Apne yug mein sabke anupam
Gyat hui apni haala,
Apne yug mein sabko adbhut
gyat hua apna pyaala,
                Phir bhee vriddhon se jab poochha
                Ek yahi uttar paaya-
Ab na rahe we peenewaale,
Ab na rahi woh Madhushala!

( Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Madhushala)

(Complete Madhushala in Devnagri is available on my "Writings Page". Check out the section "Hindi Poems by Others")

Literal Translation (To the extent I could do it)

Everybody finds his wine uncomparable in his time. Everybody finds his wine-glass fantastic in his time. But whenever I asked the old people, I got the same answer - those drinkers are there no more, no more is there that tavern!

Categories: Excerpts