“Man Banda e Azadam Ishq Ast Imam Man” is a masterpiece from Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s Persian work, Zaboor-e-Ajam. In these verses, Iqbal declares his spiritual independence, crowning Love (Ishq) as his supreme guide while placing Intellect (Aqal) in its rightful place as a servant.
من بندہ آزادم عشق است امام من
عشق است امام من عقل است غلام من
Man Banda-e-Azadam Ishq Ast Imam Man
Ishq Ast Imam Man Aqal Ast Ghulam Man
I am a free man, Love is my leader;
Love is my leader, and Intellect is my slave.
ہنگامۂ ایں محفل از گردش جام من
ایں کوکب شام من ایں ماہ تمام من
Hangama-e-In Mehfil Az Gardish-e-Jaam-e-Man
In Kokab-e-Shaam-e-Man In Maah-e-Tamaam-e-Man
The tumult of this assembly is due to the circulation of my cup;
This is the evening star of my night, this is my full moon.
جاں در عدم آسودہ بے ذوق تمنا بود
مستانہ نواہا زد در حلقہ دام من
Jaan Dar Adam Aasuda Be-Zouq-e-Tamanna Bood
Mastana Nawaha Zad Dar Halqa-e-Daam-e-Man
The soul was resting in non-existence, void of the zest for desire;
It began singing ecstatic songs once it was caught in the net of my existence.
اے عالم رنگ و بو ایں صحبت ما تا چند
مرگ است دوام تو عشق است دوام من
Ae Aalam-e-Rang-o-Boo In Sohbat-e-Ma Ta Chand
Marg Ast Dawam-e-Tu Ishq Ast Dawam-e-Man
O world of color and scent, how long will our companionship last?
Death is your ultimate end, while Love is my eternal life.
پیدا بضمیرم او پنہاں بضمیرم او
ایں است مقام او دریاب مقام من
Paida Ba-Zameeram Oo Pinhan Ba-Zameeram Oo
In Ast Muqam-e-Oo Daryab Muqam-e-Man
He (the Divine) is manifest in my heart, and He is hidden in my heart;
This is His station—now contemplate and discover my own station!
Vocabulary: Man Banda e Azadam
- Banda-e-Azad: A free man / Liberated soul.
- Imam: Leader / Guide.
- Aqal: Intellect / Reason.
- Hangama: Tumult / Commotion / Life.
- Gardish-e-Jaam: Circulation of the wine cup (symbolizing spiritual ecstasy).
- Kokab: Star.
- Adam: Non-existence / The void.
- Aasuda: Restful / Peaceful.
- Zouq-e-Tamanna: Taste/Zest for desire.
- Nawaha: Melodies / Songs.
- Halqa-e-Daam: The ring of the net/trap.
- Aalam-e-Rang-o-Boo: The world of colors and scents (The physical world).
- Dawam: Eternity / Permanence.
- Zameer: Conscience / Inner heart.
- Daryab: Discover / Understand / Perceive.
Ya waris