Daily Poetry — September 17, 2026

मैं कब कहता हूँ (Main Kab Kahta Hoon)

Composed by सच्चिदानंद हीरानंद वात्स्यायन 'अज्ञेय' (S. H. Vatsyayan 'Agyeya')

Original Hindi

मैं कब कहता हूँ जग मेरी दुर्धर गति के अनुकूल बने? मैं कब कहता हूँ जीवन-मरु नन्दन-कानन का फूल बने? काँटा कठोर है, तीखा है, उसमें उसकी मर्यादा है, मैं कब कहता हूँ वह घटकर प्राप्य प्रसून का धूल बने? यह मैं कब कहता हूँ, सुख में सब कुछ सुन्दर हो। यह मैं कब कहता हूँ कि मेरा दुःख भी मुझे वरदान सा लगे! यह मैं कब कहता हूँ कि मेरी यात्रा सफल बने? जीवन पथ पर कंटक हों चाहे फूल, यह यात्रा ही मेरा वरदान है।

English Translation

When do I say the world should conform to my difficult pace? When do I say the desert of life should become a flower of a heavenly garden? The thorn is hard, sharp, in it lies its dignity, When do I say it should diminish to become dust of an easily attained flower? When do I say that in happiness, everything should be beautiful? When do I say that even my sorrow should feel like a boon? When do I say that my journey should be successful? Whether thorns or flowers on life's path, this journey itself is my blessing.

AI Generated

AI Echo (Hindi)

मैं कब कहता हूँ पथ सहज सुगम, बाधा-हीन रहे? मैं कब कहता हूँ हर पल आनंद, विषाद-विहीन बहे? संघर्ष ही तो गढ़ता है आत्मा को, देता है बल, मैं कब कहता हूँ जीवन की नदी तट पर ही शांत रहे? यह मैं कब कहता हूँ, स्वप्न सभी मेरे पूर्ण हों। यह मैं कब कहता हूँ कि हर इच्छा मेरी तृप्त रहे! यह मैं कब कहता हूँ कि नियति से मैं लड़ पाऊँ? मौन स्वीकार है, हर क्षण में, यही मेरा वरदान है।

AI Generated

AI Echo (English)

When do I say the path should be easy, obstacle-free? When do I say every moment should flow with joy, devoid of sorrow? Struggle itself molds the soul, bestows strength, When do I say life's river should remain calm at the bank? When do I say all my dreams should be fulfilled? When do I say every desire of mine should be satisfied? When do I say I should be able to fight destiny? Silent acceptance, in every moment, this is my boon.

Literary & Historical Context

S. H. Vatsyayan 'Agyeya' (1911-1987) was a towering figure in Hindi literature, a pioneer of experimental poetry (Prayogvad) and a multifaceted writer. "Main Kab Kahta Hoon" (When Do I Say) exemplifies his philosophical depth and existential outlook. The poem challenges the conventional desire for an easy, comfortable life, instead advocating for the acceptance of struggle and the inherent dignity found in adversity. Agyeya posits that true meaning and strength emerge not from the absence of challenges, but from confronting them, much like a thorn finds its "dignity" in its sharpness. The journey itself, with all its "thorns or flowers," is presented as the ultimate "blessing" or "boon," rather than a predetermined successful outcome. This reflects Agyeya's larger philosophical stance on individual agency, self-discovery, and finding truth in personal experience, making it a significant work within modern Hindi poetry for its bold rejection of escapism and embrace of a gritty reality.

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