Great books teach us great lessons. That is what makes them great. In our middle and secondary school syllabus, there are a number of poems, prose pieces and short stories which provide us with numerous life skills and teach the students different great things. But one of the most phenomenal poems I found in class eighth English and class 9th Kashmiri is matchless as I could understand it. It is actually a poem written by Abdul Ahad Azad in the Kashmiri language called “Aasmaanik Tarak Insanas Kun” which means “Stars Speak to Man”.
The poet begins the poem by teaching the readers that humans were created as the light of reason but many of them chose to be fire instead and thus put the whole humanity to disgrace. The poet believes that the nature of humankind was fashioned for love and affection but, unfortunately, he took to buying and selling of religion and faith instead. The poet brilliantly portrays the picture of how the greedy people in this world are controlling the otherwise common resources and how callously are they denying to share it equitably with others. The poet believes that all humankind is one and division and duality are only a means of destruction and devastation for us. Many of those who consider themselves to be the pillars of religion and Dharma do actually care least for either. They shamelessly use the name of religion and Dharma for their vested interests and thus force humanity to lament for their evil deeds. Some people do not feel it harsh to kill their brothers, sisters and friends if their vested interests are served by this bloodshed.
The poet does not believe that a religion which teaches hate, division and disorder would be a true religion. The biggest irony of today’s human beings is that they spread mischief and disruption in the name of religion and patriotism. They consider themselves the pillars of religion while the truth is that they don’t care more about the truth and the true sense of faith.
One of the most important messages the poem shares with us is that many people in this world live in delusion. They consider themselves to be awakened and wise while in the real sense, they are lost in a stupefying hangover. Their own misdeeds delude them and then they blame fate for their own ruin and devastation. The poet brilliantly teaches that the people who still are pursuing the ancient hackneyed paths and following the age-old superstitions can hardly hope to ferry across this world. These are the nations and the people who are still lagging behind in every field. The poet believes that for those who wish to attain real success, it is important that they come out from their fantasies and fanciful dreams and dare to wake up and face reality. The people who keep on following the superstitions even today are like those who are cutting the roots of the plants and trees while watering their twigs and leaving and in this manner, these people are such foolish that they are ransacking, ravaging and tearing apart their own homes and abodes. It is hardly possible that such idiotic actions may help their cause.
In a nutshell, it is one of the phenomenal poems in the whole Kashmiri literature which inspires the readers to understand the reality and the truth in the real sense. It teaches us the real blessings that peace and unity can bring in this world and also the curses of war and confrontation to change this world into a hell-like place. It is important to teach our young generation such great lessons so that they shall be trained for peace and unity and against confrontation and animosity against each other. Hate is never going to help any individual or nation to succeed in this world. Only love, affection and tolerance have the power to cement the world into a peaceful, successful and blissful place to live in.
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Hilal Bukhari