the rest of life

is just surplus

mohabbat (f) (41)

love

kaafi (3)

enough

umr (m) (15)

life

izaafi (f) (1)

extra, surplus

3

0

1

148


bahut masjid mein sar maara

bahut sa DhoonDa butkhana

nowhere did i see such splendor

as i have in the confines of my heart

though i kocked my head in mosques

and searched endlessly in the temples

jalwa (m) (3)

bright, splendor

khaana (m) (5)

room, section, space

dil (m) (106)

heart

bahut (20)

too much or many

masjid (m) (6)

mosque

sar (m) (7)

front, top, head

DhoonDa (m) (1)

search

butkhana (m) (1)

temple, home of idols

1

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ye kisi tarah paDha jaye

na samjha jaye

life is like a little-read letter

of a foreigner, 'ibrat',

however you read it,

you can't make sense of it

zindagi (f) (41)

life

pardesi (f) (1)

foreigner

khat (f) (7)

letter

tarah (f) (15)

type, like, similar to

paDha (1)

read

samjha (m) (6)

understand

0

0

1

2.3K


ek qayaamat hai

deedawar hona

to be always aware

of every possible calamity

it is indeed a calamity

to be so aware (and fearful)

qayaamat (f) (9)

catastrophe, apocalypse

to be informed of

aware

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0

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rahatein aur bhi hain

wasl ki raahat ke siva

there are other sorrows

in this life than love’s longing

there are other comforts too

than the union with the beloved

dukh (m) (6)

sorrow, grief

mohabbat (f) (41)

love

wasl (m) (7)

meeting, union

raahat (f) (2)

comfort, ease

0

0

0

4.5K


kahin zameen

kahin aasmaan nahi milta

nobody ever

gets the entire world

sometimes the earth

sometimes the sky…you don’t get

2013: Padma Shri

1998: Sahitya Akademi

aasmaan (m) (15)

sky

jahaan (m) (16)

world, universe

complete, full, entire

zameen (m) (12)

ground, earth, land

1

0

5

4.0K


is jahaan mein sab adhuure hain

mukammal kaun hai?

if you lack something,

why complain so much, faheem?

in this world, everyone is incomplete,

who is perfect?

kami (f) (3)

short of

shikaayat (f) (6)

complaint, protest

jahaan (m) (16)

world, universe

sab (13)

all

adhuure (m) (2)

incomplete

complete, full, entire

0

0

0

58


meri turbat se lagi baithi hai

hasrat meri

even after my death

my love did not leave me

my desires stayed shackled

to my grave

baad (10)

breeze / after

rifaaqat (f) (2)

companionship, love

turbat (f) (1)

grave

hasrat (f) (11)

desire, mostly unmet

0

0

1

3.3K


magar ab ye hai kisi maharabaan ke

tapaak ne bhi rula diya

there was a time when even a thousand

arrows in the heart did not cause me grief

but now even the warm handshake

of a friend makes me weep

hazaar (m) (8)

thousand

dukhi (1)

sad

magar (25)

yet, but

maharabaan (m) (1)

well-wisher, friend

tapaak (m) (1)

intense passion

make me cry

0

0

6

4.2K


jise qareeb se dekha

woh doosra nikla

that which i sought

my entire life

when i saw it up close

turned out to be quite different

talaash (f) (9)

quest, search

lifelong

bhar (m) (10)

fill

qareeb (4)

near, close

doosra (m) (3)

other, something else

nikla (12)

turned out, came out

1

0

2

3.2K


dard ki dawa paayi

dard-e-bedawa paaya

from love did my being

find the joy and fun of life

found a cure for pain

found a pain without a cure

ishq (m) (34)

love

zeest (m) (4)

living, life

mazaa (m) (5)

fun, delight

dard (m) (20)

pain

dawa (m) (5)

medicine, cure

bedawa (1)

incurable

paaya (5)

to gain, to secure

0

0

1

3.4K


mere pate se khalaq ko

kyon tera ghar mile?

please don’t bury me

in your lane after my murder

why should people find your house

while looking for me

gali (f) (8)

street

dafan (2)

bury

khalaq (m) (1)

people

0

0

0

3.8K


aisaa bhi ab

pasand mujhe ittiqaa naheen

even when it is raining

you never drink, 'faheem'

now, i no longer

care for such abstinence

barsaat (f) (3)

rain

pasand (f) (5)

liking

ittiqaa (m) (1)

restraint, abstinence

0

0

1

0


koyi bhi rang mayassar na tha

lahu ke siwa

leaving the painting unfinished

(s)he died, ‘zeb’

no color was affordable

other than blood

2005: Sitara-i-Imtiaz

adhuri (f) (1)

incomplete

chhod (2)

left

tasveer (m) (6)

photo, picture, image

mayassar (m) (4)

possible, available

0

0

0

5.0K


humne kaunsi sadiyan

guzarni hai yahan

why is life teaching me

so many lessons?

how many ages am I

going to spend here?

zindagi (f) (41)

life

sadiyan (f) (2)

generations, ages

guzarni (f) (1)

spend

0

0

1

3.9K


aksar bigaD ke khud

meri haalat sambhal gayi

i am grateful for

the ups and downs of the world

often, my situation goes awry

before it corrects itself

Anonymous

grateful

jahaan (m) (16)

world, universe

nasheb (m) (2)

descent, decline

faraaz (m) (1)

height, ascent

aksar (6)

often

bigaD (m) (1)

destroyed, spoilt

haalat (f) (3)

condition, situation

0

0

5

3.6K


hum ne pal bhar mein

naseebon ko badalte dekha

those enthroned in the morn

were declared criminals by dusk

we have, in a blink,

seen fortunes reversed

subh (m) (7)

morning, dawn

takht (m) (3)

throne

seated

shaam (m) (20)

evening

mujrim (m) (1)

criminal

pal (m) (7)

moment, nurture

naseebon (m) (1)

fortunes

badalte (m) (4)

change

0

0

1

5.0K


kuch na hoga to

tajurba hoga

why be constantly fearful

as to what will happen in life

if nothing happens, at the least

we will gain some experience

2007: Padma Bhushan

2013: Sahitya Akademi Award

Dare (m) (1)

be afraid

zindagi (f) (41)

life

tajurba (m) (1)

experience

0

0

1

7


jahaan se kya gharaz tujh ko

tuu aap apnaa jahaan ho jaa

by being your own confidant

you become your own story

why so obsessed with this world

you become your own universe

raazdaan (m) (1)

confidant

khudi (f) (2)

yourself

daastaan (m) (4)

story, tale

jahaan (m) (16)

world, universe

gharaz (m) (4)

self-interest, purpose

0

0

0

2.9K


kuch naadaniyan bhi

kiya karo jawan rehne ke liye

just by coloring your hair

nothing will happen, ghalib

do some crazy stuff

to retain your youth

fakat (1)

only

baal (m) (2)

hair

rangne (m) (1)

color

crazy

jawan (m) (1)

young, youth

0

0

1

2.0K


aashiq ka janaaza hai

zara dhoom se nikle

let’s walk along as wishes

spring from the heart of the dead

it’s a lover’s funeral,

let us celebrate with fanfare

chal (m) (4)

moving, walking

hasrat (f) (11)

desire, mostly unmet

dil (m) (106)

heart

marhoom (m) (2)

dead

nikle (m) (6)

emerge, come out

aashiq (m) (5)

lover, fan

janaaza (m) (3)

funeral procession

dhoom (m) (1)

blast, noise, uproar

0

0

3

3.9K


qasam khuda ki ye

tauheen hai javaani ki

seeking to be virtuous

while young

by god, it's an

insult to youth

virtuous

tauheen (m) (1)

insult

0

0

0

2.2K


kahaan gaya mera bachpan

kharaab kar ke mujhe

having made me a captive

of the age of youth

where has my childhood gone

ruining me thus

aseer (m) (1)

captive, prisoner

panja (m) (1)

clutch, grip

ahd (m) (3)

vow, promise

shabaab (m) (5)

youth

bachpan (m) (1)

childhood

kharaab (m) (4)

ruin, spoil

0

0

2

3.0K


jo zinda hun to phir

zinda nazar aana zaroori hai

if principles are under attack

it is necessary to fight back

if i am alive

i must act so

aanch (m) (2)

heat, flame, scorch

Takraana (m) (1)

fight

necessary, essential

nazar (m) (30)

perspective, sight

0

0

0

2.4K


hai is mein ek tilism

tamanna kahen jise

the thoughts of a dream

that which we call the world

in this there is a spell

that which we call desire

khayaal (m) (15)

thoughts

khwaab (m) (14)

dream

tamanna (m) (13)

wish, desire

tilism (m) (4)

spell, magic

0

0

1

2.4K


Daaka to naheen maara

chori to naheen ki hai

why such clamor

just because i drank some

i haven't assaulted anybody

nor stolen from anyone

hungaama (m) (3)

commotion, uproar

barpaa (1)

happen

peeli (1)

drink

chori (f) (1)

theft

0

0

4

2.8K


tanhaiyan ke khoaf se

jo shakhs mar gaya

the entire city joined

in the funeral procession

of the one who died

afraid of loneliness

Anonymous

shehr (m) (1)

city

janaaze (m) (1)

funeral procession

shareek (m) (3)

heaven, participant

tanhaiyan (f) (1)

loneliness

khoaf (m) (1)

fear

0

0

0

4.7K


dard jab

jaan-nawaaz ho jaaye

who would seek

the favor of the healer

when the pain itself

becomes a life-giver

dard (m) (20)

pain

minnat (f) (1)

favor, plea

jaan-nawaaz (m) (1)

life-giving

0

0

1

2.2K


jihad-e-zindagani mein

hai ye mardon ki shamsheerain

firm principles, relentless action,

love that conquers the world

in the battle of life

these are the swords of the warrior

yaqeen (m) (10)

faith, belief

amal (m) (2)

action, labor

paiham (m) (2)

flowing, continuous

jihad (m) (1)

struggle, esp.spiritual

2

0

0

2.6K


bahut azeez sahi

eitbaar kuch bhi naheen

life has always

remained close to me-

precious, for sure

but never reliable

bahut (20)

too much or many

qareeb (4)

near, close

zindagi (f) (41)

life

azeez (2)

precious, rare

eitbaar (m) (5)

faith, belief

0

0

0

1


shaam to subha mein

badalte raho

this is only demand

of life

keep turning every evening

into a dawn

zindagi (f) (41)

life

taqaaza (m) (5)

demand, requirement

shaam (m) (20)

evening

subha (m) (1)

morning, dawn

badalte (m) (4)

change

1

0

0

4.1K


zindagaani ka

saamna kar ke

who has ever found

peace in this world

facing the trials and travails

of this life

duniya (m) (25)

world

sukoon (m) (6)

comfort, peace

paaya (5)

to gain, to secure

saamna (m) (1)

confront, encounter

zindagaani (f) (1)

life

0

0

0

4.1K


rahte rahte station par

log coolie ho jaate hain

bearing burdens is hardly a passion

it is a barter of compulsion

staying at the station

people soon become porters

2014: Sahitya Akademi

shauq (m) (14)

passion, zeal

bojh (m) (2)

burden

majboori (f) (1)

helplessness, compulsion

sauda (m) (2)

business, barter, trade

coolie (m) (1)

porter

0

0

0

1.9K


wahaan jannat naheen milti

yahaan se saath jaati hai

do all the good you can

to help you in your quest

there is no heaven out there

it has to be obtained here

Anonymous

jannat (f) (8)

heaven

aamaal (f) (1)

do, implement, deeds

aqbaa (m) (1)

direction

0

0

0

3.6K


magar, hum ginti usi ki karte hai

jo haasil na ho saka

we go get a lot

in our life

but, we keep count only

of what we couldn’t

Anonymous

zindagi (f) (41)

life

ginti (f) (1)

count

haasil (m) (6)

capture, possess

0

0

0

5.0K


tamaam umr ka ab

silsila hai mere liye

that one reflection flashed

in my sight for just a moment

now for my entire life

it is a saga for me

pal (m) (7)

moment, nurture

nazar (m) (30)

perspective, sight

lifelong

aks (m) (4)

reflection

tamaam (7)

entire, all, whole

Thehra (1)

stay

silsila (m) (1)

connection, link

0

0

0

3.3K


kaaghaz bikhar rahe hain

puraani kitaab ke

pull yourself together

somehow

the pages of the old book

are getting scattered

2008: Kalapi Award

tarah (f) (15)

type, like, similar to

jama (m) (1)

collect

aap (12)

respectful 'you'

kaaghaz (m) (5)

paper

bikhar (m) (3)

scatter, disperse

rahe (m) (19)

remain

old

kitaab (m) (5)

book

0

0

0

2.5K


ik zara divaangi

darkaar hai

there is nothing lacking

in intellect and reason

but you still need

a touch of madness

1969: Jnanpith

1997: India Commemorative Stamp

aql (m) (6)

reason, intellect

divaangi (f) (1)

madness

darkaar (m) (1)

necessary, required

1

0

2

2.2K


dil har choTi si baat pe bhi

dara sa rehta

having witnessed so many

events in my life

even for small matters

my heart feels worried

Anonymous

manzar (m) (3)

sight, view, scene

1

0

1

3.9K


jo kho gaya main

usko bhulata chala gaya

that which i got in life

i thought of it as my good fate

those that i lost

i moved on, forgetting them

1971: Padma Shri

2013: Commemorative Stamp India

muqaddar (m) (8)

fate, fortune

0

0

1

4.6K


mushkil bahut hai un ko

jo rakhte hain aagahi

saudaa, it is only the ignorant

that live in blissful ease

but for the aware

life is full of torment

ignorant, clueless

aish (f) (6)

fun, frolic

mushkil (m) (8)

difficult, hard

bahut (20)

too much or many

aagahi (f) (4)

awareness

0

0

0

7


charaagh-e-sahar hoon

bujha chaahataa hoon

i am a guest for a few moments

oh, companions of the gathering

i am the lamp at dawn

and i wish to fade away

dam (m) (9)

moment, breath

mehmaan (m) (2)

guest

ahl (m) (4)

people

mehfil (m) (17)

gathering, concert

charaagh (m) (15)

lamp, light, flame

sahar (m) (7)

dawn

bujha (3)

extinguish, snuff out

0

0

0

23


har ghar mein bas

ek hi kamraa kam hai

everyone is just

one step away from happiness

every home is short of

just one room

2007: Padma Bhushan

2013: Sahitya Akademi Award

sab (13)

all

khushi (f) (8)

happiness

faasla (m) (6)

distance

qadam (m) (5)

step

kamraa (m) (3)

room

0

0

1

0


tamaam umr kisi

doosre ke ghar mein raha

in this way

life has passed

all the years

i lived in someone else’s home

tarah (f) (15)

type, like, similar to

spent, transpired

zindagi (f) (41)

life

tamaam (7)

entire, all, whole

umr (m) (15)

life

1

0

1

3.8K


jaavedaan, paiham rawaan

har dam jawaan hai zindagi

do not measure it by the

standards of yesterday and tomorrow

constantly flowing every moment…

life is forever youthful

paimaana (m) (3)

cup, measure

imroz (m) (1)

yesterday, today

farda (m) (2)

dawn, tomorrow

naap (m) (1)

measure

paiham (m) (2)

flowing, continuous

0

0

0

1.9K


is bahaane se magar

dekh li duniya hum ne

what i was looking for

i could not get

with this as excuse, however,

i got to see the world

1987: Sahitya Akademi

2008: Jnanpith

search, quest

paaya (5)

to gain, to secure

0

0

2

3.6K


zara si der mein

kya ho gaya zamaane ko

after burying me, they walked away

without a greeting or a prayer

what has happened to the world

in such a short time

dabaa (m) (2)

bury, suppress

qabr (m) (5)

grave, tomb

sab (13)

all

chal (m) (4)

moving, walking

dua (m) (11)

blessing, prayer

salaam (m) (5)

greeting, farewell

zamaane (m) (9)

in the world

0

0

1

1.7K


albela jhonka

kya jaane

what all has

happened to the flower

what does the

carefree gust (of wind) know

1967: Adamjee Literary Award

1981: Medal of Excellence

2003: Pride of Performance

gul (m) (19)

flower

happened

albela (m) (1)

fun-loving, carefree

jhonka (m) (3)

breeze, gust

0

0

0

5.1K


raqs karna hai to phir

paon ki zanjeer na dekh

look beyond the prison walls, at the

colors of the garden, the joy of spring

if you wish to dance, don’t look

at the shackles on your feet

1993: Dadasaheb Phalke Award

2013: India Commemorative Stamp

bahaar (m) (12)

spring

raqs (m) (3)

dance

zindan (m) (1)

prison

zanjeer (m) (7)

shackles, chains

0

0

1

3.7K


zinda rahna hai to

tarkeeben bahut saari rakho

keep water in your eyes

and a spark on your lips

to stay alive

have many methods at hand

aankh (m) (11)

eyes, eye

honTon (m) (2)

lips

chingaari (f) (1)

spark, ember

tarkeeben (m) (1)

methods, mechanisms

0

0

1

4.5K


kamaayi le chala hoon

saath apne zindagi bhar ki

so many scars in my heart,

countless unmet desires

these gains i carry with me

through my whole life

kaleje (m) (1)

heart, chest

hazaaron (m) (4)

thousands

daag (m) (2)

scar

hasratein (f) (2)

desires, mostly unmet

laakhon (m) (2)

hundreds of thousands

kamaayi (f) (1)

earnings, gain

zindagi (f) (41)

life

0

0

1

31


naye zakhm khaane ko

jee chaahta hai

the wounds of my heart

have healed, yet

my soul longs

to suffer new ones

mundamil (m) (1)

healed

zakhm (m) (15)

wound, injury

dil (m) (106)

heart

0

0

0

10


hazaaron lagzisheen hayal hain

lab tak jaam aane mein

yes, there is an ocean in my hand

but there is no assurance

so many wounds in my thoughts

before the cup reaches the lip

Anonymous

jaam (m) (10)

wine cup, goblet

lab (m) (19)

lip, lips

saagar (m) (1)

ocean

bharosa (m) (2)

confidence, reliance

hazaaron (m) (4)

thousands

lagzisheen (m) (1)

wounds

hayal (m) (1)

imagination, fantasy

0

0

0

5.0K


aur phir umr guzar jaati hai

yakjaai mein

in a moment

the fabric of life can unravel

and it takes a lifetime

to weave it back together

lamhe (m) (3)

moment, moments

bikhar (m) (3)

scatter, disperse

taana-baana (m) (1)

warp and weft, fabric

umr (m) (15)

life

guzar (m) (13)

pass through, spent

yakjaai (f) (1)

reweaving, reassembling

0

0

0

57


ki jaari faiz bhi hai aur

jhuki jaati hai gardan bhi

from the decanter, o friends,

learn the art of humility

it pours generously and yet,

bows its neck in grace

tavaazo (m) (3)

humility, modesty

tareeqa (m) (1)

way, method, manner

saahibo (m) (1)

dear sirs, o friends

suraahi (f) (1)

flask, pitcher

jaari (3)

ongoing, flowing

faiz (m) (2)

graceful, successful

jhuki (1)

lowered, bent

gardan (m) (1)

neck

0

0

0

0


choon marg aayad

tabassum bar lab-e-ost

what is the sign

of a person of learning?

when death comes,

has a smile on the lips

nishaan (m) (3)

sign, river, mark

mard (m) (4)

man, men

momin (m) (2)

religious, pious

marg (m) (2)

death

tabassum (m) (4)

smile

lab (m) (19)

lip, lips

1

0

4

3.2K


gaya waqt phir

haath aata naheen

fun and pleasure

don't show time passing

and the time that's passed

never returns

aish (f) (6)

fun, frolic

dauraan (m) (2)

era, during

waqt (m) (20)

time

haath (m) (10)

hand

0

0

0

4.6K


khairaat mein itni baDi

daulat nahi milti

when there is no boldness in the heart

love cannot be obtained

in alms, such a treasure

cannot be obtained

2013: Padma Shri

1998: Sahitya Akademi

dil (m) (106)

heart

jurat (f) (2)

boldness, courage

mohabbat (f) (41)

love

khairaat (f) (1)

charity, alms

daulat (f) (2)

riches, treasure

1

0

0

1.9K


itni khoobsurat

ye zindagi naheen hoti

if there is no

light of love in the heart

life does not turn out

to be so beautiful

dil (m) (106)

heart

mohabbat (f) (41)

love

raushni (f) (9)

light, brightness

zindagi (f) (41)

life

1

0

0

4.8K


kya sabab hai

aap ghar jaate nahi

saw your photo

in the newspaper

what is the reason

you don’t seem to go home

tasveer (m) (6)

photo, picture, image

akhbaar (m) (1)

newspaper

sabab (m) (2)

reason

0

0

0

2.7K


kuch ummeed-e-javaab

mein guzri

some time in life has gone

in finding the courage to ask

the rest was spent

waiting for an answer

himmat (f) (2)

courage

savaal (m) (2)

question

umr (m) (15)

life

ummeed (m) (10)

hope, expectation

javaab (m) (1)

answer, reply

guzri (3)

spent, passed

0

0

0

2.6K


main dil ko us mukaam

pe laata chala gaya

where the difference between

joy and sorrow is not felt

i kept taking my heart to

that place again and again

1971: Padma Shri

2013: Commemorative Stamp India

gham (m) (19)

sorrow, sadness

khushi (f) (8)

happiness

farak (m) (1)

difference

mehsoos (m) (1)

experience, feeling

dil (m) (106)

heart

mukaam (m) (1)

place

laata (1)

bring

0

0

2

2.9K


woh bola har lamhe mein

muqaddar chippa hai

often, i asked my past

about my fate

it replied that my destiny

is hidden in every moment

aksar (6)

often

maazi (m) (3)

past

kismat (f) (1)

fate

pataa (m) (2)

address, whereabouts

lamhe (m) (3)

moment, moments

muqaddar (m) (8)

fate, fortune

chippa (1)

hidden

0

0

0

2.5K


qissa jo yahaan ka hai

to phir tai bhi yaheen ho

why postpone the verdict

of justice until after death

whatever account is of here

let it be settled right here

insaaf (m) (2)

justice

mauquuf (m) (1)

postponement

hashr (m) (2)

day of judgment

qissa (m) (2)

story, account

tai (f) (2)

traverse, pass through

1

0

2

4.5K


vo zindagi jo haseenon

ke darmiyaan guzren

that is called heaven

that is also hell

life that is spent

among the beautiful

1959: Sahitya Akademi

dozakh (m) (4)

hell

jannath (m) (1)

heaven

guzren (m) (1)

spent

0

0

0

4.5K


do aarzoo mein kaT gaye

do intezaar mein

seeking a long life

i got myself four days

two spent in wanting

and two in waiting

umr (m) (15)

life

daraaz (m) (3)

long

maang (f) (3)

ask, seek

chaar (m) (5)

four

aarzoo (m) (17)

desire

intezaar (m) (21)

waiting

1

0

2

1.8K


na ye haath baag par hai

na paa hai rikaab mein

this horse of life is galloping away

not knowing where it will stop

the reins not in my hand

nor my feet in the stirrup

rau (m) (2)

gallop, rhythm

thame (m) (1)

stay, stop

baag (m) (1)

reins

paa (m) (2)

feet

rikaab (m) (1)

stirrup

0

0

1

2.4K


kha gaya shahr use

kehte hain deewani thi

wilderness was in her eyes

and in her voice, desolation

the city exhausted her

and called her a mad one

dasht (m) (4)

wilderness, desert

aawaaz (m) (3)

voice

veerani (f) (1)

desolation

deewani (f) (1)

mad person

0

0

3

1.9K


ishq ki jaye phir samajhiye

zindagi kya cheez hai

how can sane people know

what ecstasy is all about

love and figure out

what life is all about

2013: Padma Shri

1998: Sahitya Akademi

ishq (m) (34)

love

zindagi (f) (41)

life

hoshwalon (m) (1)

those who are sane

bekhudi (f) (1)

delirium, senselessness

cheez (m) (6)

things, matter

mischievous, playful

2

0

2

2.9K


zindagi tu ne to dhoke pe

diya hai dhoka

of death, at least,

i don’t expect this

oh life, you have only

cheated me, again and again

1969: Jnanpith

1997: India Commemorative Stamp

zindagi (f) (41)

life

maut (m) (4)

death

ummeed (m) (10)

hope, expectation

dhoka (m) (1)

deceit

1

0

0

4.3K


ye shikasta bam-o-dar bhi

humsafar ho jaayenge

in the desert of loneliness

learn the art of living

these broken doors and windows

will become your companions too

dasht (m) (4)

wilderness, desert

tanhaai (f) (11)

solitude, loneliness

saleeqa (m) (3)

skill, art, method

broken, battered.

dar (m) (8)

window, door, gate

humsafar (m) (4)

companion

0

0

0

1.7K


tujhe, aye zindagi,

hum door se pehchaan lete hain

for a long time now, i recognize

the soft sound of your footsteps

oh life,

i recognize you from afar

1969: Jnanpith

1997: India Commemorative Stamp

pahle (m) (7)

before

qadmon (m) (2)

footsteps

aahaT (f) (1)

sound (of footsteps)

pehchaan (m) (2)

identify, recognize

0

0

0

4.6K


bahut nazdeek hain woh din

ke tum hoge na hum honge

why do you worry about

the tumult in this world, oh akbar,

that day is near when

neither will you nor i am around

inquilaab (m) (6)

revolution

deher (m) (1)

world

gham (m) (19)

sorrow, sadness

bahut (20)

too much or many

near, close

1

0

1

2.8K


ab bahaar aaye to kya

abr-e-bahaar aaya to kya

the scorching heat of life has

withered and wilted my youth

what use now if the spring arrives

or the clouds of spring begin to rain

zindagi (f) (41)

life

dhoop (m) (10)

heat from sun

murjha (m) (2)

wilt

shabaab (m) (5)

youth

bahaar (m) (12)

spring

abr (m) (6)

cloud, clouds

0

0

1

0


ab akele hi chale jaayenge

is manzil se hum

my thanks to all who got

me to the grave, thank you

now, from this station on

i must walk alone

shukriya (m) (1)

thanks

qabr (m) (5)

grave, tomb

akele (m) (3)

by oneself, alone

manzil (f) (24)

goal, destination

0

0

0

33


raha jahaan mein sikandar

na aur na jam baaqi

the spectacles of this world

last, ah, but for a few days

neither sikandar remained

nor did jam in this world

chaar (m) (5)

four

aah (m) (7)

sigh

jahaan (m) (16)

world, universe

sikandar (m) (1)

king, alexander

jam (m) (1)

jamshid (mythical persian king)

baaqi (5)

remainder, left

0

0

0

10


use ek khoobsurat mod

de kar chodna achcha

where not possible to find

the story a fine ending

it is best to find a beautiful turn

and leave it there with grace

1971: Padma Shri

2013: Commemorative Stamp India

mumkin (8)

possible

afsaana (m) (6)

story, tale, fiction

anjaam (m) (7)

result, end

mod (m) (1)

turn

0

0

0

3.1K


zindagi ki fursat-e-baaqi

se koi kaam le

don’t anguish about

the failures of the dead past

make something useful

of the time that’s left

maazi (m) (3)

past

marhoom (m) (2)

dead

naakaamiyon (f) (1)

failures, defeats

zikr (m) (8)

mention, remember

zindagi (f) (41)

life

fursat (f) (5)

leisure, freedom

baaqi (5)

remainder, left

kaam (m) (13)

work

0

0

1

5.0K


zaahid naheen vaali naheen

kuchh paarisa naheen

why should i refuse

to drink wine, o preacher?

i am no ascetic, no saint,

not a man of purity

mai (f) (7)

spirit, wine

inkaar (m) (6)

rejection, refusal

naseeha (m) (1)

preacher, moral advisor

zaahid (m) (7)

priest, pious person

paarisa (m) (1)

virtuous person, pure

0

0

0

0


karam karo ke

ghareeb-ud-dayaar ham bhi hain

thanks to passerby's courtesy

i earn a reputation

kindly remember that

i am poor soul in this world

musaafiron (m) (2)

travelers

tavaazo (m) (3)

humility, modesty

karam (m) (9)

kindness, grace, favor

poor, destitute

dayaar (m) (3)

territory, region

0

0

0

0


ibtidaa hai

kisi kahaani ki

that which you think

is the ending

is perhaps the start

of another story

anjaam (m) (7)

result, end

ibtidaa (m) (1)

beginning

0

0

0

4.9K


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Religion, Reason, & Tradition (70)

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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