Nahin Tera Nasheman Qasr-e-Sultani Ke Gunbad Par
Tu Shaheen Hai, Basera Kar Paharon Ki Chatanon Mein
“You don’t have to make your nest on the dome of Queen’s palace, Oh Eagle,
you are royal, choose to reside on the peaks of mountains.”
Khudi Ko Kar Buland Itna Ke Har Taqdeer Se Pehle
Khuda Bande Se Khud Puche, Bata Teri Raza Kya Hai
“Elevate yourself so high that even God, before issuing every decree of destiny,
should ask you: Tell me, what is your intent?”
Diyar-e-Ishq Mein Apna Maqam Paida Kar
Naya Zamana, Naye Subah-o-Sham Paida Kar
Build in love’s empire your hearth and your home;
Build Time anew, a new dawn, a new eve!
Khuda Agar Dil-e-Fitrat Shanas De Tujh Ko
Sakoot-e-Lala-o-Gul Se Kalaam Paida Kar
Your speech, if God gives you the friendship of Nature,
From the rose and tulip’s long silence weave.
Mera Tareeq Ameeri Nahin, Faqeeri Hai
Khudi Na Baich, Ghareebi Mein Naam Paida Kar!
The way of the hermit, not fortune, is mine;
Sell not your soul! In a beggar’s rags shine.
Tundi-e- Baad-E-Mukhalif se na ghabra, ae Uqaab,
Yeh to chalti hai tujhe uncha udane ke liye,,
You don’t get frightened of these furious, violent winds, Oh Eagle!
These blow only to make you fly higher.
Khuda Tujhe Kisi Toofan Se Ashna Kar De
Ke Tere Behar Ki Moujon Mein Iztarab Nahin
God bring you acquainted with some storm!
No billow in your sea break in foam,
Tujhe Kitab Se Mumkin Nahin Faragh Ke Tu
Kitab Khawah Hai Magar Sahib-e-Kitab Nahin!
And never from books can you be weaned
Which you declaim, not comprehend.
