بُلّھے شاہBULLEH SHAHTHE LIVING VERSE
FROM THE WORDS OF BULLEH SHAH

Nitt paṛhnā eñ istaghfār

You recite forgiveness every day

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

Each day you ask forgiveness.

नित्त पढ़ना एं इसतग़फ़्फ़ार,

Friend, what repentance is this?

कैसी तौबा है इह यार ?

You lend one and demand more; profit is your game.

सांवें दे के लवें सवाई, वाध्यां दी तूं बाज़ी लाई,

What faith taught you this way of living?

मुसलमानी इह किथों पाई, इह तुहाडा किरदार ।

Each day you ask forgiveness.

नित्त पढ़ना एं इसतग़फ़्फ़ार ।

You trespass and feast on another's bread.

जिथे ना जाना ओथे जाएं, माल पराइआ मूंह धर खाएं,

You crown yourself with falsehood; who can trust you?

कूड़ किताबां सिर ते चाएं, फिर तेरा इतबार ।

Each day you ask forgiveness.

नित्त पढ़ना एं इसतग़फ़्फ़ार ।

The cruel fear nothing; their deeds become their ruin.

ज़ालम ज़ुलमों नाहीं डरदे, आपनी अमलीं आपे मरदे,

Lips repent, hearts refuse; shame follows through both worlds.

मूंहों तौबा दिलों ना करदे, एथे ओथे होन खुआर ।

Each day you ask forgiveness.

नित्त पढ़ना एं इसतग़फ़्फ़ार ।

Live a hundred days; death comes, and then you fear God.

सौ दिन जीवें इक दिन मरसें,उस दिन ख़ौफ ख़ुदा दा करसें,

You will repent your hollow repentance. What help then?

इस तौबा थीं तौबा करसें, उह तौबा किस कार ।

Each day you ask forgiveness.

नित्त पढ़ना एं इसतग़फ़्फ़ार ।

Bulleh, hear the Master's tale: I held the guide and found the way.

बुल्ल्हा शहु दी सुनो हकायत, हादी फड़िआ होई हदायत,

My master, Shah Inayat, bears me to the farther shore.

मेरा साईं शाह अनायत, उहो लंघावे पार ।

Each day you ask forgiveness.

नित्त पढ़ना एं इसतग़फ़्फ़ार,

Friend, what repentance is this?

कैसी तौबा है इह यार ?

بلھے شاہ
— 116 —
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