This poem was translated by Professor Carlo Coppola as part of the MULOSIGE Translations project. You can explore our collection of Urdu Poetry here.
Sarod / Melody
Neither is death ours, nor action, nor life.
In the turmoil of the universe we have lost our way.
The ship’s captain is far off; the wind blows fast; the crocodile’s jaws nearby;
The moment may come when it may plunge our boat into the waves.
The tumult of the universe’s battlefield may be asleep;
Keep your bosom aflame with the fire of struggle.
O saqi, don’t despair; the assembly will wake up;
Let’s postpone for a little while our drinking.
Don’t forget that these love-sorrows are invaluable;
Don’t surrender your treasure to the dark of despair.
.
From: Naqsh-i faryādī (Image of the Supplicant). Dihlī: Urdū Ghar, 1941. p. 48
Sarod is quoted in full in Urdu Poetry, 1935-1970
Neither is death ours, nor action, nor life.
In the turmoil of the universe we have lost our way.
The ship’s captain is far off; the wind blows fast; the crocodile’s jaws nearby;
The moment may come when it may plunge our boat into the waves.
The tumult of the universe’s battlefield may be asleep;
Keep your bosom aflame with the fire of struggle.
O saqi, don’t despair; the assembly will wake up;
Let’s postpone for a little while our drinking.
Don’t forget that these love-sorrows are invaluable;
Don’t surrender your treasure to the dark of despair.
.
From: Naqsh-i faryādī (Image of the Supplicant). Dihlī: Urdū Ghar, 1941. p. 48
Sarod is quoted in full in Urdu Poetry, 1935-1970
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