(Bang-e-Dra-096) Goristan-e-Shahi

Goristan-e-Shahi
The Royal Cemetery

Asman, Badal Ka Pehne Kharqa-e-Dairina Hai
Kuch Mukddar Sa Jabeen-e-Mah Ka Aaeena Hai

The sky is clothed in the cloud’s old tattered robe
The mirror of moon’s forehead is somewhat gloomy

Chandni Pheeki Hai Iss Nazara-e-Khamosh Mein
Subah-e-Sadiq So Rahi Hai Raat Ki Aghosh Mein

The moon light is pale in this silent panorama
The dawn is sleeping in the lap of the night

Kis Qadar Ashjaar Ki Hairat Faza Hai Khamashi
Barbat-e-Qudrat Ki Dheemi Si Nawa Hai Khamashi

How astonishing is silence of the trees
This silence is the soft tune of Nature’s harp

Batin-e-Har Zarra-e-Alam Sarapa Dard Hai
Aur Khamoshi Lab-e-Hasti Pe Aah-e-Sard Hai

The heart of every speck of the universe is pathos embodied
And the silence is a sad sigh on the lips of existence

Aah! Joulan-Gah Alamgeer Yani Woh Hisar
Dosh Par Apne Uthaye Saikron Sadiyon Ka Bar

Ah! That fort, that universal mustering ground
Is carrying millennia’s weight on its shoulders

Zindagi Se Tha Kabhi Maamoor, Ab Sunsaan Hai
Ye Khamoshi Iss Ke Hangamon Ka Goristan Hai

Was full of life at one time, now is desolate
This silence is the cemetery of its past elegance

Apne Sukkaan-e-Kuhan Ki Khak Ka Dildah Hai
Koh Ke Sar Par Missal-e-Pasban Istada Hai

It is the lover of the remains of its old denizens
It is standing on the mountain top like a sentinel

Abar Ke Rozan Se Woh Balaye Baam-e-Asman
Naazar-e-Alam Hai Najam-e-Sabz Faam-e-Asman

There from the cloud’s window above the sky’s roof
That young green star is viewing the universe

Khak Bazi Wussat-e-Dunya Ka Hai Manzar Isse
Dastan Nakami-e-Insan Ki Hai Azbar Isse

The earth’s vast expanse is a mere child’s play to it
The story of Man’s failure is known to it by heart

Hai Azal Se Ye Musafir Sooye Manzil Ja Raha
Asman Se Inqalabon Ka Tamasha Dekhta

This traveler is going to his destination since eternity
Seeing revolutions’ spectacles from the sky’s seclusion

Go Sukoon Mumkin Nahin Alam Mein Akhtar Ke Liye
Fateha Khawani Ko Ye Thehra Hai Dam Bhar Ke Liye

Though quiescence of the star is not possible in the universe
It has stopped momentarily for saying prayer for the dead

Rang-o-Aab-e-Zindagi Se Gul Ba-Daman Hai Zameen
Saikron Khoon Gashta Tehzeebon Ka Madfan Hai Zameen

This earth is full of flowers of life’s variegations
This earth is the cemetery of many destroyed civilizations

Khawab Gah Shahon Ki Hai Ye Manzil-e-Hasrat Fiza
Dida-e-Ibrat! Kharaaj-e-Ashak-e-Gulgoon Kar Ada

This grief‐stricken stage is the resting place of kings
O admonished eye! Pay the tribute of rosy tears

Hai Tu Goristan Magar Ye Khak Gardoon Paya Hai
Aah! Ek Bargashta Qismat Qoum Ka Sarmaya Hai

Though a mere cemetery, this dust ranks with the sky
Ah! this is the wealth of an unfortunate nation!

Maqbaron Ki Shan Hairat Afreen Hai Iss Qadr
Junbish-e-Mazgan Se Hai Chashm-e-Tamasha Ko Hazr

So astounding is the grandeur of mausoleums
That the spectator’s eye evades even winking

Kaifiat Aesi Hai Nakami Ki Iss Tasveer Mein
Jo Uter Sakti Nahin Aaeena-e-Tehreer Mein

Such an expression of failure is in this picture
Which is impossible to reflect in description’s mirror

Sote Hain Khamosh, Abadi Ke Hangamon Se Door
Muztarib Rakhti Thi Jin Ko Arzu-e-Na-Saboor

Far from the habitations’ crowds are sleeping
Those who were restless with unfulfilled Longings

Qabr Ki Zulmat Mein Hai Un Aftabon Ki Chamak
Jin Ke Darwazon Pe Rehta Tha Jabeen-Gastar Falak

The grave’s darkness holds the brilliance of those suns
At whose thresholds the sky used to remain prostrating

Kya Yehi Hai Un Shehenshahon Ki Azmat Ka Ma’al
Jin Ki Tadbeer-e-Jahan Bani Se Darta Tha Zawal

Is this the end of these emperors’ magnificence?
Whose diplomatic policies knew no decline

Roab-e-Faghfoori Ho Dunya Mein Ke Shan-e-Qaisari
Tal Nahin Sakti Ghaneem-e-Mout Ki Yorish Kabhi

Be it the grandeur of Qaisar or Faghfur’s sway
The foe of death’s assault cannot be turned away

Badshahon Ki Bhi Kisht-e-Umar Ka Hasil Hai Gaur
Jadah-e-Azmat Ki Goya Akhri Manzil Hai Gaur

The result of kings’ life‐efforts also is the grave
The last stage on path of magnificence is the grave

Sourish-e-Bazm-e-Tarab Kya, Uood Ki Taqdeer Kya
Dard Mandan-e-Jahan Ka Nala-e-Shabgeer Kya

Neither the happy assembly’s commotion nor the genius’ talk
Not even the wailing people’s whole night’s compassion!

Arsa-e-Paikar Mein Hangama-e-Shamsheer Kya
Khoon Ko Garmane Wala Nara-e-Takbeer Kya

Neither the tumult of the sword in the battle!
Nor the cry of blood warming Takbir!

Ab Koi Awaz Soton Ko Jaga Sakti Nahin
Seena-e-Weeran Mein Jaan-e-Rafta Aa Sakti Nahin

No call can wake up those who are sleeping
No life can return to the desolate breast

Rooh, Musht-e-Khak Mein Zehmat Kash-e-Baidad Hai
Koocha Gard-e-Ne Huwa Jis Dam Nafas, Faryad Hai

The soul in the handful of dust is enduring injustice
When breath enters non‐existence’ flute it is a mere complaint

Zindagi Insan Ki Hai Manid-e-Murgh-e-Khush Nawa
Shakh Par Baitha, Koi Dam Chehchaya, Urh Gya

Human life resembles the sweet singing bird, which
Sat on the branch a while, chirped, flew away

Aah! Kya Aye Riyaz-e-Dehr Mein Hum, Kya Gye!
Zindagi Ki Shakh Se Phoote, Khile, Murjha Gye

Ah! For what purpose did we come in the world, for what purpose did we go away!
Sprouted from the life’s branch, blossomed, faded away

Mout Har Shah-o-Gada Ke Khawab Ki Tabeer Hai
Iss Sitam-Gar Ka Sitam Insaf Ki Tasveer Hai

Death is interpretation of the dream of the king and the poor alike
This atrocious one’s terror is the picture of justice

Silsila Hasti Ka Hai Ek Behr-e-Na Paida Kinar
Aur Iss Darye Be Payan Ki Moujain Hain Mazar

The stream of life is a boundless ocean
And the grave is a wave of this boundless ocean

Ae Hawas! Khoonro Ke Hai Ye Zindagi Be- Etibar
Ye Sharare Ka Tabassum, Ye Khs-e-Atish Sawar

O ambition! Shed tears of blood as this life is unreliable
It is the smile of the spark, it is the flammable straw

Chand, Jo Soorat Gar-e-Hasti Ka Ek Ejaz Hai
Pehnaye Seemabi Qaba Mehv-e-Kharaam-e-Naz Hai

This moon which is a miracle of the Lord of the universe
Clad in the robe of gold is slowly and proudly strolling

Charkh-e-Be-Anjum Ki Dehshat-Naak Wussat Mein Magar
Bekasi Iss Ki Koi Dekhe Zara Waqt-e-Sehar

But in the frightening vastness of the starless sky
Its helplessness is worth watching at time of dawn

Ek Zara Sa Abar Ka Tukra Hai, Jo Mehtab Tha
Akhri Ansu Tapak Jane Mein Hi Jis Ki Fana

What was the moon is a mere piece of cloud
Whose destruction is in the last tear drop

Zindagi Aqwam Ki Bhi Hai Yunhi Be-Etibar
Ranghaye-e-Rafta Ki Tasveer Hai Un Ki Bahar

Similarly unpredictable is the life of nations
Their glory is a picture of the happy times gone by

Iss Zayan Khane Mein Koi Millat-e-Gardoon Waqar
Reh Nahin Sakti Abad Tak Bar-e-Dosh-e-Rozgar

In this world no nation however prestigious it may be
Can continue its existence till the end of time

Iss Qadar Qoumon Ki Barbadi Se Hai Khugar Jahan
Dekhta Be-Itnayi Se Hai Ye Manzar Jahan

So much accustomed to nations’ destruction is the universe
That it watches this scene with indifference

Aik Soorat Par Nahin Rehta Kisi Shay Ko Qarar
Zauq-e-Jiddat Se Hai Tarkeeb-e-Mazaj-e-Rozgar

Nothing stays the same without change
The universe’ nature is made of change

Hai Nageen-e-Dehr Ki Zeenat Hamesha Naam-e-Nau
Madar-e-Geeti Rahi Aabastan-e-Aqwam-e-Nau

The beauty of world’s jewel is in ever changing names
The mother earth has always remained expecting new nations!

Hai Hazaron Qaflon Se Ashna Ye Reh Guzr
Chashm-e-Koh-e-Noor Ne Dekhe Hain Kitne Tajwar

This highway is acquainted with thousands of caravans
Kohinur’s eye is familiar with innumerable kings

Misr-o-Babil Mit Gye, Baqi Nishan Tak Bhi Nahin
Daftar-e-Hasti Mein In Ki Dastan Takbhi Nahin

Egypt and Babylon are annihilated, not a mark remains
The roll of existence does not have even their names

Adabaya Mehr-e-Iran Ko Ajal Ki Sham Ne
Azmat-e-Yunan-o-Ruma Loot Li Ayyam Ne

The evening of death has overpowered the sun of Iran
Time has robbed the grandeur of Greece and Rome

Aah ! Muslim Bhi Zamane Se Yunhi Rukhsat Huwa
Asman Se Abar-e-Aazari Utha, Barsa, Gya

Ah! The Muslim also from the world similarly departed
The azure cloud appeared over the horizon, rained and departed

Hai Rag-e-Gul Subah Ke Ashakon Se Moti Ki Lari
Koi Suraj Ki Kiran Shabnam Mein Hai Uljhi Huwi

The rose petal’s vein is a string of pearls with dawn’s tears
Some ray of the sun is enmeshed in the dew

Seena-e-Darya Shuaon Ke Liye Gehwara Hai
Kis Qadar Pyara Lab-e-Joo Mehr Ka Nazzara Hai

The river’s breast is the cradle for sun’s rays
How beautiful is the sun’s sight at the river bank!

Mehv-e-Zeenat Hai Sanobar, Juebar Aaeena Hai
Ghuncha-e-Gul Ke Liye Bad-e-Bahar Aaeena Hai

Juniper is busy in beautifying, river is the mirror
For the flower bud spring breeze is the mirror

Na’ara Zan Rehti Hai Koel Bagh Ke Kashane Mein
Chashm-e-Insan Se Nihan, Patton Ke Uzlat Khane Mein

The cuckoo remains calling from the garden’s nest
Remains hidden from the human eye in the leaves’ privacy

Aur Bulbul, Mutrib Rangeen Nawaye Gulistan
Jis Ke Dam Se Zinda Hai Goya Hawaye Gulistan

And the nightingale, the flowery singer of the garden
By whose presence is alive the glory of the garden

Ishq Ke Hangamon Ke Urti Huwi Tasveer Hai
Khama-e-Qudrat Ki Kaisi Shoukh Ye Tehreer Hai

Is a living picture of the commotion of Love
How beautiful is this picture from Nature’s pen!

Bagh Mein Khamosh Jalse Gulistan Zadon Ke Hain
Wadi-e-Kuhsar Mein Na’are Shaban Zadon Ke Hain

In the garden the roses silent assemblies are holding
The shepherd boys’ shouts in the valley are echoing

Zindagi Se Ye Purana Khakdan Maamoor Hai
Mout Mein Bhi Zindagaani Ki Tarap Mastoor Hai

This old world is so full of life
That in death also is hidden the zest of life

Patiyan Phoolon Ki Girti Hain Khazan Mein Iss Tarah
Dast-e-Tifl-e-Khufta Se Rangeen Khilone Jis Tarah

The petals fall in autumn in the same way
As toys fall from the sleeping infant’s hand

Iss  Nishat Abad Mein Go Aysh Be-Andaza Hai
Aik Gham, Yani Gham-e-Millat Hamesha Taza Hai

In this cheerful world though luxury is limitless
One grief, that is grief of the Millat is always fresh

Dil Humare Yad-e-Ehd-e-Rafta Se Khali Nahin
Apne Shahon Ko Ye Ummat Bhoolne Wali Nahin

Memories of the age gone by are still fresh in our heart
This Ummah cannot erase its kings’ memories form its heart

Ashak Bari Ke Bahane Hain Ye Ujre Baam-o-Dar
Girya-e-Peham Se Beena Hai Humari Chasm-e-Tar

These desolate mansions are excuses for shedding tears
Insight has developed in the eye with continuous tears

Dehr Ko Dete Hain Moti Dida-e-Giryan Ke Hum
Akhri Badal Hain Ek Guzre Huwe Toofan Ke Hum

We give to the world the pearls of the weeping eye
We are the remaining clouds of a storm gone by

Hain Abhi Sad Ha Guhariss Abar Ki Aghosh Mein
Barq Abhi Baqi Hai Iss Ke Seena-e-Khamosh Mein

There are hundreds of pearls in this cloud’s breast
Thunder still lurks in this cloud’s silent breast

Wadi-e-Gul, Khak-e-Sehra Ko Bana Sakta Hai Ye
Khawab Se Umeed-e-Dehqan Ko Jaga Sakta Hai Ye

It can change the dry wilderness to a flowery vale
It can change the farmer’s hope from slumber to awakening

Ho Chukka Go Qoum Ki Shan-e-Jalali Ka Zahoor
Hai Magar Baqi Abhi Shan-e-Jamali Ka Zahoor

The manifestation of this nation’s majesty has passed
But the manifestation of its beauty has not yet passed