Kalam-e-Ameer Khusrau – “Zihale miskin makun taghaful” by Humayun Peerzada
I was deeply touched by this poem. The thoughts it conveys are truly universal — feelings of longing, love, and human connection that transcend time and language.
It resonates with every heart, and I felt like sharing it here with my friends and well-wishers.
Zehaal-e-Miskeen — Amir Khusro
Written in Persian and Brij Bhasha
This classic poem by Amir Khusro is a unique blend of Persian and Brij Bhasha, a dehaati zabaan (dialect of Hindi).
Each verse alternates lines between Persian and Brij, creating a beautiful rhythm of language and emotion.
1.
Zehaal-e-miskeen makun taghaful,
Duraye naina banaye batiyan.
Do not overlook my misery,
by blandishing your eyes and weaving tales.
Ke taab-e-hijran nadaram ay jaan,
Na leho kahe lagaye chatiyan.
My patience has over-brimmed, O sweetheart!
Why do you not take me to your bosom?
2.
Shaban-e-hijran daraz chun zulf,
Wa roz-e-waslat cho umer kotah.
Long like curls is the night of separation,
Short like life is the day of union.
Sakhi piya ko jo main na dekhun,
To kaise kaTun andheri ratiyan.
My dear, how will I pass the dark night,
without your face before me?
3.
Yakayak az dil do chashm-e-jadu,
Basad farebam baburd taskin.
Suddenly, with a thousand tricks,
the enchanting eyes robbed me of my peace.
Kisay pari hai jo ja sunave,
Piyare pi ko hamari batiyan.
Who would care to go and report,
this matter to my darling?
4.
Cho shama sozan cho zaraa hairan,
Hamesha giryan be ishq an meh.
Tossed and bewildered, like a flickering candle,
I roam about in the fire of love.
Na nind naina na ang chaina,
Na aap aaven na bhejen patiyan.
Sleepless eyes, restless body,
neither comes she, nor any message.
5.
Bahaq-e-roz-e-visaal-e-dilbar,
Ke daad mara gharib Khusro.
In honour of the day I meet my beloved,
who has lured me so long, O Khusro!
6.
Sapet man ke varaye rakhun,
Jo jaye pauN piya ke khatiyan.
I shall keep my heart suppressed,
if ever I get to rest at my beloved’s bedstead.
“Ameer Khusrau ke kalam mein sirf alfaaz nahi, balki jazbaat, ishq aur rooh ki tasveer hai. ‘Zihale Miskin’ humein yaad dilata hai ke asli mohabbat aur sufiyana jazbaat zamanon ko paar karke hamesha zinda rehte hain. Yeh kalam meri taraf se ek chhoti si teh-e-dil se nazrana hai us virasat ko jo hum sabki rooh ka hissa hai.”
