Aarz Kiya Hai III.

Today, my poet of choice is Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana. He was famous during the time of the Mughal emperor Akbar in the late 1500s. I absolutely love his Hindi couplets (Dohas).

Rahiman dhaga prem ka, mat todo chatkay
Toote se phir na jude, jude gaanth pad jaye.
TRANSLATION:
Says Rahim, don't allow the delicate thread of love (between individuals) to snap. For once it snaps, it cannot be rejoined. And if rejoin it, will forever bear a knot.

Bade badai na karain, bade na bole bol
Rahiman heera kab kahe lakh taka mero mol.
TRANSLATION:
"The truly great never reveal their worth. Nor do those who are truly worthy of praise, praise themselves. Says Rahim, like a diamond, he never feels the need to brag that he's worth millions."

Rahiman dekhi baden ko, laghu na dije daari
Jahan kaam aawe sui, kaha kare talwari.
TRANSLATION:
"Says Rahim, do not spurn the trivial seeing the weighty. When you need a sewing needle, of what use a sword?"

Rahiman ya tan soop hai leejeeaye jagat pachhor
Harikan ko udijan dey garuay rakhee bator.
TRANSLATION:
“Says, Rahim, this mind (body) is like a sieve; sort your friends out through it. Let the light (bad) ones and go (fly in the wind) and carefully keep the heavy (good) ones.”

Kheera mukh te kaatye, maliyat laun lagye
Rahiman karue mukh ko chahiyat eehi sazaye.
TRANSLATION:
"To cure a bitter cucumber, we cut its head off and rub in salt. Says Rahim to cure a bitter mouth we should make use of the same remedy."

Je Rahim uttam prakrati, ka kari sakat kusung
Chandan vish vyapat nahi, liptat rahat bhujang.
TRANSLATION:
"Says Rahim, How will evil corrupt, he who has an excellent character? After all does the sandalwood become poisonous by having snakes lie around its trunk?"

Kahee Rahim sampati sage, banat bahut bahu reet
Bipati kasoti je kase, te hi saanche meet.
TRANSLATION:
"Says Rahim, people will find many many ways to be related to fortune. But only he is a true friend, who stands by you in misfortune."