Empathy, Compassion, Love, & Warm-heartedness

Hamdardi, meaning 'Empathy, Compassion, Love, & Warm-heartedness', is a well-known poem in Urdu by the famous poet Allama Iqbal, composed in the early 20th century. It portrays a conversation between a nightingale and a firefly who have a fruitful interaction one dark night. The bird is fearful of flying in the night because of the darkness and the firefly kindly offers to light up the path. The poem is a touching symbol of how we can turn interactions into beautiful and meaningful relationships with kind intention and considerate action.

 

 

Here's the English translation of the allegorical poem:

On a lonely branch of a tree,

A sad bird sat alone,

Saying, "Night has fallen,

How will I reach my home?"

 

Hearing the bird's cry,

A firefly came near,

Saying, "I'll light your way,

So you'll have nothing to fear."

 

The bird and the firefly,

Together they flew,

The firefly's light,

Guiding them through.

 

The bird reached its home,

Safe and sound,

And the firefly flew away,

Back to the ground.

 

The bird said, "Thank you,

For your help tonight,

I couldn't have done it,

Without your light."

 

The firefly replied,

With a smile so bright,

"Hamdardi, my friend,

Is what makes everything right."

 
 

This Blog is inspired by someone who lit up my path during one dark night of my soul. That fruitful interaction evoked memories of a cherished poem from my childhood. The verses resonated deeply, aligning with my energetic, emotional, and spiritual movements, and their meaning became even more profound.