Ghazal
Saaf Kab Imtihan Lete Hain
साफ़ कब इम्तिहान लेते हैं
This ghazal poignantly depicts the deceptive cruelty of the beloved, who claims the lover's life and ruins their dwelling under the guise of testing their devotion. It evokes a profound sense of helplessness, betrayal, and the tragic sorrow of passionate love.
Source: rekhta · HI
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1
साफ़ कब इम्तिहान लेते हैं
वो तो दम दे के जान लेते हैं
When do they ever put me to an open trial? / Beguiling with sweet breath, they take my very life.
They never test anyone openly; instead, they beguile with sweet words and take one's life.
2
यूँ है मंज़ूर ख़ाना-वीरानी
मोल मेरा मकान लेते हैं
So pleasing to them is the ruin of my home, that they purchase my house just to lay it waste.
They desire the destruction of my home so much that they are purchasing my house just to lay it waste.
3
तुम तग़ाफ़ुल करो रक़ीबों से
जानने वाले जान लेते हैं
Feign indifference though you may toward the rivals; those who know the truth will always understand.
Even if you feign indifference towards the rivals, those who know the truth can still see through it and understand.
4
फिर न आना अगर कोई भेजे
नामा-बर से ज़बान लेते हैं
Do not return again, even if you are sent; from the messenger, they take away his very tongue.
Do not return even if someone sends you, for they take away the tongue of the messenger.
5
अब भी गिर पड़ के ज़ोफ़ से नाले
सातवाँ आसमान लेते हैं
Even now, stumbling from sheer frailty, my sighs still manage to reach and claim the seventh sky.
Even now, stumbling from extreme weakness, my cries of lament still reach all the way to the seventh heaven.
6
तेरे ख़ंजर से भी तो ऐ क़ातिल
नोक की नौ-जवान लेते हैं
Even from your dagger, O slayer, the youth brave the pointed blade.
O killer, the youth confront even the sharp tip of your dagger and face it fearlessly.
7
अपने बिस्मिल का सर है ज़ानू पर
किस मोहब्बत से जान लेते हैं
With the head of their slain lover resting upon their lap, with what tender affection do they take a life!
The beloved has the head of their wounded lover resting upon their lap, showing with what tender love they take away a life.
8
ये सुना है मिरे लिए तलवार
इक मिरे मेहरबान लेते हैं
I hear that for my sake a sword is drawn, by none other than a gracious friend of mine.
I have heard that a sword is being drawn against me, and the one holding it is none other than a kind friend of mine.
9
ये न कह हम से तेरे मुँह में ख़ाक
इस में तेरी ज़बान लेते हैं
Do not say to me, 'May dust fill your mouth'—for in this curse, I take your very tongue.
Do not say to me, 'May there be dust in your mouth,' because in uttering this, I take your tongue as my own.
10
कौन जाता है उस गली में जिसे
दूर से पासबान लेते हैं
Who would venture down that street, where even from afar the watchmen seize upon all who dare approach?
Who would go into that street where the watchmen catch hold of someone from afar?
11
मंज़िल-ए-शौक़ तय नहीं होती
ठेकियाँ ना-तवान लेते हैं
The destination of yearning is never traversed; the frail pause to lean upon supports at every turn.
The journey toward the destination of passion is never fully traversed; the frail and exhausted travelers constantly pause to lean on supports.
12
कर गुज़रते हैं हो बुरी कि भली
दिल में जो कुछ वो ठान लेते हैं
Be it for the worse or be it for the good, / They carry out whatever their heart resolves.
Whatever they resolve in their heart, they go ahead and do it, regardless of whether it is good or bad.
13
वो झगड़ते हैं जब रक़ीबों से
बीच में मुझ को सान लेते हैं
Whenever they quarrel with my rivals, they drag me into the middle of the fray.
Whenever the beloved quarrels with my rivals, they unnecessarily drag me into the middle of their dispute.
14
ज़िद हर इक बात पर नहीं अच्छी
दोस्त की दोस्त मान लेते हैं
Stubbornness in every matter is never wise or good; A friend accepts a friend's word, as a true friend should.
Being stubborn about every single thing is not right; friends listen to and accept each other's words.
15
मुस्तइद हो के ये कहो तो सही
आइए इम्तिहान लेते हैं
Summon your courage and dare to say at least: 'Come forward now, let us put you to the test.'
At least prepare yourself and say this much: 'Come forward, let us test you.'
16
'दाग़' भी है अजीब सेहर-बयाँ
बात जिस की वो मान लेते हैं
Dagh, too, is a wondrous weaver of spells, for whatever he says, they readily heed.
Dagh is indeed a wondrous magician of words, for the beloved readily agrees to whatever he says.
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