بُلّھے شاہBULLEH SHAHTHE LIVING VERSE
FROM THE WORDS OF BULLEH SHAH

Is nehūn dī ulṭī chāl

Love takes a contrary path

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

When the patient one loved, see what his beloved did.

साबिर ने जद नेहुं लगाइआ, देख पिया ने की दिखलाइआ,

Worms through every vein: hard are the mighty one's ways.

रग रग अन्दर किरम चलाइआ, ज़ोरावर दी गल्ल मुहाल,

Love takes a contrary path.

इस नेहुं दी उलटी चाल ।

When Zechariah met the mighty one and love's drum rang,

ज़करिया ने जद पाइआ कहारा, जिस दम वज्या इश्क नग्गारा,

a sharp saw crossed his head and cut him into two.

धरिआ सिर ते तिक्खा आरा, कीता अड्ड जवाल,

Love takes a contrary path.

इस नेहुं दी उलटी चाल ।

When Yahya looked, love's secret drew the knife.

जदों यहीए ने पाई झाती, रमज़ इश्क दी लाई काती,

He showed his own true splendour; the blade reddened the flesh.

जलवा दित्ता आपना ज़ाती, तन खंजर कीता लाल,

Love takes a contrary path.

इस नेहुं दी उलटी चाल ।

He gave a sign with his eye; Mansur drank the wine.

आप इशारा अक्ख दा कीता, तां मधुवा मनसूर ने पीता,

Upon the gallows he saw; love was made complete.

सूली चढ़ के दरशन लीता, होया इश्क कमाल,

Love takes a contrary path.

इस नेहुं दी उलटी चाल ।

Love came to Solomon and took the ring from his hand.

सुलेमान नूं इश्क जो आया, मुन्दरा हत्थों चा गवाइआ,

No fairy throne returned; in anguish he fed the furnace.

तख़त ना परियां दा फिर आया, भट्ठ झोके प्या बेहाल,

Love takes a contrary path.

इस नेहुं दी उलटी चाल ।

Bulleh Shah, be silent now; do not be so bold.

बुल्ल्हे शाह हुन चुप्प चंगेरी, ना कर एथे ऐड दलेरी,

This is beyond you and me; leave every fear and fancy.

गल्ल ना बणदी तेरी मेरी, छड्ड दे सारे वहम ख़्याल,

Love takes a contrary path.

इस नेहुं दी उलटी चाल ।

بلھے شاہ
— 53 —
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