Date: Tue, 25 Jun 96 16:22:00 PDT
From: Ramesh Hariharan (rameshh@tp.ac.sg)
Subject: Ghalib: hazaaroN KHwahisaiN 'eisee...

Hi

Another gem from who-else-but Ghalib, in response to a request by one of the
ghazal fans on the Digest.

1. hazaaroN KHwahishaiN 'eisee ke har KHwahish pe dam nikle
bohot nikle mere armaaN lekin fir bhee kam nikle

[Thousands of wishes, each as important as the other, such that one cannot prioritize them
A lot of my yearnings/desires were fulfilled, but they were not sufficient/not enough/still less]

2. nikalna KHuld se aadam ka sunte aayaiN haiN lekin
bohot be_aabru hokar tere kooche se ham nikle

[I have heard of 'Adam' going out from heaven(after falling from grace), but
After being very disgraced, I am leaving your street]

3. magar likhwaaye koee usko KHat, to hamse likhawaaye
huee subah aur ghar se kaan par rakhkar qalam nikle

[But if someone wishes to write her a letter, get it written by me
Come morning, and I leave the house with a pen held on my ears]

4. mohabbat meiN naheeN hai farq jeene aur marne kaa
usee ko dekh kar jeete haiN jis kaafir pe dam nikle

[In love, there is no difference between living and dying
I live by seeing that same beloved, for whom I would die]

5. kahaaN maiKHaane ka darwaaza 'GHalib' aur kahaaN waaiz
par itana jaante haiN kal wo jaata tha ke ham nikle

[The doors of the bar and the path of the preacher are worlds apart
But I know this much; he used to go/enter(the bar), when I used to come out(from the bar)]

Dictionary : KHuld = heaven; be_aabaru = disgrace; koocha = street; waaiz = preacher/advisor