بُلّھے شاہBULLEH SHAHTHE LIVING VERSE
FROM THE WORDS OF BULLEH SHAH

Ab kyon sajan chir laiyo re

Beloved, why do you delay?

Two ways into the same verse. Tap a line to find its echo.

Why linger still, beloved?

अब क्यों साजन चिर लायो रे ?

A blight has settled on my heart,

ऐसी आई मन में काई,

And swept both grief and gladness out.

दुख सुख सभ वंजाययो रे,

I burn my jewels and finery,

हार शिंगार को आग लगाउं,

While fire runs over my flesh.

घट उप्पर ढांड मचाययो रे ;

Why linger still, beloved?

अब क्यों साजन चिर लाययो रे ?

Those words of knowing reached my ears,

सुन के ज्ञान की ऐसी बातां,

And every name and trace was lost.

नाम निशान सभी अणघातां,

Like a cuckoo, through the night I call;

कोइल वांगूं कूकां रातां,

Still no pity wakes in you.

तैं अजे वी तरस ना आइयो रे ;

Why linger still, beloved?

अब क्यों साजन चिर लाययो रे ?

Deerskin at my neck, skull-bowl upon my head,

गल मिरगानी सीस खपरिया,

I roamed and begged, and wept.

भीख मंगन नूं रो रो फिरिआ,

I became a yogini, my hair in tangled locks,

जोगन नाम भ्या लिट धरिआ,

And covered every limb with ash.

अंग बिभूत रमाययो रे ;

Why linger still, beloved?

अब क्यों साजन चिर लाययो रे ?

Love, the mullah, called to prayer;

इश्क मुल्लां ने बांग दिवाई,

The summons came: arise, return.

उट्ठ बहुड़न गल्ल वाजब आई,

Bowing again, I hurried home,

कर कर सिजदे घर वल धाई,

My forehead pressed into the niche.

मत्थे महराब टिकाययो रे ;

Why linger still, beloved?

अब क्यों साजन चिर लाययो रे ?

Love's city turns all custom round:

प्रेम नगर दे उलटे चाले,

Blood-weeping eyes grew bright with joy.

ख़ूनी नैन होए खुशहाले,

Into the net I cast myself,

आपे आप फसे विच जाले,

And, caught, surrendered to the blade.

फस फस आप कुहाययो रे ;

Why linger still, beloved?

अब क्यों साजन चिर लाययो रे ?

Longing's wounds will never age;

दुक्ख बिरहों ना होन पुराणे,

Only wounded flesh can know.

जिस तन पीड़ां सो तन जाणे,

Inside, rebukes; outside, the jeers:

अन्दर झिड़कां बाहर ताअने,

Such is the gift my love has brought.

नेहुं लग्यां दुक्ख पाययो रे ;

Why linger still, beloved?

अब क्यों साजन चिर लाययो रे ?

Maina the gardener weeps in captivity;

मैना मालन रोंदी पकड़ी,

Longing holds her in its fist.

बिरहों पकड़ी करके तकड़ी,

Death on one side, the world's contempt on the other:

इक मरना दूजी जग्ग दी फक्कड़ी,

Who now will come to wed me?

हुन कौन बन्ना बण आइयो रे ;

Why linger still, beloved?

अब क्यों साजन चिर लाययो रे ?

Bulla has given the lord his love;

बुल्ल्हा शौह संग प्रीत लगाई,

Each bride arrives adorned.

सोहनी बण तण सभ कोई आई,

At the sight of Shah Inayat,

वेख के शाह इनायत साईं,

My heart fills to overflowing.

जिय मेरा भर आइयो रे ;

Why linger still, beloved?

अब क्यों साजन चिर लाययो रे ?

بلھے شاہ
— 6 —
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