Meaning of
nafs
नफ़स • نفس
English
breath; soul; self
Hindi
सांस; आत्मा; स्वयं
Urdu
سانس; روح; خود
Origin
Arabic
Ash'aar
baat aage badh chuki hai bas zaraa si baat par
ungaliyaan uthne lagii hain ab hamaari zaat par
apni marzi ke mutaabiq hi tumhein karta hooñ yaad
main ne qaabu pa liya hai nafs par jazbaat par
4
mujhe pahle pehal lagta tha zaati mas'ala hai
main phir samjha mohabbat qaaynaati mas'ala hai
parinde qaid hain tum chahchahaahat chahte ho
tumhein to achha khaasa nafsyaati mas'ala hai
87
ghazal banii hai zindagi nafs nafs hai shayari
sukhun se meri aashiqi ghazab hai bemisaal hai
34
ban kar kasak chubhti rahi dil men mire ik aah thii
ai ham-nafs mire mujhe tujhse vafaa ki chaah thii
24
be vafaa shaKHs teraa naam bhi munh se lena
izzat-e-nafs ki tauheen samajhta hooñ main
17
har nafs umr-e-guzishta kii hai mayyat faani
zindagi naam hai mar mar ke ji.e jaane ka
16
dhundooge agar mulkon mulkon milne ke nahin naayaab hain ham
jo yaad na aa.e bhool ke phir ai hum-nafso vo KHvaab hain ham
10
jeena vo kya jo ho nafs-e-ghair par madaar
shohrat kii zindagi ka bharosa bhi chhod de
10
taare nafs par ungli rakh dii chhed ke tune baat ghazal ki
noke qalam se qatra-qatra jaarii hain rishhaat ghazal ki
8
mita ke nafratein har dil se pyaar deta main
nafs-nafs men mohabbat utaar deta main
mujhe kisi ki mohabbat ne kar diya buzdil
wagarana mulk pe ye jaan vaar deta main
6
baat aage badh chuki hai bas zaraa si baat par
ungaliyaan uthne lagii hain ab hamaari zaat par
apni marzi ke mutaabiq hi tumhein karta hooñ yaad
main ne qaabu pa liya hai nafs par jazbaat par
4
mujhe pahle pehal lagta tha zaati mas'ala hai
main phir samjha mohabbat qaaynaati mas'ala hai
parinde qaid hain tum chahchahaahat chahte ho
tumhein to achha khaasa nafsyaati mas'ala hai
87
Nuance
The word 'nafs' carries the duality of life itself - the breath that sustains and the soul that defines. In poetry, it often explores the inner struggles of the self, the battle between desires and higher aspirations, capturing the essence of human existence.
Poetic Usage
Poets use 'nafs' to delve into themes of introspection and self-awareness. It can represent the conflict between base instincts and spiritual growth. The word often contrasts with purity, highlighting the journey towards self-realization.
Closing Insight
In 'nafs', poets find the eternal dance of the soul between desire and enlightenment.