“Ni Saiyo Asi Naina De Aakhe Lage” is a beautiful Kaafi by Shah Hussain that celebrates the surrender of the self to spiritual vision. In this poem, the “Eyes” (Nain) represent the soul’s deep intuition and love for the Divine. Hussain explains that once a seeker is guided by this “Pure Vision” (Paak Nigah), they can never be deceived by the world. Using metaphors of permanent colors and devoted martyrdom, he illustrates that true love for the Friend (the Creator) is an irreversible transformation of the heart.
نی سیّو ! اسیں نیناں دے آکھے لگے
جینہاں پاک نگاہاں ہوئیاں
کہیں نہیں جاندے ٹھگے
Ni saiyo asi naina de aakhe lage
Jinhan paak nigahan hoiyan
Kahin nahin jande thagge
O friends! I have followed the command of my eyes
Those who have been blessed with pure vision
Can never be deceived by anyone.
کالے پٹ نہ چڑھے سفیدی
کاگ نہ تھیندے بگے
شاہ حسین شہادت پائیں
مرن جو متراں اگے
Kaale patt na charhe sufaidi
Kaag na thainde bagge
Shah Hussain shahadat paayeen
Maran jo mitran agge
White color does not take on black silk
And crows never turn into white herons.
O Shah Hussain, they achieve true martyrdom
Who lay down their lives before the Beloved.
Vocabulary: Ni Saiyo Asi Naina De Aakhe Lage
- Saiyo: Friends / Companions.
- Naina: Eyes (representing spiritual insight).
- Aakhe Lage: Followed the advice / Acted upon the word.
- Thagge: Deceived / Swindled.
- Patt: Silk.
- Kaag: Crow.
- Bagge: White (usually referring to white herons).
- Shahadat: Martyrdom.
- Mitran: Friends / The Beloved.