Apni beti Zoya ke naam by Javed Akhtar. This poem presents a deeply reflective message from a father to his daughter about the choices one faces in life. It portrays life as a crossroads with two distinct paths. The first path is easy and socially familiar, filled with relationships and conventional expectations. Those who follow it appear to find comfort and acceptance, yet gradually lose their individuality and personal dreams, becoming fragmented within the obligations of those relationships. The second path, however, is far more difficult and often lonely, offering little support or reassurance. Despite its hardships, it is the path that leads a person towards self-discovery and a true sense of identity. Through this contrast, the poem conveys a powerful message: that genuine fulfilment and self-realisation often require the courage to walk a challenging path and remain faithful to one’s own inner truth.
Ye jeevan ek raah nahin
Pehla rasta bahut saral hai,
Is mein koi mod nahin hai.
Ye rasta is duniya se be-jod nahin hai.
Is raste par milte hain rishton ke bandhan.
Is raste par chalne wale
Kehne ko sab sukh paate hain.
Lekin
Tukde tukde ho kar
Sab rishton mein bant jaate hain.
Apne palle kuch nahin bachta.
Bachti hai be-naam si uljhan,
Bachta hai saanson ka eendhan
Jis mein unki apni har pehchaan
Aur unke saare sapne
Jal bujh jaate hain.
Is raste par chalne wale
Khud ko kho kar jag paate hain.
Upar upar to jeete hain,
Andar andar mar jaate hain.
Doosra rasta bahut kathin hai.
Is raste mein koi kisi ke saath nahin hai.
Koi sahara dene wala haath nahin hai.
Is raste mein dhoop hai,
Koi chhaon nahin hai.
Jahan tasalli bheekh mein de de koi kisi ko,
Is raste mein aisa koi gaon nahin hai.
Ye un logon ka rasta hai
Jo khud apne tak jaate hain,
Apne aap ko jo paate hain.
Tum is raste par hi chalna.
Mujhe pata hai
Ye rasta aasaan nahin hai.
Lekin mujhko ye gham bhi hai
Tumko ab tak
Kyun apni pehchaan nahin hai.
Saabhaar: Kavita Kosh