“Main Bhi Jhook Ranjhan Di Jana” is a masterpiece of spiritual longing by the 16th-century Sufi saint Shah Hussain. Using the folklore of Heer-Ranjha, Hussain portrays the soul’s arduous journey toward the Divine (Ranjha). The poem vividly describes the metaphorical obstacles of the spiritual path—the deep river, the frail boat, and the predators on the banks—emphasizing that while the path is lonely and perilous, the destination is the only true home for the seeker.
میں بھی جھوک رَانجھن دِی جانا
نال میرے کوئی چلے
پیراں پوندی، منتاں کردی
جانا تاں پیا اکلے
Main bhi jhook Ranjhan di jana
Naal mere koi challe
Pairan paundi, mintan kardi
Jana taan piya akalle
I too must go to the colony of Ranjha
Would that someone could accompany me!
I fell at their feet, I made many pleas
But in the end, I must travel all alone.
نیں بھی ڈونگھی، تُلا پُرانا
شینہاں تاں پتن ملے
جے کوئی خبر متراں دی لیاوے
ہتھ دے دینی آں چھلے
Nain bhi doonghi, tulla purana
Sheenhan taan pattan malle
Je koi khabar mitran di liave
Hath de deni aan challe
The river is deep, and the raft is old
And lions stand guard at the river crossing.
If anyone brings me news of my Beloved
I would give them the rings from my hands.
راتیں درد، دینہاں در ماندی
گھاؤ متراں دے اَلھے
رانجھن یار طبیب سنیندا
میں تن درد اولے
Raatin dard, dinhan dar mandi
Ghao mitran de alle
Ranjhan yaar tabeeb sunenda
Main tan dard awalle
Nights are filled with pain, days with weariness
The wounds given by my Beloved are still raw.
I hear that Ranjha is a master physician
While my body is plagued by strange afflictions.
کہے حسین فقیر نمانا
سائیں سنہوڑے گھلے
Kahe Hussain faqir numana
Saien sannhore ghalle
Says Hussain, the humble dervish
My Lord has sent for me.
Vocabulary: Main Bhi Jhook Ranjhan Di Jana
- Jhook: A colony / Dwelling place / Settlement.
- Tulla: A raft / Simple boat made of reeds.
- Pattan: A ferry crossing / River bank.
- Sheenhan: Lions / Predators (representing worldly fears).
- Alle: Raw / Fresh (wounds).
- Tabeeb: Physician / Healer.
- Sannhore: Messages / Callings.