by B. R. GOWANI (translation of Sahir Ludhianvi’s Urdu/Hindi poem)
the palaces, thrones, and crowns of our world
the societal enemies of people of our world
the wealth-starved traditions of our world
even if I were to attain this world, what is the use?
every body is wounded and every soul is thirsting
the eyes are confused; the hearts are sad,
is this the world or an existence of senselessness
even if I were to attain this world, what is the use?
here the human existence is a play thing,
this place is the home of dead worshiping
here death is cheaper than life
even if I were to attain this world, what is the use?
youth keeps wandering in a licentious life
young bodies are exhibited to be marketable
here love is realized for business
even if I were to attain this world, what is the use?
in this world, human beings have no worth
neither do fidelity or friendship carry any worth
here no one values love at all
even if I were to attain this world, what is the use?
burn down this world; leave no trace of it
remove the world from my sight,
it’s your world, you take care of it
even if I were to attain this world, what is the use?
ye mahloN ye takhtoN ye tAjoN ki duniyA
ye mahloN ye takhtoN ye tAjoN ki duniyA
ye insAN ke dushman samAjoN ki duniyA
ye daulat ke bhooke rivAjoN ki duniyA
ye duniyA agar mil bhi jAE to kyA hai
har ik jism ghAyal har ik rooh pyAsi
nigAhoñ meiN uljhan diloN meiN udAsi
ye duniyA hai yA Alam-e-bad-havAsi
ye duniyA agar mil bhi jAE to kyA hai
yahAN ik khilaunA hai insAñ ki hasti
ye basti hai murdA-parastoN ki basti
yahAñ par to jivan se hai maut sasti
ye duniyA agar mil bhi jAE to kyA hai
javAni bhaTakti hai badkAr ban kar
javAN jism sajte haiN bAzAr ban kar
yahAN pyAr hotA hai beopAr ban kar
ye duniyA agar mil bhi jAE to kyA ha
ye duniyA jahAN Admi kuchh nahiN hai
vafA kuchh nahiN dosti kuchh nahiN hai
jahAN pyAr ki qadr hi kuchh nahiN hai
ye duniyA agar mil bhi jAE to kyA hai
jalA do ise phooNk DAlo ye duniyA
mere sAmne se haTA lo ye duniyA
tumhAri hai tum hi sambhAlo ye duniyA
ye duniyA agar mil bhi jAE to kyA hai
(The above is the original Sahir poem in Roman script.)
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com