Citation : Singh AR (2024). The Veil of Selflessness Hides Passion. In :Ghalib, Psychology and Human Behaviour - 2 (A.R Singh and S.A Singh Eds), Mens Sana Monogr; 22:1. pg 40-41
بے خودی بے سبب نہیں غالبؔ
کچھ تو ہے، جس کی پردہ داری ہے
बे-ख़ुदी बे-सबब नहीं ‘ग़ालिब’
कुछ तो है जिस की पर्दा-दारी है
be-KHudii be-sabab nahii.n ‘Ghaalib’
kuchh to hai jis kii parda-daarii hai
(DG 165, 14:1619)
Meaning
This self-lessness is not without reason
There is something of which it is a veil
Explanation/Comment:
This is a complex ‘sher’ which tries to decipher the reason for the ‘self-lessness’ of some individuals.
Ordinarily, we would attribute self-lessness (bekhudi) to a heightened state of consciousness where a sense of the self is obliterated to reach the divine.
That may well be in most cases. Ghalib is talking of the state of self-lessness of those who, behind such a veil, hide their real intentions of gain and avarice.
Think of a ‘monk’, sadhu or faqir who, behind the veil of self-lessness impresses gullible folk and then uses / plunders them at will. Such people wear a cloak of spirituality and may go into trance states precisely to impress devotees of their purity of intentions. While, behind the veil, lurks the demon of passion and avarice to which the devotees fall a prey.
Want examples? Just think of the ‘babas’ and ‘sants’ coolng their heels in jails at present; and the way thay impressed their devotees by going into trance states.
Ghalib was a no-nonsense man who cocked a snook at puritans and self-proclaimed guardians of morality.
This ‘sher’ exemplifies this.
Citation : Singh AR (2024). The Veil of Selflessness Hides Passion. In :Ghalib, Psychology and Human Behaviour - 2 (A.R Singh and S.A Singh Eds), Mens Sana Monogr; 22:1. pg 40-41
بے خودی بے سبب نہیں غالبؔ
کچھ تو ہے، جس کی پردہ داری ہے
बे-ख़ुदी बे-सबब नहीं ‘ग़ालिब’
कुछ तो है जिस की पर्दा-दारी है
be-KHudii be-sabab nahii.n ‘Ghaalib’
kuchh to hai jis kii parda-daarii hai
(DG 165, 14:1619)
Meaning
This self-lessness is not without reason
There is something of which it is a veil
Explanation/Comment:
This is a complex ‘sher’ which tries to decipher the reason for the ‘self-lessness’ of some individuals.
Ordinarily, we would attribute self-lessness (bekhudi) to a heightened state of consciousness where a sense of the self is obliterated to reach the divine.
That may well be in most cases. Ghalib is talking of the state of self-lessness of those who, behind such a veil, hide their real intentions of gain and avarice.
Think of a ‘monk’, sadhu or faqir who, behind the veil of self-lessness impresses gullible folk and then uses / plunders them at will. Such people wear a cloak of spirituality and may go into trance states precisely to impress devotees of their purity of intentions. While, behind the veil, lurks the demon of passion and avarice to which the devotees fall a prey.
Want examples? Just think of the ‘babas’ and ‘sants’ coolng their heels in jails at present; and the way thay impressed their devotees by going into trance states.
Ghalib was a no-nonsense man who cocked a snook at puritans and self-proclaimed guardians of morality.
This ‘sher’ exemplifies this.