Sher on Shokhi

The heart’s verdict is decided only through the eyes’ look.

If there is no playful spark in the gaze, what charm of belovedness remains?

The couplet says that the first and deepest judgment of love is made through a glance. The eye becomes a language that reveals attraction, confidence, and intent without words. “Shoḳhī” (playful boldness) in the gaze is presented as the very essence of allure; without it, beauty feels lifeless and persuasion fails.

The heart’s verdict is decided only through the eyes’ look.

If there is no playful spark in the gaze, what charm of belovedness remains?

The couplet says that the first and deepest judgment of love is made through a glance. The eye becomes a language that reveals attraction, confidence, and intent without words. “Shoḳhī” (playful boldness) in the gaze is presented as the very essence of allure; without it, beauty feels lifeless and persuasion fails.

Along with her playful boldness, there is also a veil of modesty.

There seems to be no equal anywhere to that special way of hers.

The poet (Dagh Dehlvi) marvels at a beloved whose charm is a rare blend: teasing liveliness paired with gentle restraint. The “hijab” is not just a literal veil but a metaphor for shyness and dignity that makes the coquetry more enchanting. This balance creates an elegance so distinctive that the speaker finds no possible comparison. The emotion is pure admiration, tinged with astonishment at her unmatched style.

Along with her playful boldness, there is also a veil of modesty.

There seems to be no equal anywhere to that special way of hers.

The poet (Dagh Dehlvi) marvels at a beloved whose charm is a rare blend: teasing liveliness paired with gentle restraint. The “hijab” is not just a literal veil but a metaphor for shyness and dignity that makes the coquetry more enchanting. This balance creates an elegance so distinctive that the speaker finds no possible comparison. The emotion is pure admiration, tinged with astonishment at her unmatched style.

What do you call this cruelty and oppression that’s being done under the cover of kindness?

O cruel one, what can one even call your peculiar “way of being gracious”?

The speaker says the beloved’s hurtful behavior is disguised as لطف—so it looks like kindness while functioning as ظلم. This creates sharp irony: “mercy” becomes a refined instrument of pain. The lament “haye zalim” shows helpless protest, while “andaaz-e-karam” exposes how love can dress cruelty in elegant manners. The couplet captures the emotional confusion of being wounded by someone who appears caring.

What do you call this cruelty and oppression that’s being done under the cover of kindness?

O cruel one, what can one even call your peculiar “way of being gracious”?

The speaker says the beloved’s hurtful behavior is disguised as لطف—so it looks like kindness while functioning as ظلم. This creates sharp irony: “mercy” becomes a refined instrument of pain. The lament “haye zalim” shows helpless protest, while “andaaz-e-karam” exposes how love can dress cruelty in elegant manners. The couplet captures the emotional confusion of being wounded by someone who appears caring.

Today the killer-beloved’s mischievous glance won’t stay still for even a moment.

Look at this lightning-like calamity—where will it strike today?

Dagh Dehlvi portrays the beloved’s playful, roaming gaze as both seductive and deadly. Calling it a “killer’s look” and a “lightning calamity” turns beauty into danger. The lover feels exposed and anxious, because the glance could fall on anyone, anywhere, and its ‘strike’ means emotional destruction. The core emotion is trembling suspense mixed with fascination.

Today the killer-beloved’s mischievous glance won’t stay still for even a moment.

Look at this lightning-like calamity—where will it strike today?

Dagh Dehlvi portrays the beloved’s playful, roaming gaze as both seductive and deadly. Calling it a “killer’s look” and a “lightning calamity” turns beauty into danger. The lover feels exposed and anxious, because the glance could fall on anyone, anywhere, and its ‘strike’ means emotional destruction. The core emotion is trembling suspense mixed with fascination.

Who is the mischievous one who wrote this line on the mosque’s arch?

These fools dropped into prostration when it was time to stand in prayer.

The couplet uses sharp irony: a “playful” inscription exposes how people follow religion as habit, not understanding. In prayer, standing (qiyam) has its place, yet they collapse into sajdah at the wrong moment, showing confusion and blind imitation. The mosque’s arch becomes a stage where their inner ignorance is revealed. The emotional core is a critique of empty ritual and a call for conscious, informed devotion.

Who is the mischievous one who wrote this line on the mosque’s arch?

These fools dropped into prostration when it was time to stand in prayer.

The couplet uses sharp irony: a “playful” inscription exposes how people follow religion as habit, not understanding. In prayer, standing (qiyam) has its place, yet they collapse into sajdah at the wrong moment, showing confusion and blind imitation. The mosque’s arch becomes a stage where their inner ignorance is revealed. The emotional core is a critique of empty ritual and a call for conscious, informed devotion.