निकलते हैं कर के ग़ोल-बंदी ब-नाम-ए-तहज़ीब ओ दर्द-मंदी ये कह के लेते हैं सब से चंदे हमें जो तुम दो तुम्हें ख़ुदा दे
— Akbar Allahabadi
Meaning

People form groups and set out in the name of culture and sympathy, collecting donations from everyone by saying, 'May God give you whatever you give to us.'

Explanation

This couplet is a sharp, witty satire on hypocrites who mask their self-interest behind the noble banners of culture and compassion. The poet paints an amusing yet biting picture of people banding together to collect funds under the guise of high-minded ideals, only to echo the classic beggar's plea for charity. It cleverly exposes how organized social crusades often boil down to sweet-talking opportunistic exploitation.

Interpretation note: meanings and explanations may be AI-assisted and should not replace a primary text or scholarly edition. See the editorial policy.

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