एक समय संतुष्ट बहुत था 
पा मैं थोड़ी सी हाला।
भोला-सा था मेरा साक़ी 
छोटा-सा मेरा प्याला।
        छोटे से इस जग की मेरे 
        स्वर्ग बलाएँ लेता था,
विस्तृत जग में हाय खो गई 
मेरी नन्हीं मधुशाला।

( 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)

There was a time when I was pretty satisfied with a small amount of wine. I had an innocent wine-maid and a small wine-glass. Heaven used to envy this small world of mine. Alas! My small tavern is lost is this vast world.

Categories: Excerpts