ROZ EK SHER

Dear friends,
Jay Jinendra

Quite the most romantic proposal I have come across in literature is the one by Dandin in his marvellous novel, Dasakumaracarita.  I love this proposal because of its audacity and directness. The situation is such:

The nayaka {hero} Apaharavarman is a swashbuckling adventurer, [an ancient Indian avatara of Indiana Jones]. Stealing into the palace of the beautiful princess Ambalika in order to loot her jewellery, he finds his heart stolen when he comes upon the gorgeous princess lying
supine in deep slumber. He then jots down the following words on a piece of paper that he places beside her and melts away into the night.

त्वाम् अयम् आबद्धाञ्जलि दासजनस तम् इमम् अर्थम् अर्थयते:
स्वपिहि मया सह सुरत व्यतिकरखिन्नै माम् ऐवम्
-द्ण्डी कृत दशकुमारचरित, श्लोक ७.२४३

tvaam ayam aabaddhaanjali daasajanasa tam imam artham arthayate
svapihi mayaa saha surata vyatikarakhinnai maam aivam
-Dandin's "Dasakumaracarita". Shloka 7.243

Here I am - your slave,
hands folded in subservience.
I beg of you this one thing:
that you should sleep with me beside you,
and only exhausted after erotic union, and not,
not tired in the way you are now.
-English translation by Isabelle Onians

English translation extracted from:

DASAKUMARACARITA: WHAT TEN YOUNG MEN DID
By Dandin
Sanskrit Novel
Sanskrit text in Roman + English translation
By Isabelle Onians
Edited by Richard Gombrich
2005     170 x 110 mm     656 pp
Deluxe Hardcover edition     Rs. 1000

ROZ EK SHER

मौत का भी इलाज हो शायद
ज़िन्दगी का कोई इलाज नहीं
-फ़िराक़

maut kaa bhii ilaaj ho shaayad
zindagii kaa koii ilaaj nahiin
-Firaq

Perhaps there may be a cure for death
But there is none for life

English translation by Manish Modi
_______________________
JAINA UDDHARANA KOSA - Volume One
(A Collection of the Citations in Prakrit and Sanskrit Languages
asfound in the Jaina texts, Commentaries and the like)
Compiled and Edited with an Introduction, Bibliographies,
Variants,Indices, etc. by Dr. Kamalesh Kumar Jain
Foreword by Professor S.R. Banerjee
2003     250 x 190 mm     621 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 2100

ROZ EK SHER

तेरी आँखों की शबनम को होंटों से पीने दे
न जाने फिर कब मुलाक़ात होने पायेगी
-मनीष मोदी
प्रेरणा: बशीर बद्र

terii aankhon kii shabnam ko honton se piine de
na jaane phir kab mulaaqaat hone paayegi
-Manish Modi
Inspiration: Bashir Badr

Let me drink the nectar of your tears
I know not when we might next meet

English adaptation by Manish Modi
________________
CATALOGUE OF THE JAIN MANUSCRIPTS OF THE BRITISH LIBRARY
English
Set of 3 books
With Introduction, Bibliography, Appendices and Indices
Ed. Prof. Dr. Nalini Balbir
Published jointly by the British Library and the Institute Of Jainology
Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay
2006    280 x 220 mm    1278 pp + 18 colour plates
0-7123-4711-9    Hardcover Deluxe Edition    Rs. 5000

ROZ EK SHER

दिल न होता तो गुलों में आब न होती
ये ज़िन्दगी कभी यूं बेताब न होती
-रिन्द

dil no hotaa to gulon mein aab na hotii
ye zindagii kabhii yuun betaab na hotii
-Rind

Had there been no heart, flowers would not have fragrance
...And this life would never have been so uncontrolled!

English adaptation by Manish Modi
___________________
KUMARASAMBHAVA: THE BIRTH OF KUMARA
By Kalidasa
Sanskrit Poem
Sanskrit text in Roman + English translation
By David Smith
Edited by Richard Gombrich
2005     170 x 110 mm     362 pp
Deluxe Hardcover edition     Rs. 1000

ROZ EK SHER

तख़लिये में आज मैंने उनका बोसा ले लिया
देखिये डिक्री जो हो, दावा तो दायर हो गया
-बहादुरशाह ज़फ़र

takhliye mein aaj maine unkaa bosaa le liyaa
dekhiye decree jo ho, daavaa to daayar ho gayaa
-Bahadur Shah Zafar

Having kissed her in solitude today
I have entered my plea
Let us see what decree is awarded

English adaptation by Manish Modi
___________________________________________
Special Offers on Important Indological Publications

HISTORY OF DHARMASHASTRA
By Bharat Ratna P V Kane
Set of 8 books
English
BORI
Reprint 2006     250 x 165 mm     8480 pp in 8 books
Hardcover Deluxe Edition     Rs. 8100 per set [Includes Seamail
charges]

VEDIC BIBLIOGRAPHY
By R N Dandekar
Set of 6 books
English
BORI
1984     225 x 150 mm     5850 pp in 6 books
Hardcover Edition     Rs. 6500 per set [Includes Seamail charges]

A COMPREHENSIVE AND CRITICAL DICTIONARY OF THE PRAKRIT LANGUAGES WITH
SPECIAL REFERENCE TO JAIN LITERATURE
Prakrit x English
Set of 3 books
Gen. Eds. A M Ghatage and R P Poddar
BORI
2005     280 x 220 mm     1240 pp in 3 books
Hardcover Edition     Rs. 4800 per set [Includes Seamail charges]

THE VEDIC SACRFICE IN TRANSITION
A Translation and Study of the Trikandamandana of Bhaskara Misra
English
Introduction and Translation by Frederick M Smith
BORI
1987     250 x 175 mm     520 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 500

SOME WOMEN'S RITES AND RIGHTS IN THE VEDA
English
By Hanns-Peter Schmidt
BORI
1987     220 x 140 mm     144 pp
Paperback     Rs. 200

JAIN AGAMA AUR PALI PITAKAGAT KUCH SAMAN VISAYON KI CARCA
Hindi
By Dalsukh Malvania
BORI
1987     220 x 140 mm     51 pp
Paperback     Rs. 150

These books may be ordered from gommateshvara@gmail.com

ROZ EK SHER

अगर इक ले लिया बोसा ख़ता इसको नहीं कहते
मुहब्बत करते हैं तर्के-हया इसको नहीं कहते
-तस्वीर

agar ik le liyaa bosaa khataa isko nahiin kahte
muhabbat karte hain tarke-hayaa isko nahiin kahte
-Tasvir

Is it a crime to have kissed you?
We are in love, why this coyness?

English adaptation by Manish Modi
__________________________
ANCIENT INDIAN LITERATURE
A Wonderful Anthology of Ancient Indian Writings
Translated into English
Set of 3 books
Volume 1: Vedic Sanskrit, Pali
Volume 2: Classical Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha
Volume 3: Tamil, Kannada
SA
First published in 2000
Reprint 2004     250 x 160 mm     2130 pp in 3 books
Hardcover Deluxe Edition     Rs. 1250 per set

ROZ EK SHER

क्या नज़ाकत है कि आरिज़ उनके नीले पड़ गये
हमने तो बोसा लिया था ख़्वाब में तस्वीर का
-वली

kyaa nazaakat hai ki aariz unke niile pad gaye
humne to bosaa liyaa thaa khvaab mein tasviir kaa
-Vali

What delicacy! Her cheeks are bruised, even though
I had only kissed her photograph in my dreams!

English translation by Harshad Sanghrajka

ROZ EK SHER

क्या नज़ाकत है कि आरिज़ उनके नीले पड़ गये
हमने तो बोसा लिया था ख़्वाब में तस्वीर का
-वली

kyaa nazaakat hai ki aariz unke niile pad gaye
humne to bosaa liyaa thaa khvaab mein tasviir kaa
-Vali

What delicacy! Her cheeks are swollen, even though
I had only kissed her photograph in my dreams!

English translation by Manish Modi
_______________________
SAMARANGANA SUTRADHARA OF BHOJADEVA
An Ancient Indian Treatise on Architecture
Sanskrit text + English translation
Set of 2 books
Vastushastra (Ancient Indian Architecture)
By Bhojadeva
Intro., English tr. and annotation by Dr Sudharshan Sharma
2007     245 x 190 mm     1140 pp
Deluxe Hardcover Edition     Rs. 1600

ROZ EK SHER

फिर न आया ख़याल जन्नत का
जब से तेरे घर का रस्ता देखा
-सुदर्शन फ़ाकिर

phir na aayaa khayaal jannat kaa
jab se tere ghar kaa rastaa dekhaa
-Sudarshan Fakir

I forgot heaven itself
Once I saw the way to your house

Sher contributed by Svatantra Jain
English translation by Manish Modi
__________________
SAMARANGANA SUTRADHARA OF BHOJADEVA
An Ancient Indian Treatise on Architecture
Sanskrit text + English translation
Set of 2 books
Vastushastra (Ancient Indian Architecture)
By Bhojadeva
Intro., English tr. and annotation by Dr Sudharshan Sharma
2007     245 x 190 mm     1140 pp
Deluxe Hardcover Edition     Rs. 1600

ROZ EK SHER

हम क्योंकर कहें कि बोसा दो
गर इनायत करो इनायत हो
-हकीम

hum kyunkar kahein ki bosaa do
gar inaayat karo inaayat ho
-Hakim

I may not ask you for a kiss,
but If you feel kindly towards me
Please bestow this kindness!

English adaptation by Manish Modi
__________________________
ANCIENT INDIAN LITERATURE
A Wonderful Anthology of Ancient Indian Writings
English
Set of 3 books
Volume 1: Vedic Sanskrit, Pali
Volume 2: Classical Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha
Volume 3: Tamil, Kannada
SA
First published in 2000
Reprint 2004     250 x 160 mm     2130 pp in 3 books
Hardcover Deluxe Edition     Rs. 1250 per set

ROZ EK SHER

एक बोसा तलब करते हैं आज हुस्न की ख़ैरात
दो ऐसे उमूरात में सोचा नहीं करते
-तस्वीर

ek bosaa talab karte hain aak jusn ki khairaat
do aise umuuraat mein sochaa nahiin karte
-Tasvir

I pine for a kiss today, a gift from a beauty
It is so precious, I cannot even think of two!

English translation by Manish Modi
____________________
THE JAINA SOURCES OF THE HISTORY OF ANCIENT INDIA
(100 BCE - 900 CE)
By Dr Jyoti Prasad Jain
English
First published in 1964
Revised ed. 2005     220 x 140 mm     222 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 425

ROZ EK SHER

तुम कहो तो मर भी जाऊँ मैं मगर इक शर्त है
बस क़फ़न के वास्ते आँचल तुम्हारा चाहिये
-मुराद लखनवी

tum kaho to mar bhii jaauun main, magar ik shart hai
bas qafan ke vaaste aanchal tumhaaraa chaahiye
-Murad Lakhnawi

I shall lay down my life if you say so, but on one condition
I want your veil to be my shroud

English translation by Manish Modi
______________
Sorry, the Hindi word aanchal is a bit different to translate into English! Since veil is the closest Western attire to an aanchal, I chose to use it.

ROZ EK SHER

बोसा जो रुख़ का देते नहीं लब का दीजिये
ये है मसल कि फूल नहीं पंखड़ी सही
-ज़ौक़

bosaa jo rukh kaa dete nahiin lab kaa diijiye
ye hai masal ki phuul nahiin pankhadii sahii
-Zauq

If you will not kiss me on the cheeks, kiss me on the lips
If I may not have the flower, let me at least have a petal

English translation by Manish Modi
______________
SAMARANGANA SUTRADHARA OF BHOJADEVA
An Ancient Indian Treatise on Architecture
Sanskrit text + English translation
Set of 2 books
Vastushastra (Ancient Indian Architecture)
By Bhojadeva
Intro., English tr. and annotation by Dr Sudharshan Sharma
2007     245 x 190 mm     1140 pp
Deluxe Hardcover Edition     Rs. 1600

ROZ EK SHER

लजा कर, शर्म खाकर, मुस्करा कर
दिया बोसा मगर कुछ मुँह बनाकर
-जौहर

lajaa kar, sharm khaakar, muskaraa kar
diyaa bosaa magar kuchh munh banaakar
-Jauhar

Coyly, blushingly, smilingly
She made a face but kissed me

English translation by Manish Modi
____________________
MUNSHI PREMCHAND KI SAMPURNA KAHANIYA
Set of 2 books
Hindi Short Stories
By Premchand
L
2002   215 x 140 mm   1732 pp
Paperback    Rs. 400 for the set

ROZ EK SHER

ले लो बोसा अपना वापस, किसलिये तक़रार की
क्या कोई जागीर हमने छीन ली सरकार की?
-अफ़सर मेरठी

le lo bosaa apnaa vaapas, kisliye taqraar kii
kyaa koii jaagiir hamne chhiin lii sarkaar kii?
-Afsar Merathi

Take back your kiss, why fight over it
Have I deprived you of some treasure?

English translation by Manish Modi

Here, an over-enthusiastic lover is apologising to his beloved for having taken the liberty of kissing her. He is trying to coax her out
of her anger.
_________________
URDU-HINDI KOSH
Dictionary of Urdu in Devanagari
By Ramchandra Vermma
First published in 1940 by Hindi Granth Ratnakar Karyalay
19th Reprint 2007     220 x 140 mm     360 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 150

VANDE MATARAM: On our 60th anniversary of Independence

हुस्ने-वतन से बेहतर कोई हुस्न नहीं
मुहिब्बे-वतन से बड़ी कोई इबादत नहीं
इस बगिया की हिफ़ाज़त करना दोस्तो
बिना इसके तुम नहीं और हम नहीं
-मनीष मोदी

husne-vatan se behtar koii husn nahiin
muhibbe-vatan se badii koii ibaadat nahiin
is bagiyaa kii hifaazat karnaa dosto
binaa iske tum nahiin aur hum nahiin
-Manish Modi

There is no beauty greater than this great nation
There is no worship greater than patriotism
Look after this garden friends
For we are nothing without it

English translation by Manish Modi
_____________________
EPIGRAMS ATTRIBUTED TO BHARTRHARI
Including the 3 Shatakas
Sanskrit mula patha + Introduction in English
Critically edited and annotated by D D Kosambi
Foreword by Muni Jinavijaya
Preface by Prof Albrecht Wezler
MM
First published in 1948
Reprint 2000     250 x 165 mm     240 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 650

ROZ EK SHER

हवाएँ तेज़ थीं बारिश भी थी तूफ़ान भी था लेकिन
तेरा ऐसे में भी वादा निभाना याद आता है
-इसरार अंसारी

havaayen tez thiin, baarish bhii thii, tuufaan bhii thaa lekin
teraa aise mein bhii vaadaa nibhaanaa yaad aataa hai
-Israr Ansari

There was a gale blowing, it rained heavily and it was stormy
Yet, you kept your word...I cannot forget it

Sher contributed by Bill Howard, Nuur e Faanuus
English translation by Manish Modi
______________________
SHRNGARA-PADYAVALI
Sanskrit + English translation
Sanskrit renditions of Classical Tamil Erotic Poetry
With an English translation
By A V Subramanian
SA
2003     215 x 135 mm     226 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 150

ROZ EK SHER

बोसा-ए-रुख़्सार पर तक़रार रहने दीजिये
लीजिये या दीजिये इनकार रहने दीजिये
-हफ़ीज़ जौनपुरी

bosaa e rukhsaar par taqraar rahne diijiye
liijiye yaa diijiye inkaar rahne diijiye
-Hafiz Jaunpuri

Let's not argue about a kiss on the cheeks
Give it or take it, but please do not refuse it!

English translation by Manish Modi
_____________________
HATHAYOGAPRADIPIKA
Sanskrit mula patha + English translation
English tr. by Pancham Sinh
MM
First published in 1915
Reprint 1997     240 x 160 mm     64 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 90

ROZ EK SHER

बाग़ में जाने के आदाब हुआ करते हैं
किसी तितली को न फूलों से उड़ाया जाए
-निदा फ़ाज़ली

باغ ميں جانے کے آداب ہوا کرتے ہيں
کسي تتلي کو نہ پھولوں سے اڑايا جائے
-ندا فاضلی

baagh mein jaane ke aadaab huaa karte hain
kisii titlii ko na phuulon se udaayaa jaaye
-Nida Fazli

One must follow some etiquette going into a garden.
We should not make any butterfly fly from the flowers.

Sher contributed and translated into English by Bill Howard, Nuur-e-Faanuus
http://nuur-e-faanuus.blogspot.com

ROZ EK SHER

चूम लेती हैं कभी लब, तो कभी रुख़्सार को
तुमने ज़ुल्फ़ों को बहुत सर पे चढ़ा रखा है
-अनजान

Chuum letii hain kabhii lab, to kabhii rukhsaar ko
Tumne zulfon ko bahut sar pe chadhaa rakhaa hai
-Unknown

They kiss your lips, or sometimes your face
You let your hair take a lot of liberties

Sher contributed and translated by Sushant Agarwal

NB The translation is good but cannot capture the pun on the Hindi
phrase "sar pe chadhaa rakhaa hai" which figuratively means: to allow
someone to take liberties. Literally, it means: to place someone on
your head. In this sher, it is the nayika's hair that is being
referred to. It is on her head literally and is allowed to take a lot
of liberties, since the hair kisses her lips and cheeks. [Obviously,
the poet envies the hair]

ROZ EK SHER

तिरी उमीद तिरा इन्तज़ार जब से है
न शब को दिन से शिकायत, न दिन को शब से है
-फ़ैज़ अहमद फ़ैज़

tirii umiid tiraa intazaar jab se hai
na shab ko din se shikaayat, na din ko shab se hai
-Faiz Ahmed Faiz

I have been waiting for you since eternity
I complain not of day and night passing by

English translation by Satyanarayana Hegde
______________________
SARE SUKHAN HAMARE
Anthology of Urdu Poetry
By Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Ed. Abdul Bismillah
2006     220 x 140 mm     400 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 400

ROZ EK SHER

दिले-बेताब को तस्कीन यूँ ही दे लेंगे
तू न दे हम तिरी तस्वीर के बोसे लेंगे
-अख़्तर

dile-betaab ko taskiin yuun hii de lenge
tuu na de hum tirii tasviir ke bose lenge
--Akhtar

My heart of an anxious lover will I assuage simply thus
You're not there? On your portrait  will I  plant my kisses

English translation by Svami Veda Bharati
__________________________
ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF INDIAN ICONOGRAPHY
Hinduism - Buddhism - Jainism
Set of 3 books
By Prof. S.K. Ramachandra Rao
2003     285 x 220 mm     1744 pp in 3 vols. + 2000 line drawings
Hardcover     Rs. 5000

To read a brief introduction to the book, please click on:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JainandIndology/message/158

ROZ EK SHER

इश्क़ की बाज़ी सीधी बाज़ी दिल जीतो और दिल हारो
इस सौदे में ओ दिलवालो पाना क्या और खोना क्या
-साहिर लुधियानवी

Ishq kii baazii siidhii baazii, dil jiito aur dil haaro
Is saude mein O dilvaalo, paanaa kyaa aur khonaa kyaa
-Sahir Ludhianvi

ROZ EK SHER

अब तो इस मंज़िल पर आ पहुँचे हैं तेरी चाहत में
ख़ुद को तुझ में पाते हैं हम, और तुझ को ख़ुद में
-ओशो

ab to is manzil pe aa pahunche hain terii chahaat mein
khud ko tujh mein paate hain hum, aur tujh ko khud mein
-Osho

Love for you has brought me to this pass
I see myself in you and you in myself

Sher contributed by Svatantra Jain
English translation by Manish Modi
_____________________
KARMA SHASTRA
A Comprehensive Study of the Jain Karma Siddhanta in Hindi
Set of 9 books
By Acarya Devendra Muni
Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay
1999     215 x 145 mm     4848 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 7200 for the set

ROZ EK SHER

ये कौन आ गयी दिलरुबा महकी महकी
फ़िज़ा महकी महकी, हवा महकी महकी
-हसरत जयपुरी

ye kaun aa gayii dilrubaa mahkii mahkii
fizaa mahkii mahkii, havaa mahkii mahkii
-Hasrat Jaipuri

ROZ EK SHER

शब को किसी के ख्वाब में आया न हो कहीं
दुखते हैं आज उस बुत-ए-नाज़ुकबदन के पाँव
-ग़ालिब

Shab ko kisii ke khvaab mein aayaa na ho kahiin,
dukhte hain aaj us but-e-naazukbadan ke paanv
-Ghalib

Perhaps she walked into someone's dreams last night
For her delicate feet ache today

Sher contributed by Sushant Agarwal
English translation by Manish Modi
___________________________
THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
An Epic of Ancient India
Set of 5 books
Introduction, English translation and annotation
By Prof. Robert Goldman, Prof. Sally Goldman,
Prof. Sheldon Pollock and Dr Rosalind Lefeber
2007     220 x 140 mm     2400 pp
Hardcover      Rs.  2475 for the set of 5 books

ROZ EK SHER

इश्क़ पर ज़ोर नही, है यह वह आतश ग़ालिब
कि लगाये न लगे और बुझाये न बने
- ग़ालिब

ishq par zor nahiin, hai yah vah aatash Ghalib
ki lagaaye na lage aur bujhaaye na bane
-Ghalib

O Ghalib, love cannot be controlled, it is a fire that
Can neither be ignited nor extinguished at will

English translation by Manish Modi
______________________
KHAJURAHO UNKNOWN (English)
A Coffee Table Book on Khajuraho
By Onkar Rahi
Photographs by P S Saini
2006     290 x 220 mm     464 art plates in 4 colours
Hardcover Deluxe Edition     Rs. 6000

ROZ EK SHER

उससे भी शोख़तर हैं उस शोख़ की अदाएं
कर जाएं काम अपना लेकिन नज़र न आएं
-जिगर मुरादाबादी

usse bhii shokhtar hain us shokh kii adaayein
kar jaayein kaam apnaa lekin nazar na aayein
-Jigar Muradabadi

Her gestures are even more adorable than she is
Ever so subtly, they convey their mischief
___________________
CHAURASI SIDDHON KA VRITTANT
The Lives of 84 Emancipated Souls
Hindi
By Acarya Abhayadatta Shri
Translated from the Original Tibetan
By Prof Sempa Dorje
Bibliotheca Indo-Tibetan Series Vol. 4
1998     240 x 155 mm     350 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 300

ROZ EK SHER

उनके देखे से जो आ जाती है मुँह पर रौनक
वो समझते हैं के बीमार का हाल अच्छा है
-ग़ालिब

unke dekhe se jo aa jaatii hai munh par raunak
vo samajhte hain ke biimaar kaa haal acchaa hai
-Ghalib

Just because I blush when she looks at me,
She thinks that I am in the pink of health

Sher contributed and translated into English by Sushant Agarwal
_________________________

THE RAMAYANA OF VALMIKI
An Epic of Ancient India
Set of 5 books
Introduction, English translation and annotation
By Prof. Robert Goldman, Prof. Sally Goldman,
Prof. Sheldon Pollock and Dr Rosalind Lefeber
2007    220 x 140 mm    2400 pp
Hardcover    Rs. 2475

ROZ EK SHER

For Ayn Rand and her immortal protagonists, John Galt (Atlas Shrugged) and Howard Roark (Fountainhead) who personified the following sher:

अपना ज़माना आप बनाते हैं अहले-दिल
हम वे नहीं कि जिसको ज़माना बना गया
-जिगर मुरादाबादी

apnaa zamaanaa aap banaate hain ahle-dil
hum ve nahiin ki jisko zamaanaa banaa gayaa
-Jigar Muradabadi

We bravehearts make our own world
We have not let the world make us

English translation by Manish Modi
==========================
MRITYUNJAYA
Classic Novel on the Life of Karna
By Shivaji Savant
Hindi tr. by Om Shivraj
First published in 1974
32nd hardcover edition in 2006
220 x 140 mm    700 pp
Hardcover     Rs. 380

ROZ EK SHER

हज़ारों शौक़-ओ-अरमाँ ले रहे हैं चुटकियाँ दिल में
हया इनकी इजाज़त दे तो कुछ बेबाकियाँ कर लूँ
-अज्ञात

hazaaron shauq-o-armaan le rahe hain chutkiyaan dil mein
hayaa inkii ijaazat de to kuchh bebaakiyaan kar luun?
-Unknown

My heart is a turmoil of thousands of desires
If you were to permit, may I take some liberties?

English translation by Manish Modi
______________________________
VALMIKIYA RAMAYANA
By Valmiki
Sanskrit text + Hindi translation
Hindi translation and exposition
By Dr Ramchandra Verma Shastri
2007     240 x 185 mm     400 pp
Deluxe Softcover Edition     Rs. 250

ROZ EK SHER

हमने एक शाम चराग़ों से सजा रखी है
शर्त लोगों ने हवाओं से लगा रखी है
-वली आसी

humne ek shaam charaaghon se sajaa rakhii hai
shart logon ne havaaon se lagaa rakhii hai
-Vali Asi

I have lit lamps this evening, and
People are challenging the wind to blow them out

Sher contributed by Devi
English translation by Manish Modi

ROZ EK SHER

मिले ना जो खुशी ज़िन्दगी में तो बदल डालो पैमाना खुशी का
मिले ना गर मुहब्बत ज़िन्दगी में तो बदलो सलीक़ा-ए-ज़िन्दगी
-मनीष मोदी

Mile naa jo khushii zindagii mein,
to badal daalo paimaanaa khushii kaa;
Mile naa gar muhabbat zindagii mein,
to badlo saliiqaa-e-zindagii
-Manish Modi

If life be devoid of happiness, change the measure of happiness
If life be devoid of love, change your manner of living