Madhushala - Rubaiya 13

हाथों में आने से पहले
haathon me aane se pehle
नाज़ दिखायेगा प्याला,
naaz dikhaayega pyala
अधरों पर आने से पहले
adharon par aane se pehle
अदा दिखायेगी हाला,
ada dikhayegi haalaa,
बहुतेरे इन्कार करेगा
bahutere inkaar karega
साकी आने से पहले
saaki aane se pehle
पथिक, न घबरा जाना, पहले
pathik, na ghabraa jaanaa, pehle
मान करेगी मधुशाला
maan karegi madhushala

This is a very important verse. At this point, Bachchan leaves the playfulness behind and "tells it like it is". Very clearly, he is setting the stage to describe life as it really is. Life pays every man what he is worth, and will inspect him before deciding where he fits in the payroll.

Bachchan describes this wonderfully - "maan karegi madhushala", he says; in other words, the tavern will "take his measure", or assess his worth.

Using the wine, the cup and the bar-girl as his symbols, he lets the reader feel the sternness of life, and yet, its fairness.