Shakir Shuja Abadi Ghazal “Toun Lakh Karor Hazar Sahi” – English Translation, Explanation and Meaning
Shakir Shuja Abadi is one of the most prominent voices of Saraiki poetry. His poetry often speaks in the language of ordinary people, but behind those simple words there are deep emotions, painful realities, love, helplessness, humility, and powerful observations about human relationships. What makes his poetry especially touching is that he does not always need complicated words to express complicated feelings. A few simple Saraiki lines can sometimes say what a long philosophical discussion cannot.
The ghazal discussed in this article is a beautiful example of that emotional simplicity. It begins with the poet accepting that his beloved is far above him in wealth, beauty, popularity, and social status. The poet repeatedly lowers himself in comparison with the beloved. He calls himself insignificant, unattractive, useless, and even a thorn, while describing the beloved as wealthy, beautiful, a source of springtime beauty, a flower, a fruit, and finally a leader or master.
At first glance, it may seem that the poet is simply describing the difference between himself and his beloved. But there is something much deeper happening underneath these comparisons. The poet knows very well that there are countless people who admire his beloved. He knows that he cannot compete with the beloved in beauty or wealth. He even accepts that, by worldly standards, there may be no obvious match between them.
Yet he refuses to believe that his love is ordinary. His greatest confidence is not in his wealth, appearance, or social position. His confidence is in the sincerity and depth of his love. This is what makes the ghazal emotionally powerful. The poet is not asking the beloved to become equal to him. He is not demanding wealth, beauty, or status. In the end, he asks for only one thing: let me remain close to you.
English Explanation: First Couplet
Verse:
“Toun Lakh Karor Hazar Sahi, Mein Kakh Da Nain Bekar Sahi”
Translation:
“Toun Lakh Karor Hazar Sahi”: You may be the owner of thousands, millions, and countless riches.
“Mein Kakh Da Nain Bekar Sahi”: And I may be nothing, insignificant, and worthless.
Detailed Interpretation:
In the first couplet, Shakir Shuja Abadi addresses his beloved with extraordinary humility. He says: My beloved, I accept that there is no comparison between us when it comes to worldly status. You may possess wealth beyond imagination, while I may have nothing at all.
The poet describes himself as “Kakh Da Nain”—nothing, like a tiny piece of straw. Yet, there is an interesting contradiction here: the poet calls himself worthless in worldly terms, but he does not consider his love worthless. He acknowledges that the beloved has countless admirers and that many may be richer or more powerful, but he refuses to believe that his love is ordinary.
He does not try to compete with others through money or status. Instead, he places his love itself on the scale. He says, in effect: “I may be nothing in the eyes of the world, but when it comes to loving you, I do not consider myself second to anyone.” This is not just a confession of low status; it is a profound statement of emotional confidence—the poet is humble about everything except the sincerity of his love.
The Deeper Meaning of “I Am Nothing”
The phrase “Mein Kakh Da Nain” is especially powerful because it expresses extreme humility. The poet is not trying to exaggerate his importance; he openly accepts his limitations. He does not claim to be as rich, beautiful, or superior to everyone else. Instead, he says almost the opposite: “I am nothing. I may be worthless.” But behind this humility, there is a quiet confidence. The poet knows that love cannot always be measured by worldly standards. A person may have millions in wealth and still be emotionally empty, while another may possess nothing yet carry an enormous capacity to love. That contrast gives the first couplet its profound emotional depth.
English Explanation: Second Couplet
Verse:
“Toun Husn Jamal Da Malik Sahi, Te Mein Kojha Te Bekar Sahi”
Translation:
“Toun Husn Jamal Da Malik Sahi”: You may be the very embodiment of beauty and grace.
“Te Mein Kojha Te Bekar Sahi”: And I may be unattractive and worthless.
Detailed Interpretation:
In the second couplet, the poet moves from wealth to beauty. He tells the beloved that there is no doubt about their extraordinary attractiveness. Without denying or trying to minimize the beloved's beauty, the poet openly praises it and accepts his own flaws: “And I am ugly and worthless.”
The poet is completely realistic. He knows he is not wealthy, not as physically attractive as the beloved, and surrounded by more successful admirers. This raises a natural question: Why would the beloved ever choose someone like him? The poet's answer is simply love.
Beauty, Wealth, and the Lack of a Worldly Match:
By worldly standards, there is no equality in beauty, wealth, or social status. Yet, love does not always follow the rules of worldly compatibility. Sometimes two people can appear completely different, yet their hearts connect deeply. The poet is not demanding love; he is hoping for it, asking whether the sheer sincerity of his devotion can be enough to bridge the gap.
Love as the Only Connection Between Two Unequal People
The poet recognizes the vast distance between himself and the beloved, yet he does not consider it impossible to cross because he believes love can connect people whom the world deems incompatible. While the world compares wealth, appearance, and social status, the poet compares hearts and the depth of feelings. His statement of inferiority is not a defeat; it carries hope that his sincere devotion might be enough.
English Explanation: Third Couplet
Verse:
“Toun Bagh Bahar Di Ronaq Sahi, Toun Gul Phal Te Mein Khar Sahi”
Translation:
“Toun Bagh Bahar Di Ronaq Sahi”: You may be the glory and beauty of a garden in spring.
“Toun Gul Phal Te Mein Khar Sahi”: You may be the flower and the fruit, while I may be only a thorn.
Detailed Interpretation:
In the third couplet, the beloved is elevated to the very essence of spring itself—the attraction, charm, and life of a blooming garden. While ordinary spring is temporary, the poet sees the beloved as evergreen and eternally radiant. The beloved represents beauty, fragrance, and fullness (the flower and fruit), while the poet humbly calls himself a thorn.
“You Are the Flower, and I Am the Thorn”:
While a flower is admired and touched, a thorn is sharp and avoided. By calling himself a thorn, the poet accepts his ordinary status. However, a thorn also protects the delicate flower. This transforms the thorn from a symbol of inferiority into a profound symbol of loyalty, sacrifice, and closeness. The poet does not wish to become the flower; he is entirely content remaining a thorn if it allows him to guard and stay near what he loves.
The Poet's Willingness to Sacrifice
The image of the thorn introduces a profound theme of sacrifice. While the flower is admired and delicate, the thorn can be injured, broken, or ignored. The poet is willing to accept the painful side of love if it allows the beloved to remain safe. He is not merely saying, "I love you," but also, "I am willing to suffer for you." This transforms the thorn into a powerful symbol of loyalty, protection, and unconditional devotion.
English Explanation: Final Couplet (Makhta)
Verse:
“Mekoon Shakir Apne Naal Cha Rakh, Mein Nokar Te Sardar Sahi”
Translation:
“Mekoon Shakir Apne Naal Cha Rakh”: O Shakir, just keep me with you.
“Mein Nokar Te Sardar Sahi”: I may be the servant while you are the master.
Detailed Interpretation:
In the final couplet, the emotional journey of the ghazal reaches its peak. The poet makes no demands for wealth, beauty, power, or equality. His ultimate request is simple yet desperate: “Keep me with you.” At this stage, love has become synonymous with life itself; a life without the beloved is entirely meaningless.
Love Even Without Receiving Love in Return:
The poet shows an extraordinary level of emotional surrender by accepting that even if his love is not returned in the same way, he only asks not to be cast away. By stating, “I may be the servant and you the master,” he accepts the ultimate social difference, yet prefers a low position near the beloved over a grand position far away. The term "servant" represents absolute humility and the sacrifice of ego for the sake of the beloved's eternal presence.
The Fear of Rejection & Central Theme
Behind the final request lies a quiet fear: What if the beloved turns him away? The poet has surrendered all worldly arguments—wealth, beauty, status—leaving only one plea: Do not send me away. When read together, the four couplets trace a powerful journey from admiration and fascination to devotion and complete surrender, proving that true love transcends worldly standards.
The Meaning of the Whole Ghazal in Simple English
"My beloved, I accept that you are extremely wealthy, exceptionally beautiful, and far above me in every worldly way. But I believe no one can love you more sincerely than I do. So, if you cannot return my love in the same way, just do not push me away. Let me stay near you. You may be the master and I the servant, but being near you is more valuable than any position in the world."
Final Thoughts on “Toun Lakh Karor Hazar Sahi”
Shakir Shuja Abadi transforms inequality into humility, humility into devotion, and devotion into a final plea for closeness. The poet may call himself "nothing" or a "thorn," but his love is immense, and his willingness to remain close gives him an enduring place in the beloved's world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does “Toun Lakh Karor Hazar Sahi” mean in English?
It translates to: “You may possess thousands, millions, and countless riches,” acknowledging the beloved's wealth and worldly superiority.
2. What does “Mein Kakh Da Nain Bekar Sahi” mean?
It means: “I may be nothing, insignificant, or worthless,” reflecting the poet's extreme humility regarding his worldly position.
3. What does “Toun Husn Jamal Da Malik” mean?
It means: “You are the possessor of beauty and grace,” as the poet openly praises the extraordinary attractiveness of his beloved.
4. What does “Toun Gul Phal Te Mein Khar Sahi” mean?
It means: “You are the flower and the fruit, while I am only a thorn,” highlighting the contrast in their status while symbolizing protection and loyalty.
5. What is the central message of the ghazal?
True love is not measured by worldly equality. Despite feeling inferior in status, the poet's sincere devotion drives him to ask for only one thing: the opportunity to remain close to the beloved.
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