Ghalib
Hazāroñ Khvāhisheñ Aisī
A famous Ghalib couplet on desire multiplying even inside fulfilment.
Why return to it: It names the strange human condition of wanting endlessly, even after many wishes have come true.
Included here: Source-safe original/transliteration where appropriate and a poetic English rendering.
Original / source note
Hazāroñ khvāhisheñ aisī ke har khvāhish pe dam nikle
Bahut nikle mire armān lekin phir bhī kam nikle.
English transliteration
Hazāroñ khvāhisheñ aisī ke har khvāhish pe dam nikle
Bahut nikle mire armān lekin phir bhī kam nikle.
Poetic English rendering
Thousands of desires — each one intense enough to take a life. Many wishes came into the world, and yet the heart still felt there were too few.