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hazaron khwahishen aisi ki har khwahish pe dam nikle
hazaron khvahishen aisi ki har khvahish pe dam nikle
bahut nikle mire arman lekin phir bhi kam nikle
i have a thousand yearnings , each one afflicts me so
many were fulfilled for sure, not enough although
dare kyuun mera qatil kya rahega us ki gardan par
vo khuun jo chashm-e-tar se umr bhar yuun dam-ba-dam nikle
why is my murderer afraid would she have to account
for blood that ceaselessly, from these eyes does flow
nikalna khuld se aadam ka sunte aae hain lekin
bahut be-abru ho kar tire kuche se ham nikle
from eden, of adam's exile, i am familiar, though
greatly humiliated from your street didi have to go
bharam khul jaae zalim tere qamat ki darazi ka
agar is turra-e-pur-pech-o-kham ka pech-o-kham nikle
o cruel one, illusions of your stature all will know
if those devious curls of yours could straighten arow
magar likhvae koi us ko khat to ham se likhvae
hui subh aur ghar se kaan par rakh kar qalam nikle
if someone wants to write to her, on me this task bestow
since morning i am roaming with a pen upon my brow
hui is daur men mansub mujh se bada-ashami
phir aaya vo zamana jo jahan men jam-e-jam nikle
the rites of drinking at this time with me associate
days are here now again when jamshed's wine does flow
hui jin se tavaqqo' khastagi ki daad paane ki
vo ham se bhi ziyada khasta-e-teghh-e-sitam nikle
for my injuries, from those that, praise i did expect
they too turned out to be wounded, actually more so
mohabbat men nahin hai farq jiine aur marne ka
usi ko dekh kar jiite hain jis kafir pe dam nikle
in love there is no difference 'tween life and death do know
the very one for whom i die, life too does bestow
kahan mai-khane ka darvaza 'ghhalib' aur kahan vaaiz
par itna jante hain kal vo jaata tha ki ham nikle
wherefrom the 'saintly' priest, and where the tavern's door
but as i entered he was leaving, this much i do know
hazaron khwahishen aisi ki har khwahish pe dam nikle
bahut nikle mere arman lekin phir bhi kam nikle
i have a thousand yearnings , each one afflicts me so
many were fulfilled for sure, not enough although
dare kyun mera qatil kya rahega us ki gardan par
wo khun jo chashm-e-tar se umr bhar yun dam-ba-dam nikle
why is my murderer afraid would she have to account
for blood that ceaselessly, from these eyes does flow
nikalna khuld se aadam ka sunte aae hain lekin
bahut be-abru ho kar tere kuche se hum nikle
from eden, of adam's exile, i am familiar, though
greatly humiliated from your street didi have to go
bharam khul jae zalim tere qamat ki daraazi ka
agar is turra-e-pur-pech-o-kham ka pech-o-kham nikle
o cruel one, illusions of your stature all will know
if those devious curls of yours could straighten arow
magar likhwae koi us ko khat to hum se likhwae
hui subh aur ghar se kan par rakh kar qalam nikle
if someone wants to write to her, on me this task bestow
since morning i am roaming with a pen upon my brow
hui is daur mein mansub mujh se baada-ashami
phir aaya wo zamana jo jahan mein jam-e-jam nikle
the rites of drinking at this time with me associate
days are here now again when jamshed's wine does flow
hui jin se tawaqqo' khastagi ki dad pane ki
wo hum se bhi ziyaada khasta-e-tegh-e-sitam nikle
for my injuries, from those that, praise i did expect
they too turned out to be wounded, actually more so
mohabbat mein nahin hai farq jine aur marne ka
usi ko dekh kar jite hain jis kafir pe dam nikle
in love there is no difference 'tween life and death do know
the very one for whom i die, life too does bestow
kahan mai-khane ka darwaza 'ghaalib' aur kahan waiz
par itna jaante hain kal wo jata tha ki hum nikle
wherefrom the 'saintly' priest, and where the tavern's door
but as i entered he was leaving, this much i do know
hosh valon ko khabar kya be-khudi kya chiiz hai
ishq kiije phir samajhiye zindagi kya chiiz hai
tum itna jo muskura rahe ho
tum itna jo muskura rahe ho
kya ghham hai jis ko chhupa rahe ho
ankhon men nami hansi labon par
kya haal hai kya dikha rahe ho
ban jaenge zahr piite piite
ye ashk jo piite ja rahe ho
jin zakhmon ko vaqt bhar chala hai
tum kyuun unhen chhede ja rahe ho
rekhaon ka khel hai muqaddar
rekhaon se maat kha rahe ho
tum itna jo muskura rahe ho
kya gham hai jis ko chhupa rahe ho
aankhon mein nami hansi labon par
kya haal hai kya dikha rahe ho
ban jaenge zahr pite pite
ye ashk jo pite ja rahe ho
jin zakhmon ko waqt bhar chala hai
tum kyun unhen chhede ja rahe ho
rekhaon ka khel hai muqaddar
rekhaon se mat kha rahe ho
koi fariyaad tere dil mein dabi ho jaise
koi fariyad tire dil men dabi ho jaise
tu ne ankhon se koi baat kahi ho jaise
jagte jagte ik umr kati ho jaise
jaan baaqi hai magar saans ruki ho jaise
har mulaqat pe mahsus yahi hota hai
mujh se kuchh teri nazar puchh rahi ho jaise
raah chalte hue aksar ye guman hota hai
vo nazar chhup ke mujhe dekh rahi ho jaise
ek lamhe men simat aaya hai sadiyon ka safar
zindagi tez bahut tez chali ho jaise
is tarah pahron tujhe sochta rahta huun main
meri har saans tire naam likhi ho jaise
koi fariyaad tere dil mein dabi ho jaise
tu ne aankhon se koi baat kahi ho jaise
jagte jagte ek umr kati ho jaise
jaan baqi hai magar sans ruki ho jaise
har mulaqat pe mahsus yahi hota hai
mujh se kuchh teri nazar puchh rahi ho jaise
rah chalte hue aksar ye guman hota hai
wo nazar chhup ke mujhe dekh rahi ho jaise
ek lamhe mein simat aaya hai sadiyon ka safar
zindagi tez bahut tez chali ho jaise
is tarah pahron tujhe sochta rahta hun main
meri har sans tere nam likhi ho jaise
sarakti jae hai rukh se naqab aahista aahista
sarakti jaae hai rukh se naqab ahista ahista
nikalta aa raha hai aftab ahista ahista
the veil slips from her visage at such a gentle pace
as though the sun emerges from a cloud's embrace
javan hone lage jab vo to ham se kar liya parda
haya yak-lakht aai aur shabab ahista ahista
as she came of age she started to be veiled from me
shyness came to her at once, beauty then slowly
shab-e-furqat ka jaaga huun farishto ab to sone do
kabhi fursat men kar lena hisab ahista ahista
i haven't slept since parting eve, o angels, i request
i'll settle your accounts at leisure for now let me rest
saval-e-vasl par un ko adu ka khauf hai itna
dabe honton se dete hain javab ahista ahista
on question of our meeting, so scared of rival's she
in soft tones thus replies, her answer whisperedly
vo bedardi se sar katen 'amir' aur main kahun un se
huzur ahista ahista janab ahista ahista
i tell her when she slashes at my neck so cruelly
my dear, take it easy, sweetheart do it properly
sarakti jae hai rukh se naqab aahista aahista
nikalta aa raha hai aaftab aahista aahista
the veil slips from her visage at such a gentle pace
as though the sun emerges from a cloud's embrace
jawan hone lage jab wo to hum se kar liya parda
haya yak-lakht aai aur shabab aahista aahista
as she came of age she started to be veiled from me
shyness came to her at once, beauty then slowly
shab-e-furqat ka jaga hun farishto ab to sone do
kabhi fursat mein kar lena hisab aahista aahista
i haven't slept since parting eve, o angels, i request
i'll settle your accounts at leisure for now let me rest
sawal-e-wasl par un ko adu ka khauf hai itna
dabe honton se dete hain jawab aahista aahista
on question of our meeting, so scared of rival's she
in soft tones thus replies, her answer whisperedly
wo bedardi se sar katen 'amir' aur main kahun un se
huzur aahista aahista janab aahista aahista
i tell her when she slashes at my neck so cruelly
my dear, take it easy, sweetheart do it properly
pyaar ka pahla khat likhne men vaqt to lagta hai
nae parindon ko udne men vaqt to lagta hai
mujhse bichhad ke khush rahte ho
mujh se bichhad ke khush rahte ho
meri tarah tum bhi jhute ho
ik divar pe chand tika tha
main ye samjha tum baithe ho
ujle ujle phuul khile the
bilkul jaise tum hanste ho
mujh ko shaam bata deti hai
tum kaise kapde pahne ho
dil ka haal padha chehre se
sahil se lahren ginte ho
tum tanha duniya se ladoge
bachchon si baten karte ho
mujh se bichhad ke khush rahte ho
meri tarah tum bhi jhute ho
ek diwar pe chand tika tha
main ye samjha tum baithe ho
ujle ujle phul khile the
bilkul jaise tum hanste ho
mujh ko sham bata deti hai
tum kaise kapde pahne ho
dil ka haal padha chehre se
sahil se lahren ginte ho
tum tanha duniya se ladoge
bachchon si baaten karte ho
tere aane ki jab khabar mahke
teri khushbu se saara ghar mahke
translation
when news of your arrival spreads in the air,
thy fragrance fills my home, its every corner.
sagar akbarabadi
hazaron khvahishen aisi ki har khvahish pe dam nikle
bahut nikle mire arman lekin phir bhi kam nikle
i have a thousand yearnings , each one afflicts me so
many were fulfilled for sure, not enough although
the couplet captures the endlessness of human wanting: desires are so overpowering that each seems life-draining. even when some dreams are fulfilled, satisfaction remains out of reach, because the heart keeps multiplying new demands. the metaphor of “breath leaving” intensifies the emotional weight of longing and exhaustion.
aah ko chahiye ek umr asar hote tak
aah ko chahiye ik umr asar hote tak
kaun jiita hai tiri zulf ke sar hote tak
a prayer needs a lifetime, an answer to obtain
who can live until the time that you decide to deign
dam-e-har-mauj men hai halqa-e-sad-kam-e-nahang
dekhen kya guzre hai qatre pe guhar hote tak
snares are spread in every wave, and reptiles in each lure
see, till it turns into a pearl, what must a drop endure
ashiqi sabr-talab aur tamanna betab
dil ka kya rang karun khun-e-jigar hote tak
love has a need for patience, desires are a strain
as long my ache persists, how shall my heart sustain
ham ne maana ki taghhaful na karoge lekin
khaak ho jaenge ham tum ko khabar hote tak
---
---
partav-e-khur se hai shabnam ko fana ki taalim
main bhi huun ek inayat ki nazar hote tak
agreed, you won't ignore me, i know but then again
into dust will i be turned, your audience till i gain
yak nazar besh nahin fursat-e-hasti ghhafil
garmi-e-bazm hai ik raqs-e-sharar hote tak
the sun's burning intensity is the dewdrop's bane
so till i'm favoured with a glance, i too shall remain
ghham-e-hasti ka 'asad' kis se ho juz marg ilaaj
shama har rang men jalti hai sahar hote tak
o ignorant, less than a glance does life's leisure remain
for the dancing of the spark will the warmth sustain
ta-qayamat shab-e-furqat men guzar jaegi umr
saat din ham pe bhi bhari hain sahar hote tak
save death, asad what else release from this life of pain?
a lamp must burn in every hue till dawn is there again
aah ko chahiye ek umr asar hote tak
kaun jita hai teri zulf ke sar hote tak
a prayer needs a lifetime, an answer to obtain
who can live until the time that you decide to deign
dam-e-har-mauj mein hai halqa-e-sad-kaam-e-nahang
dekhen kya guzre hai qatre pe guhar hote tak
snares are spread in every wave, and reptiles in each lure
see, till it turns into a pearl, what must a drop endure
aashiqi sabr-talab aur tamanna betab
dil ka kya rang karun khun-e-jigar hote tak
love has a need for patience, desires are a strain
as long my ache persists, how shall my heart sustain
hum ne mana ki taghaful na karoge lekin
khak ho jaenge hum tum ko khabar hote tak
---
---
partaw-e-khur se hai shabnam ko fana ki talim
main bhi hun ek inayat ki nazar hote tak
agreed, you won't ignore me, i know but then again
into dust will i be turned, your audience till i gain
yak nazar besh nahin fursat-e-hasti ghafil
garmi-e-bazm hai ek raqs-e-sharar hote tak
the sun's burning intensity is the dewdrop's bane
so till i'm favoured with a glance, i too shall remain
gham-e-hasti ka 'asad' kis se ho juz marg ilaj
shama har rang mein jalti hai sahar hote tak
o ignorant, less than a glance does life's leisure remain
for the dancing of the spark will the warmth sustain
ta-qayamat shab-e-furqat mein guzar jaegi umr
sat din hum pe bhi bhaari hain sahar hote tak
save death, asad what else release from this life of pain?
a lamp must burn in every hue till dawn is there again
jhuki jhuki si nazar be-qarar hai ki nahin
jhuki jhuki si nazar be-qarar hai ki nahin
daba daba sa sahi dil men pyaar hai ki nahin
tu apne dil ki javan dhadkanon ko gin ke bata
miri tarah tira dil be-qarar hai ki nahin
vo pal ki jis men mohabbat javan hoti hai
us ek pal ka tujhe intizar hai ki nahin
tiri umiid pe thukra raha huun duniya ko
tujhe bhi apne pe ye e'tibar hai ki nahin
jhuki jhuki si nazar be-qarar hai ki nahin
daba daba sa sahi dil mein pyar hai ki nahin
tu apne dil ki jawan dhadkanon ko gin ke bata
meri tarah tera dil be-qarar hai ki nahin
wo pal ki jis mein mohabbat jawan hoti hai
us ek pal ka tujhe intizar hai ki nahin
teri umid pe thukra raha hun duniya ko
tujhe bhi apne pe ye e'tibar hai ki nahin
jhuki jhuki si nazar be-qarar hai ki nahin
daba daba sa sahi dil men pyaar hai ki nahin
be-nam sa ye dard thahar kyuun nahin jaata
jo biit gaya hai vo guzar kyuun nahin jaata
tum itna jo muskura rahe ho
kya ghham hai jis ko chhupa rahe ho
sarakti jaae hai rukh se naqab ahista ahista
nikalta aa raha hai aftab ahista ahista
the veil slips from her visage at such a gentle pace
as though the sun emerges from a cloud's embrace
be-nam sa ye dard thahar kyun nahin jata
be-nam sa ye dard thahar kyuun nahin jaata
jo biit gaya hai vo guzar kyuun nahin jaata
sab kuchh to hai kya dhundhti rahti hain nigahen
kya baat hai main vaqt pe ghar kyuun nahin jaata
vo ek hi chehra to nahin saare jahan men
jo duur hai vo dil se utar kyuun nahin jaata
main apni hi uljhi hui rahon ka tamasha
jaate hain jidhar sab main udhar kyuun nahin jaata
vo khvab jo barson se na chehra na badan hai
vo khvab havaon men bikhar kyuun nahin jaata
be-nam sa ye dard thahar kyun nahin jata
jo bit gaya hai wo guzar kyun nahin jata
sab kuchh to hai kya dhundhti rahti hain nigahen
kya baat hai main waqt pe ghar kyun nahin jata
wo ek hi chehra to nahin sare jahan mein
jo dur hai wo dil se utar kyun nahin jata
main apni hi uljhi hui rahon ka tamasha
jate hain jidhar sab main udhar kyun nahin jata
wo khwab jo barson se na chehra na badan hai
wo khwab hawaon mein bikhar kyun nahin jata
bahut pahle se un qadmon ki aahat jaan lete hain
bahut pahle se un qadmon ki aahat jaan lete hain
tujhe ai zindagi ham duur se pahchan lete hain
miri nazren bhi aise qatilon ka jaan o iman hain
nigahen milte hi jo jaan aur iman lete hain
jise kahti hai duniya kamyabi vaae na-dani
use kin qimaton par kamyab insan lete hain
nigah-e-bada-gun yuun to tiri baton ka kya kahna
tiri har baat lekin ehtiyatan chhan lete hain
tabiat apni ghabrati hai jab sunsan raton men
ham aise men tiri yadon ki chadar taan lete hain
khud apna faisla bhi ishq men kaafi nahin hota
use bhi kaise kar guzren jo dil men thaan lete hain
hayat-e-ishq ka ik ik nafas jam-e-shahadat hai
vo jan-e-naz-bardaran koi asan lete hain
ham-ahangi men bhi ik chashni hai ikhtilafon ki
miri baten ba-unvan-e-digar vo maan lete hain
tiri maqbuliyat ki vajh vahid teri ramziyyat
ki us ko mante hi kab hain jis ko jaan lete hain
ab is ko kufr manen ya bulandi-e-nazar janen
khuda-e-do-jahan ko de ke ham insan lete hain
jise surat batate hain pata deti hai sirat ka
ibarat dekh kar jis tarah maani jaan lete hain
tujhe ghata na hone denge karobar-e-ulfat men
ham apne sar tira ai dost har ehsan lete hain
hamari har nazar tujh se nai saugandh khati hai
to teri har nazar se ham naya paiman lete hain
rafiq-e-zindagi thi ab anis-e-vaqt-e-akhir hai
tira ai maut ham ye dusra ehsan lete hain
zamana vardat-e-qalb sunne ko tarasta hai
isi se to sar ankhon par mira divan lete hain
'firaq' aksar badal kar bhes milta hai koi kafir
kabhi ham jaan lete hain kabhi pahchan lete hain
bahut pahle se un qadmon ki aahat jaan lete hain
tujhe ai zindagi hum dur se pahchan lete hain
meri nazren bhi aise qatilon ka jaan o iman hain
nigahen milte hi jo jaan aur iman lete hain
jise kahti hai duniya kaamyabi wae na-dani
use kin qimaton par kaamyab insan lete hain
nigah-e-baada-gun yun to teri baaton ka kya kahna
teri har baat lekin ehtiyatan chhan lete hain
tabiat apni ghabraati hai jab sunsan raaton mein
hum aise mein teri yaadon ki chadar tan lete hain
khud apna faisla bhi ishq mein kafi nahin hota
use bhi kaise kar guzren jo dil mein than lete hain
hayat-e-ishq ka ek ek nafas jam-e-shahadat hai
wo jaan-e-naz-bardaran koi aasan lete hain
ham-ahangi mein bhi ek chashni hai ikhtilafon ki
meri baaten ba-unwan-e-digar wo man lete hain
teri maqbuliyat ki wajh wahid teri ramziyyat
ki us ko mante hi kab hain jis ko jaan lete hain
ab is ko kufr manen ya bulandi-e-nazar jaanen
khuda-e-do-jahan ko de ke hum insan lete hain
jise surat batate hain pata deti hai sirat ka
ibarat dekh kar jis tarah mani jaan lete hain
tujhe ghata na hone denge karobar-e-ulfat mein
hum apne sar tera ai dost har ehsan lete hain
hamari har nazar tujh se nai saugandh khati hai
to teri har nazar se hum naya paiman lete hain
rafiq-e-zindagi thi ab anis-e-waqt-e-akhir hai
tera ai maut hum ye dusra ehsan lete hain
zamana wardat-e-qalb sunne ko tarasta hai
isi se to sar aankhon par mera diwan lete hain
'firaq' aksar badal kar bhes milta hai koi kafir
kabhi hum jaan lete hain kabhi pahchan lete hain
tere aane ki jab khabar mahke
tere aane ki jab khabar mahke
teri khushbu se saara ghar mahke
shaam mahke tire tasavvur se
shaam ke baad phir sahar mahke
raat bhar sochta raha tujh ko
zehn-o-dil mere raat bhar mahke
yaad aae to dil munavvar ho
diid ho jaae to nazar mahke
vo ghadi-do-ghadi jahan baithe
vo zamin mahke vo shajar mahke
tere aane ki jab khabar mahke
teri khushbu se sara ghar mahke
sham mahke tere tasawwur se
sham ke baad phir sahar mahke
raat bhar sochta raha tujh ko
zehn-o-dil mere raat bhar mahke
yaad aae to dil munawwar ho
did ho jae to nazar mahke
wo ghadi-do-ghadi jahan baithe
wo zamin mahke wo shajar mahke