naqsh fariyaadi hai kis ki shoKHi-e-tahrir ka
Interesting Fact
Ghalib himself has said in a letter regarding this couplet that "in Iran, it is a custom that the plantiff would go to the ruler in a paper robe, such as lighting a torch during the day or hanging a blood-stained cloth on a bamboo pole."
naqsh fariyādī hai kis kī shoḳhi-e-tahrīr kā
kāġhzī hai pairahan har paikar-e-tasvīr kā
For favours from whose playful hand, does the word aspire
Each one's an abject supplicant in paper-like attire
kaav kāv-e-saḳht-jānī hā.e-tanhā.ī na pūchh
sub.h karnā shaam kā laanā hai jū-e-shīr kā
What constant pain this loneliness you may not believe
Like from mountains drawing milk, is passing morn to eve
jazba-e-be-iḳhtiyār-e-shauq dekhā chāhiye
sīna-e-shamshīr se bāhar hai dam shamshīr kā
The spirit of love's frenzied state is worth, truly, seeing
As though sharpness of the sword exists outside its being
āgahī dām-e-shunīdan jis qadar chāhe bichhā.e
mudda.ā anqā hai apne ālam-e-taqrīr kā
Awareness may well cast its net of knowing all around
What I speak is like a phoenix, unknowable, profound
bas-ki huuñ 'ġhālib' asīrī meñ bhī ātish zer-e-pā
mū-e-ātish diida hai halqa mirī zanjīr kā
Even in bondage, passion's so, there's fire neath my feet
The chains that hold me are as though,hair singed by fire's heat
ātishīñ-pā huuñ gudāz-e-vahshat-e-zindāñ na pūchh
mū-e-ātish diida hai har halqa yaañ zanjīr kā
shoḳhī-e-nairañg said-e-vahshat-e-tā.ūs hai
dām-e-sabza meñ hai parvāz-e-chaman tasḳhīr kā
lazzat-e-ījād-e-nāz afsūn-e-arz-e-zauq-e-qatl
na.al ātish meñ hai teġh-e-yār se naḳhchīr kā
ḳhisht pusht-e-dast-e-ijz o qālib āġhosh-e-vidā.a
pur huā hai sail se paimāna kis ta.amīr kā
vahshat-e-ḳhvāb-e-adam shor-e-tamāshā hai 'asad'
jo maza jauhar nahīñ ā.īna-e-ta.abīr kā
naqsh fariyaadi hai kis ki shoKHi-e-tahrir ka
kaghzi hai pairahan har paikar-e-taswir ka
For favours from whose playful hand, does the word aspire
Each one's an abject supplicant in paper-like attire
kaw kaw-e-saKHt-jaani hae-tanhai na puchh
subh karna sham ka lana hai ju-e-shir ka
What constant pain this loneliness you may not believe
Like from mountains drawing milk, is passing morn to eve
jazba-e-be-iKHtiyar-e-shauq dekha chahiye
sina-e-shamshir se bahar hai dam shamshir ka
The spirit of love's frenzied state is worth, truly, seeing
As though sharpness of the sword exists outside its being
aagahi dam-e-shunidan jis qadar chahe bichhae
muddaa anqa hai apne aalam-e-taqrir ka
Awareness may well cast its net of knowing all around
What I speak is like a phoenix, unknowable, profound
bas-ki hun 'ghaalib' asiri mein bhi aatish zer-e-pa
mu-e-atish dida hai halqa meri zanjir ka
Even in bondage, passion's so, there's fire neath my feet
The chains that hold me are as though,hair singed by fire's heat
aatishin-pa hun gudaz-e-wahshat-e-zindan na puchh
mu-e-atish dida hai har halqa yan zanjir ka
shoKHi-e-nairang said-e-wahshat-e-taus hai
dam-e-sabza mein hai parwaz-e-chaman tasKHir ka
lazzat-e-ijad-e-naz afsun-e-arz-e-zauq-e-qatl
nal aatish mein hai tegh-e-yar se naKHchir ka
KHisht pusht-e-dast-e-ijz o qalib aaghosh-e-widaa
pur hua hai sail se paimana kis tamir ka
wahshat-e-KHwab-e-adam shor-e-tamasha hai 'asad'
jo maza jauhar nahin aaina-e-tabir ka
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