This famous Persian Ghazal by the great saint Bu Ali Qalandar (Sharafuddin Panipati) is a masterpiece of Qalandari ecstasy. In “Agar Rindam Agar Man But Parastam,” the poet uses “Malamat” (self-reproach) style poetry to declare that his heart is a temple where only the Beloved resides. Moving beyond outward religious labels, he traces his intoxication back to the Roz-e-Alast (the primordial covenant) and explains that the Soz (burning) of Divine Love is an eternal fire that even the Day of Judgment cannot extinguish.
اگر رندم اگر من بت پرستم
قبولم کن خدایا ہر چہ ہستم
Agar Rindam Agar Man But Parastam
Qaboolam Kun Khudaya Har Che Hastam
Whether I am a drunkard or an idol-worshipper;
Accept me, O God, for whatever I am!
بت دارم درون سینہ خویش
کہ روز و شب من آن بت مے پرستم
But-e-Daram Darun-e-Seena-e-Khaish
Ke Roz-o-Shab Man Aan But Mai Parastam
I have an idol within my own chest;
Whom I worship day and night.
بہ ہوشم ناورد ہنگامہ حشر
کہ من بد مست از روز الستم
Ba Hosham Na-warad Hangama-e-Hashar
Ke Man Bad-Mast Az Roz-e-Alastam
The commotion of the Day of Judgment will not bring me to my senses;
For I have been intoxicated since the Day of Covenant (Alast).
ندارم ننگ و عار از بت پرستی
کہ یارم بت بود من بت پرستم
Nadaram Nang-o-Aar Az But Parasti
Ke Yaram But Buwad Man But Parastam
I have no shame or disgrace in “idol-worship”;
Because my Beloved is my “idol,” and I am the worshipper.
بہ پیچ و تاب عشق افتادم آنگہ
دل اندر زلف پیچان تو بستم
Ba Peech-o-Tab-e-Ishq Uftadam Aangah
Dil Andar Zulf-e-Peechan-e-Tu Bastam
I fell into the twists and turns of love at that moment;
When I tied my heart to Your curling tresses.
خمارد نشکند آید اجل گر
کہ از جام شراب شوق مستم
Khumar-ad Nashkanad Ayad Ajal Gar
Ke Az Jam-e-Sharab-e-Shauq Mastam
Even if Death arrives, it cannot break my intoxication;
For I am drunk from the goblet of the Wine of Longing.
شرف چون نرگس چشمش بدیدم
بمستی ساغرو مینا شکستم
Sharaf Chon Nargis-e-Chashmash Badeedam
Ba Masti Saghar-o-Meena Shikastam
When Sharaf (the poet) looked upon His narcissus-like eyes;
In ecstasy, I shattered both the goblet and the wine-flask!
Vocabulary & Meanings
- Rindam: I am a drunkard / seeker of Truth beyond rituals.
- But Parastam: I am an idol-worshipper (metaphor for Divine focus).
- Roz-e-Alast: The Day of the Primordial Covenant.
- Nang-o-Aar: Shame and Disgrace.
- Zulf-e-Peechan: Curled/Twisting tresses (Divine mysteries).
- Ajal: Death / Final hour.
- Meena: Wine-flask / Decanter.
آخری شعر میں “مشلش” کی جگہ درست لفظ “چشمش” ہے
کتابت کی غلطی معلوم ہوتی ہے