तू कफ़-ए-ख़ाक ओ बे-बसर मैं कफ़-ए-ख़ाक ओ ख़ुद-निगर किश्त-ए-वजूद के लिए आब-ए-रवाँ है तू कि मैं
— Allama Iqbal
Meaning

You are a handful of sightless dust while I am a handful of self-aware dust. For the field of our existence who is the life-giving flowing water you or I?

Explanation

This profound couplet by Allama Iqbal explores the nature of existence and self-identity. The poet contrasts two states: the 'dust and aimless' (kaf-e-khaak o be-basar), representing superficiality or mere material existence, and the 'self-aware' (khud-nigar), representing true consciousness. He asks a deeply philosophical question: for the journey of life (kisht-e-wujood), is the flowing water—the essence of life—found in the other person, or within oneself?

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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