Couplets of amir khusrow, bulleh shah and kabir

Week 2: Celebrating Diversity

We share a past, a heritage that taught us to celebrate diversity in thoughts and beliefs. Here are some couplets and poems of three famous Sufi Poets – Amir Khusrow, Bulleh Shah and Kabir who are revered in both India and Pakistan

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Amir Khusrow Amīr Khusrow (or Khusrau) Dehlawī was an Indian musician, scholar and poet of Persian descent.

Full Name: Ab’ul Hasan Yamīn al-Dīn Khusrow Born: 1253 | Patiali, Etah, Uttar Pradesh, India Died: 1325 (aged 72)

Amir Khusro was an iconic figure in the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent. He was a Sufi mystic and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi. He was not only a notable poet but also a prolific and seminal musician. He wrote poetry in Persian and Hindavi.

He is regarded as the “father of qawwali” (the devotional music of the Indian Sufis). He is also credited with enriching Hindustani classical music by introducing persian and arabic elements in it, and was the originator of the khayal and tarana styles of music. The invention of the tabla is also traditionally attributed to Amīr Khusrow.

Early life and background Amīr Khusrow was born in Patiali near Etah in northern India. His father, Amīr Sayf ud-Dīn Mahmūd, was a Turkic officer and a member of the Lachin tribe of Transoxania, themselves belonging to the Kara-Khitais. His mother who belonged to the Rajput tribes of Uttar Pradesh, was the daughter of Rawat Arz, the famous war minister of Balban, a king of the Mamluk dynasty (1246-87).

Khusro the Royal poet Khusro was a prolific classical poet associated with the royal courts of more than seven rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. He is popular in much of North India and Pakistan, because of many playful riddles, songs and legends attributed to him. Through his enormous literary output and the legendary folk personality, Khusro represents one of the first (recorded) Indian personages with a true multi-cultural or pluralistic identity.

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He wrote in both Persian and Hindustani. He also spoke Arabic and Sanskrit. His poetry is still sung today at Sufi shrines throughout Pakistan and India.

Here are few of his poems 1) Chaap Tilak (Poem in Hindavi) Chhap tilak sab cheeni ray mosay naina milaikay Chhap tilak sab cheeni ray mosay naina milaikay Prem bhatee ka madhva pilaikay Matvali kar leeni ray mosay naina milaikay Gori gori bayyan, hari hari churiyan Bayyan pakar dhar leeni ray mosay naina milaikay Bal bal jaaon mein toray rang rajwa Apni see kar leeni ray mosay naina milaikay Khusrau Nijaam kay bal bal jayyiye Mohay Suhaagan keeni ray mosay naina milaikay Chhap tilak sab cheeni ray mosay naina milaikay English Translation You stole me just by casting a glance, You made me drunk in love, You made me loony in love, Just by casting a glance.

You hold my fair arms, You hold my green bangles, You take my life, Just by casting a glance.

O dyer of my clothes!

You have dyed me in your love, Just by casting a glance.

I give myself to you, O Nijam, You made me yours Just by casting a glance.

2) A poem in Persian Kafir-e-ishqam musalmani mara darkaar neest Har rag-e mun taar gashta hajat-e zunnaar neest; Az sar-e baaleen-e mun bar khez ay naadaan tabeeb A joint initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst - TC Visit http://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com

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Dard mand-e ishq ra daroo bajuz deedaar neest; Nakhuda dar kashti-e maagar nabashad go mubaash Makhuda daareem mara nakhuda darkaar neest; Khalq mi goyad ki Khusrau but parasti mi kunad Aarey aarey mi kunam ba khalq mara kaar neest.

English Translation I am a pagan and a worshipper of love: the creed (of Muslims) I do not need; Every vein of mine has become taunt like a wire, the (Brahman’s) girdle I do not need.

Leave from my bedside, you ignorant physician!

The only cure for the patient of love is the sight of his beloved – other than this no medicine does he need.

If there be no pilot in our boat, let there be none: We have god in our midst: the sea we do not need.

The people of the world say that Khusrau worships idols.

So he does, so he does; the people he does not need, the world he does not need.

3) Couplet in Persian Mun tu shudam tu mun shudi,mun tun shudam tu jaan shudi Taakas na guyad baad azeen, mun deegaram tu deegari English Translation I have become you, and you me, I am the body, you soul; So that no one can say hereafter, That you are someone, and me someone else.

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Bulleh Shah Bulleh Shah was a Punjabi Muslim Sufi poet, a humanist and philosopher.

Real Name: Abdullah Shah Born: 1680 Uch, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan Died: 1757 (aged 77) Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan –

Early life and background Bulleh Shah is believed to have been born in 1680, in the small village of Uch, Bahawalpur, Punjab, now in Pakistan. His ancestors had migrated from Bukhara in modern Uzbekistan.

When he was six months old, his parents relocated to Malakwal. There his father, Shah Muhammad Darwaish, was a preacher in the village mosque and a teacher. His father later got a job in Pandoke, about 50 miles southeast of Kasur. Bulleh Shah received his early schooling in Pandoke, and moved to Kasur for higher education. He also received education from Maulana Mohiyuddin. His spiritual teacher (Murshid) was the eminent Sufi saint, Shah Inayat Qadiri.

His poetry and his Contemporaries Bulleh Shah practiced the Sufi tradition of Punjabi poetry established by poets like Shah Hussain (1538 – 1599), Sultan Bahu (1629 – 1691), and Shah Sharaf (1640 – 1724).

Bulleh Shah lived in the same period as the famous Sindhi Sufi poet, Shah Abdul Latif Bhatai (1689 – 1752). His lifespan also overlapped with the legendary Punjabi poet Waris Shah (1722 – 1798), of Heer Ranjha fame, and the famous Sindhi Sufi poet Abdul Wahad (1739 – 1829), better known by his pen-name, Sachal Sarmast (“truth seeking leader of the intoxicated ones”). – The verse form Bulleh Shah primarily employed is called the Kafi, a style of Punjabi, Sindhi and Siraiki poetry used not only by the Sufis of Sindh and Punjab, but also by Sikh gurus.

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The Political and Social Scenario Bulleh Shah’s time was marked with communal strife between Muslims and Sikhs. While Bulleh Shah was in Pandoke, Muslims killed a young Sikh man who was riding through their village in retaliation for murder of some Muslims by Sikhs. Baba Bulleh Shah denounced the murder of the innocent Sikh and was censured by the mullas and muftis of Pandoke. Bulleh Shah maintained that violence was not the answer to violence. Bulleh Shah also hailed Guru Tegh Bahadur as a ghazi (Islamic term for a religious warrior) and incurred the wrath of the fanatic muslims at the time.

Banda Singh Bairagi was a contemporary of Bulleh Shah. In retaliation for the murder of Guru Gobind Singh’s two sons by Aurangzeb, he sought revenge by killing common Muslims. Baba Bulleh Shah tried to convince Banda Singh Bairagi to renounce his campaign of revenge. Bulleh Shah told him that the same sword which fell upon Guru Gobind Singh’s sons and innocent Sikhs also fell upon innocent Muslims. Hence killing innocent Muslim was not the answer to Aurangzeb’s reign of oppression.

Bulleh Shah’s poetry and philosophy strongly criticizes religious orthodoxy of his day. Through his poetry, he had also addressed several other contemporary challenges.

Bulleh Shah’s simple yet powerful Kafis have had a large appeal across religious communities.

He is a revered poet in both India and Pakistan. His kafis have been put into music by not musicians of different genres but also of different countries.

Here are a few of his poems 1) Makkeh Gaya Makkeh gayaan, gal mukdee naheen Pawain sow sow jummay parrh aaeey Ganga gayaan, gal mukdee naheen Pawain sow sow gotay khaeeay Gaya gayaan gal mukdee naheen Pawain sow sow pand parrhaeeay Bulleh Shah gal taeeyon mukdee Jadon May nu dillon gawaeeay English Translation Going to Makkah is not the ultimate Even if hundreds of prayers are offered A joint initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst - TC Visit http://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com

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Going to River Ganges is not the ultimate Even if hundreds of cleansing (Baptisms) are done Going to Gaya is not the ultimate Even if hundreds of worships are done Bulleh Shah the ultimate is When the “I” is removed from the heart!

–

2) Bullah ki Jaana Main Kaun Na maen momin vich maseet aan Na maen vich kufar diyan reet aan Na maen paakaan vich paleet aan Na maen moosa na pharaun.

Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun Na maen andar ved kitaab aan, Na vich bhangaan na sharaab aan Na vich rindaan masat kharaab aan Na vich jaagan na vich saun.

Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun.

Na vich shaadi na ghamnaaki Na maen vich paleeti paaki Na maen aabi na maen khaki Na maen aatish na maen paun Bulleh!, ki jaana maen kaun Na maen arabi na lahori Na maen hindi shehar nagauri Na hindu na turak peshawri Na maen rehnda vich nadaun Bulla, ki jaana maen kaun Na maen bheth mazhab da paaya Ne maen aadam havva jaaya Na maen apna naam dharaaya A joint initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst - TC Visit http://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com

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Na vich baitthan na vich bhaun Bulleh , ki jaana maen kaun Avval aakhir aap nu jaana Na koi dooja hor pehchaana Maethon hor na koi siyaana Bulla! ooh khadda hai kaun Bulla, ki jaana maen kaun English Translation Not a believer inside the mosque, am I Nor a pagan disciple of false rites Not the pure amongst the impure Neither Moses, nor the Pharoh Bulleh! to me, I am not known Not in the holy Vedas, am I Nor in opium, neither in wine Not in the drunkard`s craze Niether awake, nor in a sleeping daze Bulleh! to me, I am not known In happiness nor in sorrow, am I Neither clean, nor a filthy mire Not from water, nor from earth Neither fire, nor from air, is my birth Bulleh! to me, I am not known Not an Arab, nor Lahori Neither Hindi, nor Nagauri Hindu, Turk (Muslim), nor Peshawari Nor do I live in Nadaun Bulleh! to me, I am not known Secrets of religion, I have not known From Adam and Eve, I am not born I am not the name I assume Not in stillness, nor on the move A joint initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst - TC Visit http://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com

This document is a part of Friends Beyond Border Initiative

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Bulleh! to me, I am not known I am the first, I am the last None other, have I ever known I am the wisest of them all Bulleh! do I stand alone?

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

3) Parh Parh Ilm Hazaar Kitaaban Parh Parh Ilm Hazaar Kitaaban, Qaddi Apnay Aap Nou Parhiya Naee, Jaan Jaan Warhday Mandir Maseedi, Qaddi Mann Apnay Wich Warhiya Naee, Aa-Vain Larda Aye Shaitan De Naal Bandeaa, Qaddi Nafss Apnay Naal Lariya Naee.

English Translation You have read thousands of books but you have never tried to read your own self You rush into Mandirs and Mosques/Masaajid but you have never tried to enter your own heart futile are all your battles with Satan for you have never tried to fight your own desires

4) Masjid Dha de Masjid Dha De, Mandir Dha De, Dha De Jo Kucch Dainda, Par Kisi Da Dil Na Dhain, Rab Dilan Vich Rehnda English Translation Break down the mosque and the Temple; break everything in sight But do not break a person’s heart, for it is there that God resides.

5) Chal Bulleya Chal Bulleya chal othe chalye jithe sare anne Chal Bulleya chal othe chalye jithe sare anne Na koi saadi zaat pachhaane A joint initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst - TC Visit http://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com

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Na koi saadi zaat pachhaane Na koi saanu manne Chal chal bulleya... Chal othay chalye..

Jitthe saarey anney English Translation O Bulleh Shah lets go to a place where everyone is blind Where no one knows our caste and Neither does anyone holds me in high respect O Bulleh Shah lets go to a place where everyone is blind

Listen to all his poetry at http://folkpunjab.org/bulleh-shah/ This website has all his Kafis sung by singers of both India and Pakistan

A joint initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst - TC Visit http://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com

This document is a part of Friends Beyond Border Initiative

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Kabir Kabir or Kabir Das was an Indian mystic and Poet Kabir was born in or near Benares, India, probably around the year 1440 (though other accounts place his birth as early as 1398) in a family of Muslim weavers. But early in his life Kabir became a disciple of the Hindu bhakti saint Ramananda.

He is revered by Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs. Some of his verses are included in the compilation of Sikh scriptures known as the Adi Granth.

He is considered both a saint and a Sufi. Kabir says of himself that he is, "at once the child of Allah and Ram." Kabir’s poetry draws on both Hinduism and Islam, though he was critical of certain aspects of both faiths. His mystical poems are grounded in the details and earthly particulars of everyday life.

Here are some of his poems 1) Moko Kahan Dhoonde Re (Where do you search me?)

Moko Kahan Dhundhere Bande Mein To Tere Paas Mein Na Teerath Mein, Na Moorat Mein Na Ekant Niwas Mein Na Mandir Mein, Na Masjid Mein Na Kabe Kailas Mein Mein To Tere Paas Mein Bande Mein To Tere Paas Mein Na Mein Jap Mein, Na Mein Tap Mein Na Mein Barat Upaas Mein Na Mein Kiriya Karm Mein Rehta Nahin Jog Sanyas Mein Nahin Pran Mein Nahin Pind Mein Na Brahmand Akas Mein Na Mein Prakuti Prawar Gufa Mein Nahin Swasan Ki Swans Mein Khoji Hoye Turat Mil Jaoon Ik Pal Ki Talas Mein Kahet Kabir Suno Bhai Sadho Mein To Hun Viswas Mein English Translation Where do you search me? I am with you Not in pilgrimage, nor in icons, Neither in solitudes Not in temples, nor in mosques Neither in Kaba nor in Kailash I am with you o man, I am with you Not in prayers, nor in meditation, Neither in fasting Not in yogic exercises, Neither in renunciation Neither in the vital force nor in the body, Not even in the ethereal space Neither in the womb of Nature, Not in the breath of the breath A joint initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst - TC Visit http://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com

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Seek earnestly and discover, In but a moment of search Says Kabir, Listen with care, Where your faith is, I am there.

2) Jo Deese So To Hai Nahin (What is seen is not the truth) Jo Dise So To Hai Nahin, Hai So Kaha Na Jayee Bin Dekhe Parteet Na Aave, Kahe Na Koyee Patiyana Samajh Hoye To Rabeen Cheenho, Achraj Hoye Ayana Koi Dhyave Nirakar Ko, Koi Dhyave Aakaara Ja Bidhi In Dono Te Nyara, Jane Jananhara Woh Raag To Likhia Na Jayee, Matra Lakhe Na Kana Kahat Kabir So Padhe Na Parlay, Surat Nirat Jin Jana English Translation What is seen is not the Truth What is cannot be expressed Trust comes not without seeing Nor understanding without words The wise comprehends with knowledge To the ignorant it is but a wonder Some worship the formless God Some worship His various forms In what way He is beyond these attributes Only the Knower knows That music cannot be written How can then be the notes Says Kabir, awareness alone will overcome illusion.

Some Dohas *Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein,Sabit Bacha Na Koye Looking at the grinding stones, Kabir laments In the duel of wheels, Nothing stays intact. *Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye

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Reading books everyone died, none became any wise One who reads the word of Love, only becomes wise

*Jab Mein Tha Tab Hari Nahin, Jab Hari Hai Mein Nahin Sab Andhiyara Mit Gaya, Jab Deepak Dekhya Mahin When "I" was then Hari was not, Now Hari "is" and "I" am not All the darkness (illusions) mitigated, When I saw the light (illumination) within. *Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye Jo Munn Khoja Apnaa, To Mujhse Bura Naa Koye I searched for the crooked man, met not a single one Then searched myself, "I" found the crooked one *Jyon Naino Mein Putli, Tyon Maalik Ghat Mahin Moorakh Log Na Janhin, Baahar Dhudhan Jahin Like the pupil is in the eyes , Your God lives inside you, The ignorant don’t know this, they search Him on the outside

Read more of his poems at http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Kabir

A joint initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst - TC Visit http://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com

This document is a part of Friends Beyond Border Initiative

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References Aalam-e-Khusrau www.aalamekhusrau.com Boloji http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Kabir Poem Hunter http://www.poemhunter.com/bulleh-shah/biography/ Sufi Poetry https://sufipoetry.wordpress.com/poets/bulleh-shah/

A joint initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst - TC Visit http://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com