Daily Poetry — July 7, 2026

वह तोड़ती पत्थर

Composed by सूर्यकांत त्रिपाठी 'निराला'

Original Hindi

वह तोड़ती पत्थर; देखा मैंने उसे इलाहाबाद के पथ पर - वह तोड़ती पत्थर। कोई न छायादार पेड़ वह जिसके तले बैठी हुई स्वीकार। श्याम तन, भर बँधा यौवन, नत नयन, प्रिय-कर्म-रत मन, गुरु हथौड़ा हाथ, करती बार-बार प्रहार। सामने तरु-मालिका अट्टालिका, प्राकार। चढ़ रही थी धूप; गर्मियों के दिन।

English Translation

She was breaking stones; I saw her on the path in Allahabad - She was breaking stones. No shady tree Under which she sat, accepting. Dark body, youth fully bound, Downcast eyes, mind engrossed in dear work, Heavy hammer in hand, Striking again and again. In front, a row of trees, a high mansion, A wall. The sun was rising; days of summer.

AI Generated

AI Echo (Hindi)

पर न झुकी वह, न थकी कभी, उसकी साँसों में जीवन की प्रतिज्ञा थी। हर चोट में उसकी शक्ति का प्रमाण था, अश्रुहीन नयनों में दृढ़ता की कहानी थी। धूल और पसीने से सनी काया, आशा की किरण बन जगमगाती थी। खंडहरों से उठती नई राहें, उसके श्रम से आकार पाती थी। वह सिर्फ़ पत्थर नहीं तोड़ती थी, बल्कि रचती थी एक नया कल, जहाँ श्रम की गरिमा हो, और हर संघर्ष एक उत्सव हो।

AI Generated

AI Echo (English)

But she neither bowed nor ever tired, In her breaths was life's promise. In every strike was proof of her strength, In tearless eyes was a tale of resolve. Body stained with dust and sweat, It shimmered as a ray of hope. New paths rising from ruins, Took form from her toil. She was not just breaking stones, But creating a new tomorrow, Where labor has dignity, And every struggle is a celebration.

Literary & Historical Context

Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala' (1896-1961) was a pivotal figure in Hindi literature, initially associated with the Chhayavaad (Romanticism) movement, but later embracing realism and progressive themes. "वह तोड़ती पत्थर" (She was breaking stones) is one of his most iconic poems, showcasing his profound empathy for the common laborer and his shift towards social commentary. Written in a stark, unadorned style, it vividly portrays a working-class woman toiling under the scorching sun, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty and exploitation. The poem's power lies in its direct observation and understated emotional impact, contrasting the woman's arduous labor with the indifferent opulence of the "अट्टालिका" (mansion) in the background. It is a masterpiece of progressive poetry, challenging societal norms and drawing attention to the unseen struggles of the marginalized. Its significance lies in its departure from purely romantic themes, grounding poetry in the socio-economic realities of its time and establishing Nirala as a poet of profound social conscience.