What can we really say about the legendary Harivansh Rai Bachchan (1907 – 2003) – a name that needs no introduction? A name that speaks for itself? Let us look at his description in his own words:
“Mitti ka tan, masti ka man, sharn bhar jeevan”
(मिट्टी का तन, मस्ती का मन, क्षण भर जीवन)
So true! And indeed, the playfulness of his mind can be seen and felt in all his poems. He has over thirty poems to his name in the sixty years he has revolutionized Hindi literature. From his very first publishing, Tera Haar (1932) – to the one that rose him to fame overnight – Madhushala (1935), to his last – Ek November (1984), Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s poems have been inscribed on our hearts. His writings were definitely the peak of romantic rebellion while also touching upon life, death, freedom, and yearning.
Let us take this opportunity to touch upon the excerpts of some of the best lyrical beauties of Harivansh Rai Bachchan poems!
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Madhushala (1935)
A poem with 135 verses, Madhushala was the one timeless piece that gave Harivansh Rai Bachchan instant popularity and fame. Isn’t it amazing that each verse has four lines and ends with the same word – Madhushala? It is definitely a literary and metaphorical miracle. This gem can keep you awake at night, thinking about the world’s wonders.
Written in the most simple language, Madhushala can be understood by the common man with ease – and that is probably why it beats hearts even to this day. Madhushala ranks among the most inspirational Harivansh Rai Bachchan poems – talking about the complexities of life.
मदिरालय जाने को घर से चलता है पीनेवला,
‘किस पथ से जाऊँ?’ असमंजस में है वह भोलाभाला,
अलग-अलग पथ बतलाते सब पर मैं यह बतलाता हूँ –
‘राह पकड़ तू एक चला चल, पा जाएगा मधुशाला।’। ६।
चलने ही चलने में कितना जीवन, हाय, बिता डाला!
‘दूर अभी है’, पर, कहता है हर पथ बतलानेवाला,
हिम्मत है न बढूँ आगे को साहस है न फिरुँ पीछे,
किंकर्तव्यविमूढ़ मुझे कर दूर खड़ी है मधुशाला।
Aatmaparichay
Aatmaparichay literally means self-introduction; that is what the poet does here – he tells the world about himself via beautiful verses. He talks about the life that is so difficult for him, and yet he lives a life that he loves. You will fall in love with the mesmerizing way that he sees the world and introduces us to his life. His poems were known to relate to the common man and talk about their problems in the most beautiful way possible. Aatmaparichay can be listed among the most positive Harivansh Rai Bachchan poems. Here is an excerpt from this gem of a poem:
मैं यौवन का उन्माद लिए फिरता हूँ,
उन्मादों में अवसाद लए फिरता हूँ,
जो मुझको बाहर हँसा, रुलाती भीतर,
मैं, हाय, किसी की याद लिए फिरता हूँ!
कर यत्न मिटे सब, सत्य किसी ने जाना?
नादन वहीं है, हाय, जहाँ पर दाना!
फिर मूढ़ न क्या जग, जो इस पर भी सीखे?
मैं सीख रहा हूँ, सीखा ज्ञान भूलना!
Agneepath
Agneepath is one of the immensely popular Harivansh Rai Bachchan poems. It gives a strong message that, yes, life is tough, and it is a struggle to wade through it – but the ones that strive hard and do not give up are the ones that succeed at it!
The key is to keep going no matter how hard it gets. Harivansh Rai Bachchan inspired us through his words like no other. No wonder his writings are still so famous and are quoted time and again in our households. Agneepath is a poem that will push you to go on no matter how difficult life gets.
तू न थकेगा कभी,
तू न रुकेगा कभी,
तू न मुड़ेगा कभी,
कर शपथ, कर शपथ, कर शपथ,
अग्निपथ अग्निपथ अग्निपथ।
यह महान दृश्य है,
चल रहा मनुष्य है,
अश्रु श्वेद रक्त से,
लथपथ लथपथ लथपथ,
अग्निपथ अग्निपथ अग्निपथ।
Are you ready to look at more Harivansh Rai Bachchan poems in Hindi? Read on!
Jo Beet Gayi So Beet Gayi
Moving on from the past or letting go of a difficult circumstance is necessary to lead a fulfilled life. Harivansh Rai Bachchan gives us this important message through Jo Beet Gayi So Beet Gayi. His words in this poem feel like a safe place and a bandage to the broken heart. Numerous comparisons of nature to human life make a lot of sense.
This one ranks high in the inspirational and positive Harivansh Rai Bachchan poems collection. Jo Beet Gayi So Beet Gayi should definitely be read and re-read in totality, but here is an excerpt:
जीवन में मधु का प्याला था
तुमने तन मन दे डाला था
वह टूट गया तो टूट गया
मदिरालय का आँगन देखो
कितने प्याले हिल जाते हैं
गिर मिट्टी में मिल जाते हैं
जो गिरते हैं कब उठतें हैं
पर बोलो टूटे प्यालों पर
कब मदिरालय पछताता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई
Path Ki Pehchan
Another one in the list of inspirational Harivansh Rai Bachchan poems – Path Ki Pehchan – talks about deciding and analyzing the path you will walk on even before starting the journey. This lyrical beauty is a gem that you would want to read repeatedly during various phases of your journey.
It literally says that if you believe in something, achieving it becomes super easy – and sometimes, at the end of the day, this is all you want to hear! Harivansh Rai Bachchan was known for romanticizing life; sometimes, that is all we require. Here is an excerpt from this beautiful piece:
यह बुरा है या कि अच्छा, व्यर्थ दिन इस पर बिताना,
अब असंभव छोड़ यह पथ दूसरे पर पग बढ़ाना,
तू इसे अच्छा समझ, यात्रा सरल इससे बनेगी,
सोच मत केवल तुझे ही यह पड़ा मन में बिठाना,
हर सफल पंथी यही विश्वास ले इस पर बढ़ा है,
तू इसी पर आज अपने चित्त का अवधान कर ले।
पूर्व चलने के बटोही, बाट की पहचान कर ले।
Ruke Na Tu
Another incredible poem – Ruke Na Tu – instills deep confidence within the reader. This is among the best inspirational Harivansh Rai Bachchan poems of all time and is definitely a must-read! This legendary poet teaches us to try and never fall out of line or deviate from the path that we are walking upon.
Moreover, the verses are written so that the poem can be easily committed to memory without having to read and re-read again! Of course, it is a very short piece, but Harivansh Rai Bachchan says a lot in less with this one – by focusing on strong words.
धनुष उठा, प्रहार कर
तू सबसे पहला वार कर
अग्नि सी धधक–धधक
हिरन सी सजग सजग
सिंह सी दहाड़ कर
शंख सी पुकार कर
रुके न तू, थके न तू
झुके न तू, थमे न तू
सदा चले, थके न तू
रुके न तू, झुके न तू
Chal Mardane
Chal Mardane is a poem with a lot of positivity, optimism, and inspiration for life. In this, Harivansh Rai Bachchan teaches us to keep going and striving towards our goals without letting any obstacle be a hindrance. This short piece can also be easily memorized and sticks to the tongue.
Chal Mardane can be added to your list of positive Harivansh Rai Bachchan poems for days you feel demotivated and down. It will surely inspire you to start getting the work done!
हम भारत की अमर जवानी,
सागर की लहरें लासानी,
गंग-जमुन के निर्मल पानी,
हिमगिरि की ऊंची पेशानी
सबके प्रेरक, रक्षक, मीत ।
चल मरदाने, सीना ताने,
हाथ हिलाते, पांव बढाते,
मन मुस्काते, गाते गीत ।
Koshish Karne Walon Ki
How can our list be complete without this epic Harivansh Rai Bachchan poem? We are sure that if there is just one piece that you have read (or heard) of this legendary poet – this is it! Koshish karne walon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti.
This is the most famous household line that is used by our elders and mentors numerous times to inspire us to work hard. Yes, it was penned down by none other than the greatest Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Only reading this piece once will inspire you to get up and go toward your goals.
लहरों से डर कर नौका पार नहीं होती
कोशिश करने वालों की हार नहीं होती
नन्हीं चींटी जब दाना लेकर चलती है
चढ़ती दीवारों पर, सौ बार फिसलती है
मन का विश्वास रगों में साहस भरता है
चढ़कर गिरना, गिरकर चढ़ना न अखरता है
आख़िर उसकी मेहनत बेकार नहीं होती
कोशिश करने वालों की हार नहीं होती
This was our compilation of Harivansh Rai Bachchan poems that we like the best! Do let us know your favorite.
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