khudi ko kar buland itna ki har taqdir se pahle khuda bande se khud puchhe bata teri raza kya hai

the couplet urges inner elevation—strengthening character, will, and moral self—until one is no longer passive before destiny. “selfhood” is a metaphor for a disciplined, awakened self that acts with purpose. the striking image of god asking the servant highlights the dignity of human agency when aligned with higher values. emotionally, it is a call to confidence, effort, and responsible choice.

chhoda nahin khudi ko daude khuda ke pichhe asan ko chhod bande mushkil ko dhundte hain

khudi ka nashsha chadha aap men raha na gaya khuda bane the 'yagana' magar bana na gaya

hamen kam-bakht ehsas-e-khudi us dar pe le baitha ham uth jaate to vo parda bhi uth jaata jo haail tha

khudi vo bahr hai jis ka koi kinara nahin tu aabju ise samjha agar to chara nahin

iqbal likens “khudi” to a boundless sea to stress its vast potential and depth. the second line warns that reducing this inner power to something petty makes a person helpless, because the problem is not lack of strength but a mistaken self-image. the emotional core is a call to recognize one’s true scale and live with higher ambition.

khudi ko kar buland itna ki har taqdir se pahle khuda bande se khud puchhe bata teri raza kya hai

the couplet urges inner elevation—strengthening character, will, and moral self—until one is no longer passive before destiny. “selfhood” is a metaphor for a disciplined, awakened self that acts with purpose. the striking image of god asking the servant highlights the dignity of human agency when aligned with higher values. emotionally, it is a call to confidence, effort, and responsible choice.

chhoda nahin khudi ko daude khuda ke pichhe asan ko chhod bande mushkil ko dhundte hain

ba-qadr-e-paimana-e-takhayyul surur har dil men hai khudi ka agar na ho ye fareb-e-paiham to dam nikal jaae aadmi ka

khudi ka nashsha chadha aap men raha na gaya khuda bane the 'yagana' magar bana na gaya

khuub janta hai ye ik faqir hathon men kab hai be-kasi rakhna kab hai mo'jiza rakhna