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Sufis - Wisdom against Violence(cntd)by
Salman Saeed
Bulleh Shah [1680-1758]
The ancestral village of Bulleh Shah was Uch Gilaniyan in
Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
From there his family first shifted to Malakwal (District
Multan, Pakistan) and then to Pandoke, which isabout 14 miles
southeast of Qasur (Pakistan). Bulleh's earlier name was Abdullah
Shah, later on itchanged to Bulleh. His family background was
religious, his father being a highly religious person. Bulleh
Shah was the disciple of a Qadiri Sufi.
Bulleh composed a lot of poetry in Saraiki, the local spoken
language. His style of poetry is called Qafi,which was already an
established style with Sufis who preceded him. The tomb of Bulleh
Shah is inQasur (Pakistan) and he is held in reverence by all Sufis
of Sindh and Punjab.
The poem below is typical of Bullehs view of the world. He sees
the common underlying reality that liesbeneath the mundane, and
rejoices in its all pervasiveness. This concept is similar to the
monotheistic,omnipresent concept of God that we come across in
Sikhism and the Upanishads.
"Maati kudam karendee yaar,Vaah vaah maati de gulzaar;Maati
ghora maati jora, maati daa aswaar,Maati maati nu (n) dorave, maati
daa chankaar.
Maati maati nu(n) maaran lag-gee, maati de hathiyaar.Jis maati
par bahutee maati, so maati hankaar;Maati baagh bagheechaa maati,
maati dee gulzaar.Maati maati nu (n) vekhan aayee, maati dee a
bahar;
Hus khed phir maati hove, paindee pau pasaar.Bullah ja(n) eh
bujhaarat buj-jhe,Taa(n) lah bhau siro(n) maar."
"The soil is in ferment, O friendBehold the diversity.The soil
is the horse, so is the riderThe soil chases the soil, and we hear
the clanging of soilThe soil kills the soil, with weapons of the
soil.That soil with more on it, is arroganceThe soil is the garden
so is its beauty
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The soil admires the soil in all its wondrous formsAfter the
circle of life is done it returns to the soilAnswer the riddle O
Bulleh, and take this burden off my head."
[Translation reference: book by J. R. Puri and T. R. Shangari of
the Radha Swamis, titled Bulleh Shah].According to the authors this
kafiof Bulleh Shah reflects a tumultuous time in the history of
Punjab. Thepoet perceives radical changes taking place in society
around him. This was the middle of 18th centurywhen the Sikh power
was in the ascendancy and the Mughal power was waning. It was a
time of chaosas there was no law and order. Bulleh Shah sees
rampant corruption and societal decay. The generaltone of the poem
is pessimistic, as is obvious.
"Ulte hor zamane aaye,Hun asaan bhed sajjan de paaye.kaa(n)
laggad nun maaran lagge,chiriyan jurre khaayeiraqiyan nun chabuk
paunde,gade khood khavayeaapneyan vich ulfat naahee,
ke-he chaachche taayepiyo puttran ittfaak naa kaahee,dheeyan
naal naa maayesachcheyan nun hun milde dhakke,
jhoothe kol bahaayeagle jaaye bankaale baithe,pichliyan farash
vichaye...Bullah jina hukam hazooron andaa,tina nun kaun
hataaye."
"Perverse times have come,I know the mystery of the beloved
crows have begun to hunt hawks,and sparrows feed on
falconshorses bear the whipping,while donkeys graze on lush greenno
love is lost between relatives,be they younger or elder unclesThere
is no accord between fathers and sons,Nor any between mothers and
daughtersThe truthful ones are being pushed about,the tricksters
are seated close byThe front liners have become wretched,the back
benchers sit on carpetsThose in tatters have turned into kings,the
kings have taken to begging
O Bulleh, that which is His commandwho can alter His
decree."
Dohra - Bulleh Shah
" Pi sharaab tey kha kabab, heth baal haddaan di ag,
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Bulleha bhan ghar rab da, ais thuggan de thug noo thug."
Drench yourself in wine and feast on roasted flesh, roasting in
the fires flaming out of the bones. OBulleha, break into the house
of God and swindle the cheat of cheats.
