Original Poem
ہزاروں خواہشیں ایسی کہ ہر خواہش پہ دم نکلے
Translation (English)
Thousands of desires like these, that each desire could take one's breath away
About the Poet
Mirza Ghalib (19th century)
Mirza Asadullah Beg Khan, known as Mirza Ghalib, was a prominent Indian poet of the Mughal Empire. He wrote in Persian and Urdu, often exploring themes of love, loss, and philosophy. His intricate ghazals have greatly influenced Urdu literature.
Read more on Wikipedia →Historical Context
- Literary Form
- ghazal
- When Written
- 19th century
- Background
- Ghalib's poetry often reflects the socio-political changes of his time, including the decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of British colonial rule. This ghazal expresses the endless desires and unfulfilled aspirations of the human condition.
Sources: https://www.rekhta.org/ghazals/hazaaron-khvaahishen-aisii-ki-har-khvaahish-pe-dam-nikle-mirza-ghalib-ghazals?lang=Ur, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghalib
Detailed Explanation
This line from Mirza Ghalib's ghazal captures the essence of human longing and the perpetual cycle of desires. The poet uses the metaphor of 'thousands of desires' to illustrate the endless nature of human wants. Each desire is so profound that it could consume one's entire life ('ہر خواہش پہ دم نکلے'). This reflects the futility and insatiability of human aspirations.
The imagery of desires being so intense that they could 'take a lifetime' suggests a deep sense of yearning and the emotional weight of unfulfilled dreams. Ghalib's choice of words evokes a sense of melancholy and introspection, as the speaker contemplates the vastness of their wishes.
Emotionally, the poem conveys a tone of resignation and acceptance of the human condition. The speaker acknowledges the inevitability of desires and the impossibility of fulfilling them all, which leads to a sense of existential reflection.
Ghalib employs literary devices such as metaphor and hyperbole to emphasize the intensity of desires. The repetition of 'خواہش' (desire) underscores the central theme of longing. The ghazal form, with its couplets and rhyme scheme, enhances the lyrical quality of the poem.
This ghazal is significant as it reflects Ghalib's philosophical outlook on life and the human experience. It speaks to the universal nature of desire and the perpetual quest for fulfillment, themes that resonate with readers across generations.
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