is sadgi pe kaun na mar jae ai khuda
ladte hain aur hath mein talwar bhi nahin
the poet marvels at the beloved's paradoxical nature, where they engage in a conflict or claim to be a slayer without wielding any physical weapon. ghalib implies that the beloved's beauty and glances are far more lethal than any sword, yet the beloved innocently believes they are 'fighting' unarmed. it highlights the deadly charm of such naivety, where the lover is defeated not by force, but by the beloved's simple, unarmed presence.
aahat si koi aae to lagta hai ki tum ho
aahat si koi aae to lagta hai ki tum ho
saaya koi lahrae to lagta hai ki tum ho
jab shakh koi haath lagate hi chaman men
sharmae lachak jaae to lagta hai ki tum ho
sandal se mahakti hui pur-kaif hava ka
jhonka koi takrae to lagta hai ki tum ho
odhe hue taron ki chamakti hui chadar
naddi koi bal khaae to lagta hai ki tum ho
jab raat gae koi kiran mere barabar
chup-chap si so jaae to lagta hai ki tum ho
aahat si koi aae to lagta hai ki tum ho
saya koi lahrae to lagta hai ki tum ho
jab shakh koi hath lagate hi chaman mein
sharmae lachak jae to lagta hai ki tum ho
sandal se mahakti hui pur-kaif hawa ka
jhonka koi takrae to lagta hai ki tum ho
odhe hue taron ki chamakti hui chadar
naddi koi bal khae to lagta hai ki tum ho
jab raat gae koi kiran mere barabar
chup-chap si so jae to lagta hai ki tum ho
is sadgi pe kaun na mar jae ai khuda
ladte hain aur hath mein talwar bhi nahin
the poet marvels at the beloved's paradoxical nature, where they engage in a conflict or claim to be a slayer without wielding any physical weapon. ghalib implies that the beloved's beauty and glances are far more lethal than any sword, yet the beloved innocently believes they are 'fighting' unarmed. it highlights the deadly charm of such naivety, where the lover is defeated not by force, but by the beloved's simple, unarmed presence.
andaz apna dekhte hain aaine mein wo
aur ye bhi dekhte hain koi dekhta na ho
looking in the mirror she sees her savoir-faire
and also looks to see no one is peeping there
aankhon se haya tapke hai andaz to dekho
ankhon se haya tapke hai andaz to dekho
hai bul-havason par bhi sitam naaz to dekho
us but ke liye main havas-e-hur se guzra
is ishq-e-khush-anjam ka aghhaz to dekho
chashmak miri vahshat pe hai kya hazrat-e-naseh
tarz-e-nigah-e-chashm-e-fusun-saz to dekho
arbab-e-havas haar ke bhi jaan pe khele
kam-talai-e-ashiq-e-jan-baz to dekho
majlis men mire zikr ke aate hi uthe vo
badnami-e-ushshaq ka eazaz to dekho
mahfil men tum aghhyar ko duz-dida nazar se
manzur hai pinhan na rahe raaz to dekho
us ghhairat-e-nahid ki har taan hai dipak
shoala sa lapak jaae hai avaz to dekho
den paki-e-daman ki gavahi mire aansu
us yusuf-e-bedard ka eajaz to dekho
jannat men bhi 'momin' na mila haae buton se
jaur-e-ajal-e-tafraqa-pardaz to dekho
aankhon se haya tapke hai andaz to dekho
hai bul-hawason par bhi sitam naz to dekho
us but ke liye main hawas-e-hur se guzra
is ishq-e-khush-anjam ka aaghaz to dekho
chashmak meri wahshat pe hai kya hazrat-e-naseh
tarz-e-nigah-e-chashm-e-fusun-saz to dekho
arbab-e-hawas haar ke bhi jaan pe khele
kam-talai-e-ashiq-e-jaan-baz to dekho
majlis mein mere zikr ke aate hi uthe wo
badnami-e-ushshaq ka eazaz to dekho
mahfil mein tum aghyar ko duz-dida nazar se
manzur hai pinhan na rahe raaz to dekho
us ghairat-e-nahid ki har tan hai dipak
shoala sa lapak jae hai aawaz to dekho
den paki-e-daman ki gawahi mere aansu
us yusuf-e-bedard ka eajaz to dekho
jannat mein bhi 'momin' na mila hae buton se
jaur-e-ajal-e-tafraqa-pardaz to dekho
andaz apna dekhte hain aaine mein wo
aur ye bhi dekhte hain koi dekhta na ho
looking in the mirror she sees her savoir-faire
and also looks to see no one is peeping there
puchha jo un se chand nikalta hai kis tarah
zulfon ko rukh pe dal ke jhatka diya ki yun
angdai bhi wo lene na pae utha ke hath
angdai bhi vo lene na paae utha ke haath
dekha jo mujh ko chhod diye muskura ke haath
she couldn't stretch her limbs, with all her ample grace
on seeing me she smiled and kept, her modesty in place
be-sakhta nigahen jo aapas men mil gaiin
kya munh par us ne rakh liye ankhen chura ke haath
inadvertently, when, our eyes did chance to meet
she looked away from me, and then, covered up her face
ye bhi naya sitam hai hina to lagaen ghhair
aur us ki daad chahen vo mujh ko dikha ke haath
tis a novel torture, henna, my rival applies
while she waits for compliments from me- so in my face!!
be-ikhtiyar ho ke jo main paanv par gira
thodi ke niche us ne dhara muskura ke haath
---
---
gar dil ko bas men paaen to naseh tiri sunen
apni to marg-o-zist hai us bevafa ke haath
---
---
vo zanuon men siina chhupana simat ke haae
aur phir sambhalna vo dupatta chhuda ke haath
she doubles up to hide her bosom- such a pity sigh!
then straightens up again to get her scarf back into place
qasid tire bayan se dil aisa thahar gaya
goya kisi ne rakh diya siine pe aa ke haath
---
---
ai dil kuchh aur baat ki raghhbat na de mujhe
sunni padengi saikdon us ko laga ke haath
---
---
vo kuchh kisi ka kah ke satana sada mujhe
vo khinch lena parde se apna dikha ke haath
---
---
dekha jo kuchh ruka mujhe to kis tapak se
gardan men meri daal diye aap aa ke haath
---
---
phir kyuun na chaak ho jo hain zor-azmaiyan
bandhunga phir dupatta se us be-khata ke haath
wherever do i go to if i, from your street depart
with both the worlds forsaken, there is no other place
kuche se tere utthen to phir jaaen ham kahan
baithe hain yaan to donon jahan se utha ke haath
---
---
pahchana phir to kya hi nadamat hui unhen
pandit samajh ke mujh ko aur apna dikha ke haath
i do recall her offering to me the glass of wine
holding out her hand this way turning away her face
dena vo us ka saghhar-e-mai yaad hai 'nizam'
munh pher kar udhar ko idhar ko badha ke haath
angdai bhi wo lene na pae utha ke hath
dekha jo mujh ko chhod diye muskura ke hath
she couldn't stretch her limbs, with all her ample grace
on seeing me she smiled and kept, her modesty in place
be-sakhta nigahen jo aapas mein mil gain
kya munh par us ne rakh liye aankhen chura ke hath
inadvertently, when, our eyes did chance to meet
she looked away from me, and then, covered up her face
ye bhi naya sitam hai hina to lagaen ghair
aur us ki dad chahen wo mujh ko dikha ke hath
tis a novel torture, henna, my rival applies
while she waits for compliments from me- so in my face!!
be-ikhtiyar ho ke jo main panw par gira
thodi ke niche us ne dhara muskura ke hath
---
---
gar dil ko bas mein paen to naseh teri sunen
apni to marg-o-zist hai us bewafa ke hath
---
---
wo zanuon mein sina chhupana simat ke hae
aur phir sambhaalna wo dupatta chhuda ke hath
she doubles up to hide her bosom- such a pity sigh!
then straightens up again to get her scarf back into place
qasid tere bayan se dil aisa thahar gaya
goya kisi ne rakh diya sine pe aa ke hath
---
---
ai dil kuchh aur baat ki raghbat na de mujhe
sunni padengi saikdon us ko laga ke hath
---
---
wo kuchh kisi ka kah ke satana sada mujhe
wo khinch lena parde se apna dikha ke hath
---
---
dekha jo kuchh ruka mujhe to kis tapak se
gardan mein meri dal diye aap aa ke hath
---
---
phir kyun na chaak ho jo hain zor-azmaiyan
bandhunga phir dupatta se us be-khata ke hath
wherever do i go to if i, from your street depart
with both the worlds forsaken, there is no other place
kuche se tere utthen to phir jaen hum kahan
baithe hain yan to donon jahan se utha ke hath
---
---
pahchana phir to kya hi nadamat hui unhen
pandit samajh ke mujh ko aur apna dikha ke hath
i do recall her offering to me the glass of wine
holding out her hand this way turning away her face
dena wo us ka saghar-e-mai yaad hai 'nizam'
munh pher kar udhar ko idhar ko badha ke hath
puchha jo un se chand nikalta hai kis tarah
zulfon ko rukh pe dal ke jhatka diya ki yun
haya se sar jhuka lena ada se muskura dena
hasinon ko bhi kitna sahl hai bijli gira dena
how easy is for these maidens to make the lightening fall
nazar mila ke mere pas aa ke lut liya
nazar mila ke mire paas aa ke luut liya
nazar hati thi ki phir muskura ke luut liya
shikast-e-husn ka jalva dikha ke luut liya
nigah nichi kiye sar jhuka ke luut liya
duhai hai mire allah ki duhai hai
kisi ne mujh se bhi mujh ko chhupa ke luut liya
salam us pe ki jis ne utha ke parda-e-dil
mujhi men rah ke mujhi men sama ke luut liya
unhin ke dil se koi us ki azmaten puchhe
vo ek dil jise sab kuchh luta ke luut liya
yahan to khud tiri hasti hai ishq ko darkar
vo aur honge jinhen muskura ke luut liya
khusha vo jaan jise di gai amanat-e-ishq
rahe vo dil jise apna bana ke luut liya
nigah daal di jis par hasin ankhon ne
use bhi husn-e-mujassam bana ke luut liya
bade vo aae dil o jaan ke lutne vaale
nazar se chhed diya gudguda ke luut liya
raha kharab-e-mohabbat hi vo jise tu ne
khud apna dard-e-mohabbat dikha ke luut liya
koi ye luut to dekhe ki us ne jab chaha
tamam hasti-e-dil ko jaga ke luut liya
karishma-sazi-e-husn-e-azal are tauba
mira hi aina mujh ko dikha ke luut liya
na lutte ham magar un mast ankhdiyon ne 'jigar'
nazar bachate hue dabdaba ke luut liya
nazar mila ke mere pas aa ke lut liya
nazar hati thi ki phir muskura ke lut liya
shikast-e-husn ka jalwa dikha ke lut liya
nigah nichi kiye sar jhuka ke lut liya
duhai hai mere allah ki duhai hai
kisi ne mujh se bhi mujh ko chhupa ke lut liya
salam us pe ki jis ne utha ke parda-e-dil
mujhi mein rah ke mujhi mein sama ke lut liya
unhin ke dil se koi us ki azmaten puchhe
wo ek dil jise sab kuchh luta ke lut liya
yahan to khud teri hasti hai ishq ko darkar
wo aur honge jinhen muskura ke lut liya
khusha wo jaan jise di gai amanat-e-ishq
rahe wo dil jise apna bana ke lut liya
nigah dal di jis par hasin aankhon ne
use bhi husn-e-mujassam bana ke lut liya
bade wo aae dil o jaan ke lutne wale
nazar se chhed diya gudguda ke lut liya
raha kharab-e-mohabbat hi wo jise tu ne
khud apna dard-e-mohabbat dikha ke lut liya
koi ye lut to dekhe ki us ne jab chaha
tamam hasti-e-dil ko jaga ke lut liya
karishma-sazi-e-husn-e-azal are tauba
mera hi aaina mujh ko dikha ke lut liya
na lutte hum magar un mast ankhdiyon ne 'jigar'
nazar bachate hue dabdaba ke lut liya
haya se sar jhuka lena ada se muskura dena
hasinon ko bhi kitna sahl hai bijli gira dena
how easy is for these maidens to make the lightening fall
pahle is mein ek ada thi naz tha andaz tha
ruthna ab to teri aadat mein shamil ho gaya
bhawen tanti hain khanjar hath mein hai tan ke baithe hain
bhaven tanti hain khanjar haath men hai tan ke baithe hain
kisi se aaj bigdi hai ki vo yuun ban ke baithe hain
dilon par saikdon sikke tire joban ke baithe hain
kalejon par hazaron tiir is chitvan ke baithe hain
ilahi kyuun nahin uthti qayamat majra kya hai
hamare samne pahlu men vo dushman ke baithe hain
ye gustakhi ye chhed achchhi nahin hai ai dil-e-nadan
abhi phir ruuth jaenge abhi to man ke baithe hain
asar hai jazb-e-ulfat men to khinch kar aa hi jaenge
hamen parva nahin ham se agar vo tan ke baithe hain
subuk ho jaenge gar jaenge vo bazm-e-dushman men
ki jab tak ghar men baithe hain vo lakhon man ke baithe hain
fusun hai ya dua hai ya muamma khul nahin sakta
vo kuchh padhte hue aage mire madfan ke baithe hain
bahut roya huun main jab se ye main ne khvab dekha hai
ki aap aansu bahate samne dushman ke baithe hain
khade hon zer-e-tuba vo na dam lene ko dam bhar bhi
jo hasrat-mand tere saya-e-daman ke baithe hain
talash-e-manzil-e-maqsad ki gardish uth nahin sakti
kamar khole hue raste men ham rahzan ke baithe hain
ye josh-e-girya to dekho ki jab furqat men roya huun
dar o divar ik pal men mire madfan ke baithe hain
nigah-e-shokh o chashm-e-shauq men dar-parda chhanti hai
ki vo chilman men hain nazdik ham chilman ke baithe hain
ye uthna baithna mahfil men un ka rang laega
qayamat ban ke utthenge bhabuka ban ke baithe hain
kisi ki shamat aaegi kisi ki jaan jaegi
kisi ki taak men vo baam par ban-than ke baithe hain
qasam de kar unhen ye puchh lo tum rang-dhang us ke
tumhari bazm men kuchh dost bhi dushman ke baithe hain
koi chhinta pade to 'daghh' kalkatte chale jaaen
azimabad men ham muntazir savan ke baithe hain
bhawen tanti hain khanjar hath mein hai tan ke baithe hain
kisi se aaj bigdi hai ki wo yun ban ke baithe hain
dilon par saikdon sikke tere joban ke baithe hain
kalejon par hazaron tir is chitwan ke baithe hain
ilahi kyun nahin uthti qayamat majra kya hai
hamare samne pahlu mein wo dushman ke baithe hain
ye gustakhi ye chhed achchhi nahin hai ai dil-e-nadan
abhi phir ruth jaenge abhi to man ke baithe hain
asar hai jazb-e-ulfat mein to khinch kar aa hi jaenge
hamein parwa nahin hum se agar wo tan ke baithe hain
subuk ho jaenge gar jaenge wo bazm-e-dushman mein
ki jab tak ghar mein baithe hain wo lakhon man ke baithe hain
fusun hai ya dua hai ya muamma khul nahin sakta
wo kuchh padhte hue aage mere madfan ke baithe hain
bahut roya hun main jab se ye main ne khwab dekha hai
ki aap aansu bahate samne dushman ke baithe hain
khade hon zer-e-tuba wo na dam lene ko dam bhar bhi
jo hasrat-mand tere saya-e-daman ke baithe hain
talash-e-manzil-e-maqsad ki gardish uth nahin sakti
kamar khole hue raste mein hum rahzan ke baithe hain
ye josh-e-girya to dekho ki jab furqat mein roya hun
dar o diwar ek pal mein mere madfan ke baithe hain
nigah-e-shokh o chashm-e-shauq mein dar-parda chhanti hai
ki wo chilman mein hain nazdik hum chilman ke baithe hain
ye uthna baithna mahfil mein un ka rang laega
qayamat ban ke utthenge bhabuka ban ke baithe hain
kisi ki shamat aaegi kisi ki jaan jaegi
kisi ki tak mein wo baam par ban-than ke baithe hain
qasam de kar unhen ye puchh lo tum rang-dhang us ke
tumhaari bazm mein kuchh dost bhi dushman ke baithe hain
koi chhinta pade to 'dagh' kalkatte chale jaen
azimabaad mein hum muntazir sawan ke baithe hain
pahle is mein ek ada thi naz tha andaz tha
ruthna ab to teri aadat mein shamil ho gaya
ye jo sar niche kiye baithe hain
jaan kitnon ki liye baithe hain
kis naz kis andaz se tum hae chalo ho
kis naaz kis andaz se tum haae chalo ho
roz ek ghhazal ham se kahlvae chalo ho
rakhna hai kahin paanv to rakkho ho kahin paanv
chalna zara aaya hai to itrae chalo ho
mai men koi khami hai na saghhar men koi khot
piina nahin aae hai to chhalkae chalo ho
ham kuchh nahin kahte hain koi kuchh nahin kahta
tum kya ho tumhin sab se kahlvae chalo ho
kis naz kis andaz se tum hae chalo ho
roz ek ghazal hum se kahlwae chalo ho
rakhna hai kahin panw to rakkho ho kahin panw
chalna zara aaya hai to itrae chalo ho
mai mein koi khami hai na saghar mein koi khot
pina nahin aae hai to chhalkae chalo ho
hum kuchh nahin kahte hain koi kuchh nahin kahta
tum kya ho tumhin sab se kahlwae chalo ho
ye jo sar niche kiye baithe hain
jaan kitnon ki liye baithe hain
nigahen is qadar qatil ki uff uff
adaen is qadar pyari ki tauba
dilon ko todne walo tumhein kisi se kya
dilon ko todne vaalo tumhen kisi se kya
milo to aankh chura lo tumhen kisi se kya
hamari laghhzish-e-pa ka khayal kyuun hai tumhen
tum apni chaal sambhalo tumhen kisi se kya
chamak ke aur badhao miri siyah-bakhti
kisi ke ghar ke ujalo tumhen kisi se kya
nazar bacha ke guzar jaao meri turbat se
kisi pe khaak na daalo tumhen kisi se kya
mujhe khud apni nazar men bana ke begana
jahan ko apna bana lo tumhen kisi se kya
qarib-e-nazaa bhi kyuun chain le sake koi
naqab rukh se utha lo tumhen kisi se kya
dilon ko todne walo tumhein kisi se kya
milo to aankh chura lo tumhein kisi se kya
hamari laghzish-e-pa ka khayal kyun hai tumhein
tum apni chaal sambhaalo tumhein kisi se kya
chamak ke aur badhao meri siyah-bakhti
kisi ke ghar ke ujalo tumhein kisi se kya
nazar bacha ke guzar jao meri turbat se
kisi pe khak na dalo tumhein kisi se kya
mujhe khud apni nazar mein bana ke begana
jahan ko apna bana lo tumhein kisi se kya
qarib-e-naza bhi kyun chain le sake koi
naqab rukh se utha lo tumhein kisi se kya
nigahen is qadar qatil ki uff uff
adaen is qadar pyari ki tauba
ada se dekh lo jata rahe gila dil ka
bas ek nigah pe thahra hai faisla dil ka
un ras bhari aankhon mein haya khel rahi hai
un ras bhari ankhon men haya khel rahi hai
do zahr ke pyalon pe qaza khel rahi hai
hain nargis-o-gul kis liye mashur-e-tamasha
gulshan men koi shokh ada khel rahi hai
us bazm men jaaen to ye kahti hain adaen
kyuun aae ho, kya sar pe qaza khel rahi hai
us chashm-e-siyah mast pe gesu hain pareshan
maikhane pe ghanghor ghata khel rahi hai
bad-masti men tum ne unhen kya kah diya 'akhtar'
kyuun shokh-nigahon men haya khel rahi hai
un ras bhari aankhon mein haya khel rahi hai
do zahr ke pyalon pe qaza khel rahi hai
hain nargis-o-gul kis liye mashur-e-tamasha
gulshan mein koi shokh ada khel rahi hai
us bazm mein jaen to ye kahti hain adaen
kyun aae ho, kya sar pe qaza khel rahi hai
us chashm-e-siyah mast pe gesu hain pareshan
maikhane pe ghanghor ghata khel rahi hai
bad-masti mein tum ne unhen kya kah diya 'akhtar'
kyun shokh-nigahon mein haya khel rahi hai
jaan leni thi saf kah dete
kya zarurat thi muskurane ki
~ Unknown
aafat to hai wo naz bhi andaz bhi lekin
marta hun main jis par wo ada aur hi kuchh hai
kabhi tum mol lene hum kun hans hans bhaw karte ho
kabhi tum mol lene ham kuun hans hans bhaav karte ho
kabhi tir-e-nigah-e-tund ka barsav karte ho
kabhi tum sard karte ho dilon ki aag garmi siin
kabhi tum sard-mehri siin jhatak kar baav karte ho
kabhi tum saaf karte ho mire dil ki kudurat kuun
kabhi tum be-sabab tevri chadha kar taav karte ho
kabhi tum mom ho jaate ho jab main garm hota huun
kabhi main sard hota huun to tum bhadkav karte ho
kabhi la la mujhe dete ho apne haat siin pyala
kabhi tum shisha-e-dil par mire pathrav karte ho
kabhi tum dhuul udate ho miri ghhusse siin rukhe ho
kabhi munh par haya ka la araq chhidkav karte ho
kabhi khush ho ke karte ho 'siraj' apne ki jan-bakhshi
kabhi us ke bujha dene kuun kya kya daav karte ho
kabhi tum mol lene hum kun hans hans bhaw karte ho
kabhi tir-e-nigah-e-tund ka barsaw karte ho
kabhi tum sard karte ho dilon ki aag garmi sin
kabhi tum sard-mehri sin jhatak kar baw karte ho
kabhi tum saf karte ho mere dil ki kudurat kun
kabhi tum be-sabab tewri chadha kar taw karte ho
kabhi tum mom ho jate ho jab main garm hota hun
kabhi main sard hota hun to tum bhadkaw karte ho
kabhi la la mujhe dete ho apne hat sin pyala
kabhi tum shisha-e-dil par mere pathraw karte ho
kabhi tum dhul udate ho meri ghusse sin rukhe ho
kabhi munh par haya ka la araq chhidkaw karte ho
kabhi khush ho ke karte ho 'siraj' apne ki jaan-bakhshi
kabhi us ke bujha dene kun kya kya daw karte ho
ada se dekh lo jata rahe gila dil ka
bas ek nigah pe thahra hai faisla dil ka
aap ne taswir bheji main ne dekhi ghaur se
har ada achchhi khamoshi ki ada achchhi nahin
hail thi bich mein jo razai tamam shab
haail thi biich men jo razai tamam shab
is ghham se ham ko niind na aai tamam shab
ki yaas se havas ne ladai tamam shab
tum ne to khuub raah dikhai tamam shab
phir bhi to khatm ho na saki aarzu ki baat
har chand ham ne un ko sunai tamam shab
bebak milte hi jo hue ham to sharm se
aankh us pari ne phir na milai tamam shab
dil khuub janta hai ki tum kis khayal se
karte rahe adu ki burai tamam shab
phir shaam hi se kyuun vo chale the chhuda ke haath
dukhti rahi jo un ki kalai tamam shab
'hasrat' se kuchh vo aate hi aise hue khafa
phir ho saki na un se safai tamam shab
hail thi bich mein jo razai tamam shab
is gham se hum ko nind na aai tamam shab
ki yas se hawas ne ladai tamam shab
tum ne to khub rah dikhai tamam shab
phir bhi to khatm ho na saki aarzu ki baat
har chand hum ne un ko sunai tamam shab
bebak milte hi jo hue hum to sharm se
aankh us pari ne phir na milai tamam shab
dil khub jaanta hai ki tum kis khayal se
karte rahe adu ki burai tamam shab
phir sham hi se kyun wo chale the chhuda ke hath
dukhti rahi jo un ki kalai tamam shab
'hasrat' se kuchh wo aate hi aise hue khafa
phir ho saki na un se safai tamam shab
aafat to hai wo naz bhi andaz bhi lekin
marta hun main jis par wo ada aur hi kuchh hai