"Friendship is my chief article of belief, and a friend is my life." [Gulshan Bawra]

Gulshan Kumar Mehta, aka Gulshan Bawra’s “Yari Hai Imaan Mera, Yaar Meri Zindagi,” translated from the Urdu by Manfred Spencer Alverston & Associates.

“Friendship is my chief article of belief,

And a friend is my life.”

If God commands me,

“Ask for anything. Look here my cherished one. Ask of me anything.”

I shall pray for these assemblies of friends to keep continuing in this manner,

My intimate friends, fellow travelers, confidants,

Accompany me to life’s end,

Keep kindling my course until then.

Friendship is my chief article of belief,

And a friend is my life.

To be a sincere friend is the height of devotion.

Yes! Friendship is the height of devotion!

In this world, when you touch one’s heartstrings,

The word “friend” shall echo forth.

Those heartstrings filled with love,

All the worldly beauty can be sacrificed for them!

Love brought splendor along,

Love brought along happiness.

Friendship is my chief article of belief,

And a friend is my life.

Yes! Friendship is the height of devotion!

Hey! If I am the sacrificial one within friendship,

Then, my friends, I have no grievances against friendship,

If my friend rests sadly in my presence, then what’s the use of being there?

Wherever we are, the surroundings shall sway and dance with happiness.

Friendship is my chief article of belief,

And a friend is my life.

Why does my dear friend look distressed?

My friend is being preyed upon by someone’s Evil Eye!

Don’t hide! Just tell me about the state of your heart!

What is the price of your laughter? Just gesticulate!

If you insist, I shall carry the moon and stars from the sky.

I shall carry too the radiant views from our handsome youth,

At the heights of my devotion and yours,

My gratitude to you for keeping and honoring our friendship.

Your laughter is the best present at present.

The moment laughter adorned my friend’s face,

The moment my friend laughed, the assemblies of friends were completely canopied by joy and happiness.

Canopied by joy and happiness! Hooray!

Yes! Friendship is the height of devotion.

Friendship is my chief article of belief,

And a friend is my life.

Gulshan Kumar Mehta, aka Gulshan Bawra’s “Yari Hai Imaan Mera, Yaar Meri Zindagi,” translated from the Urdu by Manfred Spencer Alverston & Associates.