Madhuban Khushboo Deta Hai

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Madhuban Khushboo Deta Hai

Gateways To Joy

Love Poetry

Madhuban Khushboo Deta Hai

3 May 2013

Year: 1978
Movie: Saajan Bin Suhaagan
Singer: Yesudas
Lyricist: Amit Khanna
Music Director: Usha Khanna
Lyrics: here

Another version of the song with Anuradha Paudval singing along with Yesudas. The lyrics are the same. I prefer the version with only Yesudas.

'Madhuban Khushboo Deta Hai' is a song with a simple message: our lives are meaningful only if we share our joys with others, serve others and help them flourish. There are two versions of the song. See the box on the right. Lyrics are straightforward with no hidden meaning.

Other compositions with a similar theme:

Kisi Ki Muskuraton Pe Ho Nisar (1959, Anaadi)
Nit Khair Manga Sohneya Main Teri (1990s, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan)
Rajnigandha Phool Tumhare (1974, Rajnigandha)

Roman Script

Madhuban Khushboo Deta Hai, Saagar Saavan Deta Hai
Jeena Uska Jeena Hai, Jo Aauron Ko Jeevan Deta Hai

Hindi

मधुबन ख़ुशबू देता है, सागर सावन देता है
जीना उसका जीना है, जो औरों को जीवन देता है

Translation

A garden gives fragrance. An ocean gives rainfall.
Only he lives who infuses life into others.

Interpretation

We should help others selflessly, just like the oceans give us rain and air helps us breathe. Likewise, only that life is worthy which infuses life into others, without asking for anything in return.

Roman Script

Sooraj Na Ban Paaye To, Ban Ke Deepak Jalta Chal
Phool Mile Ya Angaarey, Sach Ki Raahon Pe Chalta Chal
Pyar Dilon Ko Deta Hai, Ashkon Ko Daaman Deta Hai
Jeena Uska Jeena Hai, Jo Auron Ko Jeevan Deta Hai

Hindi

सूरज न बन पाए तो, बन के दीपक जलता चल
फूल मिलें या अँगारे, सच की राहों पे चलता चल
प्यार दिलों को देता है, अश्कों को दामन देता है
जीना उसका जीना है, जो औरों को जीवन देता है

Translation

If you cannot become the sun, be a lamp.
Whether you get flowers or embers, continue walking on the path of truth.
Love expands our hearts, it offers comfort to tears.
Only he lives who infuses life into others.

Interpretation

If we cannot shine as brightly as the sun, we should shine gently like a lamp. In other words, we should not wait to do something big for others; even small acts of kindness are helpful. This line reminds me of a saying by Martin Luther King Jr: “If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

Roman Script

Chalti Hai Lehra Ke Pavan, Ke Saans Sabhi Ki Chalti Rahe
Logon Ne Tyaag Diye Jeevan, Ke Preet Dilon Mein Palti Rahe
Dil Wo Dil Hai Jo Aauron Ko Apni Dhadkan Deta Hai
Jeena Uska Jeena Hai, Jo Auron Ko Jeevan Deta Hai

Hindi

चलती है लहरा के पवन, के साँस सभी की चलती रहे
लोगों ने त्याग दिये जीवन, के प्रीत दिलों में पलती रहे
दिल वो दिल है जो औरों को, अपनी धड़कन देता है
जीना उसका जीना है, जो औरों को जीवन देता है

Translation

The wind blows gracefully, so that everybody may continue to breathe.
People gave up their lives so that love may continue to thrive in our hearts.
Only that heart is worthy which shares its heartbeat with others.
Only he lives who infuses life into others.

Interpretation

The last stanza has two inspiring examples of selfless service. First consider the wind, the sun, the air, the earth — these are bounties of nature that seek nothing in return. Then there are martyrs who sacrificed their lives to uphold principles of peace. They died so that love may continue to thrive among those who live. With our hearts full of thankfulness for both nature and fellow humans who have done so much for us, we must serve others.

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