ग़नीमत जान जो दम गुज़रे कैफ़ियत से गुलशन में दिए जा साक़ी-ए-पैमाँ-शिकन भर भर के पैमाना
— Bahadur Shah Zafar
Meaning

Consider every moment spent in bliss and intoxication in the garden as a blessing, and keep serving, O vow-breaking cupbearer, cup after brimming cup.

Explanation

The poet views life as a fleeting, blossoming garden where true moments of ecstasy are rare, urging us to treasure each enchanted breath as an absolute blessing. The cupbearer is affectionately called a 'breaker of vows'—a charming figure who entices us to abandon our rigid promises of restraint. Through an exquisite wordplay on 'paimaan' (a vow) and 'paimana' (a wine cup), the couplet whispers that when joy graces your door, it is far wiser to drink deeply from the present than to hold onto solemn inhibitions.

Interpretation note: meanings and explanations may be AI-assisted and should not replace a primary text or scholarly edition. See the editorial policy.

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