Jinhain Main Dhoondta Tha Asmanon Mein Zameenon Mein
Rare Iqbal Ghazal and its Translation
(the bolded lines are sung by Jagjit Singh in the above video)
Jinhain Mein Dhondta Tha Asmanon Mein Zameenon Mein
Woh Nikle Mere Zulmat Khana-e-Dil Ke Makeenon Mein
The one I was searching for on the earth and in heaven
Appeared residing in the recesses of my own heart
Haqiqat Apni Ankhon Par Namayan Jab Huwi Apni
Makan Nikla Humare Khana-e-Dil Ke Makeenon Mein
When the reality of the self became evident to my eyes
The house appeared among residents of my own heart
Agar Kuch Ashana Hota Mazaq-e-Jaba-Sayi Se
To Sang-e-Astan-e-Kaaba Ja Milta Jabeenon Mein
If it were somewhat familiar with taste of rubbing foreheads
The stone of Ka’ba’s threshold would have joined the foreheads
Kabhi Apna Bhi Nazara Kiya Hai Tu Ne Ae Majnoon
Ke Laila Ki Tarah Tu Bhi Hai Mehmil Nasheenon Mein
O Majnun! Have you ever glanced at yourself
That like Layla you are also sitting in the litter
Mahine Wasl Ke Ghariyon Ki Soorat Urte Jate Hain
Magar Ghariyan Judai Ki Guzerti Hain Mahinon Mein
The months of the union continue flying like moments
But the moments of separation linger for months!
Mujhe Roke Ga Tu Ae Na-Khuda Kya Gharaq Hone Se
Ke Jin Ko Doobna Ho, Doob Jate Hain Safeenon Mein
O seaman, how will you protect me from being drowned
As those destined to drowning get drowned in the boats also
Chupaya Husn Ko Apne Kaleem-Ullah Se Jis Ne
Wohi Naz Afreen Hai Jalwa Pera Naaz Neenon Mein
The one who concealed His Beauty from Kalim Allah
The same Beloved is manifest among beloveds
Jala Sakti Hai Shama-e-Kushta Ko Mouj-e-Nafas In Ki
Elahi! Kya Chupa Hota Hai Ahl-e-Dil Ke Seenon Mein
The breath of Lovers can light up the extinguished candle
O God! What is kept concealed in the breast of the Lovers?
Tamanna Dard-e-Dil Ki Ho To Kar Khidmat Faqeeron Ki
Nahin Milta Ye Gohar Badshahon Ke Khazeenon Mein
Serve the fakirs if you have the longing for Love
This pearl is not available in the treasures of kings
Na Puch In Kharqa Poshon Ki, Iradat Ho To Dekh In Ko
Yad-e-Baiza Liye Baithe Hain Apni Asteenon Mein
Do not ask of these Devotees, if you have faith, you should look at them
They have the illuminated palm up their sleeves
Tarasti Hai Nigah-e-Narsa Jis Ke Nazare Ko
Woh Ronaq Anjuman Ki Hai Inhi Khalwat Guzinon Mein
The insightful eye for whose spectacle is tantalized
That elegance of congregation is in these very recluses
Kisi Aese Sharar Se Phoonk Apne Kharman-e-Dil Ko
Ke Khursheed-e-Qayamat Bhi Ho Tere Khosha Cheenon Mein
Burn the produce of your heart with some such spark
That the Last Day’s sun may also be among your gleaners
Mohabbat Ke Liye Dil Dhoond Koi Tootne Wala
Ye Woh Mai Hai Jise Rakhte Hain Nazuk Abgeenon Mein
For Love search for some heart which would become mortified
This is the wine which is kept in delicate wine glasses
Sarapa Husn Ban Jata Hai Jis Ke Husn Ka Ashiq
Bhala Ae Dil Haseen Aesa Bhi Hai Koi Haseenon Mein
The Beauty itself becomes the Lover of whose Beauty
O Heart! Does someone among the beautiful has that beauty?
Pharak Utha Koi Teri Adaye ‘MA ARAFNA’ Par
Tera Rutba Raha Barh Charh Ke Sub Naaz Afreenon Mein
Someone became highly excited at your grace of Ma’arafna
Your rank remained among the most elegant of all the Lovers
Namayan Ho Ke Dikhla De Kabhi In Ko Jamal Apna
Bohat Muddat Se Cherche Hain Tere Bareek Beenon Mein
Manifest Yourself and show them Your Beauty some time
Talks have continued among the sagacious since long time
Khamosh Ae Dil! Bhari Mehfil Mein Chillana Nahin Acha
Adab Pehla Qareena Hai Mohabbat Ke Qareenon Mein
Silent, O Heart! Crying in the full assembly is not good
Decorum is the most important etiquette among the ways of Love
Bura Samajhun Inhain, Mujh Se To Aesa Ho Nahin Sakta
Ke Main Khud Bhi To Hun Iqbal Apne Nukta Cheenon Mein
It is not possible for me to deem my critics bad
Because Iqbal, I am myself among my critics
Singing oneness!
