Guftam Ke Roshan Az Qamar is a captivating Persian Ghazal by Amir Khusro. This poem is written in a “Sawal-o-Jawab” (Question and Answer) format, representing an intimate dialogue between the devotee and the Divine Beloved. As the Tuti-e-Hind, Khusro uses this masterful wordplay to illustrate the incomparable beauty of the Creator. Like his other works such as Zee Haal-e-Miskeen, this poem dives deep into the philosophy of Ishq-e-Haqiqi and Divine Love within the Chishti Sufi tradition.
گفتم کہ روشن از قمر، گفتا کہ رخسار منست
گفتم کہ شیریں از شکر، گفتا کہ گفتار منست
Guftam ke roshan az qamar, gufta ke rukhsar-e-man ast
Guftam ke shireen az shakar, gufta ke guftar-e-man ast
I asked, “What is more radiant than the moon?” He replied, “It is my cheek.”
I asked, “What is sweeter than sugar?” He replied, “It is my speech.”
گفتم طریق عاشقان، گفتا وفا داری بود
گفتم مکن جورو جفا، گفتا کہ ایں کار منست
Guftam tareeq-e-ashiqan, gufta wafadari buwad
Guftam makun jaur-o-jafa, gufta ke een kaar-e-man ast
I asked, “What is the way of lovers?” He replied, “It is faithfulness.”
I said, “Do not be cruel or oppressive.” He replied, “That is my style.”
گفتم کہ مرگ عاشقان ، گفتا کہ درد ہجر من
گفتم کہ علاج زندگی، گفتا کہ دیدار منست
Guftam ke marg-e-ashiqan, gufta ke dard-e-hijr-e-man
Guftam ke elaj-e-zindagi, gufta ke deedar-e-man ast
I asked, “What brings death to lovers?” He replied, “The pain of my separation.”
I asked, “What is the cure for life?” He replied, “It is my vision (Beholding me).”
گفتم بہاری یا خزاں ، گفتا کہ رشک حسن من
گفتم خجالت کبک را، گفتا کہ رفتار منست
Guftam bahari ya khizan, gufta ke rashk-e-husn-e-man
Guftam khijalat kabk ra, gufta ke raftar-e-man ast
I asked, “What is spring or autumn?” He replied, “They are but envy of my beauty.”
I said, “The partridge is put to shame.” He replied, “It is because of my graceful gait.”
گفتم کہ حوری یا پری، گفتا کہ من شاہ جہاں
گفتم کہ خسرو ناتواں، گفتا کہ پرستار منست
Guftam ke hoori ya pari, gufta ke man shah-e-jahan
Guftam ke Khusrau natawan, gufta ke parastar-e-man ast
I asked, “Are you a Houri or a Fairy?” He replied, “I am the Sovereign of the world.”
I asked, “What about the feeble Khusrau?” He replied, “He is my worshipper (lover).”
Vocabulary: Guftam Ke Roshan
- Guftam / Gufta: I said / He said.
- Qamar: The Moon.
- Rukhsar: Cheek or Face.
- Guftar: Speech or Conversation.
- Jaur-o-Jafa: Cruelty and Oppression.
- Hijr: Separation.
- Khijalat: Shame or Embarrassment.
- Kabk: Partridge (known for its graceful walk).
- Natawan: Weak, feeble, or powerless.
Please send english translation
I asked what is more beautiful than the moon, replied my cheeks
I asked what is far sweet than sugar, replied my words
I asked what lover may do, replied faithfulness
I asked please don’t be cruel and unfaithful, replied it is my style
I asked what is the cruel death, replied the pain of living without me
I asked what is a healthy life, replied gazing at me
I asked what is spring and autumn, replied fragments of my beauty
I asked what makes partridge ashamed, replied my walking style
I asked what are you poplar or fairy, replied I am lord of beauties
I asked about KHESRO feeble, replied he is my lover
Thanks Naqeeb for sharing English Translation . Stay Blessed.
Guftam ke roshan az qamar, gufta ke rukhsar-e-man ast
guftam ke shireen az shakar, gufta ke guftar-e-man ast
I asked what is more beautiful than the moon, replied my cheeks
I asked what is far sweet than sugar, replied my words
Guftam tareeq-e-aashiqi, gufta wafadari buwad
guftam makun jaur-o-jafaa, gufta ke iin kaar-e-man ast
I asked what is the cruel death, replied the pain of living without me
I asked what is a healthy life, replied gazing at me
Guftam ke houri ya pari, gufta ke man shah-e-butan
guftam ke Khusrau na-tavaan gufta parastar-e-man ast
I asked what lover may do, replied faithfulness
I asked please don’t be cruel and unfaithful, replied it is my style
Guftam ke marg-e-aashiqan, gufta ke dard-e-hijr-e-man
guftam iilaaj-e-zindagi, gufta ke deedar-e-man ast
I asked what is spring and autumn, replied fragments of my beauty
I asked what makes partridge ashamed, replied my walking style
I asked what are you poplar or fairy, replied I am lord of beauties
I asked about KHESRO feeble, replied he is my lover
is this right, correct me if I am wrong
Guftam ke roshan az qamar, gufta ke rukhsar-e-man ast
guftam ke shireen az shakar, gufta ke guftar-e-man ast
I asked what is more beautiful than the moon, replied my cheeks
I asked what is far sweet than sugar, replied my words
Guftam tareeq-e-aashiqi, gufta wafadari buwad
guftam makun jaur-o-jafaa, gufta ke iin kaar-e-man ast
I asked what is duty of lovers, replied faithfulness
I asked don’t be cruel and unfaithful, replied it’s my style
guftam ke marg e nagahan gufta ke dard e hijr e man
guftam elaj e zindagi gufta ke deedar e man ast
I asked what is the cruel death, replied the pain of living without me
I asked what is a healthy life, replied gazing at me
guftam bahari ya khizaan gufta ke rashk e husn e man
guftam khijalat kubk raa gufta ke raftar e man ast
I asked what is spring and autumn, replied fragments of my beauty
I asked what makes partridge ashamed, replied my walking style
Guftam ke houri ya pari, gufta ke man shah-e-butan
guftam ke Khusrau na-tavaan gufta parastar-e-man ast
I asked what are you poplar or fairy, replied I am lord of beauties
I asked about KHESRO feeble, replied he is my lover
now it is right dear.
Great work
heart rending lyric and music
dr farooq alvi lahore
What is history behind it
Subhan Allah
Remarkable!