Daily Poetry — September 6, 2026

वह तोड़ती पत्थर

Composed by सूर्यकांत त्रिपाठी 'निराला'

Original Hindi

वह तोड़ती पत्थर देखा उसे मैंने इलाहाबाद के पथ पर वह तोड़ती पत्थर। कोई न छायादार पेड़ वह जिसके तले बैठी हुई स्वीकार। श्याम तन, भर बँधा यौवन नत नयन, प्रिय-कर्म-रत मन। गुरु हथौड़ा हाथ करती बार-बार प्रहार। सामने तरु-मालिका अट्टालिका, प्राकार। चढ़ रही थी धूप

English Translation

She breaks stones. I saw her on the road of Allahabad, She breaks stones. No shady tree, Under which she sat, accepting her fate. Dark body, full and constrained youth, Downcast eyes, mind absorbed in her arduous task. A heavy hammer in hand, Striking repeatedly. In front, a row of trees, mansions, walls. The sun was climbing high.

AI Generated

AI Echo (Hindi)

सूर्य तप रहा था, धरती तप्त थी, श्रम की बूँदें माथे से टपकती थीं। समय की धारा बहती अविराम, टूटे सपनों को जोड़ती सकाम। कब तक यह पत्थर तोड़ेगी देह? कब तक सहेगी यह अनदेखी स्नेह? किन्तु न थमती उसके हाथ की गति, अदम्य इच्छा शक्ति की वह है सती। प्रकृति भी शायद देख रही मौन, इस संघर्ष में लीन है कौन। एक कहानी लिख रही हर चोट, समाज की क्रूरता की गवाही ठोस।

AI Generated

AI Echo (English)

The sun was scorching, the earth was hot, Drops of sweat trickled from her brow. The current of time flows ceaselessly, Mending broken dreams with purpose. How long will this body break stones? How long will it bear this unseen longing? Yet, the motion of her hands does not cease, She is a testament to indomitable willpower. Nature too perhaps watches in silence, Who is this, absorbed in such struggle? Every blow writes a story, Solid testimony to society's cruelty.

Literary & Historical Context

"वह तोड़ती पत्थर" (She Breaks Stones) by Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala' (1896-1961) is a seminal poem in Hindi literature, particularly noted for its stark realism and social commentary. Nirala was a prominent figure of the Chhayavaad (Romanticism) movement, but he often transcended its lyrical boundaries to address social issues, leading him to be a pioneer of 'Muktak Chhand' (free verse) in Hindi. This poem, a powerful critique of social inequality, vividly depicts the harsh life of a woman labourer in Allahabad. It juxtaposes her grueling, sun-baked toil with the indifferent, opulent surroundings (mansions, tree-lined avenues), highlighting the vast chasm between the rich and the poor. The poem's simple, direct language and poignant imagery convey a deep sense of empathy for the marginalized, making it a timeless statement on class disparity and human resilience. It represents Nirala's commitment to progressive thought and his ability to infuse everyday scenes with profound social meaning.

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