“Dil Darya Samandaron Doonge” is the crown jewel of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo’s poetry. In this profound Abyat, Bahoo reveals that the human heart is more expansive than the deepest oceans and contains all fourteen realms of existence within it. He teaches that only those who become a Mahram (an intimate) of their own heart, through the guidance of a Murshad, can truly recognize and attain the Divine.
The Infinite Heart: The Universe Within
Compare Bahoo’s “Deep Ocean” of the heart with Bulleh Shah’s teaching on simplifying the internal journey:
دل دریا سمندروں ڈونگھے
کون دلاں دیاں جانے ہُو
وچے بیڑے وچے جھیڑے
وچے ونجھ مہانے ہُو
Dil Darya Samandaron Doonge Kon Dilan Diyaan Janey Hoo
Wichaey Bairey Wichaey Jhairay Wichay Wanj Mahanay Hoo
The heart is a river deeper than the oceans; who can truly know its depths?
Within it are the boats (souls), the storms (struggles), and the oarsmen (guides).
چودان طبق دلے دے اندر
جتھے عشق تمبو ونج تانے ہُو
جو دل دا محرم ہووے باہو
سوئی رب پچھانے ہُو
Chodaan Tabaq Dilay Dai Aundar Jithay Ishq Tamboo Wanj Taaney Hoo
Jo Dil Da Mohram Howey Bahoo Soee Rab Pahchaney Hoo
All fourteen realms are within the heart, where Love has pitched its tent.
Only the one who is a Mahram of the heart, O Bahoo, truly recognizes the Lord.
Vocabulary: Dil Darya
- Doonge: Deep / Infinite.
- Jhairay: Struggles / Life’s internal conflicts.
- Mahanay: Sailors / Spiritual guides.
- Chodaan Tabaq: The entirety of the spiritual and physical universes.
- Mahram: An intimate / A knower of the secret.