ON THE BANKS OF THE RÿVĄ
Introduction
R«vâ is one of the five major rivers forming the Indus Basin and the region of
the Punjab. It passes through Lahore and is a part of its life. In this poem
‘All«mah Iqb«l is describing one of his frequent visits to the river bank. After
describing the river's beauty and serene environment he passes on to the realm
of higher thoughts. In the sixth and seventh verses he recapitulates a glimpse
of the departed glory of Muslims during the Mughal rule in India, when Lahore
was the capital of the Mughal Empire for a considerable time during the reign of
Emperor Nër al‑Dân Jah«ngâr (1569‑1627, reigned 1605‑27). However, the main
lesson of the poem is contained in the last two verses, according to which death
is not the end of human life but only a change of place and form. Extending this
philosophy to the life of nations these verses mean that the decline and fall of
the Mughal Empire is not the end of Muslims and their glory would return if they
work for it again. This thought is repeated at many places in his works,
including B«ng-i-Dar«. One such poem is 122. W«lidah Maréëmah Kâ Y«d
Main
(In Memory of the Blessed Late Mother). This concept forms a component of the
philosophy of Khëdâ.
Translation
In the evening's serenity the R«vâ melodious is
Do not ask me what the condition of my heart is
This became message of prostration’s rise and fall to me
The whole world became precincts of the Łaram to me
I am standing at the bank of the running water
However, I do not know where I am standing
The red wine has colored the skirt of the evening
The aged sky is holding wine cup in its trembling hand
The day's fast moving caravan is advancing to its end
The evening's twilight is the sun's flower so to say
In the distance those solitary structures are standing
They are the minarets of the Mughal emperors' tombs
This place is the tale of revolution’s tyranny
This place is some book of the bygone age
This place is a silent orchestra so to say
Not trees ! But it is a serene assembly so to say
A fast moving boat is sailing on its surface
Whose sailor is fighting fiercely with the waves
This boat is in fast speed like the sight
Getting out of sight, it has gone far away
The ship of Man’s life is sailing in the same way
It is present as well as hidden in eternity’s sea
It never gets acquainted with defeat
It is concealed from sight but is not effaced !