№ MMXXVI

RACHNA · A LIVING ARCHIVE

Rachna by M.

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MM · XXVI

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Rama Breaks the Bow

Karuna

जिहि कारन बार न लाये कछू

Jihi Kaaran Baar Na Laaye Kachhu

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan
1 min read 1 versesसंभु-सरासनबनवासराम

1 verses · ~1 min

जिहि कारन बार न लाये कछू, गहि संभु-सरासन दोय किया। गये गेहहिं त्यागि कै ताही समै सु निकारि पिता बनवास दिया॥ कहे बीच ’रहीम’ रर्यौ न कछू, जिन कीनो हुतो बिनुहार किया। बिधि यों न सिया रसबार सिया करबार सिया पिय सार सिया॥

इति

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan

The Poet

अब्दुल रहीम खान-ए-खाना

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan

1556 · 1627

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan represents one of the most remarkable literary and cultural convergences in Indian history. Born in 1556 as the son of Bairam Khan, Rahim grew up to become one of the Navaratnas (Nine Gems) in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Despite his high rank as a military commander and a powerful courtier, his true immortality lies in his poetry. Rahim wrote couplets (dohas) in flawless Brajbhasha and Awadhi that captured the essence of Hindu mythology, practical wisdom, and the philosophy of Bhakti. He seamlessly merged his deep knowledge of Sanskrit texts with his Islamic heritage, proving that cultural boundaries were fully permeable for a brilliant mind. His dohas on human nature, friendship, and morality remain universally known across Northern India. Rahim was not just a poet of the royal court; he was a bridge between civilizational worlds.

Rama Breaks the Bow

Paired Painting

Rama Breaks the Bow

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If this held you

Four more, in the same key.

Chosen for their rasa and their register, not their popularity. Each one carries some part of what Jihi Kaaran Baar Na Laaye Kachhu carries.