ALLAMA IQBAL ON “MAJNU NE SHEHR CHODA”मजनूँ ने शहर छोड़ा तो सहरा भी छोड़ दे

 

TRANSLATION OF VERSES OF ALLAMA IQBAL ON “MAJNU NE SHEHR CHODA”

मजनूँ ने शहर छोड़ा तो सहरा भी छोड़ दे

नज़्ज़ारे की हवस हो तो लैला भी छोड़ दे

 

वाइ'ज़ कमाल-ए-तर्क से मिलती है याँ मुराद

दुनिया जो छोड़ दी है तो उक़्बा भी छोड़ दे

 

तक़लीद की रविश से तो बेहतर है ख़ुद-कुशी

रस्ता भी ढूँड ख़िज़्र का सौदा भी छोड़ दे

 

लुत्फ़-ए-कलाम क्या जो न हो दिल में दर्द-ए-इश्क़

बिस्मिल नहीं है तू तो तड़पना भी छोड़ दे

 

है आशिक़ी में रस्म अलग सब से बैठना

बुत-ख़ाना भी हरम भी कलीसा भी छोड़ दे

 

सौदा-गरी नहीं ये इबादत ख़ुदा की है

ऐ बे-ख़बर जज़ा की तमन्ना भी छोड़ दे

 

जीना वो क्या जो हो नफ़स-ए-ग़ैर पर मदार

शोहरत की ज़िंदगी का भरोसा भी छोड़ दे

 

वाइ'ज़ सुबूत लाए जो मय के जवाज़ में

'इक़बाल' को ये ज़िद है कि पीना भी छोड़ दे

 

In summary, these verses collectively convey a message of profound spiritual independence, emphasizing the personal and direct connection between the seeker and the divine, free from external influences and expectations.

 

1 मजनूँ ने शहर छोड़ा तो सहरा भी छोड़ दे

नज़्ज़ारे की हवस हो तो लैला भी छोड़ दे

Citing the passionate yearning of Majnu for Laila— If Majnu abandoned the cities and the deserts for his love for Laila, then Majnu should even deny the very thought of Laila-- for the mystical vision of the Divine.

This verse's introspective construct means that merely physical renunciation from the world is not enough for the seeker of God. Even the ideas of all loved ones must be sacrificed for a real seeker of the Lord.

 2 वाइ'ज़ कमाल-ए-तर्क से मिलती है याँ मुराद

दुनिया जो छोड़ दी है तो उक़्बा भी छोड़ दे

 उक़्बा=life beyond death

Oh, preacher, if by total renunciation wishes are fulfilled, then renunciate all thoughts of life after the life. (Become thoughtless as thinking creates a division between you and me.)

Iqbal further explains that not even the thoughts of loved ones in this world are to be erased, but the very thought of what life a seeker shall have after this life has to be deleted from the mind.

 

3 तक़लीद की रविश से तो बेहतर है ख़ुद-कुशी

रस्ता भी ढूँड ख़िज़्र का सौदा भी छोड़ दे

तक़लीद=follow रविश=influence

If you follow someone by being influenced by others, then suicide is a better option. Don't pray to Khijr—(the mythical Pir or Wali, whose teaches secret knowledge aids in distress – for the Divinity.)

Iqbal implies that unless your inner call of consciousness provokes loving devotion to God, do not follow the crowd or the mob mentality )

 

4 लुत्फ़-ए-कलाम क्या जो न हो दिल में दर्द-ए-इश्क़

 बिस्मिल नहीं है तू तो तड़पना भी छोड़ दे

What is the use of discussions about God if the heart does not writhe with the anguish of Vireh and ishq? If you have not slaughtered your ego-self, then quit all forms of yearning. (In the agony of Ishq only, the ego vanishes)

 

5 है आशिक़ी में रस्म अलग सब से बैठना

बुत-ख़ाना भी हरम भी कलीसा भी छोड़ दे

In God's Ishq, the customary practice is solitary contemplation. Quit worship in temples, mosques, and churches. A true seeker should abandon ritualistic devotion and pursue meditation of the inner dimension.  

 

6 सौदा-गरी नहीं ये इबादत ख़ुदा की है

ऐ बे-ख़बर जज़ा की तमन्ना भी छोड़ दे

जज़ा=rewards This is a matter of eternal devotion to God, not a business transaction of give and take. Oh, senseless ignorant one, abandon all thoughts of rewards—even of God's realization. (refers to self-extermination of the body-mind combo in devotion to God)

 

7 जीना वो क्या जो हो नफ़स-ए-ग़ैर पर मदार

शोहरत की ज़िंदगी का भरोसा भी छोड़ दे

नफ़स-ए-ग़ैर=opinion of others; मदार=basis

What is the use of living for self-acclamation and appreciation of others? Any self-conceived ideas on your self-belief of excellence be denied. (understand that man's existence is merely a water bubble)

 8 वाइ'ज़ सुबूत लाए जो मय के जवाज़ में '

इक़बाल' को ये ज़िद है कि पीना भी छोड़ दे

जवाज़=justification or endorsement

Iqbal says that since he does not follow the preachers, and even if these priests endorse that drinking wine conforms with the teachings of the Quran, I will deny their advice and suggestions by quitting the intake of wine forever. Iqbal does not trust religious preachers.

 

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These ABOVE  verses, attributed to the renowned poet Allama Iqbal, reflect deep philosophical and spiritual insights. Iqbal's poetry often explores the themes of love, devotion, and the quest for the divine. Let's briefly discuss the key ideas conveyed in each verse:

Majnu's Renunciation:

The verse emphasizes that true spiritual seeking goes beyond mere physical renunciation. It suggests that not only should one abandon worldly attachments, but even the thoughts of loved ones, including the beloved Laila, should be sacrificed for a genuine seeker of the Divine.

Total Renunciation:

Iqbal suggests that if complete renunciation leads to the fulfillment of desires, one should even renounce thoughts of life after death. This implies a call for a state of thoughtlessness, where the seeker transcends the concept of life beyond death.

Individual Spiritual Journey:

The verse discourages blind following of others (Taqleed) and encourages a direct connection with the divine. Suicide, in this context, symbolizes a rejection of external influences, urging the seeker to find their own path to spiritual enlightenment.

Suffering of Love (Ishq):

Iqbal emphasizes the importance of heartfelt yearning and the anguish of love for God. The verse suggests that discussions about God are meaningful only if the heart is consumed by the pain of love (Ishq) and if the ego has been transcended through this spiritual agony.

Solitary Contemplation:

The practice of solitary contemplation in God's Ishq is highlighted. Iqbal advises abandoning ritualistic worship in temples, mosques, and churches, advocating for a more direct and personal form of devotion through inner meditation.

Devotion Without Expectation:

The verse underscores that devotion to God is not a transaction for rewards. It urges the seeker to abandon thoughts of personal gain, even in the pursuit of realizing God, emphasizing selfless devotion.

Living for Self-Acclaim:

Iqbal questions the purpose of living for the opinions and acclaim of others. The verse advises abandoning self-conceived ideas and beliefs of excellence, reminding the reader of the transient nature of human existence.

Denial of External Justification:

Iqbal expresses a lack of trust in religious preachers and external justifications. Even if priests endorse certain actions like drinking wine, Iqbal asserts his independence of thought by choosing to quit drinking, highlighting the importance of personal conviction over external endorsements.