Goya – As if/as though/as it were
Tum mere paas hote ho goya
Jab koi doosra nahi hota
One meaning:
When you’re with me(on my mind), no one else is.
Second meaning:
You’re with me(on my side), when no one else is.
The two meanings emerge by the use of words goya (as if) and jab (when).”
This beautiful couplet by Momin Khan Momin has multiple layers. According to legend, Mirza Ghalib (his contemporary and also a rival) offered Momin his entire diwan (collection of poetry) in exchange for this particular verse of Momin.
The word Goya is used as a Proper noun in many languages.
In Spanish
The most common association to the word Goya is Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (30 March 1746–16 April 1828) who was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker. Goya was a court painter to the Spanish Crown, and through his works was both a commentator on and chronicler of his era. The subversive and imaginative element in his art, as well as his bold handling of paint, provided a model for the work of later generations of artists, notably Manet, Picasso and Francis Bacon. In his honour, Spain’s main national film awards are called the Goya Awards.
See one of his most prolific work
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_of_May_1808
In Persian
Bhai Nand Lal Singh (1633–1713), was a 17th century Persian, and Arabic poet in the Punjab region. He was one of the fifty-two poets of Guru Gobind Singh’s Darbar (court).
He was provided education in Arabic, Persian, and Mathematics during his early years. At the age of 12 he started writing poetry in Persian under the pen name Goya.
Some of his major works includes Diwan-e-Goya, which is a collection of 63 ghazals. This work contains his personal spiritual experience and in many ways explains the spirit of Gurbani ( Guru’s Word). Some scholars have translated this particular work in Punjabi.
urduwallahs 
Hatts off for such a profound research on the word ” Goya”. Yet I would like to add my own interpretaion of this famous couplet of Momim. The word ‘Goya’ means in persian..’to talk’ or baat karna…so….. to my understanding, the beauty of the couplet lies in the meaning:- When you ( sweetheart ) talk to me, I feel…. nobody is around (only you and me) though there might be several persons present with us at that time… Comments are highly appreciated……Shakil
Dear Shakil,
That is an amazing interpretation. Very refreshing point of view. thanks for sharing it.
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You have explored the two meanings of the word ‘paas’ meaning the metaphorical ‘on my mind’ or the physical ‘on my side’) – but I think the turn of phrase with ‘goya’ has a more layers which you might have missed
1) You are with me/on my mind when nobody else is – like you are with me when others have abandoned me
2) Or that you are with me when nobody else is around – like you are a secret lover who I see when nobody else is around to see us
3) Or you are with me when I don’t have anyone else – that is you are my “go to” or standby lover who I see seldom when I don’t have my regular lover with me
condition in #3 is similar to #2 but a subtle difference – #2 implies that the secret lover is the one that is the main interest, #3 implies that the secret lover is a doormat or substitute!
does it even apply for a lover. a “mortal” lover? or the immortal love in a spiritual way.
mudassar bhai, urdu couplets are not always/not merely spiritual (although they may have a layer of meaning that is spiritual) – urdu poetry can be earthy and about physical love too (e.g the poetry of Quli Qutb Shah in earlier times or Firaq Gorakhpuri in more recent times). Ghazals are primarily about the love interest – In ghazals it is a tradition for poets to try to hide the true subject of their love (usually a woman) by addressing the lover in the masculine, although they might also have been referring to homo-erotic love (which incidently was not uncommon in the time of Ghalib, Sauda and Mir) So there are really a number of readings possible for a ghazal. And not just a monochromatic spiritual one. The ambivalence and multiple readings make the ghazal a mystery (and not a muddle – I am referring here to E M Forsters ‘Passage to India’ where they talk about
a muddle vs a mystery). The turn of phrase excites readers because it is somewhat unexpected and provides some insights – there is this fiqr in the ghazal which gives it a depth and richness. But mind you, it is not only/exclusively spiritual!
Aaatish-e-ishq hai, chale aao……..
goya koi nahi, chale aao………….
The other meaning of goya can be sadness”’gm ”
jb koi nhi hota,–,when i’m alone.
Tm mere pass hote h.”gm.”
.
.
Jb koi nhi hota koi bhi nhi
Tb sirf mera gm hi mere hrpl sath rhta h.
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