Agneepath – Harivansh Rai Bachchan Poem Translated in English
Meta Description: Agneepath is a poem by Harivansh Rai
Bachchan used in the Bollywood film of the same name, starring Amitabh
Bachchan. Enjoy the translation and explanation.
Setting the Background for Translating Agneepath
Agneepath (which translates to "The Path of
Fire") is an iconic and motivational poem by renowned Hindi poet
Harivansh Rai Bachchan. The poem was memorably featured in Yash Johar's film of
the same name, where a father instils in his young son the philosophy that life
is a relentless path of fire—one that must be pursued without surrender. In the
film, the son grows up to be portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan, the legendary actor
and the poet's real-life son. Decades later, when Karan Johar remade his father’s
film with a new cast, he honoured the original by preserving the powerful poem.
This remains one of
Bollywood's most enduring tributes to Hindi literature, immortalizing Harivansh
Rai Bachchan’s stirring words on the silver screen. I am glad to translate it on
World Poetry Day, 2025.
The Poetic English Translation of the Poem Agneepath
Trees could be tall
and stout
Dense foliage, boughs
spread out
Shade from one leaf
Don’t avail! Don’t
avail!
Fire trail! Fire
trail! Fire trail!
You will not lose your
zest
You will not take a
rest
Do not turn back
Do not fail! Do not fail!
Fire trail! Fire
trail! Fire trail!
This is a sight fit
for Gods
Man struggling against
all odds
With tears, sweat,
blood
You’ll prevail! You’ll
prevail!
Fire trail! Fire
trail! Fire trail!
The Original Hindi Poem Agneepath
Vriksh hon bhale
khade,
Hon ghane, hon bade,
Ek patra chhanv bhi
Maang mat! Maang mat! Maang mat!
Agneepath! Agneepath! Agneepath!
Tu na thakega kabhi,
Tu na thamega kabhi,
Tu na mudega kabhi,
Kar shapath! Kar shapath! Kar shapath!
Agneepath! Agneepath! Agneepath!
Yeh mahaan drishya
hai,
Chal raha manushya hai,
Ashru, swed, rakt se
Lath-path, lath-path, lath-path,
Agneepath! Agneepath! Agneepath!
The Literal English Translation of Agneepath
The trees could be
standing tall
Could be dense and
huge
Even shade from one
leaf
Do not ask for
Walk through the path
of fire
You will never tire
You will never stop
You will never turn
back
Make this promise
Walk through the path
of fire
This is a grand sight
Man is marching ahead
With tears, sweat, and
blood
Sodden to the skin
Walk through the path
of fire
Agneepath Fact Sheet
· Movie: Agneepath (1990)
