Three Questions in Urdu/Hindi
Table of Contents
Text with Urdu and Hindi translation
Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian writer of worldwide fame. His novels are marked by sharp psychological insights and graphic description of reality. His most noted works are war and peace (1809), Sebastopol Sketches (1855), Anna Karenina (1877).
Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy (1828-1910) ek Russian musannif the jin ki shohrat duniya bhar mein hai. Unke novels mein nafsiati baseerat aur haqeeqat ki achi tasweer kashi ki jati hai. Unke mashhoor kaamon mein “War and Peace” (1809), “Sebastopol Sketches” (1855), aur “Anna Karenina” (1877) shamil hain.
Through the tale of a Tsar who wanted to know the nature of appropriate counsel and action, Tolstoy reveals an illuminating notion about the duties of man. This simple tale is loaded with deep thoughts on the way human beings should conduct their actions.
Ek Zaar ki kahani ke zariye, jo yeh jana chahta tha ke sahih mashwara aur amal kya hai, Tolstoy insaan ke farz ke bare mein ek roshan khayal pesh karta hai. Yeh saadah kahani gehre khayalat se bhari hui hai ke insano ko apne aamal kaise anjam dene chahiye.
Once occurred to a certain Tsar, that if he always knew the right time to begin everything, if he knew who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid; and, above all, if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he might undertake.
Ek dafa ek Zaar ke zehan mein yeh khayal aya ke agar wo hamesha jan leta ke har kaam ka sahih waqt kab hai, agar wo jan leta ke kin logon ki baat sunni chahiye aur kin se bachna chahiye; aur sab se barh kar, agar wo hamesha jan leta ke sab se aham kaam kya hai, to wo kabhi bhi nakam na hota jo bhi wo karne ki koshish karta.
And this thought having occurred to him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to anyone who would teach him what was the right time for every action, and who were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do.
Yeh khayal uske zehan mein anay ke baad, usne apni saltanat mein elan kiya ke wo kisi ko bara inaam dega jo use sikhaye ke har kaam ka sahih waqt kya hai, kaun log sab se zaroori hain, aur kaise jana ja sakta hai ke sab se aham kaam kya hai.
And learned men came to the Tsar, but they all answered his questions differently.
Aur daanishmand log Zaar ke paas aye, magar unhone uske sawalat ka mukhtalif tareeqon se jawab diya.
In reply to the first question, some said that to know the right time for every action, one must draw up in advance, a table of days, months and years, and must live strictly according to it. Only thus, said they, could everything be done at its proper time.
Pehle sawal ke jawab mein, kuch ne kaha ke har kaam ka sahih waqt janne ke liye, ek saal, mahine aur din ki jadwal banani chahiye, aur uske mutabiq sakhti se jeena chahiye. Sirf is tarah, unhone kaha, har kaam sahih waqt par kiya ja sakta hai.
Others declared that it was impossible to decide beforehand the right time for every action; but that, not letting oneself be absorbed in idle pastimes, one should always attend to all that was going on, and then do what was most needful. Others, again, said that however attentive the Tsar might be to what was going on, it was impossible for one man to decide correctly the right time for every action, but that he should have a Council of wise men, who would help him to fix the proper time for everything.
Doosron ne kaha ke har kaam ka sahih waqt pehle se tay karna namumkin hai; magar, faltu mashghalon mein khud ko mashghool kiye baghair, hamesha sab kuch dekhna chahiye, aur phir jo sab se zaroori ho wo karna chahiye. Phir doosron ne kaha ke chahe Zaar jitna bhi tawajju de, yeh ek aadmi ke liye namumkin hai ke har kaam ka sahih waqt theek theek faisla kare, balki use daanishmandon ki ek council rakhni chahiye, jo use har kaam ka munasib waqt tay karne mein madad kare.
But then again others said there were some things which could not wait to be laid before a Council, but about which one had at once to decide whether to undertake them or not. But in order to decide that, one must know beforehand what was going to happen. It is only magicians who know that; and, therefore, in order to know the right time for every action, one must consult magicians.
Lekin phir doosron ne kaha ke kuch cheezen aisi hain jinhen council ke samne pesh karne ka intezar nahi kiya ja sakta, balki jin ke bare mein fori tor par faisla karna hota hai ke unhen karna hai ya nahi. Lekin is ka faisla karne ke liye, pehle se janna zaroori hai ke kya hone wala hai. Yeh sirf jadugar hi jante hain; aur, is liye, har kaam ka sahih waqt janne ke liye, jadugron se mashwara karna chahiye.
Equally various were the answers to the second question. Some said, the people the Tsar most needed were his councillors; others, the priests; others, the doctors; while some said the warriors were the most necessary.
Doosre sawal ke jawab bhi utne hi mukhtalif the. Kuch ne kaha ke Zaar ko sab se zyada zaroorat apne mashiron ki hai; doosron ne kaha ke paadriyon ki; kuch ne doctors ki; aur kuch ne kaha ke jangju sab se zyada zaroori hain.
To the third question, as to what was the most important occupation: some replied that the most important thing in the world was science. Others said it was skill in warfare; and others, again, that it was religious worship.
Teesre sawal ke jawab mein, sab se aham kaam kya hai: kuch ne kaha ke duniya mein sab se aham cheez science hai. Doosron ne kaha ke jang ki maharat; aur kuch ne kaha ke mazhabi ibadat.
All the answers being different, the Tsar agreed with none of them, and gave the reward to none. But still wishing to find the right answers to his questions, he decided to consult a hermit, widely renowned for his wisdom.
Tamam jawab mukhtalif the, Zaar ne kisi se ittifaq nahi kiya, aur kisi ko inaam nahi diya. Lekin abhi bhi apne sawalat ke sahih jawab jan ne ki khwahish rakhte hue, usne ek mashhoor dana rehan se mashwara karne ka faisla kiya.
The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted, and he received none but common folk. So the Tsar put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit’s cell dismounted from his horse, and, leaving his body-guard behind, went on alone.
Rehan ek jungle mein rehta tha jahan se wo kabhi nahi nikalta tha, aur wo sirf aam logon se mulaqat karta tha. To Zaar ne saadah kapde pehne, aur rehan ke kamre tak pahunchne se pehle apne ghode se utar kar, apne pasbano ko peeche chor kar, akela chala gaya.
When the Tsar approached, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. Seeing the Tsar, he greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and weak, and each time he stuck his spade into the ground and turned a little earth, he breathed heavily.
Jab Zaar pahuncha, rehan apni jhonpari ke samne zameen khod raha tha. Zaar ko dekh kar, usne use salam kiya aur zameen khodne mein masroof raha. Rehan kamzor aur nahiif tha, aur har baar jab wo apne beilche ko zameen mein dalta aur thodi si mitti nikalta, to wo bhaari sans leta.
The Tsar went up to him and said: “I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to the rest? And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention?”
Zaar uske paas gaya aur kaha: “Mein aap ke paas aya hoon, daanishmand rehan, teen sawalat ke jawab poochne ke liye: mein kaise seekh sakta hoon ke sahih waqt par sahih kaam kaise kiya jaye? Kaun log sab se zaroori hain, aur jinhen baakiyon se zyada tawajju deni chahiye? Aur, sab se aham kaam kaun se hain jin par pehli tawajju deni chahiye?”
The hermit listened to the Tsar, but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and recommenced digging.
Rehan ne Zaar ki baat suni, magar koi jawab nahi diya. Usne sirf apne haath par thook kar dobara zameen khodna shuru kar diya.
“You are tired,” said the Tsar, “let me take the spade and work awhile for you.”
“Aap thak gaye hain,” Zaar ne kaha, “mujhe beilcha de dein aur mein thodi der aap ke liye kaam karta hoon.”
“Thanks!” said the hermit, and, giving the spade to the Tsar, he sat down on the ground.
“Shukriya!” buzurg ne kaha, aur kudal Zaar ko de di. Woh zameen par baith gaya.
When he had dug two beds, the Tsar stopped and repeated his questions. The hermit again gave no answer, but rose, stretched out his hand for the spade, and said: “Now rest awhile-and let me work a bit.”
Jab Zaar ne do qataarien khod leen, to usne ruk kar apne sawalaat dehraaye. Buzurg ne phir koi jawab na diya, balke utha, apna haath kudal ki taraf barhaya, aur kaha: “Ab thodi dair aaraam karo, aur mujhe kuch kaam karne do.”
But the Tsar did not give him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another. The sun began to sink behind the trees, and the Tsar at last stuck the spade into the ground, and said: “I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me none, tell me so, and I will return home.”
Lekin Zaar ne kudal na di, aur khodta raha. Ek ghanta guzra, aur doosra ghanta. Sooraj darakhton ke peechay doobne laga, aur aakhir mein Zaar ne kudal zameen mein gaar di, aur kaha: “Main aapke paas aaya hoon, danishmand aadmi, apne sawalaat ke jawaabat lene ke liye. Agar aap mujhe koi jawab nahi de sakte, to mujhe bataiye, aur main ghar wapas chala jaoonga.”
“Here comes someone running,” said the hermit, “let us see who it is.”
“Yahan koi daurta hua aa raha hai,” buzurg ne kaha, “Aao dekhte hain kaun hai.”
The Tsar turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the Tsar, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The Tsar and the hermit unfastened the man’s clothing. There was a large wound in his stomach. The Tsar washed it as best he could, and bandaged it with his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had. But the blood would not stop flowing, and the Tsar again and again removed the bandage soaked with warm blood, and washed and rebandaged the wound.
Zaar ne mur kar dekha, aur ek darhi wala aadmi jungle se daurta hua aa raha tha. Aadmi ne apne haath pait par rakhe hue the, aur unke neeche se khoon beh raha tha. Jab woh Zaar ke paas pohancha, to woh zameen par gir gaya aur madham awaaz mein karahne laga. Zaar aur buzurg ne uske kapde kholay. Uske pait mein ek bara zakhm tha. Zaar ne apni istataat ke mutabiq usay dhoya, aur apne romaal aur buzurg ke toliya se baandha. Lekin khoon ruk nahi raha tha, aur Zaar ne baar baar khoon mein bheegi hui pattiyon ko hata kar dobara dhoya aur baandha.
When at last the blood ceased flowing, the man revived and asked for something to drink. The Tsar brought fresh water and gave it to him. Meanwhile the sun had set, and it had become cool. So the Tsar, with the hermit’s help, carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. Lying on the bed the man closed his eyes and was quiet; but the Tsar was so tired with his walk and with the work he had done, that he crouched down on the threshold, and also fell asleep-so soundly that he slept all through the short summer night. When he awoke in the morning, it was long before he could remember where he was, or who was the strange bearded man lying on the bed and gazing intently at him with shining eyes.
Jab aakhirkaar khoon behna band hua, to aadmi ne hosh mein aakar paani manga. Zaar taza paani laya aur usay diya. Is dauran sooraj ghuroob ho chuka tha, aur thand ho gayi thi. To Zaar ne buzurg ki madad se zakhmi aadmi ko jhonpari mein le ja kar bistar par lita diya. Bistar par laitay hue aadmi ne apni aankhein band kar lein aur khamosh ho gaya; lekin Zaar apni chahal qadmi aur kiye hue kaam se itna thak chuka tha ke woh dehleez par baith gaya aur itni gehri neend mein so gaya ke poori chhoti garmiyon ki raat soya raha. Jab woh subah bedaar hua, to kaafi dair tak usay yaad na aaya ke woh kahan hai, ya bistar par lita hua ajnabi darhi wala aadmi kaun hai jo chamakti hui aankhon se usay dekh raha hai.
“Forgive me!” said the bearded man in a weak voice, when he saw that the Tsar was awake and was looking at him.
“Mujhe maaf karein!” kamzor awaaz mein darhi wale aadmi ne kaha, jab usne dekha ke Zaar bedaar hai aur usay dekh raha hai.
“I do not know you, and have nothing to forgive you for,” said the Tsar.
“Main aapko nahi jaanta, aur maaf karne ke liye mere paas kuch nahi hai,” Zaar ne kaha.
“Aap mujhe nahi jaante, lekin main aapko jaanta hoon. Main woh dushman hoon jisne aap se inteqam lene ki qasam khai thi, kyunki aapne mere bhai ko phaansi di aur uski jaidaad zabt ki.
I knew you had gone alone to see the hermit, and I resolved to kill you on your way back. But the day passed and you did not return. So I came out from my ambush to find you, and I came upon your bodyguard, and they recognised me, and wounded me. I escaped from them, but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, and if you wish it, I will serve you as your most faithful slave, and will bid my sons do the same. Forgive me!”
Mujhe maloom hua ke aap akela buzurg se milne gaye hain, aur maine faisla kiya ke aapko wapsi par qatal kar doonga. Lekin din guzra aur aap wapas na aaye. To main apne ghaat se nikal kar aapko talash karne aaya, aur main aapke muhafizon se ja mila, aur unhone mujhe pehchan liya aur zakhmi kar diya. Main unse bach nikla, lekin main khoon beh kar mar jata agar aapne mere zakhm ko na baandha hota. Main aapko maarna chahta tha, aur aapne meri jaan bachaayi. Ab, agar main zinda raha, aur agar aap chahein, to main aapki khidmat karoonga jaise aapka wafadar ghulam hoon, aur apne beton ko bhi aisa karne ka hukm doonga. Mujhe maaf karein!”
The Tsar was very glad to have made peace with his enemy so easily, and to have gained him for a friend, and he not only forgave him, but said he would send his servants and his own physician to attend him, and promised to restore his property.
Zaar apne dushman ke saath itni aasani se sulah kar ke bohot khush hua, aur usay dost bana kar bhi khush hua, aur usne na sirf usay maaf kiya, balke kaha ke woh apne naukaron aur apne zaati tabib ko uske ilaaj ke liye bheje ga, aur uski jaidaad wapas dene ka waada kiya.
Having taken leave of the wounded man, the Tsar went out into the porch and looked around for the hermit. Before going away he wished once more to beg an answer to the questions he had put. The hermit was outside, on his knees, sowing seeds in the beds that had been dug the day before.
Zakhmi aadmi se rukhsat hone ke baad, Zaar baraamde mein gaya aur buzurg ko dekhne ke liye idhar udhar nazar daudai. Jaane se pehle woh ek baar phir apne sawalaat ke jawaabat maangne ki khwahish rakhta tha. Buzurg bahar tha, apne patle tangon par baitha hua, aur beej bo raha tha jo guzishta roz khodi gayi qataaron mein the.
The Tsar approached him, and said: “For the last time, I pray you to answer my questions, wise man.”
Zaar ne uske paas ja kar kaha: “Aakhri baar, main aap se apne sawalaat ke jawaabat dene ki darkhwast karta hoon, danishmand aadmi.”
“You have already been answered!” said the hermit, still crouching on his thin legs, and looking up at the Tsar, who stood before him.
“Aapko pehle hi jawaabat mil chuke hain!” buzurg ne kaha, apne patle tangon par baitha hua, aur Zaar ki taraf dekhte hue jo uske samne khada tha.
“How answered? What do you mean?” asked the Tsar.
“Kaise jawaabat? Aapka kya matlab hai?” Zaar ne poocha.
“Do you not see,” replied the hermit. “If you had not pitied my weakness yesterday, and had not dug those beds for me, but had gone your way, that man would have attacked you, and you would have repented of not having stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were digging the beds; and I was the most important man; and to do me good was your most important business. Afterwards when that man ran to us, the most important time was when you were attending to him, for if you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without having made peace with you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business. Remember then: there is only one time that is important-Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power. The most necessary man is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with anyone else: and the most important affair is, to do him good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life!”
“Kya aap nahi dekhte,” buzurg ne jawab diya. “Agar aapne kal meri kamzori par reham na kiya hota, aur mere liye yeh qataarien na khodi hoti, aur apni raah par chale gaye hote, to woh aadmi aap par hamla karta, aur aapko mere saath na rukne ka pachtawa hota. To sabse aham waqt woh tha jab aap yeh qataarien khod rahe the; aur main sabse aham aadmi tha; aur mere liye acha karna aapka sabse aham kaam tha. Baad mein jab woh aadmi humare paas daurta aaya, to sabse aham waqt woh tha jab aap uski dekh bhaal kar rahe the, kyunki agar aapne uske zakhm ko na baandha hota, to woh mar jata baghair aap se sulah kiye. To woh sabse aham aadmi tha, aur aapne uske liye jo kiya woh aapka sabse aham kaam tha. Yaad rakhein: sirf ek waqt sabse aham hai – ab! Yeh sabse aham waqt hai kyunki yeh wahi waqt hai jab hamare paas koi taqat hoti hai. Sabse zaroori aadmi woh hai jis ke saath aap hain, kyunki koi nahi jaanta ke woh kabhi kisi aur ke saath taluq rakhe ga ya nahi; aur sabse aham kaam yeh hai ke uske saath bhala karna, kyunki isi maqsad ke liye hi insaan ko is zindagi mein bheja gaya hai!”
