“Mata-e-Be Baha Hai Dard-o-Soz-e-Arzoo Mandi” is a profound Ghazal by Allama Muhammad Iqbal from his book Bal-e-Jibril. In these verses, Iqbal treasures the pain of spiritual longing and contrasts the dignity of a free, soaring soul with the stagnation of those who seek worldly comfort.
متاع بے بہا ہے دردوسوزِ آرزو مندی
مقام بندگی دےکے نہ لوں میں شانِ خداوندی
Mata-e-Be Baha Hai Dard-o-Soz-e-Arzoo Mandi
Maqam-e-Bandagi Day Kar Na Loon Main Shan-e-Khudawandi
The pain and burning of spiritual desire is a priceless treasure;
I would not trade the station of ‘Servitude’ for the ‘Glory of Godhood.’
تیرے آزاد بندوں کی نہ یہ دنیا نہ وہ دنیا
یہاں مرنے کی پابندی وہاں جینے کی پابندی
Tere Azad Bandon Ki Na Yeh Dunya Na Woh Dunya
Yahan Marne Ki Pabandi Wahan Jeene Ki Pabandi
Neither this world nor the next belongs to Your free servants;
Here, they are bound by death; there, they are bound by eternal life.
گزر اوقات کر لیتا ہے یہ کوہ و بیاباں میں
کہ شاہیں کے لئے ذلت ہے کارِ آشیاں بندی
Guzar Auqat Kar Laita Hai Yeh Koh-o-Byabaan Mein
Ke Shaheen Ke Liye Zillat Hai Kar-e-Ashiyan Bandi
It passes its life among the mountains and the wilderness;
For the Eagle (Shaheen), it is a disgrace to build a permanent nest.
یہ فیضانِ نظر تھا یا کہ مکتب کی کرامت تھی
سکھائے کس نے اسمٰعیل کو آدابِ فرزندی
Yeh Faizan-e-Nazar Tha Ya Ke Maktab Ki Karamat Thi
Sikhaye Kis Ne Ismael Ko Aadab-e-Farzandi
Was it the influence of a gaze or the miracle of a school?
Who taught Ismael (A.S.) the manners of being a dutiful son?
میری مشاطگی کی کیا ضرورت حسنِ معنی کو
کہ فطرت خود بخود کرتی ہے لالےَ کی حِنا بندی
Meri Mashatagi Ki Kya Zaroorat Husn-e-Maani Ko
Ke Fitrat Khud-Ba-Khud Karti Hai Lalay Ki Hina Bandi
The beauty of meaning requires no adornment from me;
For Nature itself applies the henna-color to the tulip.
Word Meaning: Mata e Bay Baha Hay Dard Soz e Arzoo Mandi
- Mata-e-Be Baha: Priceless treasure.
- Soz-e-Arzoo Mandi: The burning of longing/desire.
- Shan-e-Khudawandi: Divine glory / Godhood.
- Maqam-e-Bandagi: The station of being a servant/devotee.
- Shaheen: Royal Falcon / Eagle (Iqbal’s metaphor for the self-respecting youth).
- Ashiyan Bandi: Nest-building (symbolizing settling for comfort).
- Faizan-e-Nazar: The spiritual influence of a master’s gaze.
- Aadab-e-Farzandi: The etiquette of being a son.
- Mashatagi: Adornment / Decoration (literally: the work of a beautician).
- Hina Bandi: Application of henna (beautification).
The Poet of the East:
Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal (علامہ محمد اقبال)
Discover the profound Urdu and Persian wisdom of:
Bang-e-Dara |
Bal-e-Jibril |
Zarb-e-Kaleem |
Asrar-e-Khudi
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