Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tears, Idle Tears
Tears, idle tears, I know not what they mean,
Tears from the depth of some divine despair
Rise in the heart, and gather to the eyes,
In looking on the happy Autumn-fields,
And thinking of the days that are no more.
Fresh as the first beam glittering on a sail,
That brings our friends up from the underworld,
Sad as the last which reddens over one
That sinks with all we love below the verge;
So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more.
Ah, sad and strange as in dark summer dawns
The earliest pipe of half-awakened birds
To dying ears, when unto dying eyes
The casement slowly grows a glimmering square;
So sad, so strange, the days that are no more.
Dear as remembered kisses after death,
And sweet as those by hopeless fancy feigned
On lips that are for others; deep as love,
Deep as first love, and wild with all regret;
O Death in Life, the days that are no more
Friday, May 16, 2008
Avatar
| Poet: Ved Vyas Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata Abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamyaham Paritranaya saadhunam vinashaya cha dushkrrtam Dharm sansthapnarthaya sambhavani yuge yuge | Translation: The Maverick O Bharat! Whenever, wherever dharma is corrupted, on the decline And adharma takes hold, I manifest myself, in an avatar mine For the deliverance of the virtuous and for destruction of evil For the establishment of dharma in every era, I become possible |
(from the epic poem Mahabharata)
कवि: वेद व्यास
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।
अभ्युत्थानं अधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजान्यहम ॥
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम ।
धर्म संस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवानि युगे युगे ॥
(महाभारत से)
Hindi version - हिन्दी में
Translation: Anonymous
(Loose translation - transformation of first person to third person)
जब जब होए धरम की हानि
बाढ़ें असुर अधम अभिमानी
तब तब परभु ले मनुज सरीरा
नासें कस्ट हरें सब पीरा
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Karm (Duty)
| Poet: Ved Vyas Karmanyevadhikaraste ma faleshu kadachan Ma karmfalheturburma te sangostvakarmane | Translation: The Maverick You are entitled only to your assigned actions, Don't hanker for the fruit of your labor Do not think you caused the results, And never from doing your duty waver |
(from the epic poem Mahabharata)
कवि: वेद व्यास
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥
(महाभारत से)
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To know that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
A Poison Tree
I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I watered it in fears
Night and morning with my tears,
And I sunned it with smiles
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright,
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine -
And into my garden stole
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning, glad, I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Monday, December 31, 2007
O Do Not Love Too Long
Sweetheart, do not love too long:
I loved long and long,
And grew to be out of fashion
Like an old song.
All through the years of our youth
Neither could have known
Their own thought from the other's,
We were so much at one.
But O, in a minute she changed -
O do not love too long,
Or you will grow out of fashion
Like an old song.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Love and Power
Power said to the world, "You are mine."
The world kept it prisoner on her throne.
Love said to the world, "I am thine."
The world gave it the freedom of her house.
(excerpt from his long poem "Stray Birds")
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
The Indian Serenade
I arise from dreams of thee
In the first sweet sleep of night,
When the winds are breathing low,
And the stars are shining bright.
I arise from dreams of thee,
And a spirit in my feet
Has led me -who knows how?
To thy chamber-window, Sweet!
The wandering airs they faint
On the dark, the silent stream -
The champak odours fail
Like sweet thoughts in a dream;
The nightingale's complaint,
It dies upon her heart,
As I must die on thine,
O beloved as thou art!
Oh lift me from the grass!
I die! I faint! I fail!
Let thy love in kisses rain
On my lips and eyelids pale.
My cheek is cold and white, alas!
My heart beats loud and fast;
Oh press it close to thine again,
Where it will break at last!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Kabir ke Dohe (Kabir's Couplets)
| Poet: Kabir Guru gobind dou khade, kaake lagoon paay Balihari guru aapne gobind diyo batay Kabira te nar andh hai, guru ko kahate aur Hari roothe guru thaur hai, guru roothe nahi thaur Jo toko kaanta buve, taahe bov tu phool Tohe phool ko phool hai, taahe hai tirsool Tinka kabahu na nindiye, jo paanv talle hoye Kabahu udi aankh pade, peer ghaneri hoye Bada hua toh kya hua, jaise ped khajoor Panthi ko chhaya nahi, phal laage ati door Bada na hove gunan bin, birad badai paye Kahat dhatoore so kanak, genhu gariyo na jaye Aisi baani boliye, man ka aapa khoye Auran ko seetal kare, aapahu seetal hoye Bura jo dekhan mai chali, bura na milya koi Jo man khoja aapna, mujhse bura na koi Saadhu aisa chahiye, jaisa soop subhay Saar saar ko gahi rahe, thotha de udaay Maati kahe kumhar se, tu kya raunde moye Ek din aisa aayega, main raundoongi toye Kaal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so ab Pal mein parlai hoyegi, bahuri karega kab Dheere dheere re manaa, dheere sab kuchh hoye Maali seenche sau ghada, rut aaye phal hoye Maya mari na man maraa, mar mar gaye sareer Aasha trishna naa mari, kah gaye daas Kabir Kabira pyaala prem ka, antar liya lagaye Rom rom mein rami rahe, aur amal kya khaye Pothi padhi padhi jag mua, pandit bhaya na koi Dhai aakhar prem ka, padhe so pandit hoye | Translation: The Maverick Guru and God both are here to whom should I first bow All glory be unto the guru path to God who did bestow O Kabir, that man is blind who doesn't understand the guru If God's angry, guru's the refuge no refuge for one who angers guru For those who sow thorns for you you should sow a flower For you flower's a flower but for them it's a spear dour Don't insult even a speck though it's under your foot Think how painful it'd be if it flew into your eye like soot Having stature is not enough if one's like a tree of date No shade to tired trekker fruit's too high up to eat No one's great without qualities howmuchever they may be praised Thornapple is called gold wheat it still can't replace Speak in words so sweet that fill the heart with joy Like a cool breeze in summer for others and self to enjoy I searched for evil and I could find none Then I looked inside found the biggest one A gentleman is like a thresher in character As it absorbs the core fluff it lets skitter Earth says to the potter you think you knead me One day soon you'll see I'll knead you easily Tomorrow's work, do today today's work, do now Life will end in a moment when will you do it, how Gradually, my heart, gradually everything happens in due course Gardner could water a hundred times fruits are not borne by force Illusions nor desires died bodies died over and again Hope and wants do not die says Kabir, that's the game Kabir, the cup of love I've ingested, assimilated It's in my every pore nothing's more intoxicating Read all books in the world it will not make you wise Only wise ones are that know four letter that love comprise |
कवि: कबीर
गुरु गोबिन्द दोउ खडे काके लागूँ पाँय
बलिहारी गुरु आपने गोबिन्द दियो बताय
कबीरा ते नर अंध है गुरु को कहते और
हरि रूठे गुरु ठौर है गुरु रूठे नही ठौर
जो तोको काँटा बुवे ताहे बोव तू फूल
तोहे फूल को फूल है ताहे है तिरसूल
तिनका कबहु ना निन्दिये जो पांव तल्ले होए
कबहु उडि आंख पडे पीर घनेरी होए
बड़ा हुआ तो क्या हुआ जैसे पेड़ खजूर
पंथी को छाया नहीं फल लागे अति दूर
बड़ा ना होवे गुणन बिन बिरद बड़ाई पाय
कहत धतूरे सो कनक गेंहू गरियो ना जाय
ऐसी बानी बोलिए मन का आपा खोय
औरन को सीतल करे आपहु सीतल होय
बुरा जो देखन मैं चली बुरा ना मिल्या कोय
जो मन खोजा आपना मुझ से बुरा ना कोय
साधू ऐसा चाहिऐ जैसा सूप सुभाय
सार सार को गहि रहे थोथा देय उडाय
माटी कहे कुम्हार से तू क्या रौंदे मोय
एक दिन ऐसा आएगा मैं रौंदूंगी तोय
काल करे सो आज कर आज करे सो अब
पल में परलै होयगी बहुरि करेगा कब
धीरे धीरे रे मना धीरे सब कुछ होए
माली सींचे सौ घड़ा रुत आये फल होए
माया मरी ना मन मरा मर मर गए शरीर
आशा तृष्णा ना मरी कह गए दास कबीर
कबिरा प्याला प्रेम का अंतर लिया लगाय
रोम रोम में रमी रहे और अमल क्या खाय
पोथी पढी पढी जग मुआ पंडित भया ना कोय
ढाई आखर प्रेम का पढे सो पंडित होय
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Where the Mind is Without Fear
Where the mind is without fear
and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free,
Where the world has not been
broken up into fragments
by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out
from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving
stretches its arm towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason
has not lost its way
into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind
is led forward by thee into
ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom,
my Father, let my country awake.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Not in Vain
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Hope is the thing with Feathers
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Confessions of a born spectator
One infant grows up and becomes a jockey
Another plays basketball or hockey
This one the prize ring hates to enter
That one becomes a tackle or center
I am just glad as glad can be
That I am not them, that they are not me
With all my heart I do admire
Athletes who sweat for fun or hire
Who take the field in gaudy pomp
And maim each other as they romp
My limp and bashful spirit feeds
On other people's heroic deeds
Now A runs ninety yards to score
B knocks the champion to the floor
Crisking vertebrae and spines
Lashes his steed across the line
You'd think my ego it would please
To swap positions with one of these
Well, ego it might be pleased enough
But zealous athletes play so rough
They do not ever in their dealings
Consider one another's feelings
I'm glad that when my struggle begins
'Twixt prudence and ego, prudence wins
When swollen eye meets gnarled first
When snaps the knee, and cracks the wrist
When officialdom demands
Is there a doctor in the stands?
My soul in true thanksgiving speaks
For this modest of physiques
"Athletes, I'll drink to you,
Or eat with you
Or anything except compete with you
Buy tickets worth their radium
To watch you gamble in the stadium
And reassure myself anew
That you are not me and I'm not you
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Time
Unfathomable Sea! whose waves are years,
Ocean of Time, whose waters of deep woe
Are brackish with the salt of human tears!
Thou shoreless flood, which in thy ebb and flow
Claspest the limits of mortality,
And sick of prey, yet howling on for more,
Vomitest thy wrecks on its inhospitable shore;
Treacherous in calm, and terrible in storm,
Who shall put forth on thee,
Unfathomable Sea?
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Aur bhi doon (To give some more)
| Poet: Ram Avtar Tyagi Man samarpit, tan samarpit Aur yah jeevan samarpit Chaahtaa hoon desh ki dharti tujhey kuchh aur bhi doon Ma tumhara rin bahut hai, mai akinchan Kintu itna kar raha phir bhi nivedan Thaal mein laoo saja kar bhaal jab bhi Kar daya sweekar lena wah samarpan Gaan arpit, Praan arpit Raqt ka kan kan samarpit Chaahtaa hoon desh ki dharti tujhey kuchh aur bhi doon Maanj do talwaar, lao na deri Bandh do kas kar kamar par dhaal meri Bhaal par mal do charan ki dhool thodi Sheesh par asheesh ki chhaya ghaneri Swapn arpit, prashn arpit Aayu ka kshan kshan samarpit Chaahtaa hoon desh ki dharti tujhey kuchh aur bhi doon Todta hoon moh ka bandhan, kshama do Gaon mere, dwar, ghar, aangan kshama do Aaj seedhe haath mein talwaar de do Aur bayeen haath mein dhwaj ko thama do Yah suman lo, yah chaman lo Need ka tran tran samarpit Chaahtaa hoon desh ki dharti tujhey kuchh aur bhi doon | Translation: The Maverick Soul is yours, body is yours And my whole life is yours Motherland, I want to give you something more Mother my debt to you is great, I'm tiny Even so, here's my humble request When I bring my sacrificial head Please do accept the modest bequest Songs are yours, spirit is yours Every drop of my blood is yours Motherland, I want to give you something more Whet the machete, don't delay Tie the shield securely to my belt Your blessings be my armor, and On forehead, some dust from your feet Dreams are yours, questions are yours Every breath of my existence is yours Motherland, I want to give you something more Breaking the bonds of love, and I beg pardon Village, home, farm of mine, I beg pardon Today, just give me a sword in the right And in my left give me the banner emblem Take this flower, take this garden Every twig of my nest is yours Motherland, I want to give you something more |
कवि: राम अवतार त्यागी
मन समर्पित, तन समर्पित
और यह जीवन समर्पित
चाहता हूँ देश की धरती तुझे कुछ और भी दूं
माँ तुम्हारा ॠण बहुत है, मैं अकिंचन
किन्तु इतना कर रहा फिर भी निवेदन
थाल में लाऊँ सजा कर भाल जब भी
कर दया स्वीकार लेना वह समर्पण
गान अर्पित, प्राण अर्पित
रक्त का कण कण समर्पित
चाहता हूँ देश की धरती तुझे कुछ और भी दूं
मांज दो तलवार, लाओ न देरी
बाँध दो कस कर क़मर पर ढाल मेरी
भाल पर मल दो चरण की धूल थोड़ी
शीश पर आशीष की छाया घनेरी
स्वप्न अर्पित, प्रश्न अर्पित
आयु का क्षण क्षण समर्पित
चाहता हूँ देश की धरती तुझे कुछ और भी दूं
तोड़ता हूँ मोह का बन्धन, क्षमा दो
गांव मेरे, द्वार, घर, आंगन क्षमा दो
आज सीधे हाथ में तलवार दे दो
और बायें हाथ में ध्वज को थमा दो
यह सुमन लो, यह चमन लो
नीड़ का त्रण त्रण समर्पित
चाहता हूँ देश की धरती तुझे कुछ और भी दूं
Thursday, February 08, 2007
The horseshoe nail
For the want of a nail
The shoe is lost
For the want of a shoe
The horse is lost
For the want of a horse
The rider is lost
For the want of a rider
The battle is lost
For the want of a battle
The kingdom is lost
And all for the loss
Of a horse shoe nail
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Jeevan nahi mara karta hai (Life - it does not die)
| Poet: Gopal Das "Neeraj" Chhip chhip ashru bahaney walo Moti vyarth lutaney walo Kuchh sapno ke mar jaaney se Jeevan nahi mara karta hai Sapna kya hai, nayan sej par Soya hua aankh ka paani Aur tootna hai uska jyon Jaagey kachchi neend jawani Geeli umar bananey walo Doobey bina nahaney walo Kuchh paani ke bah jaaney se Saawan nahi mara karta hai Maala bikhar gai to kya Khud hi hal ho gai samasya Anshoo gar neelaam huey toh Samjho poori hui tapasya Roothey diwas mananey walo Fati kameez silaaney walo Kuchh deepon ke bujh jaaney se Aangan nahi mara karta hai Khota kuchh bhi nahi yahan par Kewal jild badalti pothi Jaise raat utaar chaandni Pehne subah dhoop ki dhoti Vastr badalkar aaney walo Chaal badalkar jaaney walo Chand khilono ke khoney se Bachpan nahi mara karta hai Laakhon baar gagriyan phooti Shikan na aayi par panghat par Laakhon baar kashtiyan doobi Chahal pahal woi hai tat par Tam ki umr badhaaney walo Lau ki aayu ghataaney walo Laakh kare patjhar koshish par Upvan nahi mara karta hai Loot liya maali ne upvan Lutee na lekin gandh phool ki Toofaano tak ne chheda par Khidki band na hui dhool ki Nafrat galey lagaaney walo Sab par dhool udaaney walo Kuchh mukhdon ki naaraazi se Darpan nahi mara karta hai | Translation: The Maverick O thee who stealthily shed tears Who waste these pearls of their eye If some dreams cease to be Life doesn't end, it doesn't die What's a dream? Just a dew-drop On your eye, amidst a siesta deep And its dissipation is as if Youth is woken-up mid-sleep O thee who make their lives moist Who bathe, but don't immerse, o why If some water flows out and away Monsoon doesn't end, it doesn't die So what if the beads scattered The problem is resolved per se If your tears are auctioned off Then your penance is complete O thee who spend their days glum Who sew their torn shirts and cry If some lamps get extinguished The porch stays, it doesn't die Nothing gets lost here The book changes its cover Like the night peels moonlight In the morn to be sun-ray lover O thee who change clothes and come Who go, but in new pomp and style If lost is the moon you thought a toy Childhood doesn't end, it doesn't die Many, many pots n pails have broken Not a crease on the well's face o muscle Many, many boats have sunk The shore has the same hustle-bustle O thee who extend the darkness Who reduce the life of light Fall may try, and then try The orchard lives, it doesn't die The gardener pillaged the garden Flower's fragrance couldn't be stolen Even storms tried playing with it But window of dust would remain open O thee who embrace hatered Who throw dirt on every guy Even if some faces are upset The mirror stays, it doesn't die |
कवि: गोपाल दास "नीरज"
छिप छिप अश्रु बहाने वालो
मोती व्यर्थ लुटाने वालो
कुछ सपनो के मर जाने से
जीवन नही मरा करता है
सपना क्या है, नयन सेज पर
सोया हुआ आंख का पानी
और टूटना है उसका ज्यों
जागे कच्ची नींद जवानी
गीली उमर बनाने वालो
डूबे बिना नहाने वालो
कुछ पानी के बह जाने से
सावन नही मरा करता है
माला बिखर गई तो क्या
खुद ही हल हो गई समस्या
आँसू ग़र नीलाम हुए तो
समझो पूरी हुई तपस्या
रूठे दिवस मनाने वालो
फटी कमीज़ सिलाने वालो
कुछ दीपों के बुझ जाने से
आंगन नही मरा करता है
खोता कुछ भी नहीं यहाँ पर
के़वल जिल्द बदलती पोथी
जैसे रात उतार चांदनी
पहने सुबह धूप की धोती
वस्त्र बदलकर आने वालो
चाल बदलकर जाने वालो
चंद खिलौनों के खोने से
बचपन नही मरा करता है
लाखों बार गगरियां फूटीं
शि़क़न न आई पर पनघट पर
लाखों बार कश्तियां डूबीं
चहल पहल वोही है तट पर
तम की उम्र बढाने वालो
लौ की आयु घटाने वालो
लाख करे पतझर कोशिश पर
उपवन नही मरा करता है
लूट लिया माली ने उपवन
लुटी न लेकिन गंध फूल की
तूफानों तक ने छेड़ा पर
खिड़की बंद न हुई धूल की
नफरत गले लगाने वालो
सब पर धूल उडाने वालो
कुछ मुखडों की नाराज़ी से
दर्पन नही मरा करता है
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Shakti aur Kshama (Strength and Mercy)
| Poet: Ramdhari Singh "Dinkar" Kshama, daya, tap, tyaag, manobal Sabka liya sahara Par nar vyagh Suyodhan tumse Kaho kahan kab haara? Kshamasheel ho rrpu-saksham Tum huye vineet jitna hi Dusht Kauravon ne tumko Kaayar samjha utna hi Atyachar sahan karne ka Kufal yahi hota hai Paurush ka aatank manuj Komal hokar khota hai Kshama shobhti us bhujang ko Jiske paas garal hai Uska kya jo dantheen Vishrahit vineet saral hai Teen divas tak panth mangte Raghupati sindhu kinare Baithey padhtey rahey chhand Anunay ke pyaare pyaare Uttar mein jab ek naad bhi Utha nahi saagar se Uthi adheer dhadhak paurush ki Aag raam ke shar se Sindhu deh dhar trahi-trahi Karta aa gira sharan mein Charan pooj daasta grrhan ki Bandha moodh bandhan mein Sach poochho to shar mein hi Basti hai deepti vinay ki Sandhivachan sampoojya usika Jisme shakti vijay ki Sahansheelta, kshama, daya ko Tabhi poojta jag hai Bal ka darp chamakta uskey Peechhey jab jagmag hai | Translation: The Maverick Mercy, resolve, tact, tolerance You've tried everything and some But o my king of men When did Suyodhan succumb? The more forgiving you were In your humane compassion The more these rouge Kauravas Pegged you as cowardly ashen This is the consequence Of tolerating atrocities The awe of machismo is lost When one's gentle n kindly Forgiveness is becoming of The serpent that's got venom None cares for the toothless, Poisonless, kind, gentle one For three days Lord Raam kept Asking the ocean for a passage Sitting there he petitioned Using the sweetest words to engage When in response there was Not a whisper from the sea A raging fire of endeavor Rose from Raam's body The ocean took human-form 'N supplicated to Raam Touched his feet, was subservient A slave he had become Truth be told, it's in the quiver That lies the gleam of modesty Only his peace-talk is reputable Who is capable of victory Tolerance, forgiveness and clemency Are respected by the world Only when the glow of strength From behind it is unfurled |
कवि: रामधारी सिंह "दिनकर"
क्षमा, दया, तप, त्याग, मनोबल
सबका लिया सहारा
पर नर व्याघ सुयोधन तुमसे
कहो कहाँ कब हारा?
क्षमाशील हो ॠपु-सक्षम
तुम हुये विनीत जितना ही
दुष्ट कौरवों ने तुमको
कायर समझा उतना ही
अत्याचार सहन करने का
कुफल यही होता है
पौरुष का आतंक मनुज
कोमल होकर खोता है
क्षमा शोभती उस भुजंग को
जिसके पास गरल है
उसका क्या जो दंतहीन
विषरहित विनीत सरल है
तीन दिवस तक पंथ मांगते
रघुपति सिंधु किनारे
बैठे पढते रहे छन्द
अनुनय के प्यारे प्यारे
उत्तर में जब एक नाद भी
उठा नही सागर से
उठी अधीर धधक पौरुष की
आग राम के शर से
सिंधु देह धर त्राहि-त्राहि
करता आ गिरा शरण में
चरण पूज दासता गृहण की
बंधा मूढ़ बन्धन में
सच पूछो तो शर में ही
बसती है दीप्ति विनय की
संधिवचन सम्पूज्य उसीका
जिसमे शक्ति विजय की
सहनशीलता, क्षमा, दया को
तभी पूजता जग है
बल का दर्प चमकता उसके
पीछे जब जगमग है
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Success is counted sweetest
Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne'er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.
Not one of all the purple host
Who took the flag to-day
Can tell the definition,
So clear, of victory!
As he, defeated, dying,
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Burst agonized and clear!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Ozymandius
I met a traveler from an antique land
Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert... Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal these words appear:
My name is Ozymandius, King of Kings,
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Khooni Hastakshar (Bloody Signature)
Poet: | Translation: The Maverick Of what good is the blood That can't come to a boil Of what good is the blood That can't protect the soil Of what good is the blood That's not rife with rage 'n anger The blood that flows not free Is not blood, it's water The battle of freedom is not fought on money, be sure Commitment to supreme sacrifice is on barenecks endured The day blood got appreciated When people realized its price Was the day Subhash in Burma Asked them for sacrifice He said for your freedom You'll have to make a sacrifice You've lived enough in the world Now death is freedom's price In so saying the speaker's Eyes had become blood shot Face had acquired blood's hue Blood-red body glowed, so hot He raised his hands, declared Give me your blood, come And in fair exchange I will give you freedom Step forward and be counted If Indian blood's in your vein Step forward and be counted If you call yourself an Indian Everyone shouted back Here we come, here we come In the cause of the motherland We'll give our blood some We are, we are ready to bleed Only this word could be heard To go into the battlefield Men stood ready, undeterred Subhash dared, not like this For they say talk is cheap I extend this pen, come Sign in blood on this sheet But this is no ordinary letter It's a declaration of independence Drop some virile blood of your body On it, I give you the chance The youth advanced with courage And they kept climbing the stairs With blades, knives, and steel They'd drop some blood of theirs Then in the ink of that blood They'd dip the nibs of their pen And make their signatures on The declaration of independence The history of freedom struggle In black ink isn't written or read For its sake, bravehearts have Let loose floods of blood red That day the stars of the sky Saw an Indian faith all new When, with their blood, the braves Wrote India's history anew |
कवि:
वह ख़ून कहो किस मतलब का
जिसमें उबाल का नाम नहीं
वह ख़ून कहो किस मतलब का
आ सके देश के काम नहीं
वह ख़ून कहो किस मतलब का
जिसमें जीवन न रवानी है
जो परवश में होकर बहता है
वह ख़ून नहीं है पानी है
आज़ादी का संग्राम कहीं
पैसे पर खेला जाता है?
ये शीश कटाने का सौदा
नंगे सर झेला जाता है
उस दिन लोगों ने सही सही
खूँ की कीमत पहचानी थी
जिस दिन सुभाष ने बर्मा में
मांगी उनसे कुर्बानी थी
बोले स्वतंत्रता की खातिर
बलिदान तुमहे करना होगा
बहुत जी चुके हो जग में
लेकिन आगे मरना होगा
यह कहते कहते वक्ता की
आंखों में खून उतर आया
मुख रक्त वर्ण हो गया
दमक उठी उनकी रक्तिम काया
आजानु बाहु ऊंचा करके
वे बोले रक्त मुझे देना
इसके बदले में भारत की
आज़ादी तुम मुझसे लेना
वह आगे आए जिसकी रग में
खून भारतीय बहता है
वह आगे आए जो ख़ुद को
हिन्दुस्तानी कहता है
सारी जनता हुंकार उठी
हम आते हैं, हम आते हैं
माता के चरणों में लो
हम अपना रक्त चढाते हैं
हम देंगे देंगे ख़ून
स्वर बस यही सुनाई देते थे
रण में जाने को युवक
खड़े तैयार दिखाई देते थे
बोले सुभाष इस तरह नहीं
बातों से मतलब सरता है
मैं कलम बढ़ता हूँ, आये
जो खूनी हस्ताक्षर करता है
पर यह साधारण पत्र नहीं
आज़ादी का परवाना है
इसपर तुमको अपने तन का
कुछ उज्ज्वल रक्त गिराना है
साहस से बढे युवक उस दिन
देखा बढते ही आते थे
चाकू छुरी कटारियों से
वे अपना रक्त गिराते थे
फिर उसी रक्त की स्याही में
वे अपना कलम डुबोते थे
आज़ादी के परवाने पर
हस्ताक्षर करते जाते थे
आज़ादी का इतिहास कहीं
काली स्याही लिख पाई है?
इसको पाने को वीरों ने
खून की नदी बहाई है
उस दिन तारों ने देखा था
हिन्दुस्तानी विश्वास नया
लिखा था जब रणवीरों ने
खूँ से अपना इतिहास नया
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Partition
(the poem tells of how Sir Cyril Radcliffe was sent to fix the borders of the new countries)
Unbiased at least he was when he arrived on his mission,
Having never set eyes on the land he was called to partition
Between two peoples fanatically at odds,
With their different diets and incompatible gods.
"Time," they had briefed him in London, "is short. It's too late
For mutual reconciliation or rational debate:
The only solution now lies in separation.
The Viceroy thinks, as you will see from his letter,
That the less you are seen in his company the better,
So we've arranged to provide you with other accommodation.
We can give you four judges, two Moslem and two Hindu,
To consult with, but the final decision must rest with you."
Shut up in a lonely mansion, with police night and day
Patrolling the gardens to keep the assassins away,
He got down to work, to the task of settling the fate
Of millions. The maps at his disposal were out of date
And the Census Returns almost certainly incorrect,
But there was no time to check them, no time to inspect
Contested areas. The weather was frightfully hot,
And a bout of dysentery kept him constantly on the trot,
But in seven weeks it was done, the frontiers decided,
A continent for better or worse divided.
The next day he sailed for England, where he could quickly forget
The case, as a good lawyer must. Return he would not,
Afraid, as he told his Club, that he might get shot.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
If (Dacă / Yadi)
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Romanian version - În Limba Româna
Translation: Anonymous
Dacă te poti stăpâni, când norodul din jur se frământă,
Brav înfruntând insolentul repros, cu liniste sfântă,
Dacă-ti păstrezi, în virtute, credinta si-ncaleci sfiala,
Când se îndoieste de tine multimea, si-ti ierti îndoiala
Dacă astepti cu nădejde si nu te răpune-asteptarea,
Dacă minciunii, stăpână pe lume, îi spulberi chemarea,
Dacă asaltul mâniei te lasă senin, fără ură,
Dacă păsesti peste dorul de-a fi cel dintâi, cu măsură
Dacă te leagănă visul, dar stărui stăpân peste vise,
Dacă din gânduri mărete renunti să-ti faci teluri prezise,
Dacă cuvântul, izvor de ispite si cruntul dezastru,
Nu-s pentru tine oprelisti, nici vâsle in drumul spre astru
Dacă suporti să auzi, despre spusele tale cinstite,
Gânduri jelene, scornite de răi, pentru gloate smintite,
Dacă din opera s-au ales doar ruine si spatii,
Singur, cu scule stricate, de poti s-o refaci, din fundatii
Dacă pierzând, într-o clipă de risc pe o sansă, avutul,
Poti să începi, de la capăt, uitând în tăcere trecutul,
Ferm adunând cu răbdare, întregul pe lungă durată,
Fără să sufli o vorbă, de pierderea grea îndurată
Dacă superb prin vointă fortezi, când îti vine sorocul,
Inima, capul, tăria, să nu îsi astâmpere jocul
Gol de puterea vietii, urmându-ti destinul spre tinte,
Tare, cu vrerea din tine, ce-ti spune mereu înainte!
Dacă multimilor poti să vorbesti cu deprinderi egale,
Dacă, constant, îti păstrezi modestia si-n cercuri regale,
Dacă esti vulnerabil, la prieteni, la cei cu pornire,
Dacă pe toti îi stimezi îndeajuns, însă nu peste fire
Dacă momentul cumplit al prăpădului crâncen si mare
Calm vei putea să-l asemeni, în timp, c-un minut oarecare,
Lumea cu tot ce cuprinde va fi stăpânită de tine,
Tu, peste toti vei răzbate : om al puterii depline !
Hindi version - हिन्दी में
Translation: The Maverick
यदि कठिन परिस्थिति में धीरज मति खोये नहीं
भले सब विवेक खोकर तुमको उत्तरदायी कहें
यदि सबके संदेह से भी आत्मविश्वास सोये नहीं
और फिर भी उनकी शंका को भी अनुयादी रहे
यदि कर सको प्रतीक्षा, और प्रतीक्षा से थको नहीं
यदि वंचे जाने पर भी असत्य से सम्बध्द न हो
यदि कुछ से घ्रणित होकर भी घृणा किसी से करो नहीं
किंतु दिखलाओ न स्वयं को गुणी, न चतुर वचन कहो
यदि देख सको स्वप्न - स्वप्नों के दास न होकर
यदि हो सको विचारशील - विचारों को लक्ष्य न मानकर
यदि स्वीकारो विजय का चुम्बन व पराजय का ठोकर
दोनों ही छलियों बहुरूपियों को एक सा जानकर
यदि धैर्य से सुन सको अपने कहे सत्य को होता भ्रन्षित
धूर्तों द्वारा, जैसे पाश सा मूर्खों के आखेट के
या देख सको अपने जीवनभर के श्रमफल को होता खण्डित
और झुककर पुनर्निर्माण करो अपने जीर्ण उपकरणों से
यदि अपने सम्पूर्ण अर्जन को एक स्थान पर एकत्र करो
और दाँव पर लगा दो भाग्य के चंचल भाव पर कहीं
और हारो, और पुनः प्रारम्भ से प्रारम्भ करो
और एक शब्द भी उस हानि का जिव्हा से फूटे नहीं
यदि कर सको विवश अपने ह्रदय, शिरा और धमनी
को कि वो अक्षम निशक्त हो भी पालन करे जो तुम कहो
और जुटे रहो तब भी कि जब तुममें शेष न हो श्वास भी
उस एक जिजीविषा के अतिरिक्त जो कहे "जुटे रहो"
यदि चल सको जनसमूह में, अपने गुण खोये बिना
अथवा राजसी संगत में न भूलो सामान्य विनय
यदि तुम्हें ठेस पहुँचा सके शत्रु न स्नेही घना
सभी तुमको महत्व रखें, किंतु नहीं कोई अतिशय
यदि भर सको एक निष्ठुर पल को
साठ क्षणों सम दौडी दूरी से हर सत्र
तुम्हारी होगी पृथ्वी और इसमें है जो
और महती - बन चुके होगे पुरुष, मेरे पुत्र
