The World is a Playground

Baazi-cha-aie-Atfal Hai Dunia, Mere Aage
Hota Hai Shaboroze Tamasha Mere Aage

Ik Khel Hai Aurang-e-suleman, Mere Nazdeek
Ik Baat Hai Ajaaz-a-Maseehah, Mere Aage

Juz Naam, Nahin Surat-a-aalam Mujhe Manzoor
Juz Vaham, Nahin Hasti-e-ashiya, Mere Aage

Hota Hai Nihan Gard Mein Sahra, Mere Hote
Ghista Hai Jabin Khak Pe Dariya, Mere Aage

Mut Poochh, Ki Kya Haal Hai Mera, Tere Peeche
Tu Dekh Ki Kya Rung Hai Tera, Mere Aage

Sach Kehte Ho Khudbeen-o-Khuddara Hun, Kyon Na Hun?
Baitha Hai Butt-a-Aaeena-Seema, Mere Aage

Phir Dekhiye, Andaz-e-Gul-Afshani-e-Guftaar
Rakh De Koyee Paimana-o-Sahba Mere Aage

Nafrat Ka Guman Guzre Hai, Mein Rushk Se Guzra
Kyonkar Kahun, Lo Naam Na Unka Mere Aage

Iman Mujhe Roke Hai, To Khenche Hai Mujhe Kufra
Kaba Mere Peeche Hai, Kalisa Mere Aage

Aashiq Hun, Per Mashook-Farebi Hai Mera Kaam
Majnun Ko Bura Kehti Hai Laila Mere Aage

Khush Hote Hain, Pur, Vasl Mein Yon Mur Nahin Jaate
Aayee Shab-a-Hijran Ki Tamanna Mere Aage

Hai Moujzan Ik Kulzum-e-Khun, Kaash, Yahi Ho
Aata Hai, Abhi Dekhiye, Kya Kya, Mere Aage

Go Hath Mein Jumbish Nahin, Aankhon Mein To Dum Hai
Rahne Do Abhi Sagar-O-Meena, Mere Aage

Humpesh-O-Hummastrab-O-Humraaz Hai Mera
"Ghalib" to Bura Kyon Kaho, Accha Mere Aage

** English Translation:

I perceive the world as a playground
Where dawn and dusk appear in eternal rounds

In His Universal form is a plaything the throne of Solomon
The miracles of the Messiah seem so ordinary in my eyes

Without name I cannot comprehend any form
Illusionary but is the identity of all objects

My anguish envelopes the entire desert
Silently flows the river in front of my floods

Ask not what separation has done to me
Just see your poise when I come in front of you

Truly you say that I am egotistical and proud
It is the reflection, O friend, in your limited mirror

To appreciate the style and charm of conversation
Just bring in the goblet and wine

Hatred manifests due to my envious mind
Thus I say, don't take his name in front of me

Faith stops me while temptations attract
Inspite of Kaaba behind and church ahead

I am the Lover, yet notorious is my charm
Thus Laila calls names to Majnu in front of me

"Dies" not one though the union is a delight
In premonition of the separation night

Alas, this be it, the bloody separation wave
I know not what else is in store ahead of me

Though the hands don't move, the eyes are alive
Wine and goblet, let them stay in front of me

Says "Ghalib" Conscience is companion and trusted friend
Don't pass any judgments in front of me.

na tha kuchch to KHuda tha, kuchch na hota to KHuda hota

na tha kuchch to KHuda tha, kuchch na hota to KHuda hota
duboya mujhko hone ne, na hota maiN to kya hota ?

Before the beginning, there was God
If there would be nothing, there would still be God.
I am a loser at the hands of my own existence
What would happen if I were not there?

huaa jab GHam se yooN behis to GHam kya sar ke kaTne ka
na hota gar juda tan se to zaanooN par dhaRa hota

So much pain has struck me now,
That I am not afraid of being beheaded
If not for this separation with the body,
I would be lying on the knee.

huee muddat ke ‘GHalib’ mar gaya par yaad aata hai
wo har ek baat pe kehana, ke yooN hota to kya hota ?

its been ages since Ghalib passed away, but still I remember his words,
when he said, what would be if this would be…

koee ummeed bar naheeN aatee

koee ummeed bar naheeN aatee
koee soorat nazar naheeN aatee

I do not see any hope now
Nor do I see any face

maut ka ek din mu’ayyan hai
neeNd kyoN raat bhar naheeN aatee ?

[ mu’ayyan = definite ] When the day of departure is fixed,
Why is it that I still do not get sleep the whole night?

aage aatee thee haal-e-dil pe haNsee
ab kisee baat par naheeN aatee

It was then when I used to laugh at my own fate
Now there is nothing that could make me laugh..

hum wahaaN haiN jahaaN se hamko bhee
kuchch hamaaree KHabar naheeN aatee

I have reached a point in time
Where I can’t hear anything about me..

marte haiN aarzoo meiN marne ki
maut aatee hai par naheeN aatee

I die in the hope of dying
Death comes, but does not come still..

kaaba’a kis muNh se jaaoge
‘GHalib’sharm tumko magar naheeN aatee

How would you face the lord,
O Ghalib?For it is not you who would ever be ashamed…

Kabhi kisi ko mukammal jahaan nahin miltaa

Kabhi kisi ko mukammal jahaan nahin miltaa
Kahin zameen to kahin aasmaan nahin miltaa

No one ever gets the entire universe
Somewhere the earth and somewhere the sky is missing

Jise bhi dekhiye wo apne aapmai gum hai
Zubaan mili hain magar humzubaan nahin miltaa

Whoever you see is lost in their own sorrow
They have thoughts to share but no companion to listen

Bujhaa saka hain bhala kaun wakt ke shole
Ye aisi aag hain jis mein dhuaan nahin miltaa

Who is able to douse the embers of time
This is a fire that has no smoke

Tere jahaan main aisa nahin ke pyaar na ho
Jahaa ummeed ho is ki wahaa nahin miltaa

It's not like there's no love in your universe (life)
Where you hope for it you won't find it there

Haazaron kwaashen aisi

Haazaron kwaashen aisi ke har = khwaish pe dam nikle,
Bahut nikle mere armaan, lekin phir bhi dam nikle.

Thousands of desires, tantalizing one and all,
Many a wish have I realised; yet I yearn for more.

Nikalna khuld se aadam, ka sunte aae the lekin,
Bahut be aabroo ho kar tere kuche se ham nikle.

Often have we heard about Adam's exile from Eden,
Humiliating much more was my exit from your door.

Magar likhwae koi usko khat to ham se likhwae,
Hui subah aur kaan par dhar kar qalam nikle.

Those I thought would sympathize with my wretched state,
Turned out to be the victims of an even harsher fate.

Mahabbat mein nahin hai farq jeene aur marne ka,
Usi ko dekh kar jeete hain, jis kaafir pe dam nikle.

There is little difference in life and death when we are in love,
The same infidel sustains our life, for whom we pine to die.

Kahaan maikhana ka darwaaza Ghalib, aur kahaan waiz,
Par itna jante hain kal woh jaata tha ke ham nikle.

The preacher and the tavern door are things wide apart,
Yet yesterday I saw him enter, as I was coming out.

Haazaron kwaashen aisi ke har khwaish pe dam nikle,
Bahut nikle mere armaan, lekin phir bhi dam nikle.

Thousands of desires, tantalizing one and all,
Many a wish have I realised; yet I yearn for more.