Sher on Motivational

Raise your selfhood so high that it stands ahead of every fate.

So that God Himself asks His servant: tell me, what is your wish?

The couplet urges inner elevation—strengthening character, will, and moral self—until one is no longer passive before destiny. “Selfhood” is a metaphor for a disciplined, awakened self that acts with purpose. The striking image of God asking the servant highlights the dignity of human agency when aligned with higher values. Emotionally, it is a call to confidence, effort, and responsible choice.

Raise your selfhood so high that it stands ahead of every fate.

So that God Himself asks His servant: tell me, what is your wish?

The couplet urges inner elevation—strengthening character, will, and moral self—until one is no longer passive before destiny. “Selfhood” is a metaphor for a disciplined, awakened self that acts with purpose. The striking image of God asking the servant highlights the dignity of human agency when aligned with higher values. Emotionally, it is a call to confidence, effort, and responsible choice.

You are a falcon; your true task is to keep flying higher.

Beyond what you see now, there are still more skies waiting ahead.

The falcon symbolizes a courageous, self-reliant spirit whose nature is upward flight, not settling. The poet urges the listener to reject complacency and keep expanding their limits. “More skies” becomes a metaphor for endless possibilities and higher goals. The emotional core is hope mixed with a disciplined call to strive.

You are a falcon; your true task is to keep flying higher.

Beyond what you see now, there are still more skies waiting ahead.

The falcon symbolizes a courageous, self-reliant spirit whose nature is upward flight, not settling. The poet urges the listener to reject complacency and keep expanding their limits. “More skies” becomes a metaphor for endless possibilities and higher goals. The emotional core is hope mixed with a disciplined call to strive.

Your home is not meant to be on the dome of a royal palace.

You are a falcon—make your dwelling on the rugged cliffs of mountains.

Iqbal addresses the “shaheen” as a symbol of a high-spirited, self-reliant person. The royal dome stands for comfort, dependence, and living under power’s shadow, while mountain cliffs suggest hard struggle, height, and freedom. The couplet urges one to reject easy patronage and choose a life of dignity and lofty ambition. Its emotional core is pride in independence and courage to live by one’s own standards.

Your home is not meant to be on the dome of a royal palace.

You are a falcon—make your dwelling on the rugged cliffs of mountains.

Iqbal addresses the “shaheen” as a symbol of a high-spirited, self-reliant person. The royal dome stands for comfort, dependence, and living under power’s shadow, while mountain cliffs suggest hard struggle, height, and freedom. The couplet urges one to reject easy patronage and choose a life of dignity and lofty ambition. Its emotional core is pride in independence and courage to live by one’s own standards.

Beyond the stars, there are still more worlds and horizons.

And the tests of love are not over yet; more trials remain.

The couplet urges the seeker not to stop at visible limits: even the farthest “stars” are not the end. “Worlds beyond” symbolizes higher goals and deeper truths still to be reached. The second line frames love as a journey of continual testing—each stage brings new challenges. Emotionally, it blends hope with resolve: keep moving forward, keep proving your love.

Beyond the stars, there are still more worlds and horizons.

And the tests of love are not over yet; more trials remain.

The couplet urges the seeker not to stop at visible limits: even the farthest “stars” are not the end. “Worlds beyond” symbolizes higher goals and deeper truths still to be reached. The second line frames love as a journey of continual testing—each stage brings new challenges. Emotionally, it blends hope with resolve: keep moving forward, keep proving your love.

When a person becomes used to grief, the grief itself fades away.

So many hardships fell on me that they started to feel easy.

Mirza Ghalib turns pain into a psychological metaphor: repeated suffering trains the heart until sorrow loses its sting. What once felt unbearable becomes familiar, and familiarity reduces fear and intensity. The emotional core is a hardened, seasoned resilience—born not from comfort, but from continuous trials.

When a person becomes used to grief, the grief itself fades away.

So many hardships fell on me that they started to feel easy.

Mirza Ghalib turns pain into a psychological metaphor: repeated suffering trains the heart until sorrow loses its sting. What once felt unbearable becomes familiar, and familiarity reduces fear and intensity. The emotional core is a hardened, seasoned resilience—born not from comfort, but from continuous trials.

EXPLANATION

इस शे’र में कई अर्थ ऐसे हैं जिनसे अंदाज़ा लगाया जा सकता है कि वसीम बरेलवी शे’र में अर्थ के साथ कैफ़ियत पैदा करने की कला से परिचित हैं। ‘जहाँ’ के सन्दर्भ से ‘वहीं’ और इन दोनों के सन्दर्भ से ‘मकाँ’, ‘चराग़’ के सन्दर्भ से ‘रौशनी’ और इससे बढ़कर ‘किसी’ ये सब ऐसे लक्षण हैं जिनसे शे’र में अर्थोत्पत्ति का तत्व पैदा हुआ है।

शे’र के शाब्दिक अर्थ तो ये हो सकते हैं कि चराग़ अपनी रौशनी से किसी एक मकाँ को रौशन नहीं करता है, बल्कि जहाँ जलता है वहाँ की फ़िज़ा को प्रज्वलित करता है। इस शे’र में एक शब्द 'मकाँ' केंद्र में है। मकाँ से यहाँ तात्पर्य मात्र कोई ख़ास घर नहीं बल्कि स्थान है।

अब आइए शे’र के भावार्थ पर प्रकाश डालते हैं। दरअसल शे’र में ‘चराग़’, ‘रौशनी’ और ‘मकाँ’ की एक लाक्षणिक स्थिति है। चराग़ रूपक है नेक और भले आदमी का, उसके सन्दर्भ से रोशनी रूपक है नेकी और भलाई का। इस तरह शे’र का अर्थ ये बनता है कि नेक आदमी किसी ख़ास जगह नेकी और भलाई फैलाने के लिए पैदा नहीं होते बल्कि उनका कोई विशेष मकान नहीं होता और ये स्थान की अवधारणा से बहुत आगे के लोग होते हैं। बस शर्त ये है कि आदमी भला हो। अगर ऐसा है तो भलाई हर जगह फैल जाती है।

Shafaq Sopori

EXPLANATION

इस शे’र में कई अर्थ ऐसे हैं जिनसे अंदाज़ा लगाया जा सकता है कि वसीम बरेलवी शे’र में अर्थ के साथ कैफ़ियत पैदा करने की कला से परिचित हैं। ‘जहाँ’ के सन्दर्भ से ‘वहीं’ और इन दोनों के सन्दर्भ से ‘मकाँ’, ‘चराग़’ के सन्दर्भ से ‘रौशनी’ और इससे बढ़कर ‘किसी’ ये सब ऐसे लक्षण हैं जिनसे शे’र में अर्थोत्पत्ति का तत्व पैदा हुआ है।

शे’र के शाब्दिक अर्थ तो ये हो सकते हैं कि चराग़ अपनी रौशनी से किसी एक मकाँ को रौशन नहीं करता है, बल्कि जहाँ जलता है वहाँ की फ़िज़ा को प्रज्वलित करता है। इस शे’र में एक शब्द 'मकाँ' केंद्र में है। मकाँ से यहाँ तात्पर्य मात्र कोई ख़ास घर नहीं बल्कि स्थान है।

अब आइए शे’र के भावार्थ पर प्रकाश डालते हैं। दरअसल शे’र में ‘चराग़’, ‘रौशनी’ और ‘मकाँ’ की एक लाक्षणिक स्थिति है। चराग़ रूपक है नेक और भले आदमी का, उसके सन्दर्भ से रोशनी रूपक है नेकी और भलाई का। इस तरह शे’र का अर्थ ये बनता है कि नेक आदमी किसी ख़ास जगह नेकी और भलाई फैलाने के लिए पैदा नहीं होते बल्कि उनका कोई विशेष मकान नहीं होता और ये स्थान की अवधारणा से बहुत आगे के लोग होते हैं। बस शर्त ये है कि आदमी भला हो। अगर ऐसा है तो भलाई हर जगह फैल जाती है।

Shafaq Sopori

Iqbal is not hopeless about his barren field.

O cupbearer, if this soil gets a little moisture, it becomes very fertile.

The couplet turns “barrenness” into a temporary condition, not a final verdict. The “barren field” symbolizes a stalled self or society, while “a little moisture” stands for the right nurture—faith, effort, guidance, or inspiration. Addressing the saqi suggests a call for that life-giving spark. Emotionally, it is a calm, stubborn confidence in hidden fertility and future renewal.

Iqbal is not hopeless about his barren field.

O cupbearer, if this soil gets a little moisture, it becomes very fertile.

The couplet turns “barrenness” into a temporary condition, not a final verdict. The “barren field” symbolizes a stalled self or society, while “a little moisture” stands for the right nurture—faith, effort, guidance, or inspiration. Addressing the saqi suggests a call for that life-giving spark. Emotionally, it is a calm, stubborn confidence in hidden fertility and future renewal.

In slavery, neither swords nor clever strategies really help.

But when a true taste for conviction awakens, the chains get cut.

Allama Iqbal contrasts outer tools (weapons and tactics) with inner power. He suggests that a mind trained in servitude cannot be freed merely by force or schemes. The real metaphor is that “chains” are broken by the awakening of yaqeen—unshakeable conviction and moral courage. Once that inner certainty is born, liberation becomes possible and inevitable.

In slavery, neither swords nor clever strategies really help.

But when a true taste for conviction awakens, the chains get cut.

Allama Iqbal contrasts outer tools (weapons and tactics) with inner power. He suggests that a mind trained in servitude cannot be freed merely by force or schemes. The real metaphor is that “chains” are broken by the awakening of yaqeen—unshakeable conviction and moral courage. Once that inner certainty is born, liberation becomes possible and inevitable.

Firm conviction, continuous effort, and love are what conquer the world.

In the life-struggle, these are the true swords of brave people.

Allama Iqbal presents inner qualities as real weapons: unwavering faith, steady action, and transformative love. The “jihad of life” is the constant moral and practical struggle a person faces. Victory is not through steel, but through character and sustained effort. The couplet stirs courage by turning virtues into a warrior’s arms.

Firm conviction, continuous effort, and love are what conquer the world.

In the life-struggle, these are the true swords of brave people.

Allama Iqbal presents inner qualities as real weapons: unwavering faith, steady action, and transformative love. The “jihad of life” is the constant moral and practical struggle a person faces. Victory is not through steel, but through character and sustained effort. The couplet stirs courage by turning virtues into a warrior’s arms.

EXPLANATION

यह शे’र इसरार-उल-हक़ मजाज़ के मशहूर अशआर में से एक है। माथे पे आँचल होने के कई मायने हैं। उदाहरण के लिए शर्म व लाज का होना, मूल्यों का रख रखाव होना आदि और भारतीय समाज में इन चीज़ों को नारी का शृंगार समझा जाता है। मगर जब नारी के इस शृंगार को पुरुष सत्तात्मक समाज में नारी की कमज़ोरी समझा जाता है तो नारी का व्यक्तित्व संकट में पड़ जाता है। इसी तथ्य को शायर ने अपने शे’र का विषय बनाया है। शायर नारी को सम्बोधित करते हुए कहते हैं कि यद्यपि तुम्हारे माथे पर शर्म व हया का आँचल ख़ूब लगता है मगर उसे अपनी कमज़ोरी मत बना। वक़्त का तक़ाज़ा है कि आप अपने इस आँचल से क्रांति का झंडा बनाएं और इस ध्वज को अपने अधिकारों के लिए उठाएं।

Shafaq Sopori

EXPLANATION

यह शे’र इसरार-उल-हक़ मजाज़ के मशहूर अशआर में से एक है। माथे पे आँचल होने के कई मायने हैं। उदाहरण के लिए शर्म व लाज का होना, मूल्यों का रख रखाव होना आदि और भारतीय समाज में इन चीज़ों को नारी का शृंगार समझा जाता है। मगर जब नारी के इस शृंगार को पुरुष सत्तात्मक समाज में नारी की कमज़ोरी समझा जाता है तो नारी का व्यक्तित्व संकट में पड़ जाता है। इसी तथ्य को शायर ने अपने शे’र का विषय बनाया है। शायर नारी को सम्बोधित करते हुए कहते हैं कि यद्यपि तुम्हारे माथे पर शर्म व हया का आँचल ख़ूब लगता है मगर उसे अपनी कमज़ोरी मत बना। वक़्त का तक़ाज़ा है कि आप अपने इस आँचल से क्रांति का झंडा बनाएं और इस ध्वज को अपने अधिकारों के लिए उठाएं।

Shafaq Sopori

When I was unaware of my own condition, I kept noticing other people’s faults and merits.

But when I looked at my own shortcomings, no one seemed bad in my eyes anymore.

The couplet turns from judging others to judging oneself. The poet says that ignorance of one’s own inner state leads to fault-finding in others, but self-scrutiny brings humility. Seeing one’s own defects softens the gaze and dissolves harsh judgments. The emotional core is moral awakening and compassion born from introspection.

When I was unaware of my own condition, I kept noticing other people’s faults and merits.

But when I looked at my own shortcomings, no one seemed bad in my eyes anymore.

The couplet turns from judging others to judging oneself. The poet says that ignorance of one’s own inner state leads to fault-finding in others, but self-scrutiny brings humility. Seeing one’s own defects softens the gaze and dissolves harsh judgments. The emotional core is moral awakening and compassion born from introspection.

Keep your gaze high, your speech pleasing, and your soul burning with sincere feeling.

This is exactly the journey-provision needed for the leader of a caravan.

Iqbal lists the qualities required for true guidance: lofty vision, gentle and heart-winning speech, and an inner fire of conviction. These are presented as the essential “travel gear” for one who leads others. The metaphor of the caravan suggests a collective journey, where a leader must inspire, uplift, and stay spiritually alive. The emotional core is a call to purposeful, passionate, and responsible leadership.

Keep your gaze high, your speech pleasing, and your soul burning with sincere feeling.

This is exactly the journey-provision needed for the leader of a caravan.

Iqbal lists the qualities required for true guidance: lofty vision, gentle and heart-winning speech, and an inner fire of conviction. These are presented as the essential “travel gear” for one who leads others. The metaphor of the caravan suggests a collective journey, where a leader must inspire, uplift, and stay spiritually alive. The emotional core is a call to purposeful, passionate, and responsible leadership.

In this world, live either in sorrow or in happiness—however your fate turns out.

But before you leave from here, do something so meaningful that you are long remembered.

Meer Taqi Meer contrasts life’s shifting states—grief and joy—with the one enduring demand: purposeful action. The couplet suggests emotions come and go, but what truly matters is leaving a mark. “Walking from here” hints at life’s departure, so the speaker urges deeds that outlast the self. The emotional core is a sober, motivating call to make one’s life memorable through meaningful work.

In this world, live either in sorrow or in happiness—however your fate turns out.

But before you leave from here, do something so meaningful that you are long remembered.

Meer Taqi Meer contrasts life’s shifting states—grief and joy—with the one enduring demand: purposeful action. The couplet suggests emotions come and go, but what truly matters is leaving a mark. “Walking from here” hints at life’s departure, so the speaker urges deeds that outlast the self. The emotional core is a sober, motivating call to make one’s life memorable through meaningful work.

The code of true young, noble men is to speak the truth and be bold.

God’s lions never learn the cunning, cowardly ways of a fox.

Iqbal contrasts the ideal character of a “mard-e-momin” with the slyness of a fox. Truthfulness and fearless speech are presented as the real “ayin” (principle) of youthful strength. The lion symbolizes dignity and moral courage, while the fox stands for cowardice and deceit. The couplet urges integrity over expedient cleverness.

The code of true young, noble men is to speak the truth and be bold.

God’s lions never learn the cunning, cowardly ways of a fox.

Iqbal contrasts the ideal character of a “mard-e-momin” with the slyness of a fox. Truthfulness and fearless speech are presented as the real “ayin” (principle) of youthful strength. The lion symbolizes dignity and moral courage, while the fox stands for cowardice and deceit. The couplet urges integrity over expedient cleverness.