English translation of ” JO BEET GAYI SO BAAT GAYI..” by Harivansh Rai Bachchan

” Jo beet gayi so baat gayi..” is my favorite hindi poem. I remember reading and memorizing it when I was a kid. I was in class 6 or 7 or 8, that I don’t remember. But I remember that I loved it. That time we just learned it and memorized it. Message was inspirational. It looks more meaningful and inspirational to me now than when I read it as a child. It is written by Sri Harivansh Rai Bachchan and is one of the most loved Hindi poem in India. So, here I am presenting the original i.e Hindi version of the poem as it is. And then my humble attempt to translate ( literal meaning ) for those who do not understand Hindi but still want to read this lovely poem. Scroll down to see the translation. Please excuse my mistakes and if possible, help me rectify them. Here it goes:

Jo beet gayi so baat gayi !

Jeevan mein ek sitara tha,

mana, wo behad pyara tha,

wah doob gaya toh doob gaya

amber ke aanan ko dekho

kitne iske taare toote

kitne iske pyare chhoote

jo chhoot gaye phir kahan mile,

par bolo toote taron par

kab amber shok manata hai

Jo beet gayi so baat gayi

Jeevan mein wah tha ek kusum

the us par nitya nichhavar tum

wah sookh gaya toh sookh gaya

madhuvan ki chhaatee ko dekho

sookhee kitni iski kaliyan

murjhaayin kitni vallariyan

jo murjhaayin phir kahan khili

par bolo sookhe phoolon par

kab madhuvan shor machata hai 

Jo beet gayi so baat gayi

jeevan mein madhu ka pyala tha

tumne tan-man de dala tha

wah toot gaya toh toot gaya

madiralaya ka aangan dekho

kitne pyale hil jate hain

gir mitti mein mil jate hain

jo girte hain kab uthte hain

par bolo toote pyalon par

kab madiralaya pachhtata hai

Jo beet gayi so baat gayi

mridu mitti ke hain bane huye

madhughat phoota hi karte hain

laghu jeevan le kar aaye hain

pyale toota hi karte hain

phir bhi madiralaya ke andar

madhu ke ghat hain, madhu pyale hain

jo madakta ke maare hain,

way madhu loota hi karte hain

wah kachcha peene wala hai

jiski mamta ghat-pyalon par

jo sachche madhu se jala hua

kab rota hai, chillata hai !

Jo beet gayi so baat gayi!       – Harivansh Rai Bachchan

ENGLISH TRANSLATION ( just an attempt)

Let bygones be bygones!

In your life, there was a star

it’s ok, if it was close to your heart

What if, it has faded

look at the face of sky

many of it’s stars fell away

many of it’s loved ones went away

those who left, never came back

But when does the sky grieve over the fallen stars!

Let bygones be bygones!

In your life, there was a flower

over it, you had your life to shower

what if, it has dried down

look at the heart of garden

many buds dried and died

many saplings withered away

those who dried, never bloomed again

but when does the garden shriek over the dried flowers

Let bygones be bygones!

In your life, was a glass of wine

It was your life & soul…ok,that’s fine

What if, it has broken

Look at the courtyard of a winehouse

many glasses are always shaken

fell, and away are they taken

those who fell, never got up

but when does the winehouse repent over those wine glasses

Let bygones be bygones!

wine jars are made up of soft mud

they are bound to crack

glasses are cursed with short lives

they are bound to break

Then too….inside the winehouse

jars are there, glasses are there

those who are spoiled with intoxication

they prey upon the wine

He is a raw, unriped drinker

whose attachment is limited to glasses only

but, he, who is a lover of true wine

never cries, never whine!

Let bygones be bygones!

* * *

This is just a word- to-word translation of the epic poem. I tried to put some rhyming words to make it sound nice. Think of the emotions and philosophy behind it.

MEANING ( as I understand ) :

Do not be remorseful of what you’ve lost. Gather yourself up and get a hold on your life again. Life has to go on.