Faizan-e-Mustafa Bhai very nice post

 

Final Post

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Naheen faqeeree jhalliaan maaran, Suttiaan lok jagaavan hoo

Naheen faqeeree vaihndeeaan nadeeaan, Sukkiaan paar langhaavan hoo

Naheen faqeeree wich havaa de, Sajjaadaa thairaavan hoo

Naam faqeer tinhaan da, jehrhe Dil wich dost tikaavan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Spiritual life does not consist Of loud prayers and frenzied dancing- They only upset the peace and quiet of early morning.

Walking on water is not spirituality

Nor is praying on mats suspended in mid air.

They alone may be called mystics, O Bahu, Who have enshrined the Friend in their hearts.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Na Rabb arsh mu-alla utte, Na Rabb khaavve Kaabe hoo

Na Rabb ilm kitaabeen labbhaa, Na Rabb wich maihraabe hoo

Ganga teerath mool na miliaa, Painde be-hisaabe hoo

Jad daa murshid pharhiaa Baahoo, Chhutte sab aazaabe hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

God doesn’t live in the highest heaven, Nor can he be found in the holy shrine of Ka’ba.

No one ever found him through learning Or by knowing the scriptures.

I never met him through bathing in holy waters- I roamed far and wide in a fruitless search.

But I was rid of all my despair and anguish When I put myself in my Master’s hands, O Bahu.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Na main aalim, na main faazil, Na muftee na qazee hoo

Na dil meraa dozakh te, Na shauq bahishteen raazee hoo

Na main treehe roze rakkhe, Na main paak namaazee hoo

Bajh wisaal Allaah de Baahoo, Duneeaa koorhee baazee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I am neither scholarly nor virtuous; I am not a priest, Nor am I an expounder of Qur’anic law.

I crave not heavenn, I fear not hell.

I have never fasted for the thrity days of ramzaan, Nor have I been a devout worshipper in a mosque.

This world is but a false drama Unless union is attained with God, O Bahu

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Na main Sunnee, na main Sheeaa, Dohaan ton fil sarhiaa hoo

Mukk gae sabh khushkee painde, Jad dariaa wahadat varhiaa hoo

Kaee mantaare tar tar haare, Koee kinaare charhhiaa hoo

Sahee salaamat paar gae, Jinh murshid daa larh pharhiaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I am neither a Sunni nor a Shia:* Both make me sick; both cause me heartburn.

The arid part of my hourney ended When I turned away from both And plunged into the ocean of oneness.

Many dived into that ocean ill-prepared, And drowned- Only the rare one who was able to swim acorss!

But those who held fast to their Master’s hand Safely landed ashore.

 

* Sunnis and Shias are the two main sects among Muslims: The Sunnis constitute the main branch of Islam; they follow the orthodox tradition and accept the first four caliphs namely, Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umr, Hazrat Usman and Hazrat Ali, as rightful successors to Prophet Mohammad. The Shias compromise the principal minority sect of Islam. They are followers of Hazrat Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad. They regard the heirs of Ali as the legitimate successors to the Prophet and reject the other caliphs and the Sunnite legal and political instituions.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Na oh Hindu na oh momin, Na sajdaa den maseetee hoo

Dam dam de wich wekhan Maulaa, Jinhaan qazaa na keetee hoo

Aahe daane bane divane, Zaat sahee vanj keetee hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton Baahoo, Ishq baazee jin leetee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Not Hindu’s no Muslims- Free of religious ties, lovers don’t pray in temples;

But they never take a break from their devotions And are always in communion with the Lord within.

Absorbed in the essence of the Lord, They feign ignorance to conceal their wisdom.

I sacrifice myself to anyone, O Bahu, Who eneters the arena of love and wins its game.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Na main jogee na main jangam, Na main chillaa kamaaiaa hoo

Na main bhajj maseetee varhiaa, Na tasbaa kharhkaaiaa hoo

Jo dam ghaaril so dam kaafir, Murshid eh farmaaiaa hoo

Murshid sohnee keetee Baahoo, Pal wich chaa pahunchaaiaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I am not a yogi, I am not a jangam.* I don’t do forty-day retreats.

I have never escaped to a mosque, Nor have I ever rattled the beads of a rosary.

My Master has taught me a precious lesson: The moment you have forgotten to remember God Is the moment you have spent in denial of God!

O, what a marvel my Master has performed- In no time has he transported me to the Lord!

 

* A kind of hindu mendicant with matted hair and bells; a worshipper of Shiva.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Nafal namaazaan kamm zanaanaa, Roze sarfaa rotee hoo

Makke de val soee jaande, Gharon jinhaan tarotee hoo

Uchcheeaan baangaan soee devan, Neeat jinhaan dee khotee hoo

Keeh parvaah tinhaan noon, jinhaan Ghar wich laddhee bauhtee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Formal prayer and prostration are feeble pursuits. Fasting has little merit, other than to save food.

Only they go on pilgrimage to Mecca Who are not wanted at home.

Only they pray loudly, professing their devotion, Who are deceptive of intent.

But those who have found God’s Name in their hearts Care not to fast nor prostrate themselves in formal prayer

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Na koee taalib, na koee murshid, Sab dilaase mutthe hoo

Raah faqr daa pare parere, Hirs duneeaa dee kutthe hoo

Shauq Ilaahee ghaalib hoiaa, Jind marne te utthe hoo

Jain tan bharhke bhaah birhon dee, Maran tirhaae bhukkhe hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

There aer few genuine disciples. People purporting to be Masters Perpetuate themselves with false promises.

They exploit their followers to satisfy their greed; They have no inkling of the exaltation of the mystic path.

But when their hearts are touched by God’s love, They willingly sacrifice their lives on this path.

People who burn in the fire of worldly passions Will die hungry and thirsty for the world.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Nit asaade khalle khaandee, Ehaa duneeaa zishtee hoo

Jainde kaaran baih baih rovan, Sheikh, mushaaikh, Chishtee hoo

Jinhaan andar hubb duneeaa dee, Gharq unhaan dee kishtee hoo

Tark duneeaa dee kar toon Baahoo, Khaasaa raah bahishtee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

This foul, ugly world For which priests and leaders of religion shed tears

Is rebuffed and rebuked by the lovers of God.

If you are ambitious for the world, You will drown midstream in the ocean of life.

Let us renounce the world, O Bahu, And adopt the invaluable path to God.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Na main ser na paa chhataakee, Na pooree sarsaahee hoo

Na main tolaa, na main maasaa, Gal rattiaan te aaee hoo

Rattee hovaan rattiaan tullaan, Oh bhee pooree naahee hoo

Wazan tol pooraa tad hosee, Jad hosee fazal Ilaahee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I am neither a seer nor a pao.* I am not a chhatak nor quite a sarsahi.

I am not a tola nor indeed a masha. I must now weigh myself against a ratti.

But I find I am even less significant Than a ratti, the smallest measure of weight!

I will only assume my true worth When the Lord showers his grace on me!

 

*A sser is a weight measure, slightly less than a kilogram. Bahu takes seer as the standard representing a spiritually ###### person. He mentions other weight measures (give in italics) in their descending order-right down to ratti, the smallest measure. This bait is on humility and self abnegation, inferring that we are totally worthless; that it is God’s grace alone that can invest our couls with value.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Nerhe wassan door daseevan, Vehrhe naaheen varhde hoo

Andar dhoondan vall na aaiaa, Baahir dhoondan charhhde hoo

Door giaan kujh haasil naahin, Shauh labbhe wich ghar de hoo

Dil kar saiqal sheeshe vaangoon, Door theevan kul parde hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The Lord lives nearby but seems so far away:

You don’t know how to look for him within!

Nothing will be achieved by looking outside- He lives right in your own backyard!

All the veils will be lifted, O Bahu, When you remove all the coverings of dirt, And your heart shines like a mirror.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Wahadat de dariaa uchhalle, Jal thal jangal reene hoo

Ishq dee zaat maneende naaheen, Saangaan jhall tapeene hoo

Ang bhabhoot maleende ditthe, Sai javaan lakheene hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton, jehrhe Hondee himmat heene hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The river of oneness has surged, Quenching the thirst of the deserts and wastelands.

If you don’t nurture God’s love in your heart, You will be dry and parched like those deserts-

I have seen many a young ascetic smeared with ash.

I sacrifice myself to anyone, O Bahu, Who humbles himself in his youth and power.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Wahadat de dariaa ucchalle, Hik dil sahee na keetee hoo

Hik butkhaane waasil thee-e, Hik parhh parhh rahe maseetee hoo

Fazil chhadd fazeelat baithe, Ishq baazee jaan leetee hoo

Hargiz Rabb na mildaa, jinhaan Trattee chaurh na keetee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The ocean of oneness overflowed with love, But still people went thirsty- They didn’t open their hearts.

Some merged with the Lord through idol worship; Others wasted their time with scriptures in mosques.

But when their hearts were touched by God’s love, These scholars denounced their learning.

You will never be worthy of meeting God, O Bahu, If you have not sacrificed your all for him.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Wahadat de dariaa Ilaahee, Aashiq lainde taaree hoo

Maaran tubbeeaan kaddhan motee, Aapo-apnee vaaree hoo

Durr-e-yateem lae lishkaare, Jion chann laataan maaree hoo

So kion naaheen haasil bharde, Jo naukar sarkaaree hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The Lord is an ocean of oneness Inw hich lovers swim as they please, free of care.

In their own turn, they appear in the world To dive deep into that ocean, to gather pearls.

Among the pearls is a gem- Unique in value, unmatched in lustre- That shines like the moon.*

We are all in the employ of the Lord, O Bahu; Let us pay homage to him through our paryers.

 

* A pearl of unique value signifies the Word of God, or Kalma.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Vanjan sir te farz hai mainoon, Qaul qaalu balaa kar ke hoo

Lok jaane mutfakkar hoeeaan, Wich wahadat de varh ke hoo

Shauh deeaan maaraan Shauh vanj laihsaan, Ishq tullaa sir dhar ke hoo

Jeeondiaan Shauh kise na paaiaa, Jain laddhaa tain mar ke hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ever since the Lord ordained the Creation, I have been pledged to return to my original home.

People know, from my quest for unity in God, That I am as anxious as I am eager to merge with him.

I shall bear the blows of destiny as I pursue him, While I am ferried across to him on the boat of his love.

No one ever found the Lord while living, O Bahu, exept those who found him By dying while living.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Vaih vaih nadeeaan taaroo hoeeaan, Bambal chhorhe kaahaan hoo

Yaar asaadaa rang mahalleen, Dar te khale sikaahaan hoo

Na koee aave, na koee jaave, Kain hath likh munjaahaan hoo

Jekar khabr jaanee dee aave, Kaleeon phull theevaahaan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Water flows in streams, like life in the river of time. The reeds have blossomed again- Another season of life has passed!

I still tarry on my Lord’s doorstep- Waiting for the nod to enter his glorious palace.

I see no one going in, no one coming out- How can I get my heart’s message to him?

The bud of my heart would unfurl into a flower Were I to receive his Word, Were I called to his presence.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hoo daa jaamaa paihan karaahaan, Ism kamaavaan zaatee hoo

Kufr Islaam, maqaam na manzil, Na uth maut hayaatee hoo

Shaah-rag theen nazdeek ladhose, Paa androone jhaatee hoo

Oh asaan wich, aseen unhaan wich, Dorr rahee qurbaatee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Mystics live in this world as Hu personified; They practise the Name that is the essence of God.

They live in Hu- Beyond religion, Beyond belief and unbelief, Beyond life and death.

If you explore the path within yourself, You will find God nearby, through the Royal Vein.

He now lives in me and I in him, O Bahu: Not only distance from him But even nearness to him Has become irrelevant!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hik jaagan, hik jaag na jaanan, Hik jaagdiaan hee sutte hoo

Hik suttian jaa waasil hoo, Hik jaagdiaan hee mutthe hoo

Keeh hoiaa je ghuggoo jaage, Jo laindaa saah aputthe hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton Baahoo, Jinh khooh prem de jutte hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Some people are awake, Some don’t know how to wake up, Some are awake only in their dreams.

A few get robbed in their seeming wakefulness, While others merge in God as they sleep to the world.

Just as owls hoot using the in-breath, So do some people repeat God’s name with the in-breath. But they are blind to Reality, just as owls are to daylight.

I make myself a sacrifice to anyone, O Bahu, Who toils hard at realizing God’s love.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hik dam sajjan, lakh dam vairee, Hik de maare marde hoo

Hik dam pichhe janam gavaaiaa, Chor bane ghar ghar de hoo

Laaeeaan dee oh qadar keeh jaanan, Maiharam ho na sirr de hoo

Oh kion dhakke khaavan, jehrhe Taalib sachche dar de hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

There is but one moment in your life that is a friend, Against the millions that are your foes. *That one moment is so charged with power That it surmounts The effect of those millions of adversaries.

Anyone who misses that moment wastes his entire life, Like a theif shifting from house to house.*

How can those who don’t know the mystery of God Know the value of love?

If you anchor your hopes in your true Home, You will never be driven from house to house.

 

* The particular moment in the life of a seeker when he is initiated by a Master into the secrets of God. The foes are those moments that are spent in worldly pursuits that take one away from God.

 

* ‘From house to house’ is to shift from body to body in the cycle of transmigration.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hardam sharm dee tand tarorhe, Jaan eh chhodak bulle hoo

Kichrak baalaan aqal daa deevaa, Birhon anheree jhulle hoo

Ujarh giaan de bhet niaare, Lal jawaahar rulle hoo

Dhotiaan dagh na lainhnde, jitthe Rang majeethee dullhe hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My deep sighs have raised such a storm That the restraining cords of shyness have snapped.

How long will the sickly flame of reason Hold against the storm of yearning that rages in my heart?

Precious like rubies and diamonds in our own Home, Now we live like destitute aliens-desterted and helpless.

Once you are dyed in the crimson of God’s love The colour will never wash off, For such is the hue of his love-deep and fast!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hassan de ke rovan lioee, Dittaa kis dilaasaa hoo

Umar bande dee ainven gaee, Jion paanee wich pataasaa hoo

Saurhi saamee sutt ghatesan, Palat na saksain paasaa hoo

Saahib lekhaa mangsee Baahoo, Rattee ghatt na maasaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Banished from my home of bliss and happiness, I was cast out to this vale of tears. No one came to lend a hand; No one consoled my ailing heart.

Pointless was my existence: I vanished from the scene Like a sugar cube tossed into the ocean!

Finally I was lowered into that narrow hole in the ground Where I couldn’t even turn on my side.

To crown it all, O Bahu, the Lord now demands The full settlement of my account-to that last farthing!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hor dawaa na dil dee kaaree, Kalmaa dil daa kaaree hoo

Kalma door zangaar karendaa, Kalme mail utaaree hoo

Kalmaa heere, laal, jawaahar, Kalmaa hatt pasaaree hoo

Ethe othe doheen jahaaneen, Kalmaa daulat saree hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Kalma cures the ailment of the heart- No other medicine works.

Kalma removes all rust from the mind; Kalma washes all stains form the soul.

Kalma is more precious than diamonds and rubies.

Kalma is the alchemist’s shop, O Bahu; Kalma is real wealth in this world and the next.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Yaar yagaanaa milsee taan je, Sir dee baazee laaen hoo

Ishq Allaah wich ho mastaanaa, Hoo hoo sadaa alaaen hoo

Naal tasawwur Ism Allaah de, Dam noon qaid lagaaen hoo

Zaate naal je zaat rale, Tad Baahoo naam sahaaen hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

You will only meet the unrivalled Beloved If you offer your head on the altar of his love.

Then, in an ecstasy of love, You will repeat the Name of Hu constantly,

Devoting every breath of your life In contemplation of him.

Only when your soul merges in the essence of the Lord Will you deserve the name ‘Bahu’.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hik hik peer ton aalam kooke, Lakh aashiq peerh saherhee hoo

Dhain, rurhhan jith khatree hove, Kaun charhe us berhee hoo

Aashiq naik salaahee charhde, Taar kappar wich bherhee hoo

Jith ishq tulendaa naal rattee de, Aashiq lazzat nakherhee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

People howl and cry over the slightest of discomforts, While lovers gladly embrace a million torments.

Who would risk his life boarding a ship If the waves were hitting it hard And the shore collapsing?

Lovers joyously board the ship of God’s love- Even though their souls are pitched Against the vortices of life.

Unsurpassed is the joy of lovers in the court of the Lord, Where love is weighed in the smallest measure, O Bahu!*

 

* where every single moment devoted to the remembrance of God’s Name is credited to the soul’s account.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Lohaa hoven piaa kuteeven, Taan talwaar sadeeven hoo

Kanghee caangoon piaa chireeven, Zulf mahboob bhareeven hoo

Mehndee vaangoon piaa ghuteeven, Hath mahboob rangeeven hoo

Vaang kapaah piaa pinjeeven, Taan dastaar sadeeven hoo

Aashiq saadiq hoven Baahoo, Taan ras prem daa peeven hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Like a piece of iron that is to be forged into a fine sword, You must bear the Blacksmith’s unrelenting hammer blows,

Like a comb you must be finely sawn Before you can caress the Beloved’s locks.

Like henna leaves you must be ground into powder Before you can adorn the Beloved’s palms.*

Like cotton you must endure being carded Before you are woven into a turban for his head.

You will only taste the nectar of divine love When you become a true lover of God, O Bahu.

 

* In india, women use a paste of powdered henna leaves to decorate the palms of their hands, sometimes even the soles of their feet, at their weddings and on various other festive occasions.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Mootoo waalee maut na milsi, Jain wich maut hayaatee hoo

Maut wisaal theeose hik jad, Ism parhheeve zaatee hoo

Aain de andar aain theeose, Door hove qurbaatee hoo

Hoo daa zikr sarhendaa Baahoo, Deehaan sukh na raatee hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If you die by practising God’s real Name, Death will become synonymous with merging in him.

There is no other way you can die the death That promises dying while living.

When the soul merges in the Lord, Nearness changes into oneness with him.

I am restless, O Bahu, in my longing to merge in Hu! Day and night my heart burns in his remembrance.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Murshid mainoon hajj makke daa, Raihmat daa darwaazaa hoo

Karaan tawaaf davaale qible, Hajj hove nit taazaa hoo

Kun faikoon jadokaa suniaa, Dittha oh darwaazaa hoo

Murshid sadaa hayaatee waalaa, Oho Khizr te Khwaajaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

A visit to my Master is, for me, Like a devout Muslim’s pilgrimage to Mecca. My master is indeed the gateway to God’s mercy.

Like a pilgrim circling the shrine of Ka’ba, My life revolves around my Master- Thus is my pilgrimage ever renewed; This is my love ever rejuvenated.

Ever since the Lord ordained the Creation, Ever since I last saw that gateway to his court,

My Master has lived forever, Bahu- As the Khizr who has conquered death, As the Creator who lives in human form.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Murshid oh saherhee-e jehrhaa, Do jagg khushee wakhaave hoo

Paihale gham turke daa mete, Vat Rabb daa raah sujhaave hoo

Kallar waalee kandhee non chaa, Chaandee khaas banaave hoo

Jis murshid ith kujh na keetaa, Koorhe laare laave hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

You should only choose someone as your Master Who bestows the blessings of both worlds on you.

First he will drive the wolf from your door, Then reveal to you the path to God.

He will transform the barren ground of your heart Into fertile soil, so the seed of God’s Name can grow.

If a Master has not accomplished this for you In this very life, You can be sure he is feeding you false promises.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Murshid hai shaahbaaz Ilaahee, Raliaa sang habeebaan hoo

Taqdeer Ilaahee chhikkeeaan doraan, Milsee naal naseebaan hoo

Kohrhiaan de dukh door karendaa, Kare shafaa mareezaan hoo

Har ik marz daa daaroo toon hain, Ghatt na vass tabeebaan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My Master is a bird of paradise; He only flies with his own kind.

Through great good fortunes you will have his vision- If the Lord pulls the strings of destiny in your favour.

He cleanses the lepers of their leprosy; He removes the deformities of the spiritually crippled.

You hold the panacea for all ills, my Master! Pray, do not leave Bahu to the care of physicians.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Murshid makkaa, taalib haajee, Kaabaa ishq banaaiaa hoo

Wich huzoor sadaa har wele, Karee-e hajj savaaiaa hoo

Hikk dam maithon judaa na hove, Dil milne te aaiaa hoo

Murshid ain hayaatee Baahoo, Loon loon wich samaaiaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The Master is the Mecca, his love the shrine of Ka’ba; The disciple is a pilgrim set out on the holy voyage.

As for me, my pilgrimage is always complete- For I am constantly in the presence of my Master.

He doesn’t part company with me even for a moment, As my heart always yearns to see him.

My Master is to me my very life, O Bahu; He has permeated every pore of my being.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Murshid wasse sai kohaan te, Mainoon disse nerhe hoo

Keeh hoiaa butt ohle hoiaa, Wasse oh wich mere hoo

Alif dee zaat sahee jis keetee, Rakkhe qadam agere hoo

Nahun aqrab labh leeose, Jhagrhe kul naberhe hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

A thousand miles away is my Master’s abode, But I always see him nearby.

It’s of little consequence if he’s physically out of sight; My heart is his real home.

Whoever realizes the oneness of God Will always progress on his spiritual journey-

He finds the Lord nearby, through the Royal Vain; He puts an end to the problems of life forever.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Murshid haadee sabaq parhhaaiaa, Parhhion bina parhheeve hoo

Unglaan wich kannaan de ditteeaan, Sunion bina suneeve hoo

Nain nainaan wal tur tur takde, Dithion binaa diseeve hoo

Har khaane wich jaanee Baahoo, Kin sir oh rakheeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My Master has taught me a lesson: It repeats itself-without me repeating it.

When I plug my ears with my fingers, Without learning, I hear its melodies.

My eyes are longing for a glimpse of him: Without seeing, I see his radiant face.

In every heart abides the Beloved, O Bahu, In countless forms he reveals himself to me.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Murshid baajhon faqar kamaave, Wich kufar de budde hoo

Sheikh mushaaikh ho baihnde hujre, Ghaus-qutab ban udde hoo

Tasbeehaan napp baihan maseetee, Jion moosh bahe varh khudde hoo

Raat andhaaree mushkil paindaa, Sai sai aavan thudde hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If someone practises devotion without a Master, He will drown himself in the mire of atheism.

He will drown himself up as a sheikh in a mosque Or acquire other religious titles to boost his ego.

With a rosary in hand he may sit in his cell Like a mouse, sticking his head out of his hole.

Little does the poor fellow realize That the night is dark, the path steep, And the journey is plagued with untold pitfalls.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Maal te jaan sab kharch karaahan, Karee-e khreed faqeeree hoo

Faqr kanoon Rabb haasil hove, Kion keeje dilgeeree hoo

Duneeaa kaaran deen vanjaavan, Koorhee sheikhee peeree hoo

Tark duneeaa theen Qaadir keetee, Shaah Meeraan dee meeree hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Sell everything you have-spare not your life, And purchase the wealth of devotion to God.

Why carry the burdens of life on your soul When, through devotion, you can merge in the Lord?

False prophets sell their souls to the world And mislead seekers with a pretence of spiritual guidance.

Sheikh Qadir Jilani truly renounced the world; He was indeed a king among mystics

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Main kojhee meraa dilbar sohnaa, Kion kar usnoon bhaanwaan hoo

Wehrhe saade varhdaa naaheen, Lakkh vaseele paavaan hoo

Na sohnee na daulat palle, Kion kar yaar manaavaan hoo

Dukh hamesh eh raihsee Baahoo, Rondee hee mar jaavaan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Impeccable is my Beloved. Awkward and ungainly am I- How can I ever win his heart?

Despite the countless pleas I make to him, He does not enter the courtyard of my heart.

I have neither beauty nor wealth- How am I to please my Beloved, O friend!

Am I destined to live with this torment, Bahu? Or perhaps I will die of crying in pain!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Mazhabaan de darwaaze uchche, Raah Rabbaanaa moree hoo

Pandit te mulvaane kolon, Chhup chhup langhee-e choree hoo

Addeeaan maaran, karn bakherhe, Dardmandaan de khoree hoo

Baahoo chal uthaaeen wasee-e, Daahvaa na jith horee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Lofty are the portals of religion; Hard to find is the narrow path that leads to God.

Walk along it unnoticed, Stealing past the priests.

They protest, they obstruct, They persecute people who really love God.

Let us go and live somewhere, Bahu, Where no one but God holds supremacy.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Main shaahbaz karaan parvaazaan, Wich aflaak karam de hoo

Zabaan taan meree kun braabar, Morhaan kam qalam de hoo

Aflaatoon, Arastoo varge, Main agge kis kam de hoo

Haatim varge lakh karorhaan Dar, Baahoo de mangde hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I am a bird of paradise that flies high In the heavens of God’s blessing.

In my word is hidden the Command of God; In my will lies the power to reverse destiny.

Trivial before me is the wisdom of Plato and Aristotle;

Millions like Hatim, unmatched in their generosity,* Are but beggars at Bahu’s door.

 

* Hatim Tai: a legendary philanthropist of Yemen.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Naal kusangee sang na karee-e, Kul noon laaj na laaee-e hoo

Timme mool tarbooz na honde, Torh makke lai jaaee-e hoo

Kaan de bachche hans na theende, Pae motee chog chugaaee-e hoo

Kaurhe khooh na mitthe hunde, Sai manaan khand paaee-e hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

Shun the company of the ill-reputed, Lest it should discredit your family.

Never will a bitter melon turn sweet, Even if you take on a pligrimage to Mecca.

Never will the offspring of a crow grow into a swan, Even if you nourish it on pearls.

Never will the water of a bitter well turn sweet, Even if you pour tons of sugar into it.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Kalme lakkh karorhan taare, Walee keete sai raaheen hoo

Kalme naal bujhaae dozakh, Jith agg bale azgaaheen hoo

Kalme naal bahishteen jaanaa, Jith niaamat sanjh subaaheen hoo

Kalme jehee na niaamat Baahoo, Andar doheen saraaeen hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The Kalma has ferried millions across the ocean.In countless ways has it transformed Ordinary mortals into Saints.

Through Kalma is pacified the raging fire of hell;

Through Kalma is attained heaven, The realm of everlasting bliss.

There is no treasure like Kalma, O Bahu, In this world and the next.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Kalme naal main nhaatee dhotee, Kalme naal viaahee hoo

Kalmaa meraa parhe janaazaa, Kalme gor suhaaee hoo

Kalme naal bahishteen jaanaa, Kalmaa kare safaaee hoo

Murhan muhaal tinhaan noo jinhaan, Saahib aap bulaaee hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

In the nectar of Kalma I bathed and purified myself; To the Kalma I was joined in marriage.

It was Kalma that, in the end, performed my last rites. It was Kalma that adorned my grave.

With the Kalma I will go to heaven; Through the Kalma I will be cleansed of my sins.

Those who are called by the Lord himself Find it hard to turn their backs on Kalma.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Kun faikoon jadon farmaaiaa, Asaan vi kole haase hoo

Hikke zaat sifaat Rabbe dee, Hikke jag dhundiaase hoo

Hikke laamakaan asaadaa, Hikke butt wich phaase hoo

Nafs shaitaan paleetee keetee, Asal paleet taan naase hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

When God ordained the Creation, we were with him;

We possessed his qualities, we were of his essence. Separated, now we wander around searching for him.

Once we lived in the realm of pure spirit; Trapped in physical bodies we now cry in pain.

We were unsullied in our native state- It was our satanic ego that defiled us all, O Bahu.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Keeh hoiaa butt door giaa, Dil hargiz door na theeve hoo

Sai kohaan te wasdaa murshid, Wich huzoor diseeve hoo

Jainde andar ishq dee rattee, Bin sharaabon kheeve hoo

Naam faqeer tinhaan daa Baahoo, Qabr jinhaan dee jeeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

It matters little if I am physically a long way off- My Master is never far from my heart.

He may have gone a thousand miles away to live- I always find him present in my heart.

Those who have even an iota of love in their hearts Remain intoxicated with the wine of that love- They need no other wine.

Only they may be called faqirs, O Bahu, Whose very graves breathe Life.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Kook dilaa mat Rabb sune chaa, Dardmandaan diaan aaheen hoo

Seenaa meraa dardeen bhariaa, Andar bharhkan bhaaheen hoo

Telaan baajh na balan masaalaan, Dardaan baajh na aaheen hoo

Aatish naal yaraane laa ke, Bhambat sarhan keeh naaheen hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Cry, my heart – perhaps the Lord wil hear The cries of a lover in torment!

My heart burns, filled with grief And with the pain of separation.

No more can a heart sigh without grief Than a torch burn without oil.

If, like a moth, you make friends with fire, Like a moth, O Bahu, you must perish in its flames.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Kaamil murshid aisaa howe, Jo dhobee vaangoon chhatte hoo

Naal nigaah de paak kare, Na sajjee saaban ghatte hoo

Maile noon kar dendaa chittaa, Zarraa mail na rakkhe hoo

Aisaa murshid hove, jehrhaa Loon loon de wich vasse hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

A perfect Master scrubs his disciples As a washerman rubs and beats dirt out of clothes.

But unlike the washerman who needs soap, The Master purifies with his glance,

Removing all traces of dirt from the disciple’s soul.

Let the one who can permeate every pore of my being Be my Master, O Bahu!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Kar ibaadat pachhotaasen, Umraan chaar dihaarhe hoo

Thee saudaagar kar lai sauda, Jaan tak hat na taarhe hoo

Je jaanen dil zaug manesee, Maut marendee dhaarhe hoo

Choraan saadhaan poor chaa bhariaa, Rabb salaamat chaahrhe hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Worship God or you will repent at the end of your life! This life, after all, is over in the twinkling of an eye.

Become a merchant and purchase the commodity of love Before the business of life is closed for good.

If you understood That the angel of death can strike at any moment You would devote your life to the worship of God.

In life’s boat, good and evil Float together downt he river of life. May the Lord ferry them safely ashore!

 

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

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Laayuhtaaj jinhaan noon hoiaa, Faqr jinhaan noon saaraa hoo

Nazar jinhaan dee keemeeaa hove, Oh kion maaran paaraa hoo

Dost jinhaan daa haazir hove, Dushman lain na vaaraa hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton, Baahoo, Jinh miliaa nabee sahaaraa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Lovers who completely renounce the world Become contented and free from want.

They need practise no alchemy, For they can, with but one glance, Turn base metal into gold.

Their enemies have no chance against them- Their Friend is always by their side.

I sacrifice myself to the one, O Bahu, Who makes his Master the mainstay of his life.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Likhan sikhion likh na jaataa, Kaaghaz keetaa zaaiaa hoo

Katt qalam noon maar na haanen, Kaatib naam dharaaiaa hoo

Sabh islaah eh hosee khotee, Jaan kaatib hath aaiaa hoo

Sahee islaah tinhaan dee, jinhaan Alif te meem pakaaiaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

You learned to write in a beautiful hand, But what to write you didn’t learn- The whole exercise was a waste of paper.

You call yourself a calligrapher When you can’t even shape a writing pen!

When your script is examined by the real Scribe All your efforts will prove to have been worthless.

Only when you repeatedly write Ali and Meem* On the tablet of your heart, will you pass his test.

 

* Alif stands for Allah; meem (M) stands for Murshid (Master).

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Laam-laahoo ghairee dhande, Hik pal mool na raihnde hoo

Ishq ne putte rukh jarhaan theen, Hik dam haul na saihnde hoo

Jehrhe patthar vaang paharaan, Loon vaangoon gal vaihnde hoo

Ishq je saukhaa hundaa Baahoo, Sab aashiq ban baihnde hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

When you attach yourself to the Lord Alla’hu All your worldly involvements are at once ended.

Love has pulled out huge trees of worldly attachment By the root- Where before, even the worst storm Wouldn’t dislodge a leaf.

Love has dissolved huge rocks of carnal passion As though they were salt.

Love is not child’s play, O Bahu! If it were, everyone would have become a lover of God.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Lok qabar daa karsan chaaraa, Laihad banaawan deraa hoo

Chutkee bhar mittee dee paasan, Karsan dher ucheraa hoo

De darood gharaan noon vanjan, Kookan sheraa sheraa hoo

Wich dargaah na amlaan baajhon, Baahoo hog naberha hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Eventually your grave will be dug And your body slid into the lahad.*

Your loved ones will throw handfuls of dust And raise a mound of earth over you.

They will say the death-prayer for you soul’s benefit, They go home wailing and weeping at your sad demise.

But even after death there is no relief from pain Other than through good deeds done while living- Which alone count in the court of the Lord, O Bahu.

 

* A lahad is a side-extension at the bottom of a grave that provides room for the dead body. The grave is filled up with earth but the lahad remains hollow, providing ‘breathing space’ for the body.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Shariat de darwaaze uchche, Raah faqar daa moree hoo

Aalim faazil den na langhan, Jo langhe so choree hoo

Putt putt ittaan vatte maaran, Dardmandaan de khoree hoo

Raaz maahee daa aashiq jaanan, Jaanan keeh athoree hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Lofty are the portals of religion; Hard to find is the narrow path that leads to God.

Priests and scholars allow no one to find it; They throw stones and rocks, they persecute Saints.

Lovers have only discovered this strait path By keeping out of their sight.

Only lovers know the secret path to the Lord. How can people driven by blind impulse find it?

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Sift sanaaee mool na parhhde, Jo pauhte wich zaatee hoo

Ilm, amal unhaan wich hove, Aslee te asbaatee hoo

Naal muhabaat nafs kuthone, Ghin razaa dee kaatee hoo

Chaudaan tabq dile wich Baahoo, Paa nadar dee jhaatee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

People who have attained the real Name of God Do not sing hymms in temples.

They have learnt to practise the real Name; They have acquired the true knowledge of his essence.

They have wielded the sword of God’s will; They have slain their ego with God’s love.

All fourteen realms are within your heart, O Bahu, if only you knew how to peep within!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Soorat nafs ammaare dee, Koee kuttaa gullar kaalaa hoo

Kooke, nooke, lahoo peeve, Mange charb nivaalaa hoo

Khabbe paason andar baithaa, Dil de naal sambhaalaa hoo

Eh bad-bakht hai zaalim Baahoo, Allaah karsee taalaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The stubborn ego is like an ugly, black dog That howls and screams without end.

It eats your flesh, it drinks your blood;

It dwells in the left, shadowy side of your heart!

It is evil and accursed, O Bahu- May the Lord save us all from its brutal attacks!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Zaad-zarooree nafs kutte noon, Qeema qeem kacheeve hoo

Naal muhabbat zikr Allaah daa, Dam dam piaa parheeve hoo

Zikr kanoon Rabb haasil theendaa, Zaato zaat diseeve hoo

Doven jahaan ghulaam tinhaan de, Jinhaan zaat labheeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The dog of ego must be slain and minced into bits By the repetition of God’s Name.

Practised with love, with every breath of one’s life.

You can realize God with the repition of the Name, And your soul can have

The vision of its own divine Essence.

Heaven and earth become slaves of anyone, O Bahu, Who has realized the Essence within himself.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Taalib Ghaus-al-Aazam waale, Kade na hovan maande hoo

Jainde andar ishq dee rattee, Raihan sadaa kurlaande hoo

Jainoon shauq milan daa hove, Lai khushiaan nit aande hoo

Doven jahaan naseeb tinhaan, jo Zaatee Ism kamaande hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Put your faith in Ghaus-ul-A’zam, And you will never be left in the lurch.

With just a grain of love in your heart, You will spend your life Crying in the pain of separation.

If you long to meet the Lord ardently, You will always obtain peace and happiness.

If you practise the real Name of God, All bliss will be yours, O Bahu, In this world and the world beyond

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Taalib ben ke taalib hoven, Ose noon piaa gaaven hoo

Larh sache haadee daa pharh ke, Oho toon ho jaaven hoo

Kalme daa toon zikr kamaavan, Kalme naal nahaaven hoo

Allaah tainoon paak kare. Je zaatee Ism kamaaven hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If you seek to meet God ardently, Become a disciple of a true Master And sing his praises

If you follow his instructions sincerely, You will, one day, assume his very form.

By constant repitition of his Kalma You will bathe yourself in its beatitude.

The Lord will purify you of all your sins, O Bahu, If you practise that real Name of God.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Zaahir wekhaan jaanee taaeen, Naale andar seene hoo

Birhon maari nit phiraan main, Hassan lok naabeene hoo

Main dil wichon hai shauh paaiaa, Lokeen jaan madeene hoo

Kahe faqeer Meeraan daa Baahoo, Andar dilaan khazeene hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I see my Beloved in the world outside. When I look within, I see him in my heart.

I wander around, worn down with the pain of longing; The blind and ignorant mock and jeer.

I have found my Lord within my heart, While the unenlightened go on pilgirmage to Mecca.

Says Bahu, the beggar at his Master’s door: There are bountiful treasures within my heart.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ilmon baajh je faqar kamaave, Kaafir mare deewaanaa hoo

Sai variaan dee kare ibaadat, Allaah theen begaanaa hoo

Ghaflat theen na khulsan parde, Dil jaahil butkhaanaa hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton, jinhaan Miliaa yaar yagaanaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If you meditate on God without guidance, You wll die faithless and lost.

Even if you worship like this for hundreds of years, You would still be unfamiliar with God.

The veil will not be lifted without knowledge of the Way- The heart will stay dark like a house of idols.

I sacrifice myself to anyone, O Bahu, Who has found the Master without peer.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aqal fikar dee jaa na kaaee, Jit wahadat sirr subhaanee hoo

Na uth mullaan pandit joshee, Na uth ilm Quraanee hoo

Jad Aihmad aihad wikhaalee dittaa, Taan kul hove faanee hoo

Ilm tamaam keetone haasil, Thapp kitaab asmaanee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Intellect and wisdom find no foothold Where the secrets of unity in God are revealed.

Priests are no help there Nor is any knowledge of the scriptures.

You can only merge your self in the Absolute When the Master reveals the divine secret.

You can only acquire ultimate knowledge of God After you put away the scriptures.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq muazzin dittiaan baangaan, Kanneen sad peeose hoo

Khoon jigar daa kadh karaahaan, Wuzoo paakh sezeeose hoo

Sun taqbeer fanai walee, Murhan muhaal theeose hoo

Parh takbeer theeose waasil, Taaheen shukr keetose hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

When love gave the call to prayer, My heart responded:

I purified myself-I performed my wuzoo*With the blood of my heart!

When the cry “God is great” inspired me To merge in that great Lord, I found my heart unwilling to turn back.

When I myself proclaimed Allah’s greatness, I merged in him and thanked him For relieving me of my long suffering.

 

* Wuzoo refers to the Muslim practise of cleaning oneself by washing on’es face, hands and feet with water before namaaz, the ritual prayer.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Aashiq parhn namaaz piram dee, Jain wich harf na koee hoo

Jehaa kehaa neet na sakke, Uth dardmand dil dhoee hoo

Akheen neer te khoon jigar daa, Wuzoo paak keetoee hoo

Jeebh na hille, honth na pharhkan, Khaas namaazee soee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

A lover offers his prayer in an unspoken language.

It is not for everyone- Only the aching heart of a lover can know this prayer.

He purifies himself by doing his wuzoo With tears from his eyes, blood from his heart.

Only a rare devotee knows the prayer for which The tongue does not move, lips do not flutter.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aashiq ho te ishq kamaawe, Dil rakkheen vaang pahaarhaan hoo

Sai sai badeeaan, lakh ulaahme, Jaaneen baagh bahaaraan hoo

Chaa soolee Mansoor dittaa, Jo waaqif kul asraaraan hoo

Sajdoin sir na chaaee-e Bahoo, Kaafir kaihan hazaaraan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Become a lover, and let your heart be like a rock.

If people hurl abuse at you, consider it as a blessing.

Even Mansur, who knew all the secrets of God, Was sent to the gallows.

Once you have bowed you head in prayer, Do not lift it again,

O Bahu, Although the multitude may brand you an infidel.*

 

*The Muslim prayer, namaaz is offered in verying postures like standing, bowing, kneeling, in a given sequence, as directed by the prayer leader. But once a lover has bowed his head in prayer, he forgets his surroundings, even his own body. ‘The faithful’ brand him infidel because he does not join them in their set pattern of ritual prayer.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aashiq raaz maahee de kolon, Hon kadee na theevan vaande hoo

Neend haraam tinhaan te, jehrhe Zaatee Ism kamaande hoo

Hik pal mool aaraam na aae, Raat dine kurlaande hoo

Jinhaan alif sahee kar parhiaa, Waah naseeb tinhaan de hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Lovers are always engaged In inner contemplation of the Beloved.

They even deny themselves their nightly sleep- So absorbed are they In their practise of God’s real Mane.

They are restless day and night; They cry in the pain of their separation from God.

Bahu hails the good fortune of those devotees Who rightly devote themselves To the lesson of Oneness.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aashiq ishq maahee de kolon, Phiran hameshaa kheeve hoo

Jeende jaan maahee noon dittee, Doheen jahaaneen jeeve hoo

Shamaa chiraagh jinhaan dil roshan, Oh kion baalan deeve hoo

Aqal fikr dee pahunch na othe, Faanee faiham kacheeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Lovers remain completey intoxicated In the ecstasy of their love for the Beloved.

They offer their souls to the Beloved while still living And thus immortalize themselves In this life and the hereafter.

Why should anyone Whose heart shines with the light of God Burn candles in temples?

Grossly limited are reason and intellect, O Bahu! They have no access to the realm of love.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aashiq daa dil mom braabar, Maashooqaan dil kaahlee hoo

Tu’amaa wekkhe tur tur takke, Jion baazaan dee chaalee hoo

Baaz vichaaraa kionkar udde, Paireen pios dawaalee hoo

Jain dil ishq khareed na keetaa, Dohaan jahaanon khaalee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

A lover’s heart melts like wax, But slow in response is the Beloved.

Like a hawk, the lower eyes the Beloved’s heart And seeks it out.

But tied down to earthly strings, How can the poor hawk fly?

The heart that has not purchased love In the marketplace of life, O Bahu, Will go empty-handed-in this world and the next.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aashiqa hik wuzoo jo keetaa, Roz qiaamat taaeen hoo

Wich namaaz raku sajoode, Raihande sanjh sabaaheen hoo

Ethe othe doheen jahaaneen, Sabh faqar deeaan jaaeen hoo

Arshaan ton sai manzil agge, Paindaa kam tinhaaeen hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

A lover purifies himself just once-with Kalma; His wuzoo will hold till the day of judgement.

Day and night he prostrates himself And keeps his head bowed in supplication.

The faqirs are at home in this world and the next,

But a thousand stages beyond paradise Lies their real Home!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq dee baazee har jaa khedee, Shaah, gadaa, sultaanaan hoo

Aalim, faazil, aaqil, daanaa, Kardaa chaa hairaanaan hoo

Tamboo khot latthaa wich dil de, Laaees khilwat khaanaan hoo

Ishq ameer faqeer manende, Keeh jaane begaanaan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Everyone from king to beggar has played the game of love-

it equally astounds the intellectual, the scholar and the wise.

Love has firmly entrenched itself within me, Establishing its private chamber in my heart!

Love has touched the hearts Of the rich and the poor alike; How can an outsider-who had never tasted love- Realize its bliss and splendour?

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq muhabbat dariaa de wich, Thee mardaanaa tarree-e hoo

Jitthe paun ghazab deeaan laiharaan, Qadam uthaaeen dharee-e hoo

Aujharh jhang balaaeen bele, Wekh wekh na daree-e hoo

Naam faqeer tad theendaa Baahoo, Wich talab de maree-e hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Be brave and swim across the ocean of love, Plunging straight Into its fierce waves, its deadly whirlpools.

And don’t be frightened At the sight of the dense forests

Or threatening inner waste lands On your way to the country of love.

Only when you sacrifice your life In your love for God Will you deserve the name ‘faqir’, O Bahu.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq asaanoon lissiaan jaataa, Latthaa mall muhaarhee hoo

Na sauven, na sauvan deve, Jeeven baal rihaarhee hoo

Poh maagheen kharbooze mange, Main kith laisaan vaarhee hoo

Aqal fikr deeaan bhull gaeeaan, Jad ishq vajaaee taarhee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Considering me frail and helpless, Love has entrenched itself at my door.

Like a spoiled child, it won’t sleep, Nor will it let me have any rest.

It demands the impossible of me: It wants summer fruit in the dead of winter- Where can I find such a thing?

When love decides to call you, O Bahu, Reason and logic are completely forgotten.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq jinhaan de haddeen rachiaa, Raihan oh chup chupaate hoo

Loon loon de wich lakkh zabaanaan, Kaan oh gungee baate hoo

Karde wuzoo Ism Aazam daa, Dariaa wahadat nahaate hoo

Tadon qabool namaazaan Baahoo, Jad yaaraan yaar pachhaate hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Devotees, whose hearts are saturated With the love of God, keep their lips sealed.

Every pore of their bodies has a million tongues With which to repeat the Name of God- Their silence speaks for their eloquence.

They have done their wuzoo with the holy Name; They have bathed themselves in the ocean of oneness.

Only when your soul identifies with its divine Source Will your prayer be accepted, O Bahu.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aashiq soee haqeeqee jehrhaa, Qatal maashooq de manne hoo

Ishq na chhorhe, mukh na morhe, Pae talvaaraan khanne hoo

Jit wal wekhe raaz maahee daa, Lagge ose banne hoo

Sachchaa ishq Hussain Ali daa, sir dae raaz na bhanne hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

A real lover is one who bows his head Before the Beloved’s sword.

He will never forsake his love, Never turn his back on the Beloved- Even if he were cut into pieces with the sword of love.

He will put his heart and soul into his endeavour To find a clue to the Beloved’s secrets.

The love of Hussain and Ali was true, O Bahu. They sacrificed their lives, But not their love for God and the Prophet.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq samundar charh giaa falkeen, Kit jahaaz kacheeve hoo

Aqal fikr dee daundee noon, chaa Paihale poor boorheeve hoo

Karhkhan kappar paun laiharaan, Jad wahadat wich varheeve hoo

Jis marne theen khalqat dardee, Aashiq marke jeeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Waves on the ocean of love rise to the skies; Even large and sturdy ships cannot survive.

The fragile boat of intellect and reason Has little chance.

It will sink in its first attempt to cross Because fierce whirlpools roar, deadly waves crash, When a ship prepares to enter the port of Unity.

The death that strikes terror in people’s minds Brings joy to a lover’s heart: In death he finds everlasting life.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq dee bhaah haddaan daa baalan, Aashiq baih sikende hoo

Ghatt ke jaan jigar wich aaraa, Wekh kabaab talende hoo

Sargardaan phiran har wele, Khoon jigar daa peende hoo

Hoe hazaaraan aashiq Baahoo, Ishq naseeb kaheende hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Lovers warm themselves On the fire of love in their hearts- Ignited and def with the fuel of their bones.

They carve out the flesh of their hearts And roast it on this fire.

Distraught in love, they wander listlessly, Quenching their thirst with their own blood.

Thousands have claimed to be lovers, O Bahu; Rare is the one who is blessed with true love!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq maahee de laaeeaan aggeen, Laggee kaun bujhaave hoo

Main keeh jaanaan zaat ishq, jo Dar dar chaa jhukaave hoo

Na saunven na sauvan deve, Suttiaan aan jagaave hoo

Main qurbaan haan usde jehrha, Vichhrhe yaar milaave hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My heart is ablaze with the fire of love. Who will quench the flames?

How was I to know what this love was like? It has made me bow my head at every doorstep.

It is always awake, and it always keeps me awake; It doesn’t allow me a wink of sleep.

O Bahu, I sacrifice myself to anyone, Who will reunite me with my long-separated Friend.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq dee gall avallee jehrhaa, Sharaa theen door hataave hoo

Qaazee shhorhe qazaaee jaan, Jad ishq tamaachaa laave hoo

Lok ayaane matteen devan, Aashiq mat na bhaave hoo

Murhn muhaal tinhaan noon jinhaan, Saahib aap bulaave hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Curios are the ways of love- It weans you away from religion.

When smitten by love, Even priests would forsake their priesthood.

The ignorant preach against love, But lovers shun their advise.

Those who are called by God himself, Find it onerous to return to worldly life.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aashiq Shauh de dil kharhaaiaa, Aap bhee naale kharhiaa hoo

Kharhiaa kharhiaa valiaa naheen, Sang mahboobaan raliaa hoo

Aql fikr deeaan sab bhull gaeeaan, Ishqe naal jaan miliaa hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan theen, jain wich Ishq javaanee charhiaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

A lover lost his heart to the Beloved; And with his heart lose, he himself was lost.

Being lost, he never turned back, But ventured onward to join the Beloved.

In his love he merged in the Beloved, And his reason and intellect were all but forsaken.

I make myself a sacrifice to anyone in whose heart Love has so blossomed, O Bahu!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq asaanoon lissiaan jaataa, Karke aave dhaaee hoo

Jit val wekhaan ishq diseeve, Khaalee haa na kaaee hoo

Murshid kaamil oh miliaa, Jis dil dee taakee laahee hoo

Main qurban us murshid ton, Jis dassiaa bhet Ilaahee hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Love considers me a weakling; Unrelenting, it charges at my heart.

Overwhelmed by its onslaughts, I see nothing but love wherever I look; I can find no place that is bereft of love.

I was blessed to meet a perfect Master Who opened the sealed window of my heart.

I make myself a sacrifice to the Master, O Bahu, Who has revealed to me the secret of God.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq asaanoon lissiaan jaataa, Baithaa maar pathalla hoo

Wich jigar de sanh chaa laaeeas, Keetas kam avallaa hoo

Jaan andar varh jhaatee paaeeas, Ditthaa yaar ikallaa hoo

Bajhon murshid kaamil Baahoo, Hondi naheen tasallaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Considering me a weakling, Love has settled itself like a squatter in my heart.

It has forced its way in through a secret opening- What an act of daring trespass!

When I went within myself to investigate, I found my Love sitting alone-waiting!

Without my perfect Master, O Bahu, None can ever realize the goal of life.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aashiq nek salaaheen lagde, Kion ujaarhde ghar noon hoo

Baal mavaataa birhoon daa, Na laande jaan jigar noon hoo

Jaan jahaan sab bhull gio ne, Luttee hosh sabar noon hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton, jinhaan Khoon ditta dilbar noon hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Had these lovers heeded the good advise of the world, They would not have deserted their homes.*

They would not have burnt their hearts and souls In the fire of longing for the Beloved. They are oblivious of both themselves and the world.

Their love for the Lord has robbed them Of their patience and their awareness of themselves.

I make myself a sacrifice to anyone Who has surrendered his life for the Beloved, O Bahu.

 

* Deserting the home: Withdrawing at will the life consciousness from the physical body

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ishq chalaaiaa taraf asmaanaan, Farshon arsh wakhaaiaa hoo

Rauh nee duneeaa thag na saanoon, Saadaa jee ghabraaiaa hoo

Aseen musaafir watan duraadaa, Koorhaa laalach laaiaa hoo

Mar gae marne theen pahle, Tinhaan Rabb noon paaiaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Love has inspired me to explre the heavens: From earth it has raised me to the worlds of Spirit.

Be gone, foul world, beguile me no more! I am already in anguish about my stay here.

I am a wayfarer, my home is far away, And you have enticed me with false promises.

Only if you forsake the world and die while living Can you find the Lord, O Bahu.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ghaus qutb han ure urere, Aashiq jaan agere hoo

Jehrhee manzil aashiq pahunchan, Ghaus na paavan phere hoo

Aashiq wich visaal de raihnde, Laamakaanee dere hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton, jinhaan Zaato zaat basere hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The ghaus and qutb trail behind; The goal of lovers is far ahead.

The leaders of religion can never reach the stage To which the lovers of God have easy access.

Lovers are always united with the Beloved; They abide in realms beyond time and space,

I shall sacrifice myself to anyone, O Bahu, Whose spirit rests in its own Essence.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Fajreen wele uth savele, Aan karan mazdooree hoo

Kaanvaan illaan hiksee gallaan, Treejee ralee chandooree hoo

Maaran cheekhaan karan mushaqqat, Put put kadh angooree hoo

Saaree umar pitendiaan guzree, Kadee na paeeaa pooree hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

They rise early; they get to their work fast:

Like crows and vultures they create a racket- Reading their sermons like the mimicking chandoor.*

They spend their lives like this- Talking gibberish, shooting prayers into the air

And distorting the message of the scriptures- Because their hearts are never moved by God’s love.

 

* Chandoor or chandol is a mimicking bird. It imitates sounds, including spoken words – obviously without knowing their meaning, in much the same manner as priests recite and quote the words of Saints without realizing their underlying message.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Qalb na hilliaa taan keeh hoiaa, Hoiaa zikr zabaanee hoo

Qalbee, roohee, makhfee, sirree, Sabhe raah hairaanee hoo

Shaah rag ton nazdeek ho raihndaa, Yaar na miliaa jaanee hoo

Naam faqeer tinhaan da, jehrhe Wasde laamakaanee hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If only done with your tongue and not your heart, The repitition of God’s Name is in vain.

Using the various kings of zikr*-with the heart, the soul, And other secret methods-only leads to confusion.

These methods give no clue of the Beloved Who is nearby and only to be found through the Royal Vein

Only the one whose spirit abides in realms beyond space Deserves to be called faqir, O Bahu.

 

* At the highest level, Sufi mystics used the term zikr for the inner remembrance or simran. The term was also used for many kinds of repitition practises pertaining to the lower centres of the body and lower spiritual regions.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Kalme dee kal tad piose, Jad kal kalme vanj kholee hoo

Kalmaa aashik parhhde, jithe Noor nabee dee holee hoo

Chaudaan tabq kalme de andar, Keeh jaane khalqat bholee hoo

Kalmaa saanoon peer parhhaaiaa, Jind ose ton gholee hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

You will only know the marvel of Kalma When it has opened the window of your heart.

Lovers practise Kalma within their hearts, Lit by the Master’s radiance.

All fourteen realms are within the Kalma- How can the uninitiated comprehend this secret?

As for me, my Master initiated me into the Kalma. Since then I have dedicated my soul only to him.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Kalme dee kal tadaan paee, Jad kalme dil noon pharhiaa hoo

Bedardaan noon khabar na kaaee, Dardmandaan gal marhiaa hoo

Kufr Islaam daa pataa laggaa, Jad bhann jigar wich varhiaa hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton, jinhaan Kalmaa sahee kar parhiaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I only learned the value of Kalma When the Kalma captured my heart.

The worldly know not the merit of Kalma, But lovers adorn their hearts with it.

I realized what heresy is and what truly is faith, When the Kalma took possession of my heart.

I sacrifice myself to anyone, O Bahu, Who correctly repeats and practises the Kalma.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Kalme dee kal tadaan paee, Jad murshid kalmaa dassiaa hoo

Saaree umar kufr wich jaalee, Bin murshid de dassiaan hoo

Shah Alee Sher-Allaah waangan, Vaddh kufr noon suttiaa hoo

Dil saafee taan hove je kar, Kalmaa loon loon rasiaa hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Only when my Master initiated me into the Kalma Did I truly understand its meaning.

Only then did it dawn on me. That I had wasted my earlier life as a non-believer.

But now, in the manner of Hazrat Ali, the lion of God, Kalma has slain the demon of my non-belief.

Only when the Kalma has saturated every pore of your being Will your heart be purified, O Bahu.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Duneeaa dhoondan waale kutte, Dar dar phiran hairaanee hoo

Haddee utte horh tinhaan dee, Larhdiaan umar vinhaanee hoo

Aqal de kotaah samjh na jaanan, Peevan lorhan paanee hoo

Bajhon zikr Rabbe de Baahoo, Koorhee Raam kahaanee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

People who seek the world are like dogs – In its pursuit they shift from house to house.*

Greedily they pounce on bones – They have wasted their lives Fighting over worldly things.

Devoid of good sense, foolish in their ways, They cannot understand that what they really need Is the water of life-to satisfy all hunger, all thirst.

Without remembrance of God’s Name, O Bahu, One stays caught in this false drama of life.

 

*To “shift from house to house” is to shift from body to body in the cycle of transmigration

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dudh, daheen te har koee rirhke, Aashiq bhaa rirhkende hoo

Tan chatoraa, man madhaanee, Aaheen naal hilende hoo

Dukh netraa kaddhe lishkaare, Gham daa paanee peende hoo

Naam faqeer tinhaan daa Baahoo, Haddon makkhan kadhende hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Everyone churns cream to get butter, But a lover churns the fire of love in his heart!

Propelled by his sighs, the churning-stick of the mind Rotates in the vessel of his body.

The rope of pain turns the blades that create sparks, As the water of grief is added to cool the contents.

Only someone who churns his bones To produce the Essence Deserves to be called a faqir, O Bahu!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dardmandaan dee aaheen kolon, Pathar pahaarh de jharhde hoo

Dardmandaan dee aaheen ton, Bhajj naag zameen wich varhde hoo

Dardmandaan dee aaheen ton, Asmaanon taare jharhde hoo

Dardmandaan dee aaheen kolon, Aashiq mool na darde hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Faced with the sighs of lovers, Even mountains crumble to earth.

Faced with the sighs of lovers, Even deadly snakes flee to their holes.

The sighs of lovers cause the stars To tumble from the heavens above.

Faced with the sighs of lovers, Only the lovers remain steadfast.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Daal-daleelaan chhorh wajoodon, Ho hushiaar faqeera hoo

Banh tawakkul panchhi udde, Palle kharche na zeeraa hoo

Rozee roz udd khaan hameshaa, Karde na zakheeraa hoo

Maulaa rizq puchaave Baahoo, Jo patthar wich keerha hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Give up all procrastination And awake your soul, O dervish!

Have faith in your Lord, like the birds That fly through the air without carrying their food.

When they are hungry they fly in search of nourishment- They don’t store provisions.

The Lord procides food Even the insect that lives in the depths of a rock crevice.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dil baazaar te moonh darvaazaa, Seenaa shaihar daseendaa hoo

Rooh saudaagar, nafs hai rahzan, Haqq daa raah marendaa hoo

Jaan torhee eh nafs na maaren, Taan eh waqt kharhendaa hoo

Kardaa zaae welaa Baahoo, Jaan noon taak marendaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The human body is a magnificent city – The heart is its bazaar, the mouth its gate.

The soul is a merchant, the ego is a highwayman Who robs her on her way to God.

If you do not destroy this ego, It will destroy your life’s great opportunity:

It will make you waste your presious days, O Bahu. It will shut tight the door to eternal life.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Zaate naal na zaatee raliaa, So kamzaat sadeeve hoo

Nafs kutte noon banh karaahaan, Qeemaa qeem kacheeve hoo

Zaat sifaaton mehna aave, Zaatee shauq napeeve hoo

Naam faqeer tinhaan daa Baahoo, Qabar jinhaan dee jeeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

One who has not merged his soul in its Essence Is love in caste.

The dog of ego should be kept on its leash; Indeed, it should be minced into small pieces.

The soul is admonished by the Lord For procrastinating while on this earth, And subduing her natural urge to be with Him.

Only they may be called faqirs, O Bahu, Whose very graves breathe Life.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

 

Zikr fikar sab ure urere, Jaan jaan fidaa na faanee hoo

Fidaa faanee tinhaan noon haasil, Jo wassan laamkaanee hoo

Fidaa faanee han ohee jinhaan, Chakhee ishq dee kaanee hoo

Doe jahaan tinhaan de mutthe, Yaar na miliaa jaanee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Unless the self is sacrificed and lost in God’s love, Repitition and contemplation will not achieve the goal.

Only dwellers of realms beyond time and space Can lose themselves in God’s love.

Only someone whose heart is pierced By the arrows of his love Can sacrifice his self and merge in God.

Anyone who fails to find the beloved Friend Will remain bereft of love in both worlds, O Bahu.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Zikr kanoon kar fikr hameshaa, Eh tikhaa talwaaron hoo

Kaddhan aaheen, jaan jalaavan, Fikr karan israaron hoo

Zaakir so jo fikr kamaavan, Pal na faarigh yaaron hoo

Fikr daa phattiaa hoee na jeeve, Putte mudh chaa paarhon hoo

Haqq daa kalmaa aakheen Baahoo, Bacheen fikr dee maaron hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Repeat the Name of God, and always contemplate on him While doing your repitition- Keener than a sword is such remembrance.

You must sigh with grief and burn your heart in love Before you can practise the Name And resolve themystery of life.

Only id you contemplate on the Beloved And do not, even for a moment, take your mind off him, Will you truly remember.

Struck by such contemplation, No one can really live for the world- It digs out worldly attachment by the root.

Repeat the Word of God, O Bahu, And free yourself from the worries of life.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Raah faqar daa pare parere, Orhak koee na disse hoo

Na uth parhhan parhhaavan koee, Na uth masle qisse hoo

Eh duneeaa hai butt-parastee, Mat koee is te visse hoo

Maut faqeeree jain sir aave, Maalam theeve tisse hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The path of the Masters is the highest of all; It is beyond all comprehension!

On this path there is neither teaching Nor learning from books.There are neither discussions nor expositions Nor stories from the past.

Love of this world is sheer idolatry, a denial of God; Let no one trust its loyalty.

Only the one who knows the mystic art Of dying while living, knows the real secret.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Raateen rattee neend na aave, Deehaan rahe hairaanee hoo

Aarif dee gal aarif jaane, Kiaa jaane nafsaanee hoo

Kar ibaadat pachhotaasen, Zaaiaa gaee javaanee hoo

Haqq huzoor unhaan noon haasil, Jinh miliaa peer Jilaanee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I pass my nights without a wink of sleep; In confusion I pass my days.

Only a man of God would know a man of God- What can a slave of the mind and senses know of him?

If you don’t meditate on God; you will repent That your youth was spent in vain persuits.

Those who found their Master in Shah Jilani Will gain admittance to the Lord’s court.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Raateen nain rat hanjhoo rovan, Deehaan ghamzaa gham daa hoo

Parhh tauheed giaa tan andar, Sukh aaraam na samdaa hoo

Sir soolee te chaa tangio nen, Eho raaz piram daa hoo

Siddhaa ho koheevee-e Baahoo, Qatraa rahe na gham daa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

In my devotion to the One, My consciousness has centred in my body;

Now I neither rest nor sleep.

All night I shed in tears of longing, All day I cry in the pain of separation!

O Bahu, the secret of love is That you sacrifice your life at the altar of God Without a second thought And rid yourself of the last traces of grief.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Raat haneree kaalee de wich, Ishq chiraagh jalaandaa hoo

Jaindee sik ton dil chaa neeve, So aawaaz sunaandaa hoo

Aujharh jhall te maaroo bele, Dam dam khauf sheehaan daa hoo

Jal thal jangal gae jhagende, Kaamil nenh jinhaan daa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

In the dark fathomless night of ignorance, Love is a torch that brings light.

From it emanates a Meoldy That enraptures lovers’ hearts!

On the path of love are forests, oceans And wastelands, with a constant threat of lions.

 

Anyone who cherishes perfect love in his heart Can cross these forests, oceans and wastelands Without fear

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Re-raihmat us ghar wich vasse, Jitthe balde deeve hoo

Ishq hawaaee charh gaee falkeen, Kitthe jahaaz ghateeve hoo

Aqal fikr dee berhee noon chaa, Paihale poor burheeve hoo

Har jaa jaanee disse Baahoo, Jitwal nazar kacheeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Bliss and grace reign in the heart That glows with the light of love.

The sail of love has soared to the heavens, Leaving the ship of thought and reason.

Without its motive power-sinking On its very first attempt to cross the ocean of life.

From where I stand, In whatever direction my eyes turn, I see only my Beloved, O Bahu.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Roze, nafal, namaazaan, taqwaa, Sabbho kamm hairaanee hoo

Inheen galleen Rabb haasil naaheen, Khud khwaanee khud daanee hoo

Qadeem hamesh jalendaa milio, So yaar yaar na jaanee hoo

Virad vazeefe theen chhut raihsee, Baahoo hosee jad faanee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Fasting, prayers and rites of abstinence Only end in confusion.

God is not found through such means; These are all but acts of vanity and self-promotion!

You have failed to recognize the beloved Friend Who always lives within you.

You will save yourself from rites and rituals, O Bahu, when you lose your being in God.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Raah faqar daa tad ladhosee, Jad hath pharheeosee kaasaa hoo

Tark duneeaa ton tad thiosee, Jad faqeer miliosee khaasaa hoo

Dariaa wahadat nosh keetose, Ajaan bhee jee piaasaa hoo

Raah faqar rat hanjhoo rovan, Lokaan bhaane haasaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I found the mystic path When I held the beggar’s bowl in hand, Begging for the Master’s grace.

I could only truly renounce the world After I had met my exalted Master.

Deep have I drunk from the ocean of oneness, Yet my soul thirsts for more and more.

Tears of blood pave the way to God, O Bahu! None but the ignorant will take this lightly

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Zabaanee kalma har koee parhhdaa, Dil daa kalmaa koee hoo

Jitthe kalmaa dil daa parhhee-e, Mile zabaan na dhoee hoo

Dil daa kalmaa aashiq parhhde, Jaanan yaar galoee hoo

Kalmaa mainoon peer parhhaaiaa, Sadaa suhaagan hoee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Everyone recites the Kalma with his lips; Rare is the person who recites it from the heart.

When the Kalma comes from the heart, The spoken word has no value.

Only mystics know this Kalma of the heart. What do they know, who only sing and preach?

My Master has taught me this secret Kalma; I am now forever united with my Lord.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Zaahid zuhd kamaande thakke, Roze, nafal, namaazaan hoo

Aashiq gharq hoe wich wahadat, Naal muhabbat raazaan hoo

Makkhee qaid shahad wich hoee, Keeh udsee sang baazaan hoo

Jinhaan majlis naal nabee, Oh saahib naaz nawaazaan hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The pious tire themselves out With austerities and fasts, with worship and rituals, While lovers dissolve themselves in the ocean of oneness.

Through love they acquire the secret of God! Like a bee drowning in a jar of honey, The worldly –minded are drowning in a jar of honey, The worldly-minded are drowning in worldly pleasures.

They cannot soar to the spiritual heights of the mystics Any more than a bee can fly with eagles!

Those who keep company with a Master Are honoured in God’s court, blessed with God’s grace.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Sai roze sai nafal namaazaan, Sai sajde kar thakke hoo

Makke hajj gae sai vaaree, Dil dee daurh na mukke hoo

Chille, chalee-e jangal bhauna, Is gal theen na pakke hoo

Sab matalab ho jaande haasil, Peer nazar ik takke hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Endless fasts, prayers and worship, And acts of prostration have worn me out.

A thousand times have I gone on pilgrimage to Mecca, But that did not end the wanderings of my mind;

Nor did my retreats to the seclusion of the forest Bring me the enlightenment I had sought.

But all the objectives of life are met, O Bahu, When the Master bestows a merciful glance!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Soz kanoon tan sarhiaa araa, Dukkhaan dere laae hoo

Kowel vaang kookendee vattaan, Vanjena din zaae hoo

Bol peehaa saawan aaiaa, Maulaa meenh varsaae hoo

Saabat sidq te qadam agohaan, Eh gal yaar milaae hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My body is burning in the fire of longing; The pain of separation has settled in my hart;

 

Like the ko’el I cry for the rain of God’s mercy.

Sing, O peeha, the rainy season has arrived! Join me in my prayer for the water of life- Lest the rainy season should end, the opportunity be lost.

O Bahu, firmness of faith, steadfast of purpose, Will one day unite you with your beloved Friend.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Sun fariaad peeraan diaa peeraa, Arz suneen kan dhar ke hoo

Berha arhiaa wich kapraan, Jith machh na baihnde dar ke hoo

Shahh Jilaanee mahboob subhaanee, Khabar lio jhat kar ke hoo

Peer jinhaan daa Meeraan Baahoo, Kaddhee lagde tarke hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

O Shah Jilani, Master of Masters, Listen intently to my supplication:

My ship is caught in perilous seas Where even mighty whales dare not venture.

O Shah Jilani, beloved of God, Make haste and come to my rescue!

Those who rely on you, O Meeran, As their Master and Saviour, Will safely swim across the ocean of life.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Sun fariaad peeraan diaa peeraa, Aakh sunaavaan kainoon hoo

Tain jehaa mainoon hor na koee, Main jeheeaan lakkh tainoon hoo

Phol na kaaghaz badeeaan waale, Dar ton dhakk na mainoon hoo

Main wich aid gunaah na hunde, Toon bakhshendon kainoon hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

O Shah Jilani, Master of Masters! Listen to my supplication. Who else will minister my needs? Who else will attend to my plight?

For me, there is no one like you; But for you, there are forlorn millions like me.

Do not read the scroll of my evil deeds; Pray shut not the dorr of remission on my soul!

But for a blatant sinner like me, says Bahu, who would have given you such a chance

To exercise your forgiveness?

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Sau hazaae tinhaan ton sadqe, Jo na bolan phikkaa hoo

Lakkh hazaar tinhaan ton sadqe, Jo gall karde hikkaa hoo

Lakkh karorah tinhaan ton sadqe, Nafs rakhende jhikkaa hoo

Neel padam tinhaan ton sadqe, Son sadaavan sikkaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I could sacrifice myself a hundred times To those who never say a dispiriting word;

A thousand times to those Who stand firm by their word.

A million times could I make an offering of myself To people who keep their ego on a leash;

 

And a billion times to the pure as gold, Who present themselves as being like lead.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Seene wich maqaam hai kaindaa, Murshid gall sujhaaee hoo

Eho saah jo aave jaave, Hor naheen shai kaaee hoo

Is noon Ism-al-Aazam aakhan, Eho sirr Ilaahee hoo

Eho maut hayaatee Baahoo, Eho bhet Ilaahee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My Master has explained to me The reality of living in the heart:

It is called Ism-i-A’zam, the Word of God- It is the divine mystery.

This Word is the breath of our lives; Other than the Word nothing exists!

It brings life, it causes death; In it lie all the secrets of God!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Shor shaihar te raihamat wasse, Jitthe Baahoo jaale hoo

Baaghbaanaa de boote vaangoon, Taalib nit sambhaale hoo

Naal nazaare rahmat waale, Kharha huzooron paale hoo

Naam faqeer tisse daa Baahoo, Ghar wich yaar vikhaale hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

May God’s grace descend on Shorekote, Where Bahu lives!

Like a gardener who nurses his seedlings, The Master always tends and protects his disciples:

He nourishes them from his court With his merciful glance.

Someone who shows you the Lord within your body Deserves the name ‘Master’, O Bahu.

Cont...

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jinhaan ishq haqeeqee paaiaa, Moohon na alaavan hoo

Zikar fikar wich raihan hameshaa, Dam noon qaid lagaavan hoo

Nafsee, qalbee, roohee, sirree, Akhfee, khafee, kamaavan hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton, jehrhe Hikkas nigaah jivaavan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Those who are blessed with God’s love Utter not a word about their condition.

Absorbed in his love, they dedicate Every breath of their lives To remembrance and contemplation of him.

Their minds, hearts, bodies and souls Are all engaged in the inner mystic practise.

I sacrifice myself to those Masters, O Bahu, Who, with but one glance, Infuse life into dead hearts.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jeenda kee jaanan saar moiaan dee, So jaane jo mardaa hoo

Qabraan de wich ann na paanee, Kharch lorheendaa ghar daa hoo

Ikk vichhorha maan pio bhaaeeaan, Biaa azaab qabar daa hoo

Waah naseebaa usdaa jehrha, Wich hayaatee mardaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

How can the living know the plight of the dead? He alone knows who himself has died!

The grave provides no food, no drink, No provisions for the new home

.To one’s separation from paretns and relatives There is the added torment of the grave.

How fortunate is he, O Bahu, Who can die while sill alive!

 

* Provisions: We can only have available to us after death what we have earned during our lives through our prayers and our actions – good, as well as bad. In other words, we carry our own provisions into the world beyond

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jeevandiaan mar raihanaa hove, Taan des faqeeraan bahe-e hoo

Je koee sutte guddarh koorha, Vaang arooree rahee-e hoo

Je koee deve gaalaan mehne, Usnoon jee jee kahee-e hoo

Gila, ulaahmaan, bhandee, khwaaree, Yaar de paaron sahee-e hoo

Qaadir de hath dor asaadi, Jion rakkhe tion rahee-e hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If you wish to learn the art of dying while living, Go and sit in the company of mystics.

If someone splatters you with dirt, Be like a dung hill, take it without reproach.

Let them hurl abuse at you – accept it in humility.

Bear complaints, censure, blame, calumny with patience – For the sake of the Beloved.

Our strings are in the hands of Almighty; Let us live in submission to his will.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Je Rabb nahaatiaan dhotiaan mildaa, Mildaa dadooaan machheeaan hoo

Je Rabb mildaa mon munaaiaan, Mildaa bhedan sassiaan hoo

Je Rabb jateeaan sateeaan mildaa, Mildaa daandaan khasseeaan hoo

Rabb unhaan noon mildaa Baahoo, Neetaan jinhaan achheeaan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If God could be found by bathing in holy waters, Frogs and fish would find him.

If God were realized by cutting off your hair, Sheep and goats, which are shorn for their wool, Would realize him too.

If God were found through nightly vigils, bats and owls would find him.

If God could be found through calibacy, Castrated bulls should also discover him.

God is realized by those, O Bahu, Who are pure of heart, noble of intent.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jinhaan shauh alif theen paaiaa, Phol Quraan na parhhde hoo

Maaran dam muhabbat waala, Door hoeo nen parde hoo

Dozakh bahisht ghulaam tinhaan de, Chaa keetone barde hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan de jehrhe, Wahadat de wich varhde hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Those who have found the Lord Through their contemplation on Alif Do not read the holy Qur’an.

They live by the love of God As the veil of ignorance is lifted from their eyes.

Even heaven and hell wait on them, Becoming their very slaves.

I sacrifice myself to those, O Bahu, Who merge themselves in the oneness of God.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jad daa murshid kaazaa ditrhaa, Tad dee beparvaahee hoo

Kee hoiaa je raateen jaagen, Murshid jaag na laaee hoo

Raateen jaagen karen ibaadat, Nindiaa karen paraaee hoo

Koorha takht duneeaa daa Baahoo, Faqar sacchee patshaahee hooo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ever since my Master gave me To drink from his cup of nectar, I have become carefree-indifferent to the world.

If a Master has not initiated you into God’s mystery, Keeping awake to pray at night will avail you nothing.

All night you spend in prayer and worship, All day you indulge in slanderous talk.

The power and authority of the world is false, O Bahu! True is the sovereignty of the faqir!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jab lag khudee karen khud nafson, Tab lag Rabb na paaven hoo

Shart fanaa noon jaanen naaheen, Naam faqeer rakhaaven hoo

Moe baajh na sohndee alfee, Aiven gal wich paaven hoo

Naam faqeer tadaan hee sohndaa, Jad jeevandiaan mar javen hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

As long as you proudly pamper your ego, You will not realize God.

You call yourself a faqir, Yet you don’t even know how to dissolve your self in God!

If you don’t kill your self first, The clock of piety you wear will never suit you.

The name ‘faqir’ will benefit you, O Bahu, Only when you die while you are still alive.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jal jalende jangal bhuande, Hikkaa gall na pakkee hoo

Challee-e makke hajj guzaaran, Dil dee daurh na dakkee hoo

Treehe roze panj namaazaan, Eh bhee parhh parhh thakkee hoo

Sabhe muraadaan haasil hoeeaan, Jaan nazar mehar dee takkee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I prayed standing in water; I roamed the forests in search of God.But I failed to ascertain that ‘one thing’.

I went on pilgrimage to Mecca, But I could not stop the wondering of my mind.

I fasted for thiry days, I spent myself Offering prayers five times a day.

But all I had longed for was fulfilled, O Bahu, When my Master cast his merciful glance on me.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jaan jaa zaat na theeve Baahoo, Taan kamzaat sadeeve hoo

Zaatee naal sifaatee naheen, Taan taan Haqq labheeve hoo

Andar bhee hoo baahir bhee hoo, Baahii kith labheeve hoo

Jainde andar hubb duneeaa dee, Mool faqeer na theeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

A heart that fails To experience the presence of the divine Will continue to be poorly evolved, O Bahu!

But when the Essence is freed from its attributes, The presence of God becomes evident.

Then Hu resounds within and without; No trace of Bahu can be found- he is lost in Hu!

No one who entertains love of the world Can ever become a faqir.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jis dil ism Allaah daa chamke, Ishq bhee kardaa halle hoo

Bhaar kastooree chhupdaa naaheen, De rakhee-e sai palle hoo

Ungaleen pichhe denh na chhupdaa, Dariaa na rahe thalle hoo

Aseen us wich, oh asaan wich, Yaaraan yaar savalle hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Love flourishes in that heart In which glows the Name of God.

The love of God is like the fragrance of musk – Even a thousand wrappings cannot hold it in;

Or like the sun, which cannot be hid behind one’s fingers, Or like a river that cannot be stopped in its course.

My Friend is in me, in my Friend am I; There is no distance left between us.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Charh channaan te kar rushnaaee, Zikr karende taare hoo

Galeeaan de wich phiran nimaane, Laalaan de vanjaare hoo

Shaalaa koee na theeve musaafir, Kakkh jinhaan ton bhaare hoo

Taarhee maar udaa na saanoon, Aape uddanhaare hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Rise, O moon, And spread your light across the heavens; The stars remember you in silent prayers, Their hearts glimmering with hope.

Now like beggers, We roam the alleyways of earthly life, When once in our own Homeland, We were merchants of rubies.

O, may no one ever have to leave his own home, For one is not worth a piece of straw

In this alien land!

 

They need not clap their hands To startle us out of this world, O Bahu; We are already disposed to fly back To our long-lost Home.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Charh channaan te kar rushnaaee, Zikr karende teraa hoo

Tere jahe chann kaee sai charhde, Sajanaan bajh haneraa hoo

Jithe chann asaadaa charhdaa, Qadar naheen kujh teraa hoo

Jis de kaaran janam gavaaiaa, Yaar mile ik pheraa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Rise, o moon, and spread your light – They are all fondly talking of you!

 

Even if thousands of moons like you were to rise, Without my Friend I would still be in utter darkeness.

For, where my true Moon rises, Your light will pale into insignificance.

May my beloved Friend, For whom I have sacrificed my life, Come before me just once!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Haafiz parhh parhh karan takabbur, Mullaan karan vadaaee hoo

Saavan maah de badalaan vaangoon, Phiran kitaabaan chaaee hoo

Jithe wekhan changaa chokhaa, Parhhn kalaam savaaee hoo

Doheen jahaaneen mutthe jinhaan, Khaadhee wech kamaaee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The hafiz is proud of his learning, The priest thrives on self-promotion.

Like monsoon clouds they’re continously on the move With books under their arms, selling their honour.

Wherever they find a promising household, They read the scripturee in loud, fervent strains For a lucrative commission.

O Bahu! They have put God’s name on sale Just to make a living. In this world they live spiritually bankrupt; Stripped of all honour, they go to the one beyond.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Khaam keeh jaanan saar faqar dee, Maihram naaheen dil de hoo

Aab mittee theen paidaa hoe, Khaamee bhaande gil de hoo

Qadar keeh jaanan laal jawaahar, Ho saudaagar bil de hoo

So eemaan salaamat vaisan, Bhajj faqeeraan milde hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The uninitiated have no inkling Of the mystic way of life – They know not the secrets of the heart.

They are always brittle and frail – Like unbaked pots of clay.

Or they can be compared to glass merchants Who know nothing Of the worth of rubies and diamonds.

Only ardent seekers of the company of mystics Will remain steadfast in their faith.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dil dariaa samundron doonghe, Kaun dilaan dee jane hoo

Wiche berhe, wiche jherhe, Wiche vanjh muhaane hoo

Chaudaan tabq dile de andar, Tamboo vaangan taane hoo

Joee dil daa maihram hove, Soee Rabb pachhaane hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The heart is deeper than the ocean – Who can fathom its mysteries?

Storms come and go on its surface, While fleets sail through it, Their crews wielding their oars.

Inside the heart are the fourteen realms, Stretched like canvas tents.

Only the on who knows These deeper secrets of the heart Can know the Creator, O Bahu!

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dil dariaa samundron doonghaa, Ghotaa maar ghavaasee hoo

Jain dariaa vanj nosh na keetaa, Raihsee jaan piaasee hoo

Hardam naal Allaah de rakkhan, Zikr fikr de aasee hoo

Us murshid theen zan behtar, Baahoo, jo phand fareb libaasee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The heart is deeper than the ocean; Dive deep into it, O seeker, and explore!

Drink the water of life from this ocean, Or your soul will always remain thristy.

Those who contemplate on the Lord, Devoting every breath of their lives To his remembrance, Will always keep him in their hearts.

The company of a seductress is less corrupting Than that of an ignorant teacher Who deceives in the grab of piety, O Bahu!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dil dariaa khwaajaa deeaan laihraan, Ghumman gher hazaaran hoo

Raihan daleelaan wich fikar de, Behad beshumaaraan hoo

Hik pardesee dooaa nihon laggaa, Treeaa besamajhee deeaan maaraan hoo

Hassan khedan bhulliaa Baahoo, Ishq chunghaaeeaan dhaaraan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

In the ocean of my heart Arise the waves of my Master’s grace.

In it appear whirlpools, in it blow fierce gales Of the countless thoughts and arguments That hamper my contemplation of the Lord.

I am in an alien land, where I find no support. To add to my woes, I have fallen in love!

My lack of maturity, my inexperiance, Aggravate my plight, and yet- Ever since I tasted love, O Bahu, I have lost all taste For worldly play and merry-making.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Daal dilaan wich dil jo aakhen, So dil door daleelon hoo

Dil daa daur agohaan keeje, Kasrat kanon qaleelon hoo

Qalb kamaal, jamaalon, jismon, Jauhar jaah jaleelon hoo

Qibla qalb munavvar hoiaa, Khalwat khaas khaleelon hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

A heart among hearts:* The heart that is sublime beyond comprehension.

When your heart advances in contemplation of God, It will comprehend how there is unity in diversity.

The heart is the essence of divinity in man; In form and beauty it is the symbol of perfection.

When I contemplated on my true Firend In the privacy of my inner self, The temple of my heart will illumined with his light.

 

* In Sufi parlance, the heart means the eye centre, the third eye, the spiritual heart of our very being.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dil kaale ton moonh kaalaa changaa, Je koee usnoon jaane hoo

Moonh kaalaa dil achhaa hove, Taan dil yaar pachhaane hoo

Eh dil yaar de pichhe hoe, Taan yaar vee kadee pachhaane hoo

Aalim chhorh maseetaan natthe, Jad lagge dil tikaane hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Black skin is better than a black heart- Just think about it.

Though the face is black, let the heart be pure, For it is the heart that identifies with the Friend.

The heart that constantly pursues the Beloved Will, in time, receive the nod of recognition.

The scholars flee their mosques, O Bahu, When their hearts are touched by God’s love.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dil te daftar wahadat waalaa, Daayam kareen mutaaliaa hoo

Saaree umraan parhhdiaan guzree, Jaihalaan de wich jaaliaa hoo

Ikko Ism Allaah daa rakkeen, Eho sabaq kamaaliaa hoo

Doven jahaan ghulaam tinhaan de, Jain sil Rabb sambhaaliaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Unity is written on the tablet of your heart – You should continue studying that tablet for eternity.

You have spent a lifetime reading scriptures And soncumed yourself in this pursuit of ignorance.

You only have to remember the one Word of God- And keep on practising that one Word.

Those who enshrine the Lord in their hearts, O Bahu, Have both the worlds at their command

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dard andar daa andar saarhe, Baahar karaan taan ghaayal hoo

Haal asaadaa keeven jaanan, Jo duneeaa te maayal hoo

Baihar samundar ishqe waalaa, Hardam raihandaa haayal hoo

Pahunch huzoor aasaan na Baahoo, Asaan naam tere de saayal hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The pain in my heart burns me inside. Were I to bare the wounds of my heart, The sight would torment the hearts of others!

How can they whose hearts are smitten by this world Ever understand my condition?

Between you and me, my Lord, Surges ocean of love.

To reach your presence is no easy task for me! I beg for your Name-to sail across to you.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dardmandaan de dhooen dhukhde, Dardaa koee na seke hoo

Ehnaan dhooiaan de taa tikhere, Maihram hoe taan seke hoo

Chhik shamsheer kharhaa hai sir te, Taras pavas taan theke hoo

Sauhre kurhee-e apne vanjanaa, Sadaa na raihanaa peke hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The hearts of lovers burn in the fire of longing- No one dare sit by its searing flames!

This fire is sorching- Only someone who knows the heart’s inner secrets Will warm himself by it.

Death stands over your head, with his sword drawn- May the Master take pity and sheathe death’s blade!*

 

Every bride must eventually go to her bridegroom’s home- She cannot stay forever in her parents’ house.*

 

*Only a Master, through his grace, can sheathe the sword of death and bestow immortality.

 

*In India, the bride traditionally moves into the bridegroom’s home on the wedding day. In Bahu’s metaphor, the soul is the bride which must, on her wedding day, accompany death (the bridegroom) from this world, which she has wrongly come to consider as her own home.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Dardmandaan daa khoon jo peendaa, Birhon baaz marelaa hoo

Chhaatee de wich keetos deraa, Sher baithaa mal belaa hoo

Haathee mast sandhooree caangoon, Kardaa pelaa pelaa hoo

Pele daa visvaas na keeje, Pele baajh na melaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The pain of separation is a deadly hawk: It preys on lovers, it drinks their blood.

Like a lion ruling the forest This hawk has made my heart its own domain.

Like an enraged rogue elephant, It raises its trunk, it trumpets and it charges.

But do not fear the thrusts of this pain, O Bahu! Without union with the Beloved is not possible.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Deen te duneeaa sakkeeaan bhainaan, Aqal naheen samjhendaa hoo

Doven ikk nikaah wich aavan, Sharaa naheen farmendaa hoo

Jiven agg te paanee thaan ik, Vaasaa naheen karendaa hoo

Doheen jahaaneen mutthaa, jehrhaa Daavaa koorh karendaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Spiritual and worldy life are twin sisters, So alike that not even the best of minds Can tell them apart.

Not only are they mutually antagonistic, They are also wedded to the same individual.

But it is against the law of religion To be married to them both at the same time- Which is no less odd Than trying to hold fire and water together!

One who claims to espouse both God and mammon Will be condemned in this world and the next.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Duneeaa ghar munaafiq de, Yaa ghar kaafir de sohndee hoo

Naqsh nigaar kare bahutere, Zan khoobaan sabh mohndee hoo

Bijlee vaang kare lishkaare, Sir de utton jhondee hoo

Hazrat Eesaa dee sil caangoon, Vaindiaan raah kuhendee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

This world-the great seductress- Best suits the home of an infidel or an athiest.

She adorns herself with cunning And uses her coquettish charm to entice one and all.

She swings her body with the speed of lightening; She wraps her lustful arms around people.

She kills those who woo her, Like the golden brick that destroyed its claimants-* But she belongs to no one.

 

* The golden brick refers to a story handed down from the times of Jesus: Three men travelling through the forest found a brick of gold. They were filled with joy and decided to distribute the brick among themselves in equal parts. After travelling some distance they stopped to rest for the night. One of them was sent to bring some food from a

nearby market. He decided to kill the other two and put poison in their food so he would be the sole owner of the golden brick. Meanwhile, the other two conspired to kill the man who had gone to get food and to divide the brick in two equal parts. When the man with the food came, the other two killed him. And when the two ate the food, they died of the poison in it. Thus they killed one another for the gold that, in the end, belonged to no one.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jo dil mange hove naaheen, Hovan rahiaa parere hoo

Dost na deve dil daa daaroo, Ishq na vaagaan phere hoo

Is maidaan muhabbat de wich, Milde taa tikhere hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton Baahoo, Jinh rakhiaa qadam agree hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

What the heart desires it does not find; Far distant remains its fulfillment:

The Friend does not dispence the balm for my heart; The heart suffers but love does not accede,

While in the arena of love, rages the fire of longing!

I sacrifice myself to anyone, O Bahu, who, Having once stepped on to the path of love, Always moves ahead.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Je toon chaahen wahadat Rabb dee, Mal murshid deeaan taleeaan hoo

Murshid lutfon kare nazaaraa, Gul theevan sab kaleeaan hoo

Inhaan wich hik laalaa hosee, Gul naazuk kul phaleeaan hoo

Doheen jahaneen multthe, jinhaan Sang keetaa do daleeaan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If you desire to attain the oneness of God, Submit yourself at the Master’s feet.

When the Master casts his merciful glance on you, The buds of mystery will unfold Into the blossoms of revelation.

Among them will be the scarlet poppy* In whose delicate petals will shine a subtle mystery.

Those divided in their loyalties, half-hearted in their approach Will be deprived in both the worlds, O Bahu.

 

* The secret poppy is compared to a lover’s heart owing its colour, delicate petals and dark spot in the centre which signifies burning in separation. This dark spot also symbolizes nuqta-i-suvaida, the eye of the heart, the third eye.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jisne alif mutaaliaa keetaa, Be daa baab na parhdaa hoo

Chhorh sifaatee jis laddios zaatee, Aamee door chaa karda hoo

Nafs ammaaraa kutrhaa jaane, Naaz niaaz na dhardaa hoo

Kiaa parvaah tinhaan noon, jinhaan Ghaarhoo laddhaa ghar daa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

One who has grasped the meaning of Alif Need not proceed to read the chapter of bey*

One who has obtained the true Name of God Will discard the names that simply describe him.

He does not feed and pamper the cruel dog of his ego.

They are free of all care, O Bahu, Who have the Master in their home To fashion the ornament of their soul.

 

* Bey (Prounounced ‘bay’) is the second letter of the Arabic, Persian and Urdu alphabets. Here it means all knowledge that is other than God’s, who is symbolized by Alif, the first letter. See also the footnote of Bait 28.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jain dil ishq khareed na keetaa, So dil sakht na-bakhtee hoo

Ustaad azal de sabaq parhhaaiaa, Hath dittas dil takhtee hoo

Bar sar aaiaan dam na maareen, Jaan aave sir sakhtee hoo

Parhh tauheed ho waasil Baahoo, Sabaq parhheeve waqtee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ill-starred is the heart That has not struck the bargain of love.

My timeless Teacher has insribed this lesson On the tablet of my heart:

“Be not vain when you taste success; make no complaint when times prove hard.

Learn the lesson of oneness and merge in God, O Bahu- The lesson only a living Master can teach.”

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jain dil ishq khareed na keetaa, So dil dard na phuttee hoo

Us dil theen sang patthar change, Jis dil ghaflat attee hoo

Jain dil ishq huzoor na mangiaa, So dargaahon suttee hoo

Miliaa dost na unhaan, jinhaan Chaurh na keetee trattee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The heart that has not struck the bargain of love Remains bereft of the pain of longing.

A stone is better than the heart That is stuck in the mire of apathy.

The heart that does not seek God’s loving presence Will be cast out of his courst.

You cannot find the Friend, O Bahu, If you have not sacrificed your all for him.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jain dil ishq khareed na keeta, So dil dard na jaane hoo

Khunse khusre har koee aakhe, Kaun kahe mardaane hoo

Galeeaan wich phiran arbele, Jion danger deevaane hoo

Mard namard tadaaheen khulsan, Jad aashiq banhsan gaane hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hearts that have not struck the bargain of love Cannot know the pangs of longing.

They will always be labelled spiritually impotent. Who will consider them ‘men of God’?

Aimlessly they roam the alleyways of life, Like cattle dumb and stupid. When lovers tie the wrist bands of commitment

*

Before entering the arena of love, It will be clear who is a man of God And who a mere pretender.

 

* In some parts of India it is the custom to tie wrist bands on those entering battle.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jain denh daa main dar tainde te, Sajdaa sahee vanj keetaa hoo

Us denh daa fidaa uthaaheen, Bayaa darbaar na leetaa hoo

Sir devan sirr aakhan naheen, Shauq piaalaa peetaa hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton jinhaan, Ishq salaamat keetaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ever since I correctly bowed my head* At your doorstep, O Lord,

I have dedicated my life to your court – I have sought no other court since.

Once you have drunk from the cup of love, You would rather part with your head

Than the secret of your heart, O Bahu, I make myself a sacrifice to anyone Who has preserved God’s love with his life.

 

* By correctly bowing one’s head in prayer, Bahu means meditating according to the instructions of one’s Master

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jo paakee bin ishq maahee, So paakee jaan paleetee hoo

Hik butkhaane waasil hoe, Hik khaalee rahe maseetee hoo

Ishq dee baazee unhaan laaee, Jinh sir den dhil na keetee hoo

Hargiz dost na mildaa, jinhaan Trattee chaurh na keetee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

Someone who is chaste by does not love the Lord Is pollutred in both mind and spirit.

Some achieve union in the idol house [of their hearts], While others continue to be isolated in the mosque.*

Only those who radily offer their heads To the alter of God win the game of love.

Those who have not sacrificed their all for the Friend Will never meet him, O Bahu!

 

* In Muslim belief a mosque is the house of God, whereas an idol house is a symbol of heresy because praying to an idol is considered a sin against God. In Sufi literature ‘Idol temple’ is used as a metaphor for the eye centre, the spiritual heart, which contains the radiant image of the Master, the object of inner worship

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jo dam ghaafil so dam kaafir, Murshid eh parhhaaiaa hoo

Suniaa sukhan gaeeaan khul akheen, Chit maulaa wal laaiaa hoo

Keetee jaan havaale Rabb de, Aisaa ishq kamaaiaa hoo

Maran ton agge mar gae Baahoo, Taan matalab noon paaiaa hoo

 

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My Master taught me a lesson: “Any moment you are negligent in rememrance of God is a moment spent in denial of God.”

These words opened my eyes to reality, And I fixed my attention on the Lord.

I then placed my soul in his protection- Such was the love I cultivated in my heart.

Having thus bequeathed my soul to him, I died before death – to live in him. Only then did I attain the goal of life, O Bahu!

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jeenda kee jaanan saar moiaan dee, So jaane jo mardaa hoo

Qabraan de wich ann na paanee, Kharch lorheendaa ghar daa hoo

Ikk vichhorha maan pio bhaaeeaan, Biaa azaab qabar daa hoo

Waah naseebaa usdaa jehrha, Wich hayaatee mardaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

How can the living know the plight of the dead? He alone knows who himself has died!

The grave provides no food, no drink, No provisions for the new home.*

To one’s separation from paretns and relatives There is the added torment of the grave.

How fortunate is he, O Bahu, Who can die while sill alive!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jangal de wich sher marelaa, Baaz pave wich ghar de hoo

Ishq jehaa sarraaf na koee, Khot na chhadde zar de hoo

Aashiq neendar bhukh na kaaee, Aashiq mool na marde hoo

Aashiq soee jeende dehrhe, Rabb agge sir dharde hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Like a lion that kills in the forest And a hawk that preys in the farmland,

Love destroys all impurites of the heart Better than a goldsmith can purify gold.

Lovers are always awake – They are free from appetites of the flesh, And they have conquered death.

But only those lovers are truly alive, O Bahu, Who offer their heads at the altar of God.

 

 

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jinhaan ishq haqeeqee paaiaa, Moohon na alaavan hoo

Zikar fikar wich raihan hameshaa, Dam noon qaid lagaavan hoo

Nafsee, qalbee, roohee, sirree, Akhfee, khafee, kamaavan hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton, jehrhe Hikkas nigaah jivaavan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Those who are blessed with God’s love Utter not a word about their condition.

Absorbed in his love, they dedicate Every breath of their lives To remembrance and contemplation of him.

Their minds, hearts, bodies and souls Are all engaged in the inner mystic practise.

I sacrifice myself to those Masters, O Bahu, Who, with but one glance, Infuse life into dead hearts.

How can the living know the plight of the dead? He alone knows who himself has died!

The grave provides no food, no drink, No provisions for the new home.

 

*To one’s separation from paretns and relatives There is the added torment of the grave.

How fortunate is he, O Bahu, Who can die while sill alive!

 

* Provisions: We can only have available to us after death what we have earned during our lives through our prayers and our actions – good, as well as bad. In other words, we carry our own provisions into the world beyond.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jeevandiaan mar raihanaa hove, Taan des faqeeraan bahe-e hoo

Je koee sutte guddarh koorha, Vaang arooree rahee-e hoo

Je koee deve gaalaan mehne, Usnoon jee jee kahee-e hoo

Gila, ulaahmaan, bhandee, khwaaree, Yaar de paaron sahee-e hoo

Qaadir de hath dor asaadi, Jion rakkhe tion rahee-e hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If you wish to learn the art of dying while living, Go and sit in the company of mystics.

If someone splatters you with dirt, Be like a dung hill, take it without reproach.

Let them hurl abuse at you – accept it in humility.

Bear complaints, censure, blame, calumny with patience – For the sake of the Beloved.

Our strings are in the hands of Almighty; Let us live in submission to his will.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Je Rabb nahaatiaan dhotiaan mildaa, Mildaa dadooaan machheeaan hoo

Je Rabb mildaa mon munaaiaan, Mildaa bhedan sassiaan hoo

Je Rabb jateeaan sateeaan mildaa, Mildaa daandaan khasseeaan hoo

Rabb unhaan noon mildaa Baahoo, Neetaan jinhaan achheeaan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If God could be found by bathing in holy waters, Frogs and fish would find him.

If God were realized by cutting off your hair, Sheep and goats, which are shorn for their wool, Would realize him too.

If God were found through nightly vigils, bats and owls would find him.

If God could be found through calibacy, Castrated bulls should also discover him.

God is realized by those, O Bahu, Who are pure of heart, noble of intent.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jinhaan shauh alif theen paaiaa, Phol Quraan na parhhde hoo

Maaran dam muhabbat waala, Door hoeo nen parde hoo

Dozakh bahisht ghulaam tinhaan de, Chaa keetone barde hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan de jehrhe, Wahadat de wich varhde hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Those who have found the Lord Through their contemplation on Alif Do not read the holy Qur’an.

They live by the love of God As the veil of ignorance is lifted from their eyes.

Even heaven and hell wait on them, Becoming their very slaves.

I sacrifice myself to those, O Bahu, Who merge themselves in the oneness of God.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jad daa murshid kaazaa ditrhaa, Tad dee beparvaahee hoo

Kee hoiaa je raateen jaagen, Murshid jaag na laaee hoo

Raateen jaagen karen ibaadat, Nindiaa karen paraaee hoo

Koorha takht duneeaa daa Baahoo, Faqar sacchee patshaahee hooo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ever since my Master gave me To drink from his cup of nectar, I have become carefree-indifferent to the world.

If a Master has not initiated you into God’s mystery, Keeping awake to pray at night will avail you nothing.

All night you spend in prayer and worship, All day you indulge in slanderous talk.

The power and authority of the world is false, O Bahu! True is the sovereignty of the faqir!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jitthe rattee ishq vike uth, Manaan imaan na dheeve hoo

Kutab, kitabaan, vird, vazeefe, Autar chaa kacheeve hoo

Baajhon murshid kujh na haasil, Raateen jaag parhheeve hoo

Maree-e maran theen agge Baahoo, Taan Rabb haasil theeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

In the court of the Lord, an ounce of love Weighs more than tons of religios faith.

Reading of scriptures, worship and rituals Are all barren and fruitless practise.

Without a Master nothing will be achieved Even if you read your own prayers the whole night long.

Only if you die before your death, O Bahu, Will you attain God.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jain dil ishq khareed na keetaa, So dil dard na phuttee hoo

Us dil theen sang patthar change, Jis dil ghaflat attee hoo

Jain dil ishq huzoor na mangiaa, So dargaahon suttee hoo

Miliaa dost na unhaan, jinhaan Chaurh na keetee trattee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The heart that has not struck the bargain of love Remains bereft of the pain of longing.

A stone is better than the heart That is stuck in the mire of apathy.

The heart that does not seek God’s loving presence Will be cast out of his courst.

You cannot find the Friend, O Bahu, If you have not sacrificed your all for him.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jain dil ishq khareed na keeta, So dil dard na jaane hoo

Khunse khusre har koee aakhe, Kaun kahe mardaane hoo

Galeeaan wich phiran arbele, Jion danger deevaane hoo

Mard namard tadaaheen khulsan, Jad aashiq banhsan gaane hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hearts that have not struck the bargain of love Cannot know the pangs of longing.

They will always be labelled spiritually impotent. Who will consider them ‘men of God’?

Aimlessly they roam the alleyways of life, Like cattle dumb and stupid. When lovers tie the wrist bands of commitment*

Before entering the arena of love, It will be clear who is a man of God And who a mere pretender.

 

* In some parts of India it is the custom to tie wrist bands on those entering battle.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Jain denh daa main dar tainde te, Sajdaa sahee vanj keetaa hoo

Us denh daa fidaa uthaaheen, Bayaa darbaar na leetaa hoo

Sir devan sirr aakhan naheen, Shauq piaalaa peetaa hoo

Main qurbaan tinhaan ton jinhaan, Ishq salaamat keetaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Ever since I correctly bowed my head* At your doorstep, O Lord,

I have dedicated my life to your court – I have sought no other court since.

Once you have drunk from the cup of love, You would rather part with your head

Than the secret of your heart, O Bahu, I make myself a sacrifice to anyone Who has preserved God’s love with his life.

 

* By correctly bowing one’s head in prayer, Bahu means meditating according to the instructions of one’s Master.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jo paakee bin ishq maahee, So paakee jaan paleetee hoo

Hik butkhaane waasil hoe, Hik khaalee rahe maseetee hoo

Ishq dee baazee unhaan laaee, Jinh sir den dhil na keetee hoo

Hargiz dost na mildaa, jinhaan Trattee chaurh na keetee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Someone who is chaste by does not love the Lord Is pollutred in both mind and spirit.

Some achieve union in the idol house [of their hearts], While others continue to be isolated in the mosque.

 

Only those who radily offer their heads To the alter of God win the game of love.

Those who have not sacrificed their all for the Friend Will never meet him, O Bahu!

 

* In Muslim belief a mosque is the house of God, whereas an idol house is a symbol of heresy because praying to an idol is considered a sin against God. In Sufi literature ‘Idol temple’ is used as a metaphor for the eye centre, the spiritual heart, which contains the radiant image of the Master, the object of inner worship.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jo dam ghaafil so dam kaafir, Murshid eh parhhaaiaa hoo

Suniaa sukhan gaeeaan khul akheen, Chit maulaa wal laaiaa hoo

Keetee jaan havaale Rabb de, Aisaa ishq kamaaiaa hoo

Maran ton agge mar gae Baahoo, Taan matalab noon paaiaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My Master taught me a lesson: “Any moment you are negligent in rememrance of God is a moment spent in denial of God.”

These words opened my eyes to reality, And I fixed my attention on the Lord.

I then placed my soul in his protection- Such was the love I cultivated in my heart.

Having thus bequeathed my soul to him, I died before death – to live in him. Only then did I attain the goal of life, O Bahu!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jitthe rattee ishq vike uth, Manaan imaan na dheeve hoo

Kutab, kitabaan, vird, vazeefe, Autar chaa kacheeve hoo

Baajhon murshid kujh na haasil, Raateen jaag parhheeve hoo

Maree-e maran theen agge Baahoo, Taan Rabb haasil theeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

In the court of the Lord, an ounce of love Weighs more than tons of religios faith.

Reading of scriptures, worship and rituals Are all barren and fruitless practise.

Without a Master nothing will be achieved Even if you read your own prayers the whole night long.

Only if you die before your death, O Bahu, Will you attain God.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Jangal de wich sher marelaa, Baaz pave wich ghar de hoo

Ishq jehaa sarraaf na koee, Khot na chhadde zar de hoo

Aashiq neendar bhukh na kaaee, Aashiq mool na marde hoo

Aashiq soee jeende dehrhe, Rabb agge sir dharde hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Like a lion that kills in the forest And a hawk that preys in the farmland,

Love destroys all impurites of the heart Better than a goldsmith can purify gold.

Lovers are always awake – They are free from appetites of the flesh, And they have conquered death.

But only those lovers are truly alive, O Bahu, Who offer their heads at the altar of God.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Paak paleet na honed torhe, Raihande wich paleetee hoo

Wahadat de dariaa uchhalle, Hik dil sahee na keetee hoo

Hik butkhaane waasil hoe, Hik parhh parhh rahe maseetee hoo

Faazil sutt fazeelat baithe, Ishq namaaz jaan neetee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The pure are never contaminated Even while they live in this polluted world.

A tide of love has surged in the ocean of Unity, But those who have not prepared themselves Cannot open their hearts to it.

Some merge with the Beloved’s form In the idol house [of their hearts],* While others pore over scriptures in mosques, Gaining nothing.

Scholars renounce their ‘superior’ learning, O Bahu, when they learn the prayer of love.

 

* In Muslim belief a mosque is the house of God, whereas an idol house is a symbol of heresy because praying to an idol is considered a sin against God. In Sufi literature ‘Idol temple’ is used as a metaphor for the eye centre, the spiritual heart, which contains the radiant image of the Master, the object of inner worship.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Peer mile te peerh na jaave, Taan us peer kee dharnaa hoo

Murshid miliaan rushd na man noon, Oh murshid kee karnaa hoo

Jis haadee theen naheen hidaayat, Oh haadee kee pharhnaa hoo

Sir dittiaan haqq haasil have, Mauton mool na darnaa hoo

 

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

If a master does not end your pain of separation. He is not even worth calling a Master.

Who would even need the kind of Master Who does not bestow spiritual blessing?

Why even go to the kind of teacher Who is incapable of giving proper instruction?

If you can reach God by sacrificing your head, Be not afraid of that death, O Bahu!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Paataa daaman hoiaa puraanaa, Kickarak seeve darzee hoo

Haal da maihram koee na miliaa, Jo miliaa so gharzee hoo

Baajh murabbee kise na laddhee, Gujjhee ramz andar dee hoo

Ose raah wal jaaee-e Baahoo, Jis theen khalqat dardee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My cloak is now worn out and tattered; How long will the tailor keep mending it?

I met no one who really knew the inner secret; They were all lacking, they were all selfish.

None by my gracious Master Resolved the inner mystery.

Let us advance on the very path, O Bahu, On which the multitude fears to tread.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Panje maihal, panjaan wich chaanan, Deevaa kit val dharee-e hoo

Panje maihar, panje patwaaree, Haasil kit val bharee-e hoo

Panj imaam te panje qible, Sajdaah kit val karee-e hoo

Je sahib sir mange Baahoo, Hargiz dhill na karee-e hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Within me are five great mansions- All five brightly lit; What need have I of another lamp?

I am no longer accountable To the five lords and tax collectors Who barricade the inner path.

Five prayer leaders call the faithful To the five mosques within. What need have I of another mosque?

IF the Lord calls for your head, O Bahu, do not hesitate; offer it at once.

 

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Tark duneeaa dee taaeen hose, Jad faqeer milesee khaasaa hoo

Taarik duneeaa taaeen hose, Jad hath pakarhesee kaasaa hoo

Dariaa wahadat nosh keetose, ajaan vee jee piaasaa hoo

Raah faqar ratt hanjoo rovan, Lokaan bhaane haasaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

You wil be able to renounce the world Only when you find the treasure of devotion.

True renunciation will only occur When you beg for the Lord’s grace In the begging bowl of your heart.

Deep have I drunk from the ocean of Oneness, Yet my soul always thirsts for more.

Only tears of blood can pave the way to God; O Bahu, none but the ignorant will take this lightly.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Tullaa banh tawakkul waalaa, Ho mardaanaa taree-e hoo

Jain dukh teen such hasil hove, Us theen mool na daree-e hoo

Inna ma-al-usar yusran aaiaa, Chit use val dharee-e hoo

Beparvaah dargaah oh Baahoo, Ro ro haasil bharee-e hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Build the ship of faith and bravely sail across,

Do not mind the pain that results in happiness.

Inscribe on the tablet of your heart The writ of the holy Qur’an:“From suffering comes ease and comfort.”

Absolute is the Lord – he is accountable to none. O Bahu, let us offer him his due Through prayer and the tears of penitence.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Tan main yaar daa shaihar banaaiaa, Dil wich khaas mahallaa hoo

Aan alif dil vasson keetee, Hoee khoob tasallaa hoo

Sab kujh mainoon piaa suneeve, Jo bole maasawaa allaah hoo

Dardmandaan eh ramz pachhaatee, Bedardaan sir khallaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

For my friend I made my body into a city, Where I built for him a special home in my heart,

When the one Lord took abode in it, I was blessed with profound peace.

I now hear his Voice echoing in everything, Even in voices other than his own.*

Only those who suffer the pangs of love Can realize this divine secret; Others will be rebuffed from the Lord’s court.

 

* God’s own voice is the holy Word or Kalma, which is too subtle a sound to be perceived externally. But once that Kalma is realized within, its pervasiveness becomes manifest in everything – even in the grosser sounds of the Creation.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Torhe tang puraane hovan, Gujjhe raihan na taazee hoo

Maar naqaaraa dil wich varhiaa, Khed giaa ik baazee hoo

Maar dilaan noon jol ditto jad, takke nain niazee hoo

Unhaan naal kee hoiaa, jinhaan Yaar na rakhiaa raazee hoo

 

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The saddle may be old, it’s girth worn, But an Arabian horse will not go unnoticed.*

With the beat of a drum has entered my heart,* And look! What a wondrous game he has played:

My heart was stirred to its very depth When I looked into his gracious eyes.

Ask not the fate of those, O Bahu, Who could not earn the pleasure of the beloved Friend.

 

* An Arabian horse, in terms of its speed and agility, symbolizes the all-powerful Word or Kalma, of which the Master is a physical manifestation.

 

* Beat of a drum signifies the holy Sound – the Word or Shabd. Whenever the Master manifests himself within a disciple he is invariably accompanied by the Sound.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Tasbee daa toon kasbee hoion, Dam maaren sang waleeaan hoo

Dil daa mankaa ik na pheren, Gal paaen panj veehaan hoo

Den giaan gal ghotoo aave, Lain giaan jhat sheehaan hoo

Patthar chit jinhaan de, Othe zaaiaa vasanaa meehaan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

You have become an expert in counting beads; You conduct yourself with an air of piety,

A hundred-bead rosary circles your neck, But you have failed to count The one bead of your heart!

When it comes to giving, you feel strangled; When taking, you grab like a lion.

On the hearts that are hard like stone, O Bahu, rainfall is a wasted offering.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Tad faqeer shataabee banadaa, Jad jaan ishq wich haare hoo

Aashiq sheeshaa nafs murabbee, Jaan jaanaan ton vaare hoo

Khud nafsee chhad hastee jherhe, Laah siron sab bhaare hoo

Moiaan bajh na haasil theendaa, Sai sai saang utaare hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

A seeker can quickly become a Saint When he loses himself in love:

His self becomes subdued and friendly; His heart becomes refined and transparent As he sacrificed his self to the Beloved,

One must, hence, shake off the load of ego- Of life itself-for without dying in love,

The goal of life cannot be attained! Countless other means have I tried and failed.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Toon taan jaag na jaag faqeeraa, Larhen ant jagaaiaa hoo

Akheen meetiaan dil na jaage, Jaage matlab paaiaa hoo

Eh nuktaa jad pukhtaa keetaa, Zaahir aakh sunaaiaa hoo

Main taan bhullee vaindee Baahoo, Murshid raah vikhaaiaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

You may or may not wake up now, O faqir; But you will wake up to reality in the end.

Your heart will not awaken By merely sitting with eyes closed- It will awaken when you realize the goal,

When I attained my ultimate objective, I proclaimed it to the world.

But on my own I would have still been lost, O Bahu, Were it not for my Master showing me the way.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Tasbeeh pheree dil na phiriaa, Kee lainaa is pharh ke hoo

Parhhiaa ilam, adab na sikhiaa, Kee lainaa tis parhh ke hoo

Chillaa kattiaa, kujh na khattiaa, Kee liaa chille varh ke hoo

Jaag binaan dudh jamde naaheen, Laal hovan karh karh ke hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

You have been counting your rosary beads, But your heart hasn’t taken a turn for the better.What can anyone gain from such a practice?

You acquired knowledge by reading scriptures, But you didn’t submit yourself to their mandate, What can anyone gain from such knowledge?

You secluded yourself for forty-day retreats, But that too did you no good

You may keep boiling milk forever, O Bahu, But unless it is cultured, it will not yield the essence.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Saabat sidaq, te kadam agere, Taaeen Rabb labheeve hoo

Loon loon de wich zikr Allaah daa, Hardam piaa parhheeve hoo

Zaahir batin ain-ayaanee, Hoo hoo piaa suneeve hoo

Naam faqeer tinhaan da Baahoo, Qabar jinhaan dee jeeve hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Be steadfast in your faith, bold in your step; Only then will you find God.

Every pore of your body will repeat the Name of Allah, With every breath of your life.

Both within yourself and without You will then hear the reverberating strains of Hu.

Only they may be called faqirs, O Bahu, Whose very graves breathe Life.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Saabat ishq tinhaan ne laddhaa, Trattee chaurh jain keetee hoo

Na oh soofee, na oh saafee, Na sajdaa karan maseetee hoo

Khaalis neel puraane utte, Na charhdaa rang majeethee hoo

Qaazee aan sharaa wal Baahoo, Ishq namaaz na neetee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

They alone are blessed with true love Who have sacrificed their all for their Beloved,

They may not be Sufis nor be Safis; They may not prostrate themselves in temples.

Those who are dyed deep in the indigo of religion Will never accept the crimson of God’s love:

Priests are stuck in rituals, O Bahu; They have never learned to prostrate themselves in love.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Be-buzurgee vaihan lurhhaaee-e, Karee-e rajj mukaalaa hoo

Laa-illaah gal gaihnaa marhiaa, Mazhab kee lagdaa saalaa hoo

Il-lillaah ghar mere aaiaa, Jain aan uthaaiaa paalaa hoo

Asaan piaalaa Khizron peetaa, Aab hayaatee waalaa hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Throughly blacken the face of priestly wisdom, And dump it in the sewer.

The kalma has adorned you like a diamond necklace – Let that accursed religion mind its own business!

The Kalma has manifested itself within me; The fear of death is now banished from my heart.

It was my Master, O Bahu, who gave me to drink From the cup that held the water of life.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Banh chalaiaa tarf zameen de, Arshon darsh tikaaiaa hoo

Ghar theen miliaa des nikaalaa, Likhiaa jholee paaiaa hoo

Rauh nee duneeaa, na kar jherhaa, Saadaa dil ghabraaiaa hoo

Aseen pardesee watan duraadaa, Dam dam alam savaaiaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I was bound and flung down: Banished from heaven, dumped on earth,

Bound by the dictates of my destiny, I was exiled into this alien land.

Off with you, sly world, aggravate me no more, I am already in anguish.

I am a stranger, my home is very far away, And my situation worsens With every breath I draw here.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Be te parhh ke faazil hoe, Alif na parhhiaa kisse hoo

Jain parhhiaa tis shauh na laddhaa, Jaan parhhiaa kujh tisse hoo

Chaudaan tabaq karan rushnaaee, Annhiaan kujh na disse hoo

Baajh wisaal Allaah de Baahoo, Sabh kahaanee qisse hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

They learned ‘everything’ and became great scholars, But few learned the lesson of Alif*

Those who learned ‘everything’ never found the One. Those who learned the lesson of Oneness Found the essence of ‘everything’

 

All fourteen realms are lit up with God’s radiance, But the blind perceive nothing.

 

If union is not attained with the Lord, O Bahu, All learning is mere theory – A mere fable that disappears into smoke.

 

* Alif is the first letter of the Arabic, Persian and Urdu alphabets. It is written as a vertical straight line like the numeral ‘one’ (1). Hazrat Bahu uses this similarity to identify alif with the ‘oneness’ of God. He also uses alif as an abbreviation of Ahad, the One.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

Be-Bauhtee main auganhaaree, Laaj paee gal us de hoo

Parhh parhh aalim karan takabbur, Shaitaan jahe uth musde hoo

Lakkhaan noon bhau dozakh waalaa, Hik bahishton rusde hoo

Aashiq de gal chhuree hameshaa, Yaar de agge kusde hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Of all sinners I am indeed the most sinful. But in my Lord’s protection lies my honour.

In this world the learned are filled with satanic pride, But they are robbed and maligned in the world beyond.

Millions fear the torment of hell, But lovers turn their backs even on paradise.*

A lover’s throat is always under the knife, Bahu, But at the alter of the Friend He rejoices in being a sacrifice.

 

* In muslim belief paradise is a place of carefree happiness and hoy, beauty and abundance; it is also a place where all of one’s wishes are fulfilled.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Parhh parhh ilam mulook rijaavan, Kiaa hoiaa is parhhiaan hoo

Hargiz makkhan mool na aave, Phitte dudh de karhiaan hoo

Aakh chandooraa hath kee aaiaa, Es angooree phariaan hoo

Hik dil khastaa raazee rakkheen, Laaeen ibaadat varahian hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Priests and scholars parade their learning To please the kings – Of what avail is such erudition?

Reading scriptures is like boiling curdled milk In the false hope of obtaining butter.

No more profitable to them is their chanting Than is chirping to the mimicking chandoor.*

If you bring inner comfort to a heart in distress You will earn the merit of years of worship.

 

* Chandoor or chandol is a mimicking bird. It imitates sounds, including spoken words – obviously without knowing their meaning, in much the same manner as priests recite and quote the words of Saints without realizing their underlying message.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Parhh parhh aalim karan takabbur, Hafiz karan vadaaee hoo

Galiaan de wich phiran nimaane, Baghal kitaabaan chaaee hoo

Jithe wekhan changaa chokhaa, Parhhan kalaam savaaee hoo

Doheen jahaaneen mutthe jinhaan, Khaadhee vech kamaaee hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

The scholar is proud of his learning, The hafiz thrives on self-promotion.*

With books under their arms They go around, selling their honour,

Wherever they find a promising household, they read the scripture in loud, fervent strains for a lucrative commission.

O Bahu! They have put God’s name on sale Just to make a living. In this world they live spiritually bankrupt; Stripped of all honour, they go to the one beyond.

 

* A hafiz is a Muslim, usually a member of the clergy, who has the ability to recite the entire Qur’an from memory; a well-read person; a scholar.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Parhh parhh ilam mushaikh sadaavan, Karan ibaadat dohree hoo

Andar jhuggee paee luteeve, Tan man khabar na more hoo

Maulaa waalee sadaa sukhaalee, Dil ton laah takoree hoo

Rabb tinhaan noon haasil, jinhaan Jag na keetee choree hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

They thing they have acquired great learning; They call themselves sheikhs.

While they perform much outside worship. They do not know the manner in which temptation,Like a thief, enters to ravage their hearts.

The soul that has attached herself to God Is forever at peace – The smoke screen of illusion is lifted from her eyes.

Only they realize God, O Bahu, Whose hearts the world has not seduced

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Parhh parhh ilam hazaar kitaaban, Aalim hoe bhaare hoo

Harf ik ishq daa parhh na jaanan, Bhulle phiran vichaare hoo

Ishq aqal wich manzil bhaaree, Saiaan kohaan de paarhe hoo

JInhaan ishq khareed na keetaa, Doheen jahaaneen mare hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

They have read thousands of books, They have come to be known as great scholars,

But the one word, ‘love’, they could not grasp – So helplessly they wander in delusion,

 

Vast is the gulf between love and intellect.

Those who have not purchased love In the marketplace of this life, O Bahu. Will always be losers in this world and the next.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Parhhiaa ilam te vadhi aghrooree, Aqal bhee giaa talohaan hoo

Bhullaa raah hidaayat waala, Nafaa na keetaa dohaan hoo

Sir dittiaan je sirr hath aave, Saudaa haar na tohaan hoo

Varheen bazaar muhabbat waale, Raihbar laike soohan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

You acquired learning, your pride swelled, And your mind took a downward course,

You strayed from the path of living guidance – Neither your learning, nor your pride did you any good,

If you gain the inner secret by selling off your head* You will not be the loser in the deal.

But when you enter the marketplace of love, Be sure to have a Guide who knows this inner secret.

 

* Selling off your head means unconditionally surrendering your self or ego to the Lord.

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Eh tan Rabb sachche daa hujraa, Khirheeaan baagh bahaaraan hoo

Wichche kooze, wich musalle, Wich sajde diaan thaaraan hoo

Wichche kaabaa wichche qiblaah, il-lillaah pukaaraan hoo

Kaamil murshid miliaa Baahoo, Aape laisee saaraan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

This body is a temple of the true Lord In which fragrant gardens abound With eternally fresh blossoms.

Inside are the prayer mats, the places for prostration And the means for ritual ablution.

Inside is the Ka’ba and the Qibla,* And here I cry out to Allah, the one without parallel.

O Bahu, I have found the perfect Master Who will guide and protect me within.

 

*Qibla, Lit. ‘focal point’; the point to which prayer is directed, especially the Ka’Ba. In other words it is the geographical location of the Ka’ba in relation to a devotee in ritual prayer called namaaz – he must face in the direction of the Ka’ba while offering his devotion. IN a mosque this direction is indicated by the mehraab (prayer arch). Qibla is also used as a synonym for the Ka’ba.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aujharh jhall te maaroo bele, Jitthe jaalan aaee hoo

Jis kaddhee noon dhaah hameshaan, Ajj dhatthee kal dhaaee hoo

Nain jinhaan dee vahe sirhaandee, Oh such na saonde raahee hoo

Ret paanee jith hon ikatthe, Uth bannee na bajhdee kaaee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

This body, this desolate wilderness, In which the soul has come to lodge, Is a rapidly crumbling bank of the river of time.

It will collapse – tomorrow, if not today.

Lodged on the edge of such a shore, How can a traveller sleep in peace?

For where sand and water meet, No embankment can hold, O Bahu.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Aap na taalib hain kaheen de, Lokaan taalib karde hoo

Chaavan khepaan karde sepaan, Na Rabb de qaihron dared hoo

Ishq majaazee tilkan baazee, Pair avalle dharde hoo

Oh sharminde hosan Baahoo, Andar roz hashae de hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

These false prophets Were never disciples themselves. But they contrive to make disciples of others

As an act of seeming benefaction. But they swindle their disciples Of their money and belongings;

They fear not the wrath of God. Crooked in their ways, they lose their footing

In the slippery game of outward love. Say Bahu: They will regret their doings on the day of judgement

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Andar hoo te baahir hoo, Baahoo kith labheeve hoo

Sai riaazat kar karaahan, Khoon jigar daa peeve hoo

Lakh hazaar kitaaban parh ke, Daanishmand sadeeve hoo

Naam faqeer tahendaa Baahoo, Qabar jahendee jeeve hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hu is within, Hu is without, Hu pervades everything; Where then is Bahu to find Hu?

He has wounded his own heart, He has tortured his own soul

With austerities of all manner, With worship of all kinds, Having read millions of books,

He has also come to be called ‘wise’,But the name ‘faqir’ befits only him, O Bahu, Whose very grave breathes life!*

 

* The body is a greave in which the soul stays buried until awakened by the kalma or Word of God.

 

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Alif-Allaah chambe dee bootee, Murshid man wich laandaa hoo

Jis gatt utte sohanaa raazee, Oho gatt sikhaandaa hoo

Hardam yaad rakhe har wele, Sohanaa uthaandaa bahaandaa hoo

Aap samajh samjhendaa Bahoo, Aap aape ban jaandaa hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My master has sown in my heart The jasmine of God’s Name.

He has taught me how to captivate The heart of my charming Beloved.

He keeps me in his thoughts eternally. He always makes me do his will.

He himself grants me his wisdom, O Bahu. He himself moulds me into his own real Self.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Baahoo baagh bahaaraan khirhiaan, Nargis naaz sharam daa hoo

Dil wich kaabaa sahee keetose, Paakon paak piram daa hoo

Taalib talab tawaaf tamaamee, Hubb huzoor haram daa hoo

Giaa hijaab theeose haajee, Bakhshish raah karam daa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The garden of my heart has so blossomed That it puts the charming narcissus to shame,

Manifested within me is the holy Ka’ba; Blessed with the purity of love, my heart rejoices,

I circle the inner Ka’ba with fervent love; In ardent devotion I yearn For the blessing of my Beloved’s presence.

The veil is now lifted, my pilgrimage is complete, In his mercy, O Bahu, lies the way to remission.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Baghdaad shareef vanj karaahaan, Saudaa ne keetose hoo

Ratti aqal dee de karaahaan, Bhaar ghamaan daa ghidose hoo

Bhaujal bhaar manzil chaukheree, Orhak vanj pahuteose hoo

Zaat sifaat sahee keetose, Taan Jamaal laddhose hoo

 

 

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I went to holy Baghdad to trade my soul For a grain of my Master’s wisdom.

I bore a heavy load of sorrows.

My burden was great, my destination far, But I arrived at last!

When I perceived the essence of the Lord As distinct from his qualities, My heart was illuminated With the splendour of his countenance.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Baajh huzooree naheen manzooree, Pae parhhan bang salaataan hoo

Roze, nafal namaaz, guzaaran, Pae jaagan saareeaan raataan hoo

Baajhon qabal huzoor na hove, Pae kadhan sai zakaataan hoo

Bajh fanaa Rabb haasil naaheen, Na taaseer jamaataan hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

If you don’t have the Master’s presence within, You will not attain acceptance in God’s court.Useless is all prayer, futile is all chanting.

You can fast, you can pray the whole night through To supplement your daily prayer;

You can also perform numerous acts of charity; But if your heart is not purified, You will not feel God’s presence within.

If you have not died before your death, chanting in group prayers will avail you nothing.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Be-adabaan na saar adab dee, Gae adab theen vaanje hoo

Jahrhe hon mittee de bhaande, Kadeen na theevan kaanje hoo

Jehrhe mudh qadeem de Kherhe, Kadeen na honed Raanjhe hoo

Jain huzoor na mangiaa Baahoo, Doheen jahaaneen vaanje hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The irreverent know not the manners of love; Bereft of love will they depart from here.

Earthen vessels are inherently coarse- They can never shine like those of glass!*

Those born as villains Can never become lovers of the Lord.

The heart that does not pine for the divine presence Will remain destitute in both worlds, O Bahu.

 

* A lover’s heart is transparent to God’s love, as a glass jar is to light. The heart of an infidel, on the other hand, is like a pitcher of clay that is always dark within, even when placed in

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Addhee laanat duneeaa taaeen, Saaree duneeaa daaraan hoo

Jain raah sahib kharch na keetee, Lain ghazab deeaan maaraan hoo

Peovaan kolon putt kohaava, Bhatth duneeaa makkaaran hoo

Tark jinhaan duneeaa theen keetee, Laisan baagh bahaaraan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Accursed is life in this world; Twice as accursed are they who are attached to it.

Those who have not dedicated their lives to God Shall suffer the unrelenting blows of destiny.

Abominable is this sly world – It can even prompt a father to kill his own son.

Those who have renounced this world Will enjoy the delights of the garden That is eternally in bloom.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Imaan salaamat har koee mange, Ishq salaamat koee hoo

Imaan mangan sharmaavan ishqon, Dil noon ghairat hoee hoo

Jis manzil non ishq puchaave, Imaan khabar na koee hoo

Ishq salaamat rakkheen Baahoo, Diaan imaan dharoee hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

Believers pray to God for the protection of faith, But few pray for the gift of his love.

I am ashamed at what they ask for, Even more at what they are willing to yield.

Religion is quite unaware of the spiritual plane To which love can raise us.

O Lord, keep my love for you ever fresh, says Bahu: I shall mortgage my religion for it.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Eh tan meraa chashmaan hove, Murshid wekh na rajjaan hoo

Loon loon de mudh lakh lakh chashmaan, Ik kholaan ik kajjaan hoo

Itniaan dithiaan sabar naa aave, Hor kite val bhajjaan hoo

Murshid daa deedaar hai Baahoo, Lakh karorhaan hajjaan hoo

 

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Were my whole body festooned with eyes, I would gaze at my Master with untiring zeal.

O, how I wish that every pore of my body Would turn into a million eyes – Then, as some closed to blink, others would open to see!

But even then my thirst to see him Might remain unquesnched. What else am I to do?

To me, O Bahu, a glimpse of my Master Is worth millions of pilgrimages to the holy Ka’ba!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Andar wich namaaz asaadee, Hikse jaa niteeve hoo

Naal qiam rakooa sajoode, Kar takraar parheeve hoo

Eh dil hijar firaaqon sarhiaa, Eh dam mare na jeeve hoo

Sachchaa raah Mohammad waalaa, Jain wich Rabb labheeve hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I offer my prayer in the temple of my heart – The only true place to worship God.

I stand in supplication, I bow in obeisance, I tender my prayer without break in its repetition.

Hanging between life and death My heart burns in the fire of separation from him.

The path indicated by the Prophet is true, O Bahu: Following it one can find God

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Akkheen surkh te mooheen zardee, Har wallon dil aaheen hoo

Muhaa muhaar khushboi waalaa, Pahuntaa vanj kadaaeen hoo

Ishq mushk na chhuppe raihnde, Zaahir theen uthaaeen hoo

Naam faqeer tinhaan daa Baahoo, Jin laamakaanee jaaeen hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Their eyes sleepless, their faces pale, Lovers constantly sigh in grief.

What has become of these faces That once beamed with youth and vivacity?

Love is like musk that cannot stay hidden: Its fragrance cannot but reveal its presence.

Only those who abide in realms beyond space Deserve to be called ‘faqir’, O Bahu.*

 

* A faqir is a beggar, a religious mendicant, a dervish, a humble man, but in Sufi parlance a faqir is one who has attained the highest goal in spirituality; a God-realized man.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Andar kalmaa kul kul kardaa, Ishq sikhaaiaa kalmaa hoo

Chaudaan tabqe kalmen andar, Chhad kitaabaan ilmaan hoo

Kaanne kapp ke qalam banaavan, Likh na sakkan qalmaan hoo

Kalmaa mainoon peer parhhaiaa, Zaraa na raheeaan almaan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Within me resounds the melody of Kalma,* The melody that love has taught me to hear.

Why don’t you put away your books, And forget that you have learnt from them – For within the Kalma you will find The fourteen inner realms.

Scholars sharpen reeds into pens, But they are not capable of writing the true Kalma.

This Kalma has rid me of all afflictions Of the body and mind – Only a Master could have taught it to me, O Bahu.

 

* Kalma literally means speech, word or proclamation. According to the tenets of Muslim religion, ‘to read the Kalma’ is to confess or affirm Mulim faith by saying, “There is no god, but God; Mohammad is the Prophet of God” (la Ilaha ill Allah Mohammad rasool’llah). To make someone say or repeat the Kalma is to convert him – to make a Muslim of him. But, according to Hazrat Sultan Bahu and other Sufi mystics, Kalma is not a written or spoken word or expression. They refer to Kalma as the Sound underlying creation – the audible Voice of God referred to by other Masters as Word, Shabd, Bani, Naad, Nida, Nida-i-Sultani, Baang-i-Aasmaani, etc. It can be heard through meditation on the real Name of God, referred to by Bahu as Ism, Ism-i-A’zam, Zaati Ism, etc., which can only be imparted by a perfect Master (kaamil Murshid).

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Eh tan Rabb sachche daa hujraa, Wich paa faqeeraa jhaatee hoo

Naa kar minnat khwaaj khizr dee, Tain andar aab hayaatee hoo

Shauq daa deevaa baal hanere, Mat labbhee vast kharaatee hoo

Marn theen agge mar rahe, Jinhaan Haqq dee ramz pachhaatee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

This body is the temple of the true Lord; Peep within it, hermit!

You need no help from Khwaja Khizr:* The water of life is already within you.

Light the lamp of love in your heart To dispel the darkness within And discover the long-lost treasure.

Those who realize the secret of God Die before death [and find everlasting life].

 

* Hazrat Khwaja Khizr is said to have drunk aabe hayaat, the water of life, and to know the secret of the pool of nectar.

 

 

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Alif-Allaah chambe dee bootee, Murshid man wich laaee hoo

Nafee asbaat daa paanee milia, Har rage har jaaee hoo

Andar bootee Mushk machaayaa, Jaan phullan te aaee hoo

Jeeve murshid kaamil Baahoo, Jain eh bootee laaee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

My Master has planted in my heart The jasmine of Allah’s Name.

Both my denial that the Creation is real And my embracing of God, the only reality, Have nourished the seedling down to its core.

When the buds of mystery unfolded Into the blossoms of revelation, My entire being was filled with God’s Fragrance.

May the perfect Master Who planted this jasmine in my heart Be ever blessed, O Bahu!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Allaah parhion haafiz hoion, Na giaa hijaabon pardaa hoo

Parhh Parhh aalim faazil hoion, Taalib hoion zar daa hoo

Lakh hazaar kitaabaan parhiaan, Zaalim nafs na mardaa hoo

Baajh faqeeraan kise na mareya, Eho chor andar daa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

You have read the name of God over and over, You have stored the holy Qur’an in your memory, But this has still not unveiled the hidden mystery.

Instead, your learning and scholarship Have sharpened your greed for worldly things,

None of the countless books you’ve read in your life Has destroyed your brutal ego.

Indeed, none but the Saints can kill this inner thief, For it ravages the very house in which it lives.

 

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Alif-aihad jad dittee wiskaalee, Az khud hoiaa faanee hoo

Qurb, wisaal, maqaam na manzil, Na uth jism na jaanee hoo

Na uth ishq muhabbat kaaee, Na uth kaun makaanee hoo

Aino-ain theeose Baahoo, Sirr wahadat subhaanee hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

When the one Lord revealed himself to me, I lost myself in him.

Now there is neither nearness nor union. There is no longer a journey to undertake, No longer a destination to reach.

Love attachment, my body and soul And even the very limits of time and space Have all dropped from my consciousness.

My separate self has merged in the Whole: In that, O Bahu, lies the secret of the unity that is God!

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Allaah sahee keetose jis dam, Chamkiaa ishq agohaan hoo

Raat dihaan de taa tikhere, Kare agohaan soohaan hoo

Andae bhaaheen, andar baalan, Andar de wich dhoohaan hoo

Shaah rag theen Rabb nerhe laddhaa, Ishq keetaa jad soohaan hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

The moment I realized the oneness of God, the flame of his love shone within, to lead me on.

Constantly it burns in my heart with intense heat, Revealing the mysteries along my path.

This fire of love burns inside me with no smoke, Fuelled by my intense longing for the Beloved.

Following the Royal Vein,* I found the Lord close by. My love has brought me face to face with him.

 

 

* The Royal Vein or shah rag is the central current in the subtle body, starting from the eye centre and leading up to the highest spiritual regions. It is located and followed by means of the spiritual practise taught by a perfect Master. The hindu’s call it sushmana or sukhmana nadi. It is the Royal Highway to the court of the Lord. It is not to be confused with the sushmana naadi of the yogis, which runs up the spinal column.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Alif alast suniaa dil mere, jind balaa kookendee hoo

HUbb watan dee ghaalib hoee, Hik pal saun na dendee hoo

Qaihar pave is raazan duneeaa, Haqq daa raah marendee hoo

Aashiq mool qabool na Bahoo, zaaro zaar ruvendee hoo

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

When, at the time of Creation, God separated me from himself,

I heard him say: “Am I not your God?”* “Indeed you are,” cried my soul, reassured. Since then has my heart flowered.

With the inner urge to return Home, Giving me not a moment of calm here on earth.

May doom strike this world! It robs souls on their way to God.

The world has never accepted his lovers; They are persecuted and left to cry in pain.

 

* According to the Qur’an, God created souls and decided to send them down to inhabit the creation. When he saw them in torment at the prospect of their separation from him, he reassured them by asking, “Am I not your God?” meaning that he was not deserting them for good, and that he would call them back.

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Oho nafs asaada belee, jo naal asaade siddhaa hoo

Zaahid aalim aan nivaae, tukrha wekhan thiddhaa hoo

Jo koee usdee kare savaaree, Naam Allaah us laddhaa hoo

Raah faqar daa mushkil Baahoo, Ghar maan na seeraa riddha hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

Only the mind that works in harmony with my spirit is my friend.

Only the person who has so tamed his mind Can realize the Name of God.

This same mind forces the abstinent and the devout To grovel before greed and temptation,

Tough is the path to God, O Bahu, It is not a bowl of your mother’s pudding.

 

 

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Azal abad noon sahee keetose, wekh tamaashe guzre hoo

Chaudaan tobaq dile de andar, Aatish laae hujre hoo

Jinhaan haqq na haasil keetaa, Doheen jahaaneed ujrhe hoo

Aashiq gharq hoe wich wahadat, Wekh tinhaan de mujre hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

I have, at last, grasped the beginning and the end: I have seen the whole sectacle of past, present and future Pass before my eyes.

Within my heart are fourteen realms.* Chambers of light – ablaze With the profusion of God’s light.

Those who have not realized God will wander, Homeless in this world, destitute in the next.

But watch the lovers dance with ecstasy, As they merge into the oneness of God.

 

* Some sufi mystics divide the inner journey into fourteen stages or realms, Hu symbolizes the resonant Sound, Word or Kalma; it also stands for God, who pervades the universe in the form of that Sound or Word. The name Bahu is made up of ba (with) and Hu, and therefore means ‘one who abdies in God’

 

Roman English of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Andar hoo te baahir hoo, Hardam naal jalendaa hoo

Hoo daa daagh muhabbat waalaa, Hardam piaa sarhendaa hoo

Jitthe hoo kare rushnaaee, Chhorh andheraa vaindaa hoo

Dohee jahaan ghulaam us Baahoo, Jo hoo sahee karendaa hoo

 

English translation of Kalam-e-Bahu

 

Hu is within, Hu is without, Hu always reverberates in my heart.

The wound in my heart aches constantly With the unabating pain of Hu’s love.

The darkness of ignorance departs From the heart lit by Hu.

I sacrifice myself to the one, O Bahu, Who has realized the significance of Hu.