This poignant Persian Ghazal, titled Khabaram Raseed Imshab, is a masterpiece of spiritual longing by Amir Khusro. In these verses, the poet navigates the delicate boundary between life and death, where the news of the Beloved’s arrival serves as the only sustenance for a departing soul. Similar to his celebrated works like Nami Danam Che Manzil Bood and Kafir e Ishqam, Khusro uses the imagery of the hunt and the gamble to show that in the path of Ishq-e-Haqiqi, losing one’s heart, faith, and life is the ultimate victory. The poem stands as a testament to the irresistible pull of Divine Love that compels the Beloved to visit even the mazar (grave) of the Devotee.
خبرم رسید امشب کہ نگار خواہی آمد
سرِ من فدای راہے کہ سوار خواہی آمد
Khabaram Raseed Imshab Ke Nigaar Khuahi Aamad
Sar-e Man Fidaa-e Raah-e Ki Sawaar Khuahi Aamad
I have received the news tonight that my Beloved is coming,
My head be sacrificed on the path where He will ride.
بہ لبم رسیدہ جانم ،تو بیا کہ زندہ مانم
پس ازان کہ من نمانم، بہ چہ کار خواہی آمد؟
Ba Labam Raseeda Jaanam, Tu Biya Keh Zinda Maanam
Pas Azan Keh Man Na Maanam, Ba Cheh Kaar Khuahi Aamad?
My soul has reached my lips, so come, that I may live,
After I am no longer here, for what purpose will you come?
غم و غصہ فراقت بکشم چنانکہ دانم
اگرم چو بخت روزے بہ کنار خواہی آمد
Gham O Ghussa-e-Firaqat Ba Kasam Chunaanke Daanam
Agaram Cho Bakht Roz-e Ba Kinaar Khuahi Aamad
I endure the sorrow and grief of your separation in a way only I know,
If, like good fortune, you come to my side one day.
دل و جان ببرد چشمت بہ دو کعبتین و زین پس
دو جہانت داو، اگر تو بہ قمار خواہی آمد
Dil O Jaan Ba Burdad Chashmat Ba Do Ka’abtain O Zain Pas
Do Jahaanat Daav, Agar Tu Ba Qimaar Khuahi Aamad
Your eyes have taken my heart and soul like two dice, and from now on,
I put both worlds at stake, if you agree to come for a game (of love).
می تست خون خلقے و ہمی خوری دما دم
مخور این قدح کہ فردا بہ خمار خواہی آمد
Mai Tust Khoon-e-Khalqe O Hami Khuri Dama Dam
Ma Khur Een Qadah Keh Farda Ba Khumaar Khuahi Aamad
Your beauty is the blood of the people, and you drink it incessantly,
Do not drink this cup, for tomorrow you too will suffer from the intoxication’s after-effect.
کششے کہ عشق دارد نہ گزاردت بدینساں
بجنازہ گر نیائی بہ مزار خواہی آمد
Kashishe Keh Ishq Daarad Na Guzaaradat Badeensaan
Ba Janaazah Gar Na Aayi, Ba Mazaar Khuahi Aamad
The pull that love possesses will not leave you easily,
If you do not come to the funeral, you will certainly come to the grave.
ہمہ آہوانِ صحرا سرِ خود نہادہ بر کف
بہ امید آنکہ روزے بشکار خواہی آمد
Hamaa Aahuwan-e-Sehra Sar-e-Khud Nahada Bar Kaf
Ba Umeed Aan Keh Roz-e Ba Shikaar Khuahi Aamad
All the deer of the desert have placed their heads upon their palms,
In the hope that one day you will come for hunting.
بہ یک آمدن ربودی دل و دین و جانِ خسرو
چہ شود اگر بدینساں دو سہ بار خواہی آمد
Ba Yak Aamadan Raboodi Dil O Deen O Jaan-e-Khusro
Cheh Shawad Agar Badeensaan Do Seh Baar Khuahi Aamad
With one arrival, you snatched away the heart, faith, and soul of Khusro,
What will happen if you come in this manner two or three times more?
Vocabulary: Khabaram Raseed Imshab
- Nigaar: Beloved or the one with a beautiful face.
- Fidaa: To be sacrificed or devoted entirely.
- Firaqat: The state of separation or being away from the beloved.
- Ka’abtain: A pair of dice used in games of chance.
- Qimaar: Gambling; in Sufi terms, risking one’s life and faith for Divine Love.
- Khumaar: The headache or malaise following intoxication; a metaphor for spiritual longing.
- Aahuwan: Plural of ‘Aahu’ (Deer/Gazelles), often representing seekers.
- Sehra: Desert or the vast wilderness of the spiritual path.
- Kaf: Palm of the hand.
- Mazaar: A shrine or grave where a lover rests.
What a flight of imagination of Amir Khusro and what a diction to depict the feelings and experience? A true legendary figure.