“Bulleh Nu Samjhawan Aaiyaann” is a powerful testament to the defiant love of Bulleh Shah for his spiritual guide, Shah Inayat. In this Kaafi, the poet describes how his family attempted to shame him for following a master from a perceived “lower” caste (Arain), to which Bulleh Shah responds by prioritizing spiritual lineage over worldly status, famously declaring that true salvation lies in humility rather than prideful ancestry.
بلھے نوں سمجھاون آئیاں، بھیناں تے بھرجائیاں
من لے بلھیا ساڈا کہنا، چھڈ دے پلّا رائیاں
Bulleh nu samjhawan aaiyaann bhaena te bharjayee-yan
Man lay Bulleya sada kena, chad day palla raaiyan
Sisters and sisters-in-law came to counsel Bulleh.
“Listen to our advice, Bulleya, and leave the company of the Arains.”
آل نبی اولادِ علی نوں، توں کیوں لیکاں لائیاں
Aal-e-Nabi ulaad-e-Ali nu, tu kyun leekaan laaiyaan
To the family of the Prophet and the progeny of Ali,
Why have you brought such a mark of disgrace?
جیہڑا سانوں سیّد سدّے، دوزخ ملن سزائیاں
جو کوئی سانوں رائیں آکھے، بہشتیں پینگھاں پائیاں
Jeyra saanu Syed saday, dozakh milan sazaiyaan
Jo koi saanu Raie aakhe, bhisti peenghaan paiaan
Whosoever calls me a “Syed” shall be punished with Hell.
Whosoever calls me an “Arain” shall enjoy the swings of Paradise.
آرائیں سائیں سبھنیں تھائیں، رب دیاں بے پروائیاں
سوہنیاں پرے ہٹائیاں نیں تے، کوجھیاں لے گل لائیاں
Raien, saayin, sabhin thaayein, rab deyaan bay parwaaiyaan
Sohniyaan paray hatayaan tay, khojeyaan lay gall laiyaan
Arains and Masters are found in every place; such is the indifference of God.
He sets aside the “beautiful” and embraces the “ugly” instead.
جے توں لوڑیں باغ بہاراں، چاکر ہوجا رائیاں
بلھے شاہ دی ذات کہہ پچھنایں، شاکر ہو رضائیاں
Jay tu lorain baagh baharaan, chaakar ho ja araiyaan
Bulley Shah dee zaat kee puchni, shaakar ho razayaan
If you seek the blooming gardens of spring, become a servant of the Arains.
Why ask about the caste of Bulleh Shah? Be grateful and submit to the Divine Will.
Vocabulary: Bulleh Nu Samjhawan
- Bharjayee-yan: Sisters-in-law.
- Palla: Company / To hold onto someone’s hem.
- Raaiyan/Arain: A farming caste (to which Bulleh Shah’s teacher belonged).
- Leekaan: Marks / Stains / Disgrace.
- Bhisti: Paradise / Heaven.
- Peenghaan: Swings.
- Kojheyan: The ugly / The humble.
- Shaakar: Grateful / One who gives thanks.
Wonderful translation. keep the good work!!!
up*
Impressive,
Please other Kalam as well 🙂
Very good translation.
thank u.
zaberdast, very helpful