Echoes from Heights: 30 Urdu VIP Poems + Trans

Masnad-e-shaahi pe bhi, dil mein ho khauf-e-Khuda,
Asal sardaari yahi, baaqi sab hai hawa.
Even on the royal throne, may there be fear of God in the heart,
This is true leadership, all else is air.

Oonche mahlon mein bhi, tanhaai ka basera,
Daulat-o-shohrat se, kab milta hai sawera.
Even in high palaces, loneliness resides,
When does one find dawn (true happiness) from wealth and fame?

Taaj-o-takht faani, izzat hai amal se,
Jo khalq ki soche, wohi hai afzal se.
Crown and throne are transient, honor comes from deeds,
One who thinks of the people is the most excellent.

Bade logon ki baatein, badi hoti hain,
Magar dil ki duniya, aksar chhoti hoti hai.
The talk of great people is grand,
But the world of their heart is often small.

Shohrat ki bulandi, ik dhoke ka jaal,
Asal baraai toh hai, neki-o-kamaal.
The height of fame is a net of deception,
True greatness lies in virtue and excellence.

Waqt ka pahiya ghoome, takht badalte jaayein,
Achhe a’maal hi bas, naam ko zinda rakh paayein.
The wheel of time turns, thrones keep changing,
Only good deeds can keep a name alive.

Mansab-o-jaah ki, hawas hai ajab,
Sukoon-e-qalb se, mehroom rakhe yeh sab.
The lust for position and status is strange,
All this keeps one deprived of heart’s peace.

Khaas logon ki mehfil, khaas hi baatein,
Aam aadmi ki wahaan, kya hain auqaatein.
The assembly of special people, special talk indeed,
What is the standing of a common man there?

Kursi ka nasha bhi, hai kya bala ka,
Bhula deta hai aksar, rutba Khuda ka.
The intoxication of the chair (power) is such a marvel,
It often makes one forget the status of God.

Awaam ki khidmat, asal ibaadat hai,
Yahi toh qayaadat ki, sachi alaamat hai.
Serving the public is true worship,
This indeed is the true sign of leadership.

Bada woh nahin jo, bada kehlaaye,
Bada woh jo dilon mein, ghar kar jaaye.
Great is not one who is called great,
Great is one who makes a home in hearts.

Shaan-o-shaukat faani, ik din dhal jaayegi,
Neki ki khushboo hi, baaqi reh jaayegi.
Grandeur and splendor are transient, they will fade one day,
Only the fragrance of virtue will remain.

VIP protocol, lamhon ki kahaani,
Yaad rahegi bas, achhi zindagaani.
VIP protocol is a story of moments,
Only a good life will be remembered.

Daulat ke anbaar pe, na kar itna naaz,
Kafan mein jeb nahin, yeh hai ik raaz.
Don’t be so proud of piles of wealth,
There are no pockets in a shroud, this is a secret.

Ohde ki taaqat, ik amaanat hai,
Is ka ghalat istemaal, khayaanat hai.
The power of office is a trust,
Its misuse is treachery.

Jo jhuk kar mile, wohi hai bada insaan,
Takabbur toh laata hai, sirf nuqsaan.
One who meets with humility is truly a great person,
Arrogance only brings loss.

Bade shehron ki raunaq, bade logon ka shor,
Sukoon milta hai dil ko, jab aayega woh daur. (A better time)
The vibrancy of big cities, the noise of important people,
The heart finds peace when that era (of tranquility) will come.

Rehnuma woh jo qaum ko, manzil dikhaaye,
Apne mafaadaat pe, na kabhi lalchaaye.
A leader is one who shows the destination to the nation,
And never covets his own interests.

Khaas banne ki chaah mein, aam na rehna (ironic: don’t lose common touch),
Saadgi mein bhi hai, ik alag hi kehna.
In the desire to become special, don’t cease to be common (connected),
There is a unique statement even in simplicity.

Oonchi udaan waalon, zameen ko na bhoolo,
Isi khaak se uthe, isi mein hai sona (treasure).
O high-flyers, don’t forget the ground,
You rose from this very dust, in it lies treasure.

Naqaabon ke peechhe, kitne chehre chhupe,
Asal soorat dikhaana, hai bada hausle.
How many faces are hidden behind veils,
To show one’s true face requires great courage.

Shohrat ki dhoop mein, aksar jal jaate hain,
Saadgi ki chhaaon mein, jo pal jaate hain (are better off).
Often people get burnt in the sunshine of fame,
Those who are nurtured in the shade of simplicity (are better off).

Lafzon ka intekhaab, shakhsiyat bataaye,
Jaise khushboo se phool, pehchaana jaaye.
The choice of words reveals personality,
Just as a flower is recognized by its fragrance.

Takht-nasheen koi bhi ho, ra’aaya rahe shaad,
Yahi hai dua hamaari, mulk rahe aabaad.
Whoever sits on the throne, may the subjects remain happy,
This is our prayer, may the country remain prosperous.

Izzat-o-zillat, sab Rabb ke haath mein,
Bande ka kaam hai bas, rehna auqaat mein.
Honor and disgrace are all in God’s hands,
The servant’s task is just to remain within his limits.

Ahmiyat us ki nahin, jo ooncha bole,
Ahmiyat us ki hai, jo sach ko tole.
Importance is not of one who speaks loudly,
Importance is of one who weighs the truth.

Qasr-e-shaahi ke makeen, zara yeh bhi sochein,
Jhonpdi waalon ke dil, kaise hain rote.
Residents of the royal palace, think this too sometimes,
How the hearts of hut-dwellers weep.

Bada banne se pehle, insaan bano achha,
Yahi hai zindagi ka, sabaq sachha.
Before becoming great, become a good human,
This is life’s true lesson.

Woh maqaam kya jo, dilon se door kar de,
Asal bulandi woh, jo sab ko qareeb kar de.
What is that status which distances from hearts?
True height is that which brings everyone closer.

Waqt har Fir’aun ko, khaak mein milaaye,
Yaad rakhe zamaana, jo neki kamaaye.
Time reduces every Pharaoh to dust,
The world remembers one who earns virtue.