Sir te topi te niyat khoti
A cap upon a crooked purpose
Traditionally attributed; historical authorship unconfirmed.
Two ways into the same verse. Tap a line to find its echo.
A cap upon your head, a crooked purpose within—
सिर ते टोपी ते नीयत खोटी
what can that cap upon your head achieve?
लैणा की सिर टोपी धर के
The prayer beads turn; your heart stays as it was—
तसबीह फेरी पर दिल ना फिरिया
what can those beads within your hand achieve?
लैणा की तसबीह हत्थ फड़ के
You kept your long retreats, yet God was never found—
चिल्ले कीते पर रब्ब ना मिलिया
what can retreating from the world achieve?
लैणा की चिल्लिआं विच वड़्ह के
Bulleh Shah, no starter, no curd will form—
बुल्ल्हे शाह जाग बिना दुद्ध नईं जम्मदा
however long you simmer it, till red.
पांवें लाल होए कढ़ कढ़ के
بلھے شاہ
— Verse sequence —
