ruk jana nahi...

as dad and i drove home from dinner a few minutes ago, i heard this song on the radio. it used to be one of my most loved songs at a time, and i've always found the lyrics deeply inspirational. before i get back to the last 12 hours of my semester, i thought i'd add in my bit for the day (a modest attempt at translation alongwith).

perhaps some context would help. vinod khanna, in one of his far superior roles imho, comes to a small town as a professor in a local college. of respectable persona and intellect, he is loved by all. a little too much though, leading to jealous vibes that accuse him of a crime he did not commit. if i recall correctly, the misunderstanding is resolved, but he chooses to leave anyway. this song features as he says his goodbyes, leaving the audience in tears, but naturally.

ruk jana nahi tu kahin haar ke
kaaton pe chal ke milenge saaye bahaar ke
o rahi, o rahi...

o traveler,
don't lose heart before the journey is completed
walking on thorns will indeed lead you to beauty unimagined

saathi na karavan hai, ye tera imtihan hai
yohin chala chal dil ke sahare
karti hai manzil tujhko ishare
dekh kahin koi rok nahi le tujhko pukar ke
o rahi, o rahi...

without companion, without support - this is your test
to walk on ahead with the strength of your heart
your goal beckons
don't let anything keep you from it
o traveler...

nain aansoo jo liye hain, ye rahon ke diye hain
logon ko unka sabkuchh deke
tu to chala tha sapne hi leke
koi nahi to tere apne hain sapne ye pyaar ke
o rahi, o rahi...

the tears that your eyes hold, these are the lamps in your path
having given back to people what was theirs
you had set out, dreams in tow
if nothing else, these dreams of love are yours
o traveler...

suraj dekh ruk gaya hai, tere aage jhuk gaya hai
jab kabhi aise koi mastana,
nikle hai apni dhun mein deewana
shaam suhani ban jate hain din intezaar ke
o rahi, o rahi...

see, the sun has stopped to bow before you
whenever a hero such as you
follows his calling undistracted
days of waiting transform into beautiful evenings
o traveler...