Madhushala

Madhushala is Hindi poetry classic written in the year 1935 by legendary poet Shri Harivansh Rai Bachchan. It has 135 verses (rubaiyan). Shri Bachchan has explained the philosophy of life using the 4 analogies of Madhushala, saaki, haala, and pyaala. The depth of his poems is unfathomable. And the meaning is intenser than that. Anyone who understands this in detail will surely get nirvana from this earthly pain and disappointment. For such person, life will definitely become a wave of fun, pleasure, and happiness. Here I will try to explain my understanding of some of the favorite verses of Madhushala.



धर्म-ग्रान्ड सब जला चुकी है जिसके अंतर के ज्वाला
मंदिर मस्जिद गिरजे सब को तोड़ चुका जो मतवाला
पंडित मोमिन पादरियों के फंडोँ को जो काट चुका
कर शक्ति है आज उसे के स्वागत मेरी मधुशाला

Meaning: In this verse, the poet is explaining the characteristics of a person who can enjoy the life to the fullest. In this Madhushala refers to our life. According to the poet, only people who have overcome the artificial barriers created by religion will be able to enjoy the life in a complete fashion. One who is not entangled in the web created by priests, pundits, and others, one who become fearless and who has unshackled himself from restrictions and one who is like a madman whose inner dissonance and spiritual energies have burned down all the religious texts can only be the truly welcomed by life. For others, life always remains a pain. So live freely, live happily.