Hazrat Sultan Bahu � Poetry Kalam, Abiat

PAGE NO. 39

Gaf

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Goohrh zulmaat andher ghubaaraan, Raah nen khauf khatar de hoo

Aab hayaat munawwar chashme, Saaye zulf ambar de hoo

Mukh mahboob daa khaanaa kaabaa, Aashiq sajdaa karde hoo

Do zulfaan wich nain musallaa, Chaar mazhab jith milde hoo

Misal Sikandar dhoondan aashiq, Palak aaraam na karde hoo

Khizr naseeb jinhaan de Baahoo, Ghutt othe jaa bharde hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

Utter dark and fearsome is the path Leading to the shining pool of the water of life-

Like the Beloved�s radiant face Hidden under his locks, dark and fragrant.

The Master�s face is the holy Ka�ba To which lovers prostrate themselves in obeisance.

Between their brows is the eye-their prayer mat, On which all the religions melt into one-The religion of love.

As Alexander sought the water of life in the world, So lovers relentlessly search for this nectar within.

But only fortunate souls Blessed with a Master�s guidance Drink from that pool of nectar.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Gujjhe saae saahib waale, Naheen kujh khabr asal dee hoo

Gandam daanaa bahutaa chugiaa, Gal paee dor azal dee hoo

Phaahee de wich main paee tarhpaan, Bulbul baagh misal dee hoo

Ghair dile theen sutt ke Baahoo, Rakhee-e aas fazal dee hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

Unknown to me now are the mysteries of my Lord- My origin I have all but forgotten!

The temptation to eat the forbidden fruit Put the noose of destiny around my neck.

Once I sang like a nightingale in my Lord�s garden- Trapped in this mortal cage, I now flutter with pain.

Discard love for everything else from your heart, And pray only for his grace to call you back, O Bahu.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Godarheeaan wich laal jinhaan dee, Raateen jaagon addheeaan hoo

Sik maahee dee tikan na dendee, Lokeen dende badeeaan hoo

Andar meraa Haqq tapaaiaa, Khaleeaan raateen kaddhiaan hoo

Tan theen maas alaihdaa hoiaa, Sookh jhulaare haddeeaan hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

People with rubies in their ragged bundles* Wake up in the dead of night to meditate on Kalma.

Their intense longing to meet the Beloved Permits them no rest, While the ignorant hurl abuse at them.

Many nights have I stood in prayer and supplication; My heart burns in the fire of longing for the Lord.

My grief has soaked up my blood And shrivelled my loosened skin, Making my bones rattle in this skeletal frame- Such is the depth of my separation from the Beloved!

• Rubies in a ragged bundle is an expression meaning a person outwardly poor but gifted with rich inner qualities. Rubies, in the present case, signifies Kalma within the ragged bundle of the body.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Gia eemaan ishqe de paaron, Ho ke kaafir rahee-e hoo

Ghat zunaaur kufar daa gal wich, Buttkhaane wich bahee-e hoo

Jis jaa jaanee nazar na aave, Sajdaa mool na daee-e hoo

Jaan kar jaanee nazar na aave, Kalmaa mool na kahee-e hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

When love of God enters you heart, Religion will fall by the wayside And you will be left in infidel.

You should then wear The sacred thread of idol worshippers And live in the idol house [of your heart].

For futile is prostration Where the Beloved is not manifest;

Pointless the repitition of the Kalma Where the Beloved is not seen face to face.