Tere Bachpan ko jawani ki Dua

 

Tere bachpan ko jawani ki dua deti hoon
Tere bachpan ko jawani ki dua deti hoon
Aur dua deke pareshan si ho jaati hoon

Mere munne mere gulzar ke
Nanhe paudhe
Tujhko haalat ki aandhi se
Bachane ke liye
Aaj main pyar ke aanchal mein
Chhupa leti hoon

Kal yeh kamzor sahara Bhi na haasil hoga

Kal yeh kamzor sahara
Bhi na haasil hoga
Kal tujhe kaanton bhari
Raah pe chalna hoga
Zindgaani ki kadi dhoop
Mein jalna hoga

Tere bachpan ko jawani ki dua deti hoon
Aur dua deke pareshan si ho jaati hoon

Tere maathe pe sharafat ki
Koyi mohar nahi
Chand bosey hain mohabbat ke

To woh bhi kya hain
Mujh si maaon ki mohabbat ka
Koyi mol nahi
Mujh si maaon ki mohabbat ka
Koyi mol nahi

Mere masoom farishte
Tu abhi kya jaane
Tujhko kis kis ke
Gunahon ki saza milni hai
Deen aur dharm ke
Maare huye insaanon ki
Jo nazar milni hai tujhko
Woh khafa milni hai

Tere bachpan ko jawani ki dua deti hoon
Aur dua deke pareshan si ho jaati hoon

Bediyan leke lapkata hua
Kanoon ka hath
Bediyan leke lapkata hua
Kanoon ka hath
Tere maan baap se jab
Tujhko mili yeh saughaat
Kaun layega tere vaaste
Khushiyon ki baaraat
Kaun layega tere vaaste
Khushiyon ki baaraat

Mere bachche tere anjaam se
Jee darta hai
Teri dushman hi na
Saabit ho jawani teri
Khaak jaati hai jise
Soch ke mamta meri
Usi anjaam ko
Pahunche na kahaani teri

Tere bachpan ko jawani ki dua deti hoon
Aur dua deke pareshan si ho jaati hoon
Aur dua deke pareshan si ho jaati hoon

As I sat alone at home in Pune today my mind , for no good reason, was recalling some old songs randomly. One of them was this beautiful, yet lesser known song from a movie that was made even before I was born. Mujhe Jeene Do ( literally meaning Let Me Live) was a story of a dacoit who had the record of numerous plundering and killings. Law enforcement was constantly looking for him and he was always on the run with his gang and family. His marriage to a courtesan who he forcefully abducted during one of his raids on a rich man’s estate changed his perspective on life. She turned the beast in him into a caring human being. Yet his crimes were impossible to be wiped away. The police would surely have no mercy on him just because he turned into a new leaf. 

In this song is a mother holding her young baby in her arms, worrying for his safety and future, realizing that his father’s karma would be unforgiving to his son, even though the baby had no role in the bad deeds. Sahir Ludhianvi, perhaps one of the finest of Hindi poets of his times, has penned this ultra beautiful poem that is brimming with tender emotions of a vulnerable mother. 

As I sat listening to these lyrics in the sweet voice of Lata Didi ( Mangeshkar) my heart was filled with a plethora of emotions. My own emotional journey ran through my mind. The delicate care of the unseen hand of God that had lifted me up from my darkest days and ever since provided me with love, security and guidance came alive in my thoughts. Gratitude lit up like never before. I lack words to describe how I felt.

Simultaneously, as I listened to “ Kaun layega tere vaaste Khushiyon ki baaraat” I couldn’t help but think of the many children in the world who don’t have parents to care for them, for whatever reason. My heart was filled with a pang to provide them with love and at the same time the awareness that I lack the ability to realistically take on such big responsibilities. I could only wish earnestly that the Good Lord would provide for them all just the way HE cared for me. 

The present day is burning with wars in many parts of the world and a looming threat of regional conflicts ballooning into larger catastrophic events. The slightest of such insecurities can shake the mind of any mother. Her maternal instincts would curl up her arms around her children no matter how old they are. Yet her vulnerability would seek divine help to compensate for her limitations.

The delicate emotions in this song are truly a thing of exquisite beauty. Any mother would melt with these words. Any son or daughter who had a special bond with his or her mother would be equally drowned in a flood of nostalgia. 

Sometimes a tug at emotions like this feels wanted. Just to feel alive. 

It was an extraordinary evening. Alone at home. Yet knowing I am not alone. Never was and never will be. 

English translation of the meaning of the original Hindi lyrics:

I pray for your childhood to see the dawn of youth

Yet alongside the prayer I tend to worry.

My dear child, the littlest seedling in my garden

To protect you from the storms of harsh circumstances 

I cover you with the garment of my love

Tomorrow this weak support too may not be available.

Tomorrow you may have to tread on paths strewn with thorns 

Or burn under the scorching heat of life.

There is no sign on your forehead that reads this person is a good human being.

Just a few kisses planted with love

But they don’t mean much to anyone.

The world holds no value for the love of mothers like us.

My innocent angel you have no idea 

That punishment for the offences of others awaits you.

Harsh glances of disapproval from people who are themselves afflicted by sufferings and distorted ideas of righteousness are going to come your way.

At every turn law enforcement seems to be lurking, eagerly holding handcuffs.

Such circumstances are the inheritance we parents are leaving behind for you.

( In our absence, I wonder) who will care to bring in happiness for you?

My child I fear to think of your destiny 

( I hope)That your growing up into a young man should itself not prove to be your enemy.

That the worst fears regarding the outcome in your life, arising out of my love for you, don’t come true.

I pray for your childhood to see the dawn of youth

Yet alongside the prayer I tend to worry.

Do listen to the song on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/7iuu_qj22-0?si=I2bGfxi3sA_w6Fqr