بُلّھے شاہBULLEH SHAHTHE LIVING VERSE
FROM THE WORDS OF BULLEH SHAH

Vāh vāh chhiñjh paī darbār

A wrestling match in the court

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

Look, the court becomes a wrestling ground.

वाह वाह छिंझ पई दरबार ।

All creation gathers for the show, friend.

ख़लक तमाशे आई यार ।

Today's work, tomorrow's plans: all gone to the furnace.

असां अज्ज की कीता ते कल्ल्ह की करना भट्ठ असाडा आया,

We ploughed and sowed; the birds took the crop.

ऐसी वाह क्यारी बीजी चिड़ियां खेत वंजाइआ,

Pursued by messengers, they rose and crossed away.

जेहड़े मगर प्यादे लग्गे उट्ठ चल्ले पहुते तार ।

Look, the court becomes a wrestling ground.

वाह वाह छिंझ पई दरबार ।

Friends reproach me; the world adds its voice.

इक्क उल्हामा सईआं दा है दूजा है संसार,

Leave honour here; cast the proud turban down.

नंग नमूज़ (नामूस) एथों दे एथे, लाह पगड़ी भोइं मार,

Thorns planted in His name flowered into a garden.

नाम साईं दे कंडे लवाए खिल पई गुलज़ार ।

Look, the court becomes a wrestling ground.

वाह वाह छिंझ पई दरबार ।

Young fall, old fall, each in turn.

नढ्ढा गिरदा बुढ्ढा गिरदा आपो आपनी वारी,

Lady or servant, washerwoman or innkeeper—

की बीवी की बांदी लौंडी की धोबन भठ्यारी,

Deeds decide; the Prophet bears us over.

अमलां सेती होन नबेड़े नबी लंघावे पार ।

Look, the court becomes a wrestling ground.

वाह वाह छिंझ पई दरबार ।

Bullah finds a pretext to visit the beloved.

बुल्ल्हा शहु नूं वेखन जावे आपना बहाना करदा,

Vessel after vessel He shapes, then breaks to shards.

गूनो गूनी भांडे घड़ के ठीकरियां कर धरदा,

Watch this show, then walk into the next bazaar.

इह तमाशा वेख के चल्ल अगला वेख बज़ार ।

Look, the court becomes a wrestling ground.

वाह वाह छिंझ पई दरबार ।

All creation gathers for the show, friend.

ख़लक तमाशे आई यार ।

بلھے شاہ
— 157 —
THE POEM, GIVEN VOICE

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