A beautiful Masnavi(Long narrated poem) by Nawab Mirza Shauq Lakhnavi....It is a story of passionate romance which ends, because of social taboos and conventional restraints, in the tragic death of the herione.
Apart from the romantic content this masnavi is notable for its linguistic simplicity and rhythmic flow
Zehr-e Ishq:
Ek Qissa-e Ajeeb Likhta HooN
Daastaan-e Ghareeb Likhta HooN
Taaza Es Tarah Ki Hikayut Hei
Sun-ne Wale Ko Jis Se Hairut Hei
Jis Muhallay MeiN Tha Hammara Ghar
WahiN Rehta Tha Eik Sudaagar
Mard-e Ishraaf Sahib-e Daulat
TaajirooN MeiN Kamal Zi'izzat
Eik Dukhtar Thi Uski Mah'JabeeN
Shaadi Uski NahiN Hoi Thi KahiN
Saani Rakhti Na Thi Wo Surat MeiN
Ghairut-e Hoor Thi Haqeeqat MeiN
Es Sin-o Saal Per Kamal Khaleeq
Chaal Dhaal Intaha Ki Nas'taleeq
Chashm-e Bad'oor Wo HaseeN AankheiN
Rashk-e Chashm-e Ghazaal CheeN AankheiN
Tha Ju MaaN Baap Ko Nazar Ka Dar
AankheiN Bhur Ker Na Dekhtay Thay Udhar
Thi Zamanay MeiN Be'Adeel-o Nazeer
Khush Gulu, Khush Jamal, Khush Taqreer
Ek Din Charkh Per Ju Abbar Aaya
Kuch Andhaira Sa Her Taraf Chhaya
Khul Gaya Jab Baras Ke Wo Badal
Qaus Tab Aasmaan Pe Aaye Nikkal
Dil Mera Baithay Baithay Ghabraaya
Sayr Kernay Ko Baam Per Aaya
KhafqaaN Dil Ka Ju Behlnay Lagga
Es Uss Taraf TeHlnay Lagga
Dekha Ek Simmut Ju uTHa Ke Nazar
Saamnay Thi Wo Dukhtr-e Saudaagar
Saath HamjooliyaaN Bi TheiN Du Chaar
Dekhti TheiN Wo AasmaaN Ki Bahaar
Baam Se Kuch Utarti Jaati TheiN
CheHleiN Aapus MeiN Kerti JaateiN TheiN
Reh Gayee Jab Akeli Wo Gul'ru
NagraaN Sayr Ko Hoi Her Su
Hoi Meri Jo Uski Chaar Niggah
MoHn Se Be'saakhta Nikkal Gay'ee Aah
Haal Dil Ka NahiN Kaha Jata
Khoob SaNbhla NahiN Ghush Aa Jata
Na Hova Go Kalaam Fi'Ma'bain
RooH Qaalib MeiN Ho Gay'ee Be'chain
Saamnay Wo KhaRi Thi Mah-e Muneer
Chup KhaRa Tha MeiN Surat-e Taqreer
Essi Surat Se Ho Gay'ee Jab Shaam
Laa'yee Paas Unn Ke Ek Kaneez Pyaam
BaiThi Nahuq Bi HooleiN Khaati HeiN
AmmaaN Jaan Aap Ko Bulaati HeiN
Sunn Ke LaunDi Ke MoHn Se Yea Payghaam
Gay'ee KoThay Ke Neechay Wo Gulfaam
Uss Ka Jalva Na Jab Nazar Aaya
MeiN Bi Rota Hova Uttar Aaya
Shaam Se Phir SeHr Ki Mur Mur Ke
Shabb Wo KaaTi Khudda Khudda Ker Ke
PaR Gaya Dil MeiN Gham Se Ek Na'soor
Yahi Uss Din Se Par Gaya Das'toor
Din MeiN So Baar Baam Per Jana
Dekhna Bhaalna Chalay Aana
Jab Na Dekha WahaN Pe Wo Gul'Ru
Fart-e Gham Se Tapak PaRe Aansoo
Guzray Kuch Din Jo Ranj Ke Maaray
Zard Rukhsaar Ho Gaye Saaray
Ho Gay'ee Phir Tou Aisi Haalut-e Zaar
Jesay BarsooN Ka Ho Koi Beemaar
Dekhay Maa Baap Ne Jo Yea Andaaz
Rooh Qaalib Se Ker Gay'ee Perwaaz
Poocha Mujh Se Yea Kiya Hei Haal Tera
Kis Taraf Hei Bandha Khyaal Tera
Sach Bata De Ke Dhyaan Kis Ka Hei
Dil MeiN Gham Meri Jaan Kis Ka Hei
Kon Si Mah'ru Pe Martay Ho
Sach Kaho Kis Ko Pyaar Kertay Ho
Khaatay Ho, Peetay Ho, Na Sotay Ho
Roz uTh uTh Ke Shab Ko Rotay Ho
YooN Tou Barbaad Tu Shabaab Na Ker
MiTTi Maa Baap Ki Kharaab Na Ker
BaateiN Yea Wal'dain Ki Sunn Ker
Aur Ek Qalab Per Lagga Nashtar
Sharam Ke Maaray Mohn Ko DhaaNp Liya
Kuch Na Maa Baap Ko Jawaab Diya
Guzra YaaN Tak Tou Yea Hammara Haal
Abb ByaaN Unn Ka Hota Hei Ehwaal
MeiN Tou Khaaye Hovay Tha Ishq Ka Teer
Per Hoi Unn Ke Dil Pe Bi Taseer
Dard-o Gham Aa Gaya Jo Dil Ko Pasand
Sona RaatooN Ko Ho Gaya Saugand
Ho Gay'ee Jab Kamal Halat-e Zaar
Jee MeiN Baqi Raha Na Sabbr-o Qaraar
Likhnay PaRhnay Ka Tha Jo Uss Ko Zauq
Sooch Ker Dil MeiN Likha Ek Khat-e Shoq
"Ho Yea Maloom Tum Ko Baad-e Salaam
Gham-e Furqat Se Dil Hei Be'aaraam
Apnay KoThay Pe Tu NahiN Aata
Dil Hammara BuHt Hei Ghabraata
Shakal Dikhla De Kibriyaa Ke Liay
Baam Per Aa Zara Khudda Ke Liay"
PaRh Ke MeiN Ne Likha Yea Unn Ko Jawaab
"Kia LikhooN Tum Ko Apna Haal-e Kharaab
Bun Gay'ee YaaN Tou Jaan Per Meri
Khoob Li Aap Ne Khabbar Meri
Hijjar MeiN Mur Ke Zindgaani Ki
Abb Bi Poocha Tau Mehrbaani Ki
Ishq Ka Hei Mere Assar Wallah!
Tum Tou Wo Log Hotay Ho Jal'laad
NahiN Suntay Kare Koi Faryaad
Ho Bala Se Kisi Ka Haal Burra !
Koi Mur Jaye Tum Ko Kiya Perwa?
Ab MeiN Likhta HooN Aap Ko Yea Hazoor!
Wasal Ki Fikkar Chahiye Hei Zaroor
Es MeiN Ghaflat Jo Tu Ne Ki AY Mah
Haal Ho Ga Mera Kamal TabaH!"
Phir Kiya Yea Jawab MeiN Tehreer!
"Kuch Qazza Tou NahiN Hei Daaman'geer!
Zikkar En BaatooN Ka YahaN Kiya Tha?
ChaiRnay Ko Tere Yea Likha Tha
Tum Pe MeiN Marti! Kiya Qyaamat Thi
Kiya Mere DushmanooN Ki Shaamat Thi?
Tujh Pe Martay Bi Gar Mere Bad'khawa
YooN Na Likhti Kabhi Ma'aaz Allah !
Jaan Paaposh SE Nikkal Jati
Per Tabiyut Na YooN Badal Jati
Taalib-e Wasal Jo Hovay Hum Se
Haiga Saada Mizaaj Jam Jam Se"
Rahi Kuch Roz Tou Yahi Tehreer
Phir Mavafik Hoi Meri Taqdeer
Hovay Uss Gul Se Wasl Ke Iqraar
uTh Gai DarmiyaaN Se Sab Tak'raar
Ju Kaha Tha Ada Kiya Uss Ne
Wada Ek Din Wafa Kiya Uss Ne
Raat Bhur Mere Ghar MeiN Reh Ker Gai
Subah Ke Waqt Phir Yea Keh Ker Gai:
"Baat Es Dam Ki Yaad Rakhiye Ga
Eik Din Yea Mazza Bi Chakiye Ga
BigRay Gi Jab Na Kuch Bun Aaye Gi
Aap Ke Peechay Jaan Jaaye Gi
LO Meri Jaan ! Jati HooN Ab Tou
Yaad Rakiye Ga Meri SuHbat Ko"
Itfaaq Aisa Phir Hova Na'gaah !
Du Maheenay Talak Na Aai Wo Mah
Qatah Sab HO Gaye Pyaam-o Salaam
Na Rahi Shakal-e Rahat-o Aaraam
Dil Ko Tashveesh Thi Yea Hud Se Zayaad
Dafatun PaR Gai Yea Kiya Uftaad
Aai Nu'chandi Itnay MeiN Na'gaah
Es Bahaanay Se Aai Wo Dar'gaah
Bas Ke Marti Thi Naam Per Mere
Chhip Ke Aai WahaN Se Ghar Mere
Phir Lipput Ker Mere Gallay Ek Baar
Haal Kernay Laggi Wo YooN Izzhaar:
Aq'rabba Mere Ho Gaye Aagah
Tum Se Milnay Ki Ab NahiN Koi Rah
Mashwaray ho RaheiN HeiN Aapus MeiN
Bhejtay HeiN Mujhay Banaras MeiN
Go Thikaanay NahiN Hein Hosh-o Havaas
Per Yea Kehnay Aai HooN Tere Paas
Jaa-e ibrut Saraa-e Faani Hei
Maurad-e Marg Naujawani Hei
Kal JahaN Per Shagoofa-o Gul Thay
Aaj Dekha Tou Khaar Bilkul Thay
JIs Chaman Tha BulbulooN Ka Hajoom
Aaj Uss Jaa Jei Aashiyaana-e Boom
Baat Kal Ki Hei NaujawaaN Thay Jo
Sahib-e Naubat-e NishaaN Thay Jo
Aaj Khud HeiN, Na Hei MakaaN Baqi
Naam Ko Bi NahiN NishaaN Baqi
Ghairut-e Hoor Mah'jabeeN Na Rahe
HeiN MakaaN Gar Tou Wo MakeeN Na Rahe
Her GhaRi Munqalib Zamana Hei
Yahi Duniya Ka Kar'khaana Hei
Zindagi Be'sabaat Hei Es MeiN
Maut Bi Ain Hyaat Hei Es MeiN
HUm Bi Gar Jaan De DeiN Kha Ker Sam
Tum Na Rona Hamaray Sirr Ki Qasam
Dil KO HamjoliyooN MeiN Behlaana
Ya Meri Qabbar Per Chalay Aana
Rokay Rehna Buht Tabiyut Ko
Yaad Rakhna Meri Wasiyut Ko
Mere Mernay Ki Jab Khabbar Paana
YooN Na DauRay Hovay Chalay Aana
Kahe Deti HooN Jee Na Khona Tum
Saath Taboot Ke Na Rona Tum
Ho Gaye Agarche Tum Saudaai
Door Puhanchay Gi Meri Ruswaai
Meri Minnut Pe Dhyaan Rakhiye Ga
Band Apni Zabaan Rakhiye Ga !
Phir Mulaaqaat Dekhiye Ho Ke Na Ho
Aaj Dil Khol Ke Gallay Mill Lo !
BaaNheiN DonooN Gallay MeiN Daal Lo Aaj
Jo Jo Armaan HooN Nikaal Lo Aaj
Dekh Lo Aaj Hum Ko Jee Bhur Ke
Koi Aata NahiN Phir Murr Ke
Keh Ke Yea Baat HO Gai Wo Sawaar
YaaN Bandha Aanso'ooN Ka Chasham Se Taar
Aati Thi Yaad Jab Wasiyut-e Yaar
WeHm Laata Tha Dil Hazaar Hazaar
Phir uTha Eik Simmut Se Wo Ghul
Hosh Jis Se uRR Gaye Bilkul
Shola Ek Aag Ka BhaRknay Lagga
Misl Bismil Ke Dil PhaRaknay Lagga
Kaha Ek Dost Se Ke Tum Ja Ker
Jald Es Shor-o Ghul Ki Laao Khabbar
DauRay Aakhir Udhar Mere Ehbaab
Le Ker Aaye Khabbar Yea WaaN se Shataab
Kiya Es Tarah Aa Ke Mujh Se Byaan
Ke YahaN Se Hei Ek Qareeb Makaan
Baagh Ke Paas Jo Bana Hei Ghar
WaaN Faro'kash Tha Ek Saudaagar
YooN Tou Ek Shor Rah Bhur MeiN Hei
Per Yea Aafut Unhi Ke Ghar MeiN Hei
Keh Gai Thi Jo Wo Ke KhaooN Gi Zehr
MeiN Yea Samjha Ke Ho Gaya Wohi Qehr
Dekha Barpa Hei Eik Hashar Ka Ghul
BheeR se Band Rah Hei Bilkul
Na Rahi Taab Ranj Ke Maaray
Laggay Thar'ranay Dast-o Paa Saaray
Behr-e ulfat Ne Maara Dil MeiN Josh
Gir PaRa Ho Ke Khaak Per Bayhosh
Du GhaRi Baad Phir Jo Aaya Hosh
Dekha Barpa Ajjub Hei Josh-o Kharosh
Aagay Aagay Hei Kuch Jaloos RavaaN
Sirr Khullay Kuch HeiN Peechay Peer-o JavaaN
San'raseeda HeiN AurateiN Kuch Saath
Seena-o Sirr Pe Maarti HeiN Haath
Shaamiyana Naya Zarri Ka Hei
Neechay Taboot Uss Parri Ka Hei
Sehra Uss Per Bandha Hei Ek Zartaar
Jesay Gulshan Ki Aakhri Ho Bahaar
Thi PaRi Uss Per Ek Chadar-e Gul
Jis Se Khush'bu Wo Rah Thi Bilkul
Ood Soz Aagay Aagay Roshan Thay
Murr Gaye Per Bi Lakh Joban Thay
BheeR Taboot Ke Thi Aisi Saath
Jesay Aaye Kisi Dulhan Ki Baraat
Peechay Peechay Tha Sab Ke Saudaagar
Mu PareshaaN, Uddaas, Khaak Basar
Sab Ke Peechay PinS MeiN Thi Madar
Kehti Jaati Thi Es Tarah Ro Ker
Teri Mayyut Pe Ho Gai MeiN Nissar
Kam'sukhan Haai Meri Ghairat Daar
Kuch NahiN MaaN Ki Ab Khabbar Tum Ko
Kis Ki Yea Kha Gai Nazar Tum Ko
Kis Museebat MeiN Par Gai Beta
Kookh Meri ujjaR Gai Beta
Dekha AankhooN Se Tha Jo Aisa Qehr
Kha Gaya MeiN Bi Ghar MeiN Aa Ker Zehr
Teen Din Tak Rahi Wo Be'hoshi
Ho Gai Jis Se Khud'faramoshi
Ain Ghaflat MeiN Phir Yea Dekha Khwaab
Ke Yea Kehti Hei Wo Be'chashm-e Ataab
Sunn Tou Re Tu Ne Zehr KiyooN Khaya
Kuch Wasiyut Ka Bi Na Paas Aaya
Keh Ke Yea Jab Wo Ho Gai Ro'posh
Khul Gai Aankh Aa Gaya Mujhay Hosh
Hasil Itna Tha Kuch Kahani Se
Hum Rahe Jeetay Sakht Jani Se
