Kahan gaya wah swargik Saaki,
Kahan gayee surbhit haala,
Kahan gaya swapnil madiralaya
Kahan gaya swarnim payaala!
                Peenewaalon ne madira ka
                Mulya, hai, kab pehchaana?
Phoot chuka jab madhu ka pyaala,
Toot chuki jab 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)

Where is that heavenly wine-maid, where is that scented wine, where is that dream-like wine-shop, where is that golden wine-glass! Alas! When have the drinkers recognized the value of wine? Then when the glass of wine has broken down and the tavern has crumbled.

Categories: Excerpts