
عنوان | Melodies of Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai |
---|---|
شارح / محقق | آغا سليم |
ڇپائيندڙ | ثقافت کاتو، حڪومتِ سنڌ |
ڇپجڻ جي تاريخ | 2015-01-01 |
ايڊيشن | 2 |
Melody Of Peace
Chapter-I
1
Allah, the very first the Omniscient,
The Supreme, the Lord of the Universe,
The Omnipotent is there since infinity by His own Omnipotence,
the uncreated,
The Lord, the One, the Unique, the Provider, the Master, the Merciful,
Praise the true Lord by singing hymn of wisdom,
The Generous One Himself sustains the universe.
2
“He is the One and no one shares His Oneness.” When you say this,
And accept with love Mohammad (PBUH) as the cause of creation,
How then you bow before others?
3
"He is One and no one shares His Oneness", those who said this with firm faith,
And earnestly accept in hearts Muhammad (PBUH) as the cause of creation,
None of them ever strayed to unfavorable landing.
4
"He is the One and no one shares His Oneness" those who said this with firm faith,
And accept in heart and with tongue that Muhammad (PBUH) is the cause of creation,
In it decreed in Quran that they shall never stray to unfavorable landing.
5
They did not stray to unfavorable landing, and reached the shore safely,
And all savants became one with the One,
They were graced with love by God since the advent of time.
6
Since the advent of time God made them all light,
The truthful ones have "No fear, nor remorse, no worry"*,
Eternal immersion in love is their Divine destiny.
*Al-Quran
7
Slain by the Oneness they chant that there is none but God,
Hearts absorbed in Haqeeqat*, they measure Tariqat*
With silence of Maarfat, they search far places,
Lateef says, the lovers chop off their heads right from their shoulders.
* Here the poet is referring to various stages of Sufi discipline, which are:
1. Shariat: the Islamic Jurisprudence based on Quran and Hadith. This is the first stage of pilgrim's progress.
2. Tariqat: the Divine path.
3. Ma'arifat: The Divine knowledge.
4. Haqeeqat: Reality at the stage, the Sufi seeker of God, becomes one with God.
8
Slain by Oneness they are cut into two halves,
By their belief that there is no God but Him.
Having accepted the Prophethood and Muhammad they immersed in it,
Lateef says, the lovers took this path,
God wished them when they became one with Oneness.
9
Slain by Oneness and cut in to two halves by the belief that there is no God but Him,
Seeing them this state only an unfortunate would not yearn to be like them.
10
"He is One and no one shares His Oneness,"
Didn't you hear?
Nor did your hear your inner exhortations,
Your eyes will shed tears when witnesses to your deeds will confront you.
11
"He is One and no one shares His Oneness," should be your trade,
Loss or gain you carry on this barter,
He Himself will offer you cupful or wine or paradise to drink.
12
"He is One and no one shares His Oneness", is the only truth,
Whose adopted duality went stray and lost the path.
13
I search for head and lose body,
I search for trunk and lose head,
My hands, arms and fingers are cut like reeds,
Those who experience ecstasy of Oneness are chopped into pieces.
14
Don't call Him lover, nor the beloved,
Neither the creator, nor the creation,
Tell this secret only to him,
Who has risen above all imperfections.
15
Plurality is unity, unity is all plurality,
Truth is one, don't be misled by any gossip,
All this turmoil is because of Beloved.
16
He is the gloriously supreme, he is essence of all beauty,
He is countenance of beloved, He is the ultimate beauty,
He is the guide, he is the guided, and He is the idea,
Allah this is revealed unto one from one's own inner self.
17
He perceives Himself and Himself is the beloved,
He creates beauty and then yearns for it.
18
He is this, He is that, He is death, He is Allah,
He is beloved, the very breath of life,
He is enemy and the guide.
19
Echo is in fact the sound,
You ponder and will discern that
They were one but in listening became two.
20
The palace is one, its doors and windows are numerous,
Wherever I look, the Lord is here.
21
Your manifestations are in billions,
The self is in every self, but appearances are variant with each other,
O my beloved, how can I enumerate all of your innumerable attributes?
vaayi
Every one worships the beloved,
Whose eyes shine with love and his talk is virtue,
Whatever is in my mind he knows it all,
Whatever Lateef sings is at your behest o beloved.
Chapter-II
1
His commiseration for my affliction
Shows I am in beloved's grace,
I am in the pink after crossing the gallows.
2
O you stupid physician, why are you burning my skin with hot spikes?
While my body is aching and you make me drink concoction,
Death is perceiving the beloved for those who consider gallows a bridal-bed.
3
Gallows beckons, would any of you accompany me?
Those in love will have to go.
4
The gallows beckons lovers to come,
If you long for love do not step away,
First keep your head aside and then talk of love.
5
Lovers deem gallows adornment since eternity,
To waver and step back is reproach for them,
For they come to perceive the beloved,
To be slain in love is the lovers' original convenient.
6
Gallows is the real adornment of lovers,
Lateef says: they never wavered when they sighted spikes of the scaffold;
They were speared as the reached there.
7
Why are they happy on gallows?
They take gallows as bridal bed since their eyes met with those of the beloved.
8
Mounting the bridal bed of gallows is the way of lovers,
On and on they go, never looking back.
9
Lovers mount gallows hundred times everyday,
This should not discourage you from yearning,
Your perceive not to point where from love sprouted.
10
First stab yourself, then talk of love,
Let agony of separation vibrate in your being like wind in a trumpet,
Grill your flesh if you seek love.
11
Knife can't be blamed as its handle is in cutter's hand,
Finding itself poised to kill, the steel blade trembles,
Lovers forever pine for the beloved.
12
I want the knife to be blunt, not sharp,
So that my beloved hands touch my body a little longer.
13
Beloved's knife cuts flesh and bone
Lover lets himself to be dismembered for the sake of Allah.
14
If you wish to learn the ways of love,
Don't cry out when knife is pierced,
The agony of love should not be shared with others,
But kept deep inside with joy.
15
Stay if you wish to be slashed, else go away
This land is of those who have knives in their hands.
16
I am in love with those who have knives in their hands,
I enter the arena of love ardently,
And place my head on the chopping block,
Wishing the beloved to beheaded me.
17
Those in the front are beside the chopping block,
Those in the rear have made ready for their own beheading,
To preempt rejection and find acceptance you must sever your head,
Don't you see heads of those slain in love scattered all over?
The revelry of beheading rages in the tavern of winer.
18
if you yearn for a sip of wine, go to winery,
Lateef says, cut your head and lay it near the wine jar,
O bridegroom, drink the thick wine in mouthfuls,
That downs even the mighty topers,
Trading for your head would be bargain.
19
If you long for a sip of wine, go to winer's shop,
Lateef says, keep your head beside near the wine jar,
Trade your head for cupfuls of wine.
20
If you yearn for a sip of wine go to winer's lane,
All around there is clamour for wine of god Shiva,
I have puzzled it out, a sip of that wine is worth one's head.
21
If you yearn for a sip of wine, go to winer's house,
he cuts up, mangles, lacerates the seeker of his wine,
Sayyad says, getting even a cupful this way is a bargain.
22
The wine is very precious, it cannot be purchased with money,
Sayyad says, prepare to lay your head beside a wine-jars
This is a place where seekers lay their lives.
23
Lovers are habitual of drinking poison,
They very sight of poison delights them,
They are addicts, ever cravers of the bitter and deadly poison,
Lateef says, being love-smitten, separation from the beloved is killing them,
Even as their wounds throb in pain, they never speak of it to others.
24
Of you have no taste for the bitter, ask not for wine,
For it squeezes life out of sinews,
Lateef says, you can taste it only after chopping your head.
25
Why those, who only yearns, talk of wine?
When venders drew their draggers, they went away,
Only those will have sips, who offer their heads in barter.
26
Their heads are severed from their trunks,
And their limbs are boiling in cauldron,
They may wish for wine, who have their heads ready.
27
Their limbs are boiling in cauldron,
And the sound of boiling never ceases,
Seeing festering wounds of lovers, the physicians gave them up.
28
Those who serve wine, demand head,
But those who are in the brew, demand something else.
29
Real lovers never save their heads,
They sever their heads, says Lateef, and give life,
They chop their heads right from their shoulders and then talk of love.
30
It is not the way of real lovers to save their heads,
A moment with beloved is more precious than hundred heads,
This bone and flesh are not worth a sip.
31
If beloved's union had been possible by giving head,
Everyone would aspire for the union,
All the lovers would offer their heads,
Thinking is a bargain,
Only destiny makes the union possible,
The beloved is precious, hence priceless.
32
A drop of wine is so precious that even longing for it is worth giving up life,
The amorous playful glance of the beloved is like prayer for us.
vaayi
While drinking wine, I recognized my beloved.
I drank the cup of love-wine and all the mysteries were unraveled,
Fir of love burns inside me,
It is only for two days that we live in this world,
Abdul Lateef says, it is only you who pervades all phenomena.
Chapter-III
1
Having inflicted me the beloved left,
My pains and pangs al are from him,
I now hate to hear of relief by physician.
2
I thoroughly dislike physician's company now,
For beloved has become my guide and healer.
3
The beloved became guide and comforter,
He cured my affliction completely and turned my illness to health.
4
Different is the infliction of which beloved is the reliever,
No physician can believe it,
Beloved is my guide protector, and medication.
5
Beloved is medication not affliction,
Though known as Subduer he is sweet in company,
Whom he makes friend with, he repeatedly stabs him,
Lord, the coverer, probes innermost of being.
6
All the veins vibrate like the strings of rebeck,
The beloved is indifferent and irresponsive, I can neither moan nor groan,
Who has grilled shall mitigate the suffering,
He is the tormentor, as also comfort of soul.
7
He is the one who leads astray and a perfect guide too,
"You elevate whom so you wish and you abase whom so you wish"*
*Al-Quran
8
He secretly inquired about the causes of my love-ailment,
He then prescribed and appropriate medicine,
He advised me to have patience,
Since then I am yearning to meet and pray homage to him.
9
Why do you yearn only, why don't you go and pay him homage?
Those who see his door once, will never turn to any other.
10
His words are sweetest of all the sweets and are never bitter,
Even his very silence is response.
11
Whatsoever comes from the beloved is sweet,
If you taste thoughtfully there isn't any bitterness.
12
He who willed the prize of pain for you,
How is it that you reveal his secrets to others?
13
Your beloved, whom you remember all the time, remembers you too,
"Remember me and I will remember you"* ponders over these words,
He has knife in his hands and sweet words on his lips.
*Al-Quran
14
It was only once that beloved beckoned me with kindness,
I am fated to recount it all my life.
15
Once the beloved had asked lovingly, "Am I not your Lord"?
Since then the pain of separation never leaves me.
16
They humbly ask where is beloved spear holding hand?
They never stay aside when they confront the spear of love.
The lovers come proudly to face the death,
Death is union with beloved for those whose wont is to die in love.
17
The beloved beckons and slaughters and then beckons,
Don't step aside when you are under the spear of love,
O you lover, cast aside your knowledge and wisdom,
Go straight to face death.
18
The beloved's summon is verily a banishment,
This paradox inspires more love,
Never despair, though he severs relations but in fact he ties it.
19
When he kills he takes care and when he takes care he kills,
O mother, he is the killer as well as delight of the heart.
20
Who kills cares and beckons besides him,
This is the way of beloved for all times,
He is the healer, who opens the wounds,
And he is delight of the soul.
21
he kills and calls besides him,
He makes lovers mount gallows,
And burns their skins daily,
He deals in the commodity of the agony of love,
O you the wounded one, come and buy some of it.
vaayi
Beloved will cure me, he will be medicine of my affliction,
The wondrous one will come and give me potion of mercy,
Beloved himself came and diagnosed my disease,
My physician cured me of it,
Abdul Lateef says, O my mates, my beloved is indeed an expert physician.
Melody Of Harmony
Chapter-I
1
You are the beloved, the healer, the potion for the pain,
O beloved, I suffer from varied maladies,
Cure the patients of their afflictions, O Lord,
2
You are the beloved, the physician; and the medicine of pain,
Curative of my aching heart are you sweet words,
I carve for you, as other physicians' medicines don't work.
3
You are the beloved, the physician and the medicine
For those who are down with affliction,
You cause the sickness, you cure it, you are the guide and the Lord,
Strange that you make the worldly physicians ineffective.
4
You are the beloved, the physician; and the cure of all aches,
You cause affliction, you cure it;
You are the comforter for all sufferers,
Medicines work only when you wish them to.
5
As a physician remedies my affliction,
Beloved comes and aborts it.
6
Do me a favour, o beloved, raise hand and strike, hesitate not, to die with a wound inflicted by you will be an honour.
[Read original verse]7
Raise your hand and strike; it is my heart's silent cry,
Crying would be blatant and unbearable for patience is the pain,
To whom would I say that the beloved had struck me?
8
Rise your hand, o beloved, straining the bow to the full shoot arrow,
So that I may have the excuse to fall in your lap,
And may be near you.
9
Where the beloved full-shoots arrows of love,
There the physicians forget all their expertise.
10
If you graciously shoot arrow of love, o beloved,
I will not ask for a healer but would live with wounds.
11
Pulling the string the beloved took aim and discharged the arrow,
Right on the target, it left the wounded to toss about and groan.
12
They toss about and groan their bodies pierced with iron-arrow heads,
Ruby red with blood they flounder in the arena of love,
They treat and dress their wounds by themselves,
Let us pass a night with the wounded.
13
Let us pass night with the wounded,
Their bodies ache, wounds ooze inside,
Hidden away hey treat and dress their wounds.
14
Today too abode of wounded reverberates with groans and moans,
Evening has set in but they are still dressing and treating their wounds.
15
The wounded wretches are content with their agony,
They rest not, but stride to their destination.
16
The wounded wretches are content with their agony.
They rest not, but stride to their destination.
17
The wounded cry all the time in pain,
What is deep in their heart, they never share with others,
Though many diversions, they finally revert to that which is in their heart.
18
Those in health know not how wounded live,
Lying on ground they cannot turn side,
Hidden away they pine for the beloved shedding tears,
And pass tearful nights thinking of the beloved.
19
Those in health know not why the wounded groan,
Lying on ground they are in God-inflicted malady,
Lateef says, they are love-smitten, ever in pain,
They pass nights in tears whose love is perfect.
20
O mother, I don’t trust those, who shed tears,
Their tears are ostentations, they weep to show off,
Those who remember the beloved neither weep nor complain.
vaayi
Physicians are confounded; beloved's pain is in my heart.
Arise o physicians, stay not; take away all your medicines,
The one who causes pain, and cures it has come,
The sustainers of my life have to come.
Chapter-II
1
You are not the proper physician of my body,
You can’t diagnose my what ails me,
Take away your medicines, bury them in a pit,
I don’t want life without beloved.
2
They argued with physicians, didn't exercise abstention,
Those who did, recuperated soon.
3
They argued with physicians, didn’t exercise abstention,
That is why they are not recovering.
4
Physicians have much compassion for the indisposed,
They did their best but no cure without abstinence.
5
The patients who remained in the company of physicians, recovered,
And the physicians with care and compassion cured them.
6
Physicians were in my neighborhood, but I did consult them,
That is way I have cataract in my eyes.
7
O Naïve that you are, you indulge habitually,
Abstention would help you in good health.
8
If you seek beloved's union, learn the ways of thieves,
They revel being awake, passing night without rest,
Whatever they observe and discover, they never disclose,
Even as they are led to gallows, the confess not,
Nor do they admit anything when their heads are under chopper.
9
The physicians drove out the wounded from their house,
Their wounds opened anew and fibrose not,
Glimpse of a friend however comforted them,
The frustrated physicians quit, come o friend, so that I may get well.
10
Physicians were around when the beloved came,
Feelings of well being coursed through out my body,
And his coming relieved me of pain.
11
Those who wounded me, turned into healers,
Urgent dressing by them led to cure in a day,
O heart, be I their company so that you are not wounded again.
12
O stupid physician, you cannot diagnose the pain I am dying with,
I will complain to the beloved that physician had no mercy for me.
13
O physician, give me not medicine, I may not be cured,
My beloved may show mercy and come to inquire after me,
14
Cultivate the that of sitting in physicians' company,
Assuredly you will never be sick,
Change your old habit to sickly, so that you may not be helpless.
15
You were in physicians' company, how then old you fall ill?
Why didn't your head for health?
16
Quack have killed me, I did not meet physician,
They enhanced my pain by bearing my body with spikes.
17
They did not care a bit for the physicians
Physicians were away from the medicines.
18
Physician did their best, tried all medications,
My beloved will feel my pulse and administer medicine of mercy,
Those, whose loved ones nurse them, are relieved of pain.
19
All the sick assembled and asked for health,
Run away affliction, the benevolent has shown his face.
vaayi
Come, o beloved, take care of me, I am love-smitten,
Blame me not if I die for your yearning,
Come with your hands full of herbs and treat me.
Chapter-III
1
Ah! My heart laments for the beloved,
Ardor has scorched the liver; fire has burnt kidneys,
If you don't believe come and see me all in flames.
2
Ah! My heart of laments for the beloved,
Ardor ha scorched my liver, kidneys are stinking,
If you don't believe, come and see my condition.
3
I may broil over tinder of prosopis and acacia,
My liver, and kidneys all three are pierced with spits,
Physicians have lost hope, I am in beloved's hands.
4
Resting on ankle and knee the beloved shot the arrow,
It pierced, along with feathers, my backbone,
Heart, liver kidneys and ribs on both sides,
Physicians have lost hope, I am beloved's hands.
5
Pulling the bowstring to the full, the beloved shot the arrow,
It went through my body with shuddering sound,
Would some one go and ask the beloved, is he satisfied now?
6
Pulling again bowstring to the full, the beloved shot the arrow,
Jingling and vibrating it zoomed off,
And went through my liver, kidney and heart,
And lodged so deep inside that however I may try I can't pull it out.
7
As the beloved shot an arrow from the bow,
It instantly went through my body,
The beloved had used all his skill in shooting the target.
8
Having ignited fire in me, the beloved blows it,
New spike of love has pierced y body,
Perceiving him has put me in a blaze.
9
Ask the moths as to what it meant to burn,
They come and plunge in flame,
Their hearts pierced with love-spears.
10
If you claim a moth, come and extinguish fire,
This fire has burnt many; you burn out the fire itself,
Be aware of the reality of the fire, let no commoner know about it.
11
If you claim to be a moth, throw yourself willfully in flame,
Drive on to flame till it is put out,
It will surely go out, let no commoner know about it.
12
If you claim to be a moth, don't retreat seeing the blaze ,
Enter into beloved radiance and be a bridegroom,
You are still unbaked and not familiar with oven.
13
The moth determined and gathered over the blaze,
Approaching it they burnt themselves over the truth,
The unfortunate lost their necks.`
14
They ascended to observe the pit of burning fire,
Lovers rejoice and bloom like ware flowers to see the blaze,
You come and entangle your self in the middle of the inferno.
15
If body burns like oven, cool it with a sprinkle of patience,
Get from somewhere fire of gentility and burn yourself in it,
Go through all stages of spiritual exercises in secrecy,
Lateef says, let no one ever know of your inner anguish,
Telling others may come in the way of your union with the beloved.
16
It was only yesterday that the lovers were taken out of oven,
They went hurriedly to the oven of love of Oneness,
The lovers are never out of the blaze.
17
Those, melted iron and made of steel,
Ironsmiths know them well.
18
Today too the smiths are blowing fire,
Setting up ablaze of love they put coal in it,
O blower, keep on pushing till he cast iron cracks into pieces.
19
Blower, You are not blowing fire nor going near it,
Flames of love you endure not,
Standing aside you claim to be a smith.
20
Making your head an anvil, look for the smiths,
They might hammer you to pure steel.
21
Bear like anvil hammer strokes,
Annihilating yourself in love cause the handle of hammer to speed up.
22
Pity that coals burn twice,
Once in furnace and when the fire is blown up,
Then smith gather them up for.
23
Having burned me the beloved extinguishes and burns me again,
The ironsmith's fire-tongues are killing me.
24
Today the veracious smith have come with whetstones,
They will sharpen the swords skillfully.
25
The veracious smiths have come today,
They will remove all rust and bring out the steel.
26
Rust melts, iron liquefies, blaze burns bright,
Hammers strike and anvils tremble,
Smiths have gathered at blaze today.
27
I saw them blissful who are familiar with anvil,
Their swords never rust.
vaayi
Enliven my heart, enliven heart, don't make me loose my heart,
Talk of beloved quenched my thirst from ocean of kindness,
Cure my ailment with a sign,
The mercy of the merciful steered me out of difficult current,
Cast me a kindly glance o my love,
Call the unfortunates as beggars and reprieve them.
Chapter-IV
1
One cup and two aspirants, is not the way of love,
How they be near the beloved who drink by counting cups,
See, the egocentrics are deprived of union with beloved.
2
One cup and two aspirants, is not the way of love,
They fused into oneness who came in love's fold when knife of love is pierced, duality is truncated.
3
One cup and two aspirants, there be no sharing in love,
This is poet's way of sharing with singer.
4
Lovers look in the direction where there is killer of millions,
Seek venom from those who care not for their lives.
5
Lovers look in the direction where there is killer of all,
They equate not their life with a sip of wine.
6
Killers arduously turn poison into honey,
Drink some cupfuls in their company.
7
Hide not pitchers of wine from the drinkers,
Offer them abundant wine, they will pass by silently,
And let your tavern's perfuse all over.
8
Hide not pitchers of wine from the drinkers,
Give some of it to passerby and evaluate them,
The few sips taken by them would be valued a million.
9
They hiccup but still drinking cupfuls of venom mixed with wine,
Rise o barmaid, give more to the lovers,
Sips satisfies them not, they are looking for pitchers.
10
The north breeze blew, Mokhi opened wine pitchers,
Mattaras came for a taste of it with their heads in bargain.
11
Sprinkle tavern-dew on the garbs of passers by,
It will evoke yearning in all, its fame will spread far and wide,
Those who drink at dawn will step in the tavern.
12
When they will step in they will drink up all,
Their thirst unquenched, they would shout "Consumed is this bring us more."
13
Mokhi cannot be high born as she is of low cast,
She gave cupfuls to Mataaras and killed them.
14
Mataaras have died, why you should not Mokhi?
How would you survive without the munificent?
15
Mataaras have died, you too should die Mokhi,
Who would put up your scolding and ire now?
16
It was not wine that killed them,
But scolding of Mokhi touched their hearts,
Thereafter the Mataaras died.
17
Still there are many jars, big and small, near the winery,
Don't despair of Mataaras Mokhi,
18
Dagger on neck and wine tumbler on lips, this is their wont,
They drained their cups in long draughts,
There is plenty of wine for those who achieve ecstasy.
19
Mokhi had nothing against them, nor wine killed them,
Sayyad says, they had crowded the tavern for a sip of wine,
Behold the graves near the winery of those who were chilled to death by words.
20
Give your head, somehow square up with the barmaid,
Chop off your head with dagger,
Don't fear death, cup of wine is more precious.
21
Every tumbler, every pitcher contains wine of different variety,
Tasting the varieties they realized value of the vendor.
They come straight to the tavern offering their heads,
Sayyad says, they gladly surrender their heads and then taste the wine.
22
Burn yourself into ashes in company of the customers,
You may meet them with whom you drank last year.
23
O my heart, why didn't you learn from the brewers of wine,
Their nights pass shedding tears while brewing wine.
vaayi
Friend came indoors, the occasions of union with beloved arose,
It is after many days that God brought the beloved home,
Days of separation passed, with God’s grace it is now union,
He who was said to be far away, has come near today,
Abdul Lateef says, my love has honoured me by his visit.
Chapter-V
1
The Sufis who reached the goal, evaded multiplicity,
Unforgettable is their play of love's game,
Their drunkenness brought them near beloved and made them his confidante.
2
As life courses through veins, go does a Sufi pervades the whole cosmos,
He let utters not a word that let there know what he has discovered,
For such revelation would be a sin.
3
Giving hurts them; not giving makes them happy,
True Sufis take nullity with them.
4
Sufi has no sect, and no one knows his creed,
Within himself he is at war with himself, but never lets on,
He is pathfinder even for those who nourish malice against him.
5
Sufi washed the parchment of my being,
It was only then that beloved's vision was seen in life.
6
Claiming to be a Sufi and nourishing ambitions is not the Sufi way,
Take off your turban and throw it in the fire.
7
If you put on Sufi- turban, be a perfect Sufi,
Procure a cupful of venom and gulp it,
This is their place who acquire divine ecstasy.
8
Pitch the tent Jabbar* your body by chanting his name secretly,
And then recite his name loudly without cease,
Scan the Quran to discover the Great Name,
Don't go to other door as this priceless pearl is produced here.
9
"I" is the pivot around which orbits the whole world,
We know not the enchanter who has created this magical illusion.
10
Seekers are numerous, fountainhead of beauty is one, this Rumi believes.
Those who saw the place kept mum.
11
Seekers are numerous, fountainhead of beauty is one, this is Rumi's view,
How man emerged on earth, don't you observe the spell around?
12
Seekers are numerous, fountainhead of beauty is one, this Rumi has said,
If you uncover your inner self, you will perceive him inside you.
13
Seekers are numerous, fountainhead of beauty is one, this is what Rumi talks about,
Self-annihilation comes first and then comes vision of the beloved.
14
Seekers are numerous, fountainhead of beauty is one, this is Rumi's pleasure,
Those, who perceived the truth never said a word.
15
Seekers are numerous, fountainhead of beauty is one, this is Rumi 's obsevation,
If you remove the certain, you will perceive him inside yourself.
16
Debauch though they appear outwardly, but they are deep in mystic meditation,
The arrow of Divine instructions is struck in their hearts,
They recite the True Name in their hearts.
17
Constantly repeating the lesson of suffering they read the lesson of pain,
Holding tablet of meditation, they study in silence,
Only that page they peruse that reveals the Beloved.
18
I forgot the lesson, even its first line I don't remember,
The pity is that I have not been able to read the first page.
19
When I read the page that tells of beloved's union,
I found nothing but you everywhere.
20
They follow not the line that begins with letter A,
Vainly they look for beloved in other pages.
21
They remember only that line, which begins with letter A,
"They have no other ambition in both worlds," this is what they say,
They discovered the path and reached the Merciful.
22
They reached the Merciful, who followed the path,
And received tidings of union.
23
O wretch, how you became jurist by reading words?
You strut and frown, don't come here in this condition,
Go and ask azazeel* about the taste of this wine.
24
The only true lover was Azazeel, all others only yearn,
It was his boundless love that made him the accursed.
25
When I read the earliest lesson,
The first thinking I recognized was the original abode of my soul,
Where souls have daily experience of knowing God,
Page turned then and there was a separation.
26
If one word can't reveal the whole story,
It is useless to tell them story in many word.
27
They read and again but their hearts remain unaffected,
The more pages they turn, the more sins they commit.
28
Read again and again the lesson that tells of the grief of separation,
Inscribe letter A in your heart and suffix it with letter M,
Lateef says, chant without cease these words in your heart.
29
Read the letter A, forget all other pages,
Cleanse your heart, how long can you read pages after pages.
30
More you turn the pages, more sins you come across,
What use are the words when your deeds,
Did not make the beloved stay.
31
O scriber, while writing you join letter A to letter L,
So is my beloved set in my soul.
32
Why you spoil paper and waste ink?
He is beyond that from where words sprouted.
33
Observing forty-day secluded meditation and repeating them forty times,
Is not equal to beloved's glimpse,
O scriber, why you write pages after pages,
Turn twenty and you will find only one word.
34
Your body is mosque, your heart an antechamber,
Why don't you worship the imperceptible all the time?
Know yourself and you will see Him in everywhere.
35
He is everywhere, no place is without Him,
The weaklings are of no account who run away from the only One,
Ignorant as I am I have now discovered Him in my heart.
vaayi
Forget not, youth lasts only for few days,
The shameless suffer reproches when time is past,
The lovers forsook them while they were asleep,
Mates, believe with those who remain awake for all night,
Wake up at midnight and stop your eyes from sleeping.
vaayi
They are taking away my beloved,
However much I try I cannot restrain my heart,
I may not be unacceptable to those, whom I belong to,
To hell with the mercy of others,
I may die, they may kill me, decimate me,
I would forfeit my life if only I meet my beloved.
Chapter-VI
1
He demonstrates splendor of Daud,* while we weakling are colorless,
The uncaring his armour-bearers under mare hooves.
2
He demonstrates splendor of Daud, while we? have no sense,
The dexterous tramples his armour-bearers under mare hooves.
3
O Qabeel,' you have solid darts in your eyes,
You aggress and hit accurately the love-smitten ones,
My love, you devastate so much with your eyes.
4
O Qabeel, you have sharp dart in your eyes,
You have wounded many of the humble folk,
Don't shoot other, first is enough.
5
O Qabeel, piercing darts are in your eyes,
My beloved, no one knows the agony I am in,
Lateef says, you are killing me with iron-point arrow.
6
O Qabeel, you shot arrows of your eyes,
Second may be shot only when the first is not hit.
7
If he poises arrow on bowstring, hold chest like a shield,
Bear happily beloved's hits in face,
Don't doubt the gallows, stand fast like a true lover.
8
If he poises arrow on bowstring hold your chest like a shield,
Bear direct hits in the face with courage,
Never step back, stand fast like a true lover.
9
If he poises arrow on bowstring hold your chest like a shield,
One should never harbor malice at beloved's door.
10
Setting arrow on bow don't shoot me, beloved,
As you are in me, you will strike yourself.
11
They escape arrows and avoid to be targeted,
Whereas the very first arrow is enough for the true lovers.
12
I stand firm where I received the first arrow,
My valiant beloved may show kindness and shoot another.
13
Be target of arrows in the arena of love,
Lateef says, direct hits perforate you completely,
Don't utter a word for it may alienate the friend.
14
They stepped into the arena of love,
To be beheaded and dismembered is their embellishment,
I have seen them forfeiting their heads for the beloved.
15
In the arena of love cause the entire vicinity to reverberate,
Head on gallows, trunk on spikes, and no word of complaint on lips,
Love is a snake; only the bitten are in the know of it.
16
Care not for head in the arena of love,
Lateef says, chop your head and place it before the beloved,
Love is a terrible snake; only the bitten ones are in know of it.
17
Care not for head, in the arena of love,
Climb love's gallows, and become a hero,
Love is a snake, only the bitten are in know of it.
18
Leap into the arena of love,
O Laahooti, sever all worldly ties,
Love is a snake, only the bitten are in know of it.
19
Love is not a game that every novice may play it,
It snaps the link between body and soul,
Throw your head on spear-point so that it is cut into two.
vaayi
My love is in full prime, I am love-smitten, o mates,
Lying on bridal bed, I don't get a wink of sleep,
Keeping nights vigil and remembering beloved is the devotess' way,
Intellect was baffled, when love come to guide.
Chapter-VII
1
Lovers don't forget Allah even for a moment,
Sighing for the beloved they will breath their last sooner or letter.
2
Lovers don't rest even for a moment,
Those who did, beloved's scold ended their life.
3
Lovers are never with sound health as you are,
They regularly go to beloved's door and shed tears,
Having accepted one beloved they never care for other.
4
Any one with blood in his veins should not claim to be a lover,
Pale face, loss of beauty and constant longing are lover's characteristics,
Though destitute, he barters head in love transaction.
5
You bleed when a thorn pricks you,
How would you bear the wounds the beloved would inflict right in your face?
Why do you make empty claims of longing and love?
6
This is not the way of a lover to steal peeps at the beloved,
Why don't you cut yourself in two in the beloved's courtyard?
Yours is a false yearning as you laugh, eat; and sleep.
7
Similar are both, gallows and yearning,
Looking out on paths is essential,
In both cases climax is reached by forfeiting life.
8
Either learn the way of yearning or go and watch those who genuinely yearn,
Never be with them who don't know what love is.
9
O lover, sit in the beloved's lane,
Never ever leave his door out of weariness,
You will get medicine of mercy, which will comfort you all over,
O my love, how can you get along without us when we can't without you.
10
O lover, sit on beloved's way,
He will come and take kind care of you,
He is all compassion and will surely guide you on the right path.
11
O lover, sit at beloved's door,
He will come and take kind care of you,
The beloved is all goodness and will be your guide.
12
O lover, sit at the step of beloved's tavern,
Surrender yourself before him holding ends of your neck-scarf,
You might then gain his favour and remain in his company.
13
O lover, sit at a place where he passes,
Don't get tired of longing for the Mokhi's pitcher,
Bartering your head drink a few cupfuls.
14
O lover, sit on the daily track of your beloved,
He will have you drink wine of his winery,
Having neared him never turn away.
vaayi
Beloved's beauty cannot be forgotten,
One many go to beloved's door to sacrifice one's head on the gallows,
Only lovers climb gallows, others run away,
First prepare to sacrifice head, then talk of love,
The wise have racked their brain, naives don't step back.
Chapter-VIII
1
It is unseemly to frequent friend's door,
O you naive, dash not to the beloved's lane,
Don't disclose your love like a novice to everyone,
Lateef says, the beloved will turn your sufferings into pleasures,
Converse with beloved in secrecy and share love with him.
2
As long we are well, we don't send for a physician,
But the moment we fall ill we send for him.
3
Those, who fell sick, recovered,
Affliction is sweet to those, who are in love.
4
Those who cause pain are its healer,
Lateef says, whatever beloved does has already been destined,
Whom fate favors, only they are cured .
5
If beloved himself offers drink, I will drink like a camel,
No one can enter cistern without his consent.
6
Untold is not put and the one told is not understood,
This saying is pure like gold but people don't appreciate it.
7
The untold is not out and the one told is not understood,
Only those can appreciate pure gold, who are so ordained,
8
Whatever the beloved bestowed, I took it for blessings,
First they appraised me, then conferred the blessing.
9
O my heart, whatever he gave, bear it at the cost of life,
Never say the beloved severed relationship,
His severing of relationship is in fact cementing it.
10
If the beloved severs relationship, tie the broken thread,
If he finds fault with you consider it a favor,
Beg for continuance of your sacred relationship with him.
11
Be, humble show humility, wrath entails great sorrows,
It only you knew, patience is a source of happiness.
12
Be humble, show humility, wrath is a suffering,
You can know the difference only if you fooling is firm.
13
Wrath is cause of suffering, patience is pleasant lik musk,
"God is with those who are patients*" this is what Lord has said.
14
Be tolerant, the tolerant win, the intolerant lose,
Those who retaliate have never tasted the tang of tolerance.
15
The tolerant are at peace, the intolerant suffer,
Bad words cause loss and nothing is achieved.
16
If any one talks to you, harshly don't answer bears,
One who initiate aggression always suffers,
He is empty handed who nourishes malice.
17
If any one talk at you, don't talk back,
Lateef says, melt your heart like wax for all,
Tolerance is rewarded, malice gains nothing.
18
No one benefits from malice,
Over-strained bowstring snaps and one is harmed.
19
Hearing harsh words, never retort,
This guideline of the Guide is like a necklace,
Those who annihilated ego are adorned.
20
Respond not to what others say,
Reason with your wrath every day,
Don't retort and you will be greeted at every door.
21
Chide not those who chide you not, forget whatever is said to you,
Act on this guidance humbly all the time,
Keep your head between your knees, and lead a humble life,
Install a judge insider yourself so that you have no need for an outside judge.
22
Those who always say kind words in response to scolds,
O my heart, build your hut near their abode.
23
Shun them whose company aggravates your grief,
No matter how great are benefits.
24
Those whose company mitigates your sufferings,
O my self, build your hut near their abode.
vaayi
I am love-smitten; separation of beloved is killing,
There are many at his door, who are fond of him like me,
Every where there is talk of the beloved's beauty,
Take dust under the beloved's feet as antimony for your eyes,
Abdul Lateef says, my beloved is beauty for all times.
Melody Of Moonlight
Chapter-I
1
Beloved is benevolent, quintessence of benevolence,
The merciful never remonstrates when face to face,
I am all vice and, he is all virtue.
2
Immense graciousness reflects in beloved's forehead,
May he grace the abode of those who eagerly long for him,
How can moon and sun be compared with the beloved?
3
O moon, you are the one, who can see my beloved from where you are,
Whatever messages in tears I gave you, convey them all,
May he be with me forever without having go away on any errand.
4
May he be with me forever without having go away on any errand,
Whose eyes have remained in my soul,
My heart subsists on the one whose words are always meaningful.
5
Night is bright, path is even, love is new, and distance is drawn-out,
O camel, don't look back while on way to the beloved,
How to reach the beloved, should be your only intent.
6
Night is bright, path is straight, love is new do me a fever,
Cardamom in your feedbag, sandalwood in your pen,
Mind them and stride fast,
What I have told you let no one know it,
Snort loudly on the way so that the rivals are chafed.
7
Night is bright, path is even, love is new, cover the distance fleetly,
Take me quickly to camel, to my beloved,
How is that that the beloved who glitters in my memory, is so far,
In the name of Allah, take me to my friend and bring me back before dawn.
8
Night is bright; path is straight, love is new think of distance,
Going to the beloved one should stride with energy,
Reach there by night to that rivals should not know.
9
Today too there is radiance of full moon,
There are tidings of beloved's coming to my abode,
It is all joy in my house and rivals are burning with jealousy .
10
Today too the full moon is about to rise,
My beloved is expected to visit my abode,
It was at dawn that the graceful came .
11
The full moon* has already risen,
But people look for the new moon on the twenty ninth night,'
They are not to be blamed, any one can ask me.
12
O full moon, you rise adorned profusely,
However you may try, you cannot vie with my beloved,
Your life long brightness is equal only one flash of my friend's beauty.
13
Hundreds of suns and moons may rise,
But without beloved all would be dark for me.
14
On moon! cannot compare you my beloved,
You shine only at night whereas my beloved is always bright.
15
O moon! Your brightness is painful,
I massaged my red body with fragrant camphor powder,
It faded as I waited for beloved to come.
16
May a spell strike you o moon,
Do disappear so that I may meet my friend in pitch dark.
17
O moon, I tell you the truth, even though it may annoy you,
You don't have two eyes and nose of my beloved.
18
O moon, if you don't mind I may tell you the truth,
Sometime you rise slender and sometime full,
Ablaze though your face is, it not as bright as my beloved's forehead.
19
Whenever my friend lifts eyes coquettishly,
Sun lowers its rays, moon becomes haggard,
The stars and Pleiades recede seeing the beloved,
Pearls loose their gleam before luster of his beauty.
20
It was pitch dark when the beloved showed up,
The moon with all the Pleiades disappeared.
21
O star, you rise on the horizon and shine exquisitely at dawn,
So does my beloved glisten all the time.
22
O star, I stare at you always because,
You rise in the direction where my beloved is.
23
There exactly there, where the star shines, is my beloved,
He is sweet like honey, never bitter.
24
There, exactly there, where the star shines, is my beloved,
He is sweet like honey, never bitter.
25
There exactly there, where the star shines, is my beloved,
He is sweet like honey, never bitter.
26
The star on the expanse of heaven are like facial moles,
Down the nights that I pass without my beloved.
vaayi
Don’t pass so quickly o night , stay on, I will conciliate the beloved.
I will burn and melt like candle with happiness in the night,
I may burn, extinguish, and reburn like the fire of wandering ascetics,
No commoner can comprehend my love for beloved.
I am in perennial pain for the beloved.
As a pal of Sayyad, there should not be any defect in me,
Lateef says, I am in everlasting love of the friend,
If I am absorbed in beloved’s love, I will glitter in mirage,
The black Day of Judgement will be easy for those whose supports is Hoat,
I have to live with the people till lord’s call.
vaayi
O my mother, how my heart will find peace without beloved,
I am ailing all the time, not happy for a moment,
Those who yearn for you, all the time in pain of separation,
I can't reach the beloved on foot as his place is far away,
My heart is all the time reaches in presence of the beloved.
vaayi
O Allah, he entered my abode whom I was remembering him,
Beloved is perfume of musk, I have longed for him all my life,
The one, my body is fond of, is also favorite of my soul,
What can I say of beloved's beauty,
Lateef says, I am blessed as the beloved has come to me.
Chapter-II
1
As you rise, o moon, first look at my beloved,
For God sake, tell him the miserable condition of the helpless,
All the time I am looking out for him, my eyes rely upon him.
2
As you rise, first look towards my friend,
O moon, tell him I am frail and feeble,
I have support, my eyes rely upon him.
3
As you rise, first look towards my beloved,
Tell the beloved all discreetly o moon,
I have no other support; my eyes rely upon him.
4
As you rise, first look towards my beloved,
Whatever messages I give you convey all to him,
All my life my love, my eyes rely on him.
5
O good moon, convey all my message to the beloved,
When you rise above beloved's courtyard,
Speak softly to him and touch his feet.
6
Whatever messages I give you, remember them all,
Tell him my condition by bowing before him,
You are on way to the one who is the anchor of mankind.
7
Rise o moon behold, the beloved sleeping out in the cool of night with musk-drenched hair,
The beloved is near you and far from me,
I can't reach there on foot and father is not allowing me a camel,
Which I may mount and reach the beloved before dawn.
8
I wish I die yearning for the beloved who is gracious but far away,
My father has refused a camel and I am not well enough to travel on foot.
9
O God, when would You unite my life with beloved's,
The enamored hearts are in passionate turmoil,
Beloved is far away, I in whom conflict my love secret?
10
Heart remembered the beloved , I don't know where would he be now,
My love, won't you come and sit with me on the bed,
It is time for love-talk with the beloved, in whom my I confide my secret?
11
It is raining heavily and windy, camel has stuck his neck on ground,
How can I bride him, he is not getting up even without bridle.
12
When I harness the camel, his lags give way, unharnessed he does not get up,
He is looking forward to go in the direction of his herd.
13
I don't have a camel or a a horse which can take me to the beloved nor can proceed on foot to meet my beloved at night,
Helpless I as am, I only shed tears.
14
O camel give up indolence, stride fast,
Unite me with the beloved for once,
Lest you are cursed by the yearners,
15
O camel, give up adolescence, stride fast,
I have to reach have where my beloved is,
I will feed you on sandalwood while rest of your herd graze Laano bush
Take me quickly so that I meet my beloved while it is still night.
16
O camel, give up indolence, stride fast,
Path of the beloved is straight, don't think it is difficult,
Don't groan, be alert so that I meet my beloved while it is still night.
17
You should be mindful of your father's lineage,
Which is as pure as could be,
O camel, being good, do me good.
18
I tethered the camel with tree so that he may eat bunds,
The ill-bred camel graze on Laano bush in stealth,
O mother, camel's behavior has perplexed me.
19
O camel, heed entreaty,
While traversing planes and stream measure not the distance,
Take me to my beloved's company.
20
I will adorn your neck with emeralds,
and rein decorated with pearls,
And feed you on sandalwood, if only you take me to the beloved tonight.
21
Garland of rubies around your neck, reins beaded with pearls,
I will feed you always sandalwood all the time,
If only you would take me to my beloved tonight.
22
I would put on you golden reigns, o camel,
And feed you on sandalwood offshoots and henna branches,
If only you would take me to my beloved.
23
The camel neither goes with the herd nor graze Laano,
He is stricken with amour,
The good camel would remain here till death.
24
The camel does not go with the herd, nor does he graze,
He is hit hard love-spike and done in,
Forfeiting life, he crawls towards the beloved.
25
When with his herd he grazes on fragrant branches,
O mother don't be deceived by his appearance,
He looks like every other camel, but his heart is there where his beloved is.
26
The camel does not graze on blossoms,
He also turns away from the pith,
He returned last night after trampling upon camphor grass,
He is full having gazed on sandalwood,
The camel all the time thinks of beloved's countenance?
He breaks away fetters to go there.
27
Today the camel is not as he was yesterday,
Coming to the courtyard he cares not for the feedbag,
May be, while following his herd he has grazed on some venomous creeper.
28
The camel on a whim had a bite of a creeper,
The filed owner learnt of it, the watchman got angry,
The camel become so exhausted that he forgot snorting,
The poor camel did not indulge his whims again.
29
O camel You have so far tasted only sweet creepers,
You have yet to come across the taste of poisonous creepers.
30
You should fasten, your camel with strong twined rope,
Fragrant creepers are in abundance on the plan,
If he happens to taste any of them,
Then he will not stay without fetters.
31
The camel has tasted something somewhere,
He is rushing towards it breaking all ropes.
32
I have tied the camel with many bridles,
He breaks every new fetter to graze on the saltbush,
O Lord set his mind right,
Lateef says, be gracious; pull him again on his legs.
33
Taking you for a real camel I used a goad,
To make you understand the puzzle and go on the right path.
34
When you reach Khanbhat pier, wait and look out,
Some good news from the beloved may reach you.
35
I restrained my camel many times from grazing on murder plant,
He has become fond of this plant that has already downer many,
Plenty of sandalwoods are maturing around,
I am sick and tired of this ill-bred camel.
36
Tether your camel if free he will loaf about,
When offered feed he turns away, better put some heavy stack on him,
Tie him with strong ropes o that he may graze and groan.
37
One rope on forelegs, one on hinder-legs and an iron fetter on around his neck,
O mother, my camel is prone to grazing fresh flowers,
Who would cast spell to have him when he hardly stays with me?
38
Has any one bewitched you? Why are you apathetic today?
With pads on eyes you have your feet on the track,
Being harnessed to an oil expeller has made you forget your herd.
39
When I restrained my heart by putting nine fetters on it,
It broke them all at midnight and rushed to the beloved.
40
Fastened by nine fetters, ten shackles and fifteen ropes,
When he remembers his beloved, he breaks them all with a single jerk.
41
He does not eat white rose, spits out standwood,
He does not go near aloewood, nor does he care for sandalwood,
He has fattened himself on laano.
42
O camel, you do not graze on sandalwood, nor you drink water aplenty,
You do not go near aloewood , and spit out good feed,
Of all the things why you like Laano?
43
Where two bough are worth ten million and quarter for half a million,
My camel feeds himself daily on those bough.
44
Where to bough are wroth ten million and a leaf for million,
There the camel happily pulls down flowering branches,
Even a withered leaf of that creeper is wroth millions.
45
Where two bough are wroth ten million, and a drink for five millions,
My camel drank a full fattened.
46
Camel wroth millions I purchased by paying much more,
My courtyard looks graceful, don't say it is a bad bargain.
47
Lead away the million-wroth camel for ten millions,
Sayyad says, strike the deal somehow,
He reaches the destination speedily,
Saddled he will take you to the beloved.
48
Take away the million-wroth camel for ten millions,
Fill his feedbag with cardamoms,
He will not tarry, saddled; he will take you to the beloved.
vaayi
I have the stories to tell to my beloved and desires to share with him,
Hellish are the nights that I passed without beloved,
And I cherish the night that I spent with him,
I seek my beloved in my furtive look,
Abdul Lateef says, my heart in picked at mid night with daggers.
vaayi
Longing is not enough, nor mere messages,
Until one sheds bloody tears in dark night,
Only those for whom retreat is reproach should enter the arena,
They may weep bitter tears whose friends are on long journy.
vaayi
Though you drive me away, I will not leave your door,
Even if you do not welcome me, I will at least see you,
I have explored many doors, it is only you who is every where.
Melody Of Voyage
Chapter-I
1
The beloved may ask you, don't forget this,
Obey his commands so that you may not be blanked.
2
The beloved may ask you, forget this not,
Extend your shirt tail before him like a supplicant.
3
The beloved may ask you, keep it in mind,
Have your sails washed clean with soap,
O seafarer, be vigilant so that you reach the other shore safely.
4
The beloved may ask you don't stop thinking about this,
Jettison the fake, never trade in falsehood,
O trader, deal only in truth.
5
The beloved may ask you, don't stop worrying about it,
Scratch all falsehood off your heart, and never go for fake goods,
You may thus be freed from the angst of other shore.
6
The beloved may ask you, be aware of it,
You may constantly through the binocular the treasures of foreign lands,
O boatman, cleanse your boat and leave it to the master mariner.
7
Fakes have been my only barter, never pearl,
Sayyad says, I have always dealt in lead,
With these in my account, your grace is my only hope.
8
Fakes have been my only barter, all pledges with Allah I have broken,
I am immersed in sins from head to toe,
O imperceptible, you know very well it all.
9
You have traded in fakes, remember God,
Cleanse your mind of all perfidy, as God loves truth,
Kindle, o pearl, a blaze of love in your heart,
Doing so may prove to be of gain to you.
10
Let me trade in a commodity that is profitable,
I am utterly helpless in every matter, you grant my request o God,
Unless you help I won't get back even the principal,
Help me to steer out of the breakers.
11
Turbulent waves, tides, infinite stretch of whiteness, inundation and an endless water,
There o God, do not maroon the boats of seafarers on some desolate island,
The ship may remain undamaged, and bottom board unbroken,
Let no harm come to the boats of the poor mariners.
12
Their sails are set, ropes new, and oars of ivory,
Loaded with goods the seafarers have commenced their voyage,
O Unique Allah, let them reach their destination safely.
13
Their sails are set, ropes new, and boatman skilled,
Seafarers have embarked on voyage and neared the mid current,
O Allah, kindly protect the boats that are sailing zealously.
14
Only some drops of water dropped in the boat,
The goods rusted and turned black.
15
Some drops of water trickled on the commodity in the boat,
I saw them crying over their loss.
vaayi
Give to the Gracious Lord thanks for His countless favours.
Recite with zeal the praises of the Wise,
Reveal to me, O God, the hidden mysteries of self,
Never forget, o man, to glorify the Lord,
Bearing Him in mind, vocalize His hymns,
Discipline yourself through tribulations, pass away from yourself in contemplation,
The Lord might be gratified and favour you with His grace.
O bondman of God, scratch all perfidy off your heart,
You fool, be wise, and know that Lord likes truth,
Those who truly submitted, how they ever be disgraced?
Those who remained awake whole nights for the Compeller, were graced,
God says in the Quran, "Remember me and I will remember you'
“Be thankful to me and do not take to disbelief,” scrape ingratitude from your heart.
Allah has set right all your misdeeds,
Praise Hire with sincerity and love.
Young man, repent quickly and with zeal.
So that you may find peace and faith, says Lateef.
vaayi
You are in me, I am a naïve, Man's return to God and prostration before Him is in Lord's hands,
They reached existence who became nonexistent,
The eyes with deep love prostrate before the eyes,
They all were approved at this door who lost their existence.
Chapter-II
1
All that is in universe depends for its subsistence on you,
Lateef says, there is no limit to your mercy,
Not justice but compassion can redeem me.
2
Those who remembered the Praiseworthy, for whole night,
Abdel Lateef says, they were honored even after death,
Million of people come to their graves to pay them homage.
3
Serve the sea where there is limitless water,
Hundreds of pearls and precious stones flow in its midstream,
If you only can get few of them, you will be rich.
4
Those who explored sea prospered,
They brought bunches of jewels from the depth,
Lateef says, they found diamonds in the waves,
Which are indeed priceless and precious.
5
Tide never overwhelms those worship the praiseworthy,
They sailed through the tempest with help repentance,
Depending on God they easily braved the turbulent current,
The master mariner came to their rescue in midstream.
6
They transact business with God for whole night,
Having filled their boats with complete surrender, the sturdy,
Journeymen embarked on their voyage,
The braves traversed the current in a moment.
7
They filled their boats with commodity of complete submission,
They traded in genuine pearls of Divine Knowledge,
They took the benefit of Prophet's tradition "repentance neutralizes sin,"
By his grace I will see my cargo to safety.
8
Those who traded in truth,
"There is good news for them in both words" refers to such persons,
The beloved guided them and they passed the sea.
9
As is their wont, the aquanauts explored the sea,
And penetrating the depths, collected pearls,
Which they brought up to give away with their own hands.
10
Braving breakers and dark whirlpools, the aquanauts explored the sea and brought up priceless pearls,
When they went deep down in the sea wearing glass masks crossed waves and dark whirlpools,
Having explored the sea they brought priceless pearls.
11
When they went deep down in the sea with mask of glass on their faces,
They brought out from the depths pearls producing oysters shells in which pears sprout,
They are the people who perceiver the priceless pearls.
12
Fronted by marshes and heaving sea my boat cannot withstand the breakers,
I have loaded it with all my misdeeds,
My sins are countless and I have to words to describe them,
The coast is overcast,
Be kind, let my boat sail safety.
13
Always watched of deep sea water,
Disappearance of your neighbors should cause you worry,
Don't you see people being ferried away this shore to the other?
14
Watching the sea heave is a constant worry the high sea which she has to cross,
There is not much hope for boat for the boat to reach destination.
15
Man has one thing in mind, God has another,
He sails small boats across the sea safely to favorable landing,
And carries over all the boats to favorable landing.
16
Man thinks of one think, God of another,
He being boats out of whirlpool,
He works wonder when he takes out sunken boats and sails them.
17
Man thin of of one think, God of another,
He Himself drives in to the the whirlpool and Himself sails the boat to safe landing,
Praise be to the One, who steers all to safe landings,
18
Man does one thing, God does another,
He Himself drives in the whirlpool and Himself steers to shore he brings the stray boats to safe landings.
19
Man does one thing, the Compeller does another,
It is His discretion that He rescues from the whirlpool,
The Protector never puts those jewelers in ships at risk,
Big and small boats all will reach the harbor safely,
Our Muhammad is there where Madina is situate,
May the Gracious steer all boats to safety.
vaayi
I have no idea where to land; I seek your protection,
Your mercy is islet,
I cannot account for my sins, they are countless,
I know nothing of the grave, as I had never worried about it,
O Lord, come to help, as people are not trustworthy,
O my compassionate beloved, kindly listen to my prayers,
Seeing my misdeeds even Satan blush,
Beats are shocked to see my sinful condition,
My Lord, you are the pilot of all the seafarers,
Come to my help as oars have slipped away from my hands,
You are the one, who rescues the drowning,
The beggar is begging, do him favor o Lord!
God has provided well for the livelihood of His creatures,
Like a blind man I have also joined them for alms,
The Generous has satisfied all the supplicants by his charity,
Your beneficence has been bestowed on all the poor,
You are the support do not abandon me,
O Valiant, you are my protector in the court of last judgment,
My Prophet will pitch tent for sinners,
May you heed o lord, supplication of Abdul Lateef.
Chapter-III
1
Expecting the north wind blow, they hoisted the masts,
O Allah, let not the point of their rudder do break,
The sea-traders have put the bartered goods in the boat.
2
You trade in salt and want its return in musk,
Your hut is on seaside speak not lie,
You may lose the principal, forget the profit.
3
There are of goods, but traders are negligent,
Some purchased the goods well in time,
Some loafed about and goods were sold out.
4
Deal in such goods as do not decompose when stored,
And when selling them aboard not even not even a shred is lost,
Invest your capital in a commodity that has prospect of return.
5
The mariners bring news only of the nearby,
They don't tell of the overwhelming swiftness of the mid-stream.
6
My boat is your mercy, and commodity therein is of your union,
It is you, who has equipped it with masts and oars,
There is no need of guide when you conduct it to landing.
7
As the boat is old Lord it lightly,
Its deck is bottom is riddled and water seeps from its hulls,
The present moment has passed away, think of tomorrow.
8
The boat's deck is riddled and water seeps from the shakes,
The mast is rotting, ropes are dangling,
But the pilot is skilled, hence it sails safely on the current.
9
Plug the holes and oil your boat regularly,
Sayyad says,
Sail your boat on the current with care and vigilance,
Equip your boat with thick ropes twined afresh,
Then drive it to the sea.
10
Plug holes and oil the boat regularly,
Never forget the preparations required for the sail,
Tomorrow, if not today, you will have to row your boat to the main current.
11
You finally saw today the steep coast you had been hearing of,
Lateef says, you remained forgetful while people slept,
By your carelessness you have driven the ship into the deep water,
O Lord, even as the ship becomes a hulk, protect it from a breaker,
This worn out ship in water is now left in your care,
O Sayyad, lead all your companions to Puranbandar.
12
O my boat sail in the company of other boats,
While sailing to the other harbor, equip yourself properly,
Rumble of the sea can be heard from afar.
13
Boat in the river may sink or float,
The wooden pegs fixed by the carpenter have all rotted,
The guide is not at his place, the pirates have boarded the boat,
O boatman, the thieves are in your raft,
Where big ships have sunk, your small boat would sail with His mercy.
14
Lord your boat with worthwhile commodity,
O forgetful, he breaker is poised to sweep over you, don't sit idle,
No one can say when your sleep will lead you to the mid-stream.
15
O sea-trader, you have loaded your boat with cargo which is not yours,
Now furious waves are pounding your boat from both the sides,
If you wake up, you will not miss the pier.
16
O boatman, you cannot have both,
You sleep by helm the whole night,
Tomorrow you will have to give account on the other shore.
17
Current swift, tide is ever rising, and anchors can not stay,
Even big ship sail against the shore with full force,
The seafarers use ballast to steady their boats on the sea,
I have heard pilots telling hair-raising tales.
18
O sea-trader, you cannot do without the sea,
Oil your boat, make it shipshape,
The sea lashes both sides of the boat,
Those who are short of account, be certainly swept over by waves.
19
The vigilant sailor, posted as watch, sends news,
The sailors who provided themselves well for the voyage,
Crossed all rock barriers, says Lateef,
Remembering God they reached port of Eden.
20
O helmsmen, sleep not when there is a danger at the harbor,
The current is eddying like curd in a churn,
One should not sleep, after bearing so much pain.
21
Relying on the guide, they all slept peacefully,
You also sleep o sailors, the coast is not in turmoil,
They will pass through the rock barriers who are the sayyad concern.
vaayi
Your companions, your co-travelers, have packed up , but you eyes are drowsy,
Neighbors have weighed anchors in the sea,
Boatman is ferrying back and forth it would be your turn soon,
You sleep away your nights intoxicated,
Didn't you hear the call to proceed?
The true advice is that you should repent anon,
Listen my friend, it is not good to over sleep,
Lord sent you truth, but you have lined up liars,
Did you not hear the call from other shore?
Relying on your mercy I am entering water without a jar,
O Gracious Lord, keep me away from the agnostics,
Read and mediate over this ##All living thing taste the death##*
You are preying upon the eagle, but you forget that you are yourself the prey,
The oar has slipped from my hands, come to my rescue
You have unnecessarily wasted million,
Had you given that to Allah, you would have reached the other shore,
You are up to your navel in money,
As the Prophet's traditions has it, ##This blind wealth is like dead flesh,##
You did not distribute it, not fearing the Subduer,
How would she be faithful to you who has betrayed her husband?
Hear the advice that life does not persist long,
O forgetful, don't forget torments of the grave.
Chapter-IV
1
You take care of all, one gets confused on path,
And for the sake of beloved, you accept maim and lame.
2
Leave every thing to God,
Forgetting all worries, be true in submission,
So that God may graciously satisfy all your wants.
3
It is a prevalent and customary to do good to good men,
But no one like you does good even to the bad.
4
Good people do well to others and bad once bad,
Everyone does whatever is inherent in his nature.
5
Loading on camel's back provisions, he calls the whom out,
Transporting all to goal is the beloved's way.
6
If you appreciate the real business, you will not do any other thing,
This business secret you can learn from the expert traders,
From whose hands you so respectfully received pearls.
7
Don't offer the priceless to those who cannot distinguish the real from the artificial,
Barter these pearls there, where you meet the real jewelers,
Those who deal in gold reject base.
8
O gold, seek out the real jeweler, do not stay out,
Shun the deal that has no jewel.
9
O gold, seek out jeweler, do not stay out?
It is all dark for them, who wasted their jewels.
10
When the jewelers leave, you too should leave o gold,
No one will know your worth; you will be mixed with base.
11
Pearls are rejected, counterfeits accepted,
The truth I have in my shirttail I die of sham offering.
12
Those who cut and polish diamonds have gone away,
Their descendants cannot even work lead,
In their place are now smiths working on base metal.
13
The connoisseurs of pearls may not leave,
The appraise every precious stone by putting magnifying glasses on their eyes,
By examining the surface of a pearl the assess its worth,
Now pearls are being appraised not by connoisseurs.
14
There are jewelers, who claim to be connoisseurs,
Go, see them with a pearl in your hand,
Sayyad says, how would they know its value?
Would they appraise the pent or mix it with fakes?
15
O naïve, where you broke the pearl carelessly,
Why you didn't weep there by holding both the pieces in your hand,
16
O naïve, as you broke the pearl carelessly,
Now pick up both the piece and go to the jeweler.
17
The damsel broke into pieces a pearl that was in a box,
Sayyad says, when it was whole it was worth a million,
Broken. Its worth is beyond millions.
18
Where the pearls are, there the thieves lurk,
Fortunate are those who saved theirs.
19
The thief claims aloud "I am the same on,"
Even if you have eighty eyes you cannot see me.
vaayi
Wake up o friends let us surrender ourselves,
Let us rise with zeal o mates, to surrender,
Let us not delay our visit to the beloved,
Let us leap like a moth on the flame,
And place before him all our supplications,
Let us return to the One with all humility,
Death, the destiny of every one, is roaring,
Death, which is heard off all the time, will come suddenly,
We should equip ourselves for the darkness ahead,
Take all you can for the grave for much is needed there,
Allah knows all our shortcomings and knows our thoughts,
Ha knows what is going on in our mind,
Who fears God escapes all fears,
Heavenly peace is for him who takes shelter in God.
Melody Of Seafarers
Chapter-I
1
Stay on beside the seafarer’s hawser,
Lest they may row away plunging you in misery.
2
Burn beside seafarers' hawser,
Last he may steer away, and your heart ablaze.
3
Sit beside the hawser of his boat,
You walk in forgetfulness while they are readying to embark overseas,
Their home is sea, why did you not go with them?
4
If you want to come, come now and hold the hawser,
In case favorable wind blows sails will be unfurled before you are ready.
5
While still they have not weighed anchor, reach them swiftly,
Lest they roll up hawser and put out to sea.
6
Taking anchor, ballast, ropes, they left,
Harbor and market place have been desolate without seafarers.
7
My heart is not being oared away from near the anchor,
My gracious beloved tied my heart with his virtue.
8
Those were the days of blooming youth when the beloved embarked on voyage,
Even my tearful imploring could not make them stay, o mates what should I do?
He set the sail leaving me on spikes.
9
Neither there are boats at the pier, nor the converse of the sea-traders,
O mate, today too the separation wounds inflicted by the sea traders are smarting,
O neighbors, their separation will kill me.
10
The rowed away leaving me forever,
Ages have gone by, no one has returned from there,
Their grief of departure will kill the wretched woman.
11
When they sailed out to the deep sea,
Current engulfed them,
They reached there where there is no limit.
12
When they sailed out to the deep sea,
They did not come back, o mother,
Probably the current overwhelmed them.
13
I am stricken by the words of those who went deep and did not return,
By befriending the searchers I have gained only grief.
14
Those who left today when would they come back to me?
When would their buntings will flash?
The anguish of the seafarers will kill me one day.
( 15)
They may return to the pier where from they embarked,
O my Lord, cause the favorable winds to below.
16
Thinking of the seafarers I pass days and nights on the pier,
Their recollection is simply killing me.
17
O mother, my heart remembers the seafarer,
The humble one has been abroad since many days.
18
Relationship with the seafarer is mixed with grief, leaving me on gallows he put out to sea.
[Read original verse]19
May you forget the trade you have learnt,
It was only yesterday that you came and you are about to embark on another.
20
Holding the rudder she put hands on the pole and weeps,
Woe betake the trade that you learnt my love.
21
Grasping the oar she does not let them push the boat out,
My love, stay one night for my sake,
Do not embark on a long journey leaving me alone.
22
Probably it was because my love was feeble that he rowed away,
While I stood there,
I did not think ahead to go with him,
I should have myself inside the boat with ropes.
23
Never love those who dwell in boats,
Their women suffer when they hoist and row away.
24
As a boat pitches at a bad landing, my heat is in pain since many days,
The beloved has never cared to ask about me.
25
Those for whom my body craves have embarked on a voyage,
O crow, caw, says Lateef, and tell me when would my beloved come,
What is it that has made him to overstay?
26
Caw o crow, and tell me when would he come home to me,
I have observed many rituals for his coming home.
27
The north wind blows, tips of reeds have blossomed, come back my love,
I made many offerings for you return my dear.
28
The reeds and ironwood have budded and willows have blossomed,
How come you forgot to come in this season, my love.
29
If he comes now I will have heart to heart talk with him,
O mother I would cling to him and will exchange words of love with my love.
30
O mother, when my love comes back I will quarrel with him,
"You stayed away many days, and passed only a few with me".
31
My beloved went away far off, I am passing dreary cold,
O mother, do not probe my wounds, else all will know my grief.
32
Having hardly disembarked, they plan to embark on a new voyage,
They will again distress me making my life bitter.
33
Enliven me by talking of my beloved,
Rebuild the crumbled fort-turret of my heart.
34
O my heart, go and see the abode of the beloved,
And plant kiss after kiss on its threshold.
35
Depending upon whom I pass my days on pier,
Let him not sail forgetting me.
36
Slender waist, straight nose and eyes dark with antimony,
O seafarer, did you pass my beloved yesterday.
37
He is the one I am longingly looking for,
When he comes, all my sorrows will be over.
38
Buntings of the ship of the sails are shimmering all round,
O mother, seafarers have come lavishly made up,
It was then that the crow cawing about since yesterday.
vaayi
O mother, what to do, my love can not remain secret,
The mariner put out to sea casting me in pyre,
I cry all the time over loving a seafarer,
Sorrows like white ants will eat me up,
Grief has enveloped whole of my life like a creeper,
I will go to my beloved with clasped hands.
vaayi
Those trying to stop me from followed the beloved, will not succeed,
Hail to the smith who has come from far off,
He mended the broken utensil and removed all the rust,
My mates also caught love sickness from here,
I may procure fragrance from the beloved,
I may explore mountains for him so long my body breaths,
O mother, don't advise me to return home.
vaayi
I look out on the pier for the one who went ex-port,
I may recognize sails of the beloved,
Standing on the beach I am looking for omens,
My longing for beloved is very intense,
I earnestly await o God, for my beloved to return.
Chapter-II
1
Today too the seafarers are talking of putting out,
They are always planning a new journey.
2
Today too the seafarers are talking of journey,
As I stood on pier they sailed off,
O mats, anguish of their separation will kill me.
3
Today to the sea traders are talking of their voyage,
They are ready to go, my tears cannot stop them,
How can I when they have already united the ropes and put the boats out to sea.
4
He, whom I cannot forget for a moment may also not forget me,
My heart is entwined with his heart.
5
He, whom I remember all the time may not forget me,
To him my heart is entwined.
6
O mother, they are saying at the pier that the seafarers have returned,
I am revived to hear of it.
7
Untying the ropes they took up oars and proceeded to the sea,
O mother, their journey is very hazardous,
When would I again see their faces with these eyes?
8
The north wind blew; the mariners hoisted their sails,
Weighing anchor, they approach midstream,
My heart ever craves for the explore of the sea.
9
As the north, wind blew, they sailed and will return when the spring wind blows,
I am all for forsaking the trade the mariners ply,
It is Eid* for those whose consort have come to them.
10
As they stepped into my courtyard I was beside myself with happiness o mates,
I will forfeit pearls for him.
11
North wind blows evoking dread in my heart,
The sea-traders are twisting ropes and greasing their boats,
12
The buntings are fluttering and sails furling,
Probably they are the ones I am looking out for.
13
Seeing the sails she cried,
O mother, the seafarers have come,
May be my love in this ship.
14
They were stitching sails on pier of the port,
Having stitched are the sails they picked up mast and unfolded buntings,
Lateef says, with grace of God thy braved through the breakers.
15
They were stitching sails on pier of the port,
Having collected data from the watchers they putout to sea,
And reached safe landing avoiding the unsafe.
16
Ports are there country to country but pearls cannot be had for sand,
Yet those who in beggars' rags are bestowed pearls without weighing.
17
Returning seafarers are asked if they crossed the boats going out,
Would that they return whom I love dearly.
18
Standing on the pier the wives of mariners worship the sea,
They tender offerings of musk to seawater.
19
For the one I was asking the,
Sea-worshipers all the time about their return,
Has comeback and all my wishes are fulfilled.
20
The buntings are seen fluttering but sails are
Not visible,
They are joyous whose beloved have come back.
21
Buntings are attached to the masts with flags at their top,
O motther, the seafarers have returned after exploring continents.
22
Lighting earthen lamps at the crossroads and floating them on the seawater, they tie buntings to tree branches,
O Allah, my consort my return, I long for him.
23
She who does not give offerings to seawater, nor does she float lamps,
How could she long for the return of her consort?
vaayi
Don't force me to stop, mates, I will go to my friend,
He putout his boat and sailed to the deep sea,
I would die remembering my seafarer,
The anguish of your separation is killing me, my love,
I will not live any more, I have been killed by the beloved.
vaayi
Why did you not put rein in his camel, and go with him,
They have polished the oars and cleansed sails,
Don't be negligent, hurry up and follow them o you naïve,
It was yesterday that they left and you are looking for them today,
Yesterday you got a new shirt and today you are wearing it today,
Who would listen your lamentation today?
vaayi
I will go to my friend, I am in love with the sea trader,
Don't weigh anchor wait for my sake o beloved,
O mates, the chatting of the traders is no more heard in the market,
I should share anguish of friend's departure with weaving wheel,
I will do my best to go friend,
They opened sails and without moment's delay proceeded to the deep sea.
Chapter-III
1
I should move I may reach, ports are fa; from me,
I do not have any money to pay for the ferry,
O ferryman, do something for me to meet my love,
O sea master, I beseech your standing at your door.
2
They had no fare and the ferryman did not take them free,
They waited for whole day at the sea coast till the sun set,
Sayyad say, it was when Lord desired they reached favorable landing.
3
I borrowed utensils and set them on cooking fire,
Then came the severs cold winter,
Seeing other women with their consort, I sigh and sigh.
4
I was standing on the pier that beloved set sail,
There is some flaw in me, otherwise beloved is very compassionate.
5
I was standing beside the pair when the beloved untied hawser,
There is some defect in me, otherwise he is very kind.
6
I was standing near pier, when the beloved untied hawser,
There is some blemish in me, otherwise he is very gracious.
7
I was standing beside the pier when the beloved untied hawser,
He sailed in the name of Allah and I will pray without cease,
I will not despair, he will come back to my abode.
8
No sooner did they return, the mariners though of salty waters,
O mother, they are always poised for the other shore.
9
The explore of salty waters entered in sweet water,
Being big traders, they do not trade in gold,
They aspire for the pearls of Mehran*
The shipping magnets have earned a fortune by trading in (Sri) Lanka.
10
All the time they were talking of Lanka and have embarked for Lanka,
The were impatient the day they heard of the Lankan gold,
The explores of the salty waters united the hawsers at dawn,
Those who left for the dark and deep sea, may return with good luck.
11
The sea traders again untied hawser at dawn,
Seeing them at oars, my heart was torn with anguish,
O mother, I will die thinking of the mariners.
12
The sea traders again untied hawsers at dawn,
The explores of salty waters are ready for the voyage.
13
O trading seafarer's mother, why don't you stop him?
It was yesterday that he come after twelve month , he is preparing again for a new voyage.
14
It was better to remain unmarried than to marry a sea trader,
No sooner the north wind blows, he prepares for a voyage.
15
As you were a sea trade; I should not have married you,
Because all the time you think of going abroad.
16
The sea traders set sails for overseas,
They tormented my whole being by inflicting pain.
17
As the Deyari sets in, the sea traders set sail,
The wretched wife of the sea trader clings to the oar, weeps,
The pain of separation would kill her at dawn.
18
The Dayari set in, the seafarers set sail,
This time the north wind blew in early,
The sea traders are always thinking of the other shore.
vaayi
O mates, come and see for yourself my love smitten body,
They put on shoes and went away in a huff,
Leaving their bondwoman in unbearable anguish,
I will put my body and soul into the search for him,
You have not born grief now you are laughing,
O forgetful mates, move on as to reach him there,
Shed tears without cease like seasonal monsoon rain.
vaayi
The mountains will end all my miseries, o mother,
Whoso I see I take him for beloved's messenger,
The tribe of camel men is difficult, they have left me in anguish,
I will pass the night in desert searching for him,
Seeing trees of my friend's native place, my thirst is quenched.
Melody Of Unflinching Love
Chapter-I
1
Swift is current, speedy is stream’s flow,
But where there is love the swiftness is unique,
Those, who love the deep, are lost in meditation,
O God, bring back the one, who has enthralled my heart.
2
On both the banks are the young buffaloes,
Current does not subside in the narrow stream,
Those, whose body's embellishment is image of the beloved,
They cross the stream in a single stride.
3
New stream flow, but the forceful current is still ahead,
My mates, you claim to be in love while sitting indoors,
If you were to see the countenance of Sahar,
You would not dissuade me,
But would pick up pitchers and enter the river even before me.
4
Whoso saw the countenance of Sahar lord,
They could not sleep restfully by their husbands' sides o mates,
You would all pick up pitchers and enter into the river even before me.
5
They, who saw the countenance of Sahar lord once,
Could not sleep soundly with their husbands,
They entered without a pitcher heading for the vortex.
6
O mates, if you behold the beloved in the way
I have,
You will not find restful sleep by your husbands' sides,
But pick up pitchers to enter the river even before me.
7
Had my mates perceived what I had perceived,
Many of them would have given up their homes and husbands.
8
Many damsels are on the bank pitchers feigning to enter,
With claims, "I am Sohni, entering the river for the beloved,"
Those, who do, will be seen at the bottom in the morning.
9
Standing on the bank many chant 'Sahar', 'Sahar'
Some fear for their lives, some do not and plunge in,
Sahar is theirs', who leap in, smiling.
10
Crows are roosting on trees, dusk is about to fall,
Hearing the evening call-prayer she picked up
The pitcher and entered the river,
Looking around for haunts of her SAHAR.
11
Pitcher in hand, she stepped into the river after,
Looking it over for turns and twist,
'Head is sacrificed at beloved's feet, so what.
'That is the secret of union,
Take them safely across, O God,
Whose time for pleasure of union is night.
12
Pitcher in hand, she stepped into the river after looking it over for turns and twist,
She passed the stage of "Standing before Allah in fear*,"
Sayyad says, the wood would not daunt of those who yearn for the beloved,
Take them safely across, o God, whose pleasure of union night.
13
Pitcher in hand, she stepped into river and girded her loins,
"My heart reached Mehar" on the other side,
I am having dip after dip of my beloved Mehar.
14
Pitcher in hand, she stepped into the river and dipped her arms,
The helpless poor woman wailed aloud in midstream,
'Come back to me, my love, water animals are eying me!'
15
Pitcher in hand she stepped into the river placing trust in Allah,
Her leg was in dogfish's mouth, head in crocodile jaws,
Bangles lying cracked in mud,
Disheveled hair floating on muddy water,
Lakhs of perai and pike fish,
Away from their habitats, are stuck to her,
A thousand crocs are amassed, Sohni would now be torn to shreds.
16
I hold the pitcher dear, for it was with its help that I saw Mehar's face,
It is dearer to me than life, how can I give it up?
17
No matter if my pitcher broke, and bangles cracked,
"The seeker of Allah is masculine"*
This is the bush for the drowning to hold on to,
The leper Dum is a liar, I have Mehar in my heart.
18
No matter if the pitcher broke and my armlets bent,
"The seeker of God is masculine," is our way,
I am not be left behind, Mehar is in my heart .
19
No matter if the pitcher broke, it was indeed a barrier,
My whole being resonates, my soul has become a rebeck,
Without Mehar I care not for piety and devoutness.
20
No matter if the pitcher broke, carry on swimming, my heart,
I have to keep my eyes in check every day,
The lead shepherd has put me on the right path.
21
No matter if the pitcher broke despair not,
"Do not despair of Allah mercy" is your raft to swim by,
With true love you will see Mehar's countenance.
22
The pitcher broke, the woman died, all the aids vanished,
She become lifeless in midstream alas, alas all props were lost,
Oneness effaced all adornment of Sohni.
23
The pitcher broke, the woman died, and all the means were lost,
It was then that Sohni heard the calls of Mehar.
24
It was when aids left her to drown in rapids,
That beloved called her from the other bank.
25
Take not self with you, forget all aids,
Proceed towards the beloved only with love.
26
Take not self with you, forget all aids,
Sohni, love will help you cross the rapids,
They will quickly cross the rapids, who are led by love.
27
Take not self with you, proceed without aids,
Step into the river with love, Sohni,
Go to the beloved chanting the name of love.
28
Take not self with you, go without aids,
They alone found the beloved, who went with love.
29
Take not self with you, proceed without aids,
Break the unbaked, take love to the deep.
30
There is no guide like the heart full of love,
False lovers tarry on this bank asking for rafts,
The river becomes a small stream for those, who swim without raft,
It is only true love, o Sohni, that takes across safely,
Eddies could not stop those, who are dead set for Mehar.
31
Those who ask for Mehar, Mehar also asks for them,
For those, who are deep in love with Mehar, raft is a burden.
32
The deep love of lovers is raft for them,
Those, who yearn for Sahar, river water is like a grinstone.
33
Don't offer them raft, who are aware of love,
Heading towards Sahar, Sohni hardly asks for a boatman.
34
Sahar, Sohni and the river are one and the same,
It is all a mystery, an enigma.
vaayi
What for I am without Hoat?
Keep away from sin, o slave-girl, there is no charm in virtue,
Neither in piety, nor in music,
You can achieve goodness inside yourself is use saliva
The impure is purified, degenerate made chaste,
What is in earth is not anything,
All that shone on water were only the bubbles,
Go beyond with the guide crawling along his stirrup,
O falcon, snoop down to hold the thief in claws,
Don’t obstruct the view of friend by drawing veil,
Overcoming of self in union is like merger of two syllables,
Roast yourself in love keeping your mouth shut,
Give them celestial wine, who yearn for it,
It is in sickness that the wretch answers inanely.
Chapter-II
1
Where there were roaring waters,
Swirling whirlpools and crocodiles aplenty,
There she plunged herself into the rushing current,
She crossed the violet waves, Lateef says, with God's grace.
2
Roaring, violent swirling whirlpools, and daunting river,
From that very place she enters the river not caring for her life,
God's grace led her safely across the current.
3
There was horror, tumult and terror in the river,
The unbaked pitcher dissolved in the waves, where is it now?
The true Sahar lord will be my aid in midstream.
4
Where the river is horrifying, alligators terrifying,
And a thousand crocodiles abound the river,
There without you may strength falls me,
O my Lord Protector, reach me in midstream.
5
The river with its roaring whirlpools is horrifying,
Logs hurtling downstream are whirled madly by waves,
Expert swimmers are afraid,
Even those who swim using inflated goatskin dare not,
Help me through, o Lord, where the waves block my way.
6
Horrifying river where whirlpools roar,
As water animals watched, waves folded over her,
Come my dear Lord Sahar with love to me,
O my Guide, extend your hand and lead me out of the deep.
7
Horrifying river, where whirlpools rumble,
My feeble heart cannot endure river's threats,
O Lord, listen to the entreaties of this supplicant.
8
Horrifying river, where whirlpools roar,
My heart is apprehensive of the other bank,
My true love, says Sayyad, overpowers fear of the rushing current,
O Lord, have mercy,let me cross the current.
9
Horrifying river, uproar, violent, torrent and inundation,
Waves whirl the big logs and cast them on the islets,
Lord, help me across the swamping marsh.
10
Horrifying river and violent sounds,
May that my outcries reach Mehar,
O my Sahar, come to my aid so that I may not die in violent waves.
11
Horrifying river with habitats of aquatic animals,
It is so deep that even seamen fail to measure it,
Predators howl around in the river,
Even big ships sink leaving no trace behind,
Not a piece of their wreckage floats on the surface,
Such is the fury of whirlpools that any one who goes there returns not,
Help them there, O Lord, who know not swimming.
Help them there, Lord, who know not swimming.
12
A river in turmoil with crashing waves,
Where many a swimmer on inflated goatskin finds himself in trouble,
For the real swimmer it is but a stride-wide.
vaayi
O True Lord, take me, o Real Helper,
Take me quickly to the beloved's place,
The dreadful black whirlpools I consider them an even path,
I have given up the desire to live.
Chapter-III
1
It is the way of passionate to enter the deep impulsively,
Dum reproaches me ten times a day,
Love has overwhelmed my wisdom, sense and shame.
2
She does not look for a favorable point to enter,
Nor hastens to descend by a landing,
One, who craves for Sahar, is deeply engrossed in his thoughts,
Amid eddies in a dark night she is perturbed by apprehensions,
But for the one, who suffers pangs of love, the river is of no account.
3
Rough or smooth, all points are enterable,
Only fake lovers look for easy entry,
Let your body be with Dum, your heart with Mehar,
To the one, who longs for Sahar, river is but a small stream.
4
All points along the river -flow are enterable,
Only fake lovers look for easy entry,
They seek not easy entry, who are truly in love with Sahar,
Those in the grip of love, river is but a stride for them.
5
Any point she chose to enter,
Though not enterable, turned out to be enterable,
Sohni crossed safely, whirlpools did not harm her,
Her eyes reflected the glow of beloved's love,
Justice was done to her by the just as she was seeker of the just.
6
From the very beginning she was seeker of the Just,
She looks neither for a boatman, nor a boat, nor a rope for tying it,
Water was only ankle deep but Sohni thought she was in midstream.
7
From the very beginning love had favored Sohni,
She had the garland of beloved's love round her neck,
She found the ferry upon which all mankind depends.
8
O Sohni, leave behind all that tempts,
Only the untrue show coquetry in beloved's absence,
It is a great mistake that you pass days with Dum.
9
She commands respect more than others,
She got close to A* and attached herself to M**,
It was because she was humble that she was united with Mehar.
10
Learn right the lesson of Shariat**,o Sohni,
Cross quickly the stage of Tareeqat to reach the stage of Haqeeqat,
The stage of Maarfat is the privilege of the lovers.
11
Those, who are grateful there is patience in their chambers,
They, who get totally united with the beloved, reveal it not,
They swim without any aid, whose hearts are soaked in love.
12
Every moment she has to face checks by Dum,
Seeing the forceful flow of river she does not turn away,
She goes forth with love towards the beloved in the dark night,
No water recess can stop her, she is true to her promise.
13
Water recess cannot stop Sohni, she can stride over,
May the mother smile, who bore such a girl,
Had you seen her beloved,
You too would have fallen in love with him.
14
No water recess, deep of shallow, can stop her,
Dum impedes her from going out many times a day,
Her heart burns till she meets Mehar.
15
Extreme winter, freezing water, dark clouds high wind, by-river,
Her heart is anxious to meet Mehar,
Since my pledge I am swimming in tortuous currents.
16
The one who entered the river in extreme cold night and rain,
Let us go and see Sohni, who knows how to love,
And is whose heart Mehar dwells all the time.
17
Others enter river in rainy season but she is happy to enter in winter,
With deep love she consigned her body to the fast flow,
It is unjust of the river to down the lovers.
18
O floating log, if you be my companion,
I can share my plight with you,
Away from the river my heart knows no comfort even for a moment,
Rainy season is winter and river a meadow for me,
They, whose beloved is on the yonder bank,
Propriety requires them to cross over.
19
O river, don't erode banks, you too will have to give account,
Rainy season will not be here for you always,
All your upsurge will soon subside.
20
O river, may you not flow any more, may you dry up into islets,
May I see your bed grown with Laano,* Loote,* Liyaar,*
For you have all your life drowned the hopeful lovers.
21
Don't crackle o eddy, don't drown logs in your current,
Mehar's dye is all over me, how can I wash it off?
I will step in despite your turns and twist.
22
O brother log, should I worry for you or myself?
Have you brought any new s of the beloved to this landing?
You flow unto deep waters, I unto the beloved.
23
The blaze of beloved Mehar's love burns bright in my heart,
It flings the love-burnt into midstream,
To those who are attached to Mehar,
Midstream is like a straight path.
vaayi
O beloved Mehar, my friend , it is since long that I am in, midstream,
Deep whirlpools, unfavorable landings, steer me out, o helpful,
Away from you I am passing unhappy days with Dum,
Where logs whirl and toss around in the fast current,
There entered Sohni with no one to help her,
The damsel intones to herself:
The night is dark and the pitcher is unbaked,
Reach soon, o my herdsman, with a raft,
I am crying on this bank for help to reach the other bank the other bank in safely,
The sound of bells coming from the other side breaks my heart,
Trusting in Allah I have hurled myself in the swift current,
I will swim to the yonder bank defying numerous crocodiles,
This bondwomen entered the river smiling,
As predators writhe in warth.
Chapter-IV
1
My sisters, tinkling of buffaloes' bells has stirred all my limbs,
The love that the tinkling has evoked, I cannot broadcast,
The one, in whose protection I have peet myself,
Is sending comforting messages.
2
Bells of the woodlander are talking all around,
While asleep sudden sound of bells reached my ears,
It is unbecoming of me to stay put, my heart melts at the sound.
3
Moved as I am by the bells, how can I sleep in paece?
I think of Sahar lord many times a day,
I have put fetters of Mehar's love unto death.
4
Whirlpools are dark, so is night,
Sound of waves is like hissing of cobras,
Both the banks of full-flowing wild,
Mehran are giving out frightful threats,
Swimming towards Sahar wild cold waves tossed her around,
The sound of bells, however, guided her in midstream.
5
Sound of the bells of loving Mehar's buffaloes made her happy,
She jumped up from the bed at midnight to see the beloved,
Thoughts of the beloved awoke her from sleep.
6
Beloved's memory is source of my life, why should I meet him?
My entire being brimming with beloved's recollection,
How can the beloved be away from me,
When he is dissolved in my being?
7
Tinkling of bells in the wood moved me all over,
I stirred my love for beloved Mehar while asleep,
I will go and collapse in my beloved's abode.
8
While asleep I heard the sound of bells coming from across the river,
I was so enthralled that an urge to see him surged up,
By God, I smelt the scent of the beloved Mehar,
It impelled me to and see him face to face.
9
While asleep I heard the sound of bells coming from across the river,
Beloved Mehar's bells reopened my love wounds,
It is now a must for me to go to his abode.
10
Where are the bells ringing, where have the buffaloes gone?
They follow Mehar and go wherever he goes.
11
Where is Mehar, where are the bells ringing?
Where is the friend's fire burning, where is the other bank?
It is for him that I tussled with water all my life.
12
Sitting beside buffalo calves, Sohni shares her suffering s with them,
Have you come across the buffalo-man?
13
Holding their ropes, she sat beside buffalo-calves and cried;
I don't care for my husband, nor mind if his home collapses.
14
Her arms around their necks she sat with calves and cried:
I make my body red by rubbing the grass that you eat,
Hearing your bleats always makes me happy.
15
They came back to the grazing land they had run away from,
The buffaloes have no other support except Mehar.
16
She had a sip of love from Mehar's hands,
Its taste intoxicated the damsel fully,
The love dart, sharper than the iron dart, pierced her through,
17
She took whey of love from Mehar's hand,
Its single sip proved to be too much for her,
She would not rest until she meets Mehar.
18
May not Mehar die, may not buffaloes' pen become desolate,
May the buffalo-man never ever be harmed one bit,
Sahar is my adornment , people censure me on his account though.
19
O Allah, may the buffaloes of Mehar live long,
The young buffalo-calves tied to wooden pegs looks beautiful,
Their shining eyes have driven me to the main current.
20
O Allah, may the buffaloes of Mehar live long,
May the black, brown and curved-home buffaloes beget one by one,
May the woods, where they graze, grow greener,
May my beloved come and live in the valley.
21
Having grazed pasture, the buffaloes swam to the other bank,
Millions will raise their heads at herdsman's call,
Led by Mehar, they will happily reach the other bank.
22
Having grazed pasture, the buffaloes swam to the island,
They will cross the high river by grace of The Gracious, says Lateef.
23
Having graze pasture, the buffaloes swam and neared whirlpool,
Millions will raise their heads at Sahar's call,
The buffaloes will happily reach the other bank in peace.
24
Having grazed pasture, the buffaloes swam and reached well,
Hearing the cell of Mehar they will be heartened,
Happy and content, they will go across in the morning.
vaayi
No one should stop me, everyone should restrain herself,
Love has overwhelmed me,
I will resolutely to the other bank, no one should stop me,
She threw herself in the river at midnight,
Seeing smoke of friend's fire my heart burns.
Chapter-V
1
The river is too wide, the other bank far off,
The possessed woman entered the dangerous waves,
Pressed for life in high water,
She recalled her past sins with trembling heart,
If you showed mercy, no one will be overcome by waves.
2
The river is too wide, the other bank far off,
Pressed for life in high water,
She recalled her past sins with trembling heart,
She found solace by remembering mercy of the Lord of both worlds,
If you showed mercy, no one will be overcome by waves.
3
Even though the river is overwhelming,
It is easy for love's to swim across,
Their hearts stop not from going forward in the mainstream,
On the way to face Sahar, they will sacrifice their lives,
Those who are devoted to Sahar, he is always there to help them.
4
Those who plunge, come up, it is so indeed,
Throw yourself in the high river,
You will find Mehar ready with a raft.
5
Those who focus their eyes on Mehar,
And enter the raging river without a raft,
The river cannot drown them, says sayyad.
6
Recollections of the favors of Mehar surged in my mind at midnight,
The favorites of Sahar crossed the current and got set,
I may see at daybreak the abodes of my beloved.
7
My heart went out of my hands at midnight,
Plunging in the current it swam toward dear Sahar,
And saw the abode of the beloved at dawn.
8
Where heart's love abounds, one gets drawn there,
And the current hurtles on in that direction,
Join me in the midst of waves, o Mehar, says Lateef.
9
However much I try to restrain my true love, I fail,
Love surges in my heart, so I step into the river sacrificing my life,
Those, who have Mehar in their heart, must go in.
10
Perceive him, beyond perception though he be,
His love is nevertheless nearby,
It is very difficult to perceive him sans river.
11
Where do I find buffaloes? They have left for other pastures,
Standing upright on the bank she consults all milkmen of the vicinity,
Sayyad says, broken with grief, she calls out:
**Sahar, let your abode come nearer.**
12
She does not have any fear of Dum,
She is not letting water spoil makeup,
For Mehar's sake she swims whirlpools in pitch dark.
13
Every day reproaches me on account of Mehar,
I receive those reproaches in my lap,
He may reproach me forty times a day,
I will bear them all for beloved's sake.
14
When all are asleep and no one is awake,
At that moment, o mates beloved suddenly come in my mind,
If anyone chides me on that account, I feel proud.
15
Had she not entered the river, no one would have heard of her,
She would have passed her life as if she did not exist.
The sip of whey that Mehar gave her to drink enthralled her,
Sayyad says, love practically killed Sohni,
She would have died any way,
But death by drowning doublet her worth.
16
The whirlpools whisper with each other at dawn,
Eyes eagerly look for that water at midnight,
Even drinking mouthfuls of it does not quench their thirst.
17
How a fish that says in water all the time could stink?
It has only one worry where from to drink water.
18
What are whirlpools? Who am I? who bears censures of Dum?
It was ordained, otherwise who would step into water?
Sisters, what I am going through is writ in my fate.
19
No matter if drown,
Let my dead body be pushed out to the other bank,
May my beloved come there and grieve over my dead body,
I would then regain life and get up to meet,
The beloved for whom I died.
20
Every wave is crimson, current is more fragrant that musk,
Whole body of water is profusely emitting the scent of amber,
It was only yesterday that Sohni entered into the whirlpools.
21
Whatever you saw in the midstream tell it all on the bank,
The river is deep, the surf very high,
See that you don't wet your shirtfront,
Keep Sahar in mind so that you may cross safely.
22
Steep are both the banks, my mind is in a fix,
If I do not go, love will be shamed,
And if I go up, there will be hue and cry all over the neighborhood,
On one hand is keeping of promise,
On the other are reproaches of my mates.
23
Sahar has tied the knot of love to my being,
That knot cannot be untied except by my Sahar,
Allah, unite with Sahar so that the knot in my being is untied.
vaayi
Lover must proceed, proceed to the beloved,
Using his eyes as feet,
One should not tell anyone about the beloved,
Hiding from people, one should take home the secret of love,
Never tell anyone the misery caused by beloved Mehar.
Chapter-VI
1
The adorned beauty of Sahar was there before the Book of Dlestiny was writ,
Neither were the words 'Be and it Became' pronounced,
Nor was there any other converse,
Talk of Sohni was heard even before creation of the angels,
Lateef says, it was then that she fell in love with Mehar.
2
Sohni's adornment was there even before the,
Book of Destiny was writ,
The words 'Be and Become' were not pronounced,
Nor was there any other converse,
It was then that she happily tied the love-knot with Mehar.
3
She has braved the tortuous current for Mehar since the Covenant,
'Am I not your God?' 'Verily Thou art' she is keeping to it,
Having seen it herself, she is showing the path of love to others.
4
When He enquired of souls 'Am I not your God,'
Since that Covenant I have been in wedlock with Mehar,
How could one fly in the face of destiny?
5
When soul s were asked, "Am I not your God?"
And the reply "Verity Thou art,"
Since then I am head over heels in love with Mehar.
6
When the One asked souls "Am I not your God"
Sohni had her heart set on Mehar and longed for him intensely,
Fate had the river break pitcher into two pieces,
She kept to the Covenant in the river-bottom.
7
When the Arbiter enquired of souls, "Am I not your God?"
Sohni had her heart set on Mehar, she longed for him intensely,
Surge of river broke the pitcher into two pieces, it was preordained,
What came from Allah, she obeyed in the river-bottom.
8
When the Supreme enquired of souls, "Am I not your God?"
Sohni had her heart set on Mehar and she had reason to go to him,
The decree to use the pitcher had come from there,
What the Guide directed, she acted on in the river-bottom.
9
When He said, "Am I not your God?
Sohni had her heart set on Mehar for all times,
What was decreed from there, she performed in the river-bottom.
10
When the Exalted awoke souls by asking, "Am I not your God?"
Sayyad says, they recognized the straight path,
Out of millions only a few reached the valley of Oneness,
Taken in by its deceptive appearance,
Many were drowned by the river.
11
I am burning, baking, sizzling, writhing, and scorching,
My body is all thirst for the beloved,
Howsoever I drink I am not satiated,
Even if I gulp down the entire sea it will be no more than a sip.
12
I burn, I bake, I sizzle, I blaze the whole night,
'Cast duality aside, think of the beloved alone,'
Thoughts of the beloved pierce my heart at midnight,
I have nothing in my hands or elsewhere, I mount gibbet everyday.
13
Dark night, unbaked pitcher, and darkness of twenty, ninth*,
No sign of moon and the river is raging,
Sohni came there at midnight for Sahar,
It is God's decree, else who would enter the whirlpool?
14
Dark night, unbaked pitcher, and no float to swim with,
She loses no moment to plunge in for the beloved,
To those, who are in love, the Mehran is just a dry plain.
15
Dark night, unbaked pitcher, and it is raining,
On one hand is the fear of losing path,
On the other is a lion before me,
May the love relationship not break,
I have to go in, let my life be forfeit.
16
Neither on this nor on the other bank, the poor girls is in midstream,
Except the dry patch the beloved is on, all else is wild water,
Enter, look not here, God is merciful to those who drown.
17
Neither on this nor on the other bank, the poor girl is in midstream,
She stepped in without noticing the pitcher had developed leaks,
O God, have me cross the swift current in ease.
18
Hundered of women were drowned by the river,
This one drowned the river,
Losing its force, the river strikes its head against the banks.
19
Hundreds of rivers may roar, Sohni is not amenable to change,
Can love for the beloved be snapped in this way?
20
Even though you drown, touch not the beloved's raft,
Lest the may tomorrow, we helped you cross the midstream.
21
Even if drown, depend, not on the beloved's raft,
If you want to meet the beloved, swim against the current,
Step in the direction, where there are no human habitations.
22
Those who drowned while trying to reach dry land,
Sahar became their companion on both the banks.
23
Those who drown, on the dry land, Sahar helps them,
Lateef says, he carries them on his shoulders and takes the across the waves,
He delivers them nearer than what they thought was too far.
24
If you while trying to reach dry land, let yourself go,
Don't collect driftwood and straws to make a raft,
There will be no call of Mehar, nor will Sohni he heard of.
25
What you take to be verses are in fact Aayats,
They guide heart towards the beloved.
vaayi
She forget not her beloved, she is practically dead in love,
My friend, my sweethearts, She is made, crazed,
Whoso longs for the beloved cannot rest at home,
Dum, difficult and peevish, hits her head with a stick,
The bells, ringing in the woods have made her restless,
On every landing the beloved's sweet sound is heard,
I depend on the sip that the beloved gave me.
Chapter-VII
1
Thought he did not enter into the river,
Her mind was set on the beloved,
The river was high, yearning was very very painful,
As his image surged in hear heart,
She thought of nothing but the beloved,
She looked for light in forests on both banks of the river,
May the unbaked pitcher not be harmed in water.
2
O God, you alone sink and save, no one else can lay such a claim,
Mehar knows all about my condition,
Caught as it in the deep waters, let the brittle not crumble.
3
Herons were her pall-bearers, river current her bier,
Which storks from the nearby islands carried om their Shoulders,
Even when she saw the inquisitor angels* appear, her mind remained set on Mehar.
4
Standing upright on the bank, Mehar called out to them boatman,
Put out your nets, I too will join in with my hands,
Let us search the dark waters, we may still find my beloved.
5
Standing upright on the bank,
Mehar offered curd to the boatman and said:
Put out your large nets, I too will join with hands,
Caught inn some eddy, the beloved may still be alive.
6
Standing upright on the bank, Mehar calls out to the boatman,
Brothers, bring back your boats from the yonder side,
Let us search for the one, Who has been carried away by the current.
7
Clutching reeds of the riverbank, the lover laments,
How come, my friend, you drowned my darling Sohni,
I will lodge complain against you on the Day of Judgment.
8
Where water whirls in eddies fearsome banks cave in,
Ace swimmer and the pitcher-using,
River men could not fathom river's depth,
Many with inflated goatskins stood trembling on the bank,
How you, naïve could enter into such a river?
9
River is eroding banks, those who will enter the river,
Have the raft of trust in Allah and leave every thing to Him,
Those, who have blessing of Sahar, will never drown.
10
They, who stand on the opposite bank, are bidding me to come,
The current is fast, there is tumult, surging waves and gale,
Even so they will not drown, whom God protects.
11
They, who stand on the opposite bank, are bidding me to come,
While the current flows fast, this wretch carries a pitcher of clay,
They will not drown, whom the True One helps.
12
O naïve, honor the claim of Sahar,
Discard all doubts, uncertainties and fears,
Making your heart a mirror, see the beloved through it,
By following this path you will surely perceive the beloved.
13
O naïve, honor the claim of Sahar,
Discard all doubts, uncertainties and fears,
By thinking of no one but the beloved, you will perceive him.
14
He is the real lover, for him the body yearns,
He has taken and roped in my heart.
15
I saw the Lao* and Lyaar' of Sahar,
My heart is no amused here without the herdsman,
Mehar has roped in my heart.
vaayi
Mother, I can survive only if the beloved thinks of me,
I can sacrifice for Sahar ten Dums,
I give eight jewels for one gem,
Abdul Lateef says, your coming will me for ever.
Chapter-VIII
1
As a clever swimmer drowns, he catches hold bushes on the bank,
Behold, Lateef says, how honorable are the bushes,
They pull out the drowning or accompany him to midstream.
2
A fragile stem of reed recues the drowning in deep waters,
It either pulls out the drowning, says Lateef,
Or lets out a shriek at the very outset,
This, verily, is known to all,
They help the drowning to safety or go with to midstream.
3
If there be reeds on the bank, a raft ready,
Give your hand in the beloved's and one else,
Did you not hear the bank warning?
4
News is circulating of the bank's darkness, Lateef says,
Rushing waves and surf could overwhelm the unbaked pitcher,
O God, let them reach the other bank safely,
Who, are swimming with unbaked pitcher.
5
You are here as a trust, get a raft ready,
The raging waves, says Lateef,
Have even daunted the brave and the strong,
The deep water stopped them and they submitted before its force,
Even the floating logs could not drift to an island in Mehran.
6
O simpleton, you purchased unbaked pitcher from the potter,
Have you not heard of the onslaught on the unbaked?
Lateef says, the awe-inspiring dark river has drowned millions,
O Mainstay, get them across midstream,
Who swim with unbaked pitchers.
7
Sohni did not ask for the baked but went ahead with the unbaked,
Crossing the current, she headed for the herdsman,
How can she overpower love, when love has overpower her.
8
Entering into waters, she advanced with the unbaked,
Sayyad says, she ask not the baked,
The damsels in love, Abdul Lateef says, go without desire,
Those, who went with ego, wandered off to difficult landing.
9
Perceiving my bad luck, the pitcher also became treacherous,
Alas, it was not a friend in need and difficult situation,
It is now with your aid, or river,
That I am swimming in your deep waters,
Would that I meet Mehar on whose support I depend.
10
Deceived by its colors, I did not take the pitcher to be unbaked,
I was drawn to it the moment I saw it,
That is why I was overstayed in shallows waters.
11
She was bewitched by the beautiful patterns,
On the pitcher made by the potter,
Water washed them off,
The colors could not withstand the lashing of waves,
Inebriated by her youth, She took the pitcher to be baked,
She learnt it midstream that it was actually unbaked.
12
So what if the pitcher is unbaked?
Beloved's beneficence is as good as a baked pitcher for me,
My beloved is Sahar, it is a sin to look at Dum,
Be it a gale or uproar, will cross over to the bank.
13
Baked is fine, but it was unbaked that was of use to me,
They alone will go for the baked, who live a life of ease.
14
The potter's clay were fired in his kiln,
what fell to my lot from there is unbaked.
15
The unbaked did not last long, the brittle crumbled,
She lost her nerves in midstream as her swimming arms went limp,
The waves surged high and wrapped her up,
What the Angel Death does struck her mind then.
16
The unbaked did not last long, the brittle broke,
Recollection of what the Angel of Death does gripped her conscious,
Sahar knew all about the unbaked.
17
The unbaked did not last long, the brittle could not withstand,
Hands, feet fingers, and arms, all lost strength,
Come soon, Sahar, I am adrift in Mehran.
18
The brittle misled her she was bewitched by its patterns,
The waves moaned, Sohni has drowned,
The unbaked down the jewel in waves.
19
Pick up the baked after through check,
Return the unbaked to the potter with disdain,
Hearken carefully and keep in mind Allah's injunctions,
Otherwise the waves of Mehran will be baffle you to death.
20
Some unfavorable wind blew to drain my arms of all strength,
Previously I used to swim across even in pitch dark.
21
Struggling against the current,
My arms became exhausted and heart lost all hope,
A million waves joined to cover me all over,
Eddies took away all my energy, come soon, my kind sweetheart.
22
Heart has given up all hope, all my stamina is gone,
Come to me, my gracious beloved prince,
I am very ignorant, come, kind beloved.
23
Come my kind beloved, my gracious, to the one who is lost,
There is no help, no way out expect you, my guardian,
It is the grace of Sahar that get one across deep waters.
24
Grace of Sahar gets one across deep waters,
There no one else's company can be of help,
O Mehar, kindly see that you take me out of the people.
vaayi
Thoughts of the neighbor haunt me,
I will go to the herdsman,
Dum may not wake up,
Unite me with my beloved where there is a row of curved-home buffaloes,
The bells of buffaloes are ringing in the forest,
Let there be no obstruction to my union with the beloved, O God,
People talk tauntingly about me all over the neighborhood,
Predators encircle me, reach me, my mainstay.
Chapter-IX
1
On water or land there is only one refrain,
Trees and bushes ..... the same,
So they all ought to be hanged,
All are Masoors,, how many of them will you hang?
2
All around is talk of the Beloved, all over is his presence,
The whole country is Mansoor, how many of them will you butcher?
3
Waves have thousand forms, appearance, of water is one,
Forget to fathom the unfathomable,
Where there is no limit to love, lose your self there,
Abandon the search for landings,
So that you may get close to the beloved.
4
Die near Mehar, Sohni beware of coming back,
Mehar's adornments, show them not to Dum.
5
If only he would say once, don't go Sohni,
I will stay on for whole life near the hearth-fire of Mehar,
I will not wear again the dyed scarf.
6
I will not go back but stay on even without his asking,
I wish to die near the hearth-fire of the friend,
It is not the physical appearance that has made her enamored,
Separation is cherished more than the union,
That is why I swim back, head held high.
7
Even if it be on the Day of judgment,
Union with the beloved is very near,
But it seems greetings of the union are even beyond that day.
8
Didn't I know that there was risk of life in entering the waters?
But what God had ordained could not be averted,
It was fate and love that drove her in a cove of the river.
9
It was not the fault of knife, reed* or pen,
Fate is writ a place, which is beyond reach,
To whom can one complain? It is all doing of fate.
10
My mates taunt me for my visits to the river,
O thoughtless river, do hear what is happening to me.
11
With these taunts ringing in my ears I swim across the fast current,
The reckless river drove her in deep water,
It was the writ by of the read pen that plunged her in the whirlpool.
12
If I swim I may die, if I swim back the current is high,
My heart is immersed in thinking of the beloved,
Seeing the neighbors I am alarmed at their taunt,
How can I go back midway? My cause is on the yonder bank.
13
There is no limits to yearning, nor to grief,
Love knows no numeration, it alone can find its own depth.
14
Love knows no numeration, understand it, be close to it,
O damsel, there is no end, no beginning of the beloved.
15
As I swim your love swells, o beloved,
It is you, who is in my soul as well as outside my eyes,
I have spent years by looking in your direction, my love.
16
Your love cuts and lacerates, my beloved,
The fetter of love is massive, I cannot move it.
17
Your yearning inside me is uncontrollable my love,
It draft out of my oven-scorched skin,
The beloved has bored holes in my body without a gimlet.
18
Your yearning is uncontainable within me, my love,
Having saturated my insides, it is now overflowing in torrents.
19
I myself swim some, you help me swim some,
I struggle some on my own, you help me struggle some,
I am all alone, let no obstruction come in my way, my Lord.
20
Satisfy lover's yearning, unite the separated lovers,
You alone have the power to do that, o True God,
Make them kind for whom body yearns,
When the crow will caw to announce the beloved's coming?
21
Many days have passed since I saw the beloved last,
I know not how he is,
My eyes overflowed with love like streams.
22
Many days have passed since, I saw the beloved last,
I know not how he is,
The grief of separation has entwined me all over like a creeper.
23
Many days have passed since,
I saw the beloved last, I know not how he is,
Sun has set many times while I have been looking for him,
I have been away from him for years without whom,
I cannot pass a moment.
24
I think not of them, husband or anything else,
Mehar has occupied my mind,
Expecting to meet him I get up early and adorn myself,
I long to see your place somehow, o beloved.
vaayi
Be watchful, be mindful, the landing is slippery,
Many are pitfalls, swamps and bogs, bow neck and watch,
They, who look skyward, will stumble at midnight,
I have heard from the seaman that waters are deep and difficult,
They only won the beloved, who went for him, do not tarry, woman,
I give up the weaving yard mates,
Sisters -in-law are awful,
Take the baked pitcher as your beloved is on the other bank,
Never let the passersby know about your love,
You will finally face Mehar, don't pass your days with Dum,
Listen, Sohni, there is deep current between you and Sahar,
You will cross the current and the tumultuous waves only with love,
Do not let go of the beloved's shirtfront even if you sink to the bottom,
There will be call of Sahar, be ready, o charming woman.
Chapter-X
1
Sohni is unwashed without Sahar,
Beside the one, who herds curved-horn buffaloes, she gets purified.
2
Sohni is all impure without Sahar,
His abode remove all impurities,
She gets purified when she is with the milk- drinker.
3
Sohni is unclean without Sahar,
She washes not her hair with home water,
Being by the side of the beloved is like she has bathed.
4
Sohni is like a bent-back woman without Sahar,
She has developed fever, alas, her condition is woeful,
The unwell now laments for she has lost her beauty.
5
Sohni is affliction without Sahar,
Dum's company is malaise, Mehar is her cure,
Potion for her physical illness is seeing the beloved,
She will get well as soon as she sees Mehar's countenance.
6
Don't enter into river, it is swollen today,
What have you to do with eddies in dark night,
Dum night wake up and enquire about you from the neighbor women.
7
Even if Dum asks the neighbor women, what can he do to me?
Only the concerned tackle eddies in the dark,
Let my bone and flesh be forfeit for beloved Mehar.
8
Dum shows his resentment of my love for you everyday,
Why don't you come, my darling, and restrain him?
9
So long as she was alive, she did not sit idle,
She went under earth yearning for the beloved.
10
So long as she was alive, she did not sit idle,
Drifting on waves, she reached Mehar even after death.
11
Let it be a dark night, fie on the bright moonlight,
So that I do not see any face before seeing Mehar.
12
O Sohni, do not always seek a dark night,
Go meet your beloved openly in board daylight.
13
It was not a lake or a hollow that drowned Sohni,
Even after death her eyes were full of craving for the beloved.
14
Sahar was to meet her on dry land, instead he met her in water,
How long can an unbaked pitcher float in high water.
15
Waves in river during rainy season,
Particles of sand in desert, hair on mole,
More than all these are the favors of the Beneficent.
16
I did not receive favors from my paternal or maternal side,
It was from the side of the beloved that I was shown great favors.
vaayi
I know not where the beloved is? My heart is there where he is,
They planted love in my heart with their eyes,
I depend on him whom the entire universe depends on,
She was friend's fire from a distance glowing like a candle,
Thinking of the beloved, she shed bitter tears on her way to him,
I hold your shirtfront till the day of resurrection,
Our pir is Hazrat Miran, would that he satisfies wishes of all.
vaayi
I submit all my supplications to you, it is only you,
I know not any other door,
O Allah, bless the humbles with your favors,
You place the blind ahead following by the one-eyed.
vaayi
No, not at all, my heart is not in my control,
My heart is restless without the beloved,
I am yearning for the herdsman, to stop it is not possible,
I take only Mehar's counsel, give ear to nothing else,
I am overpowered with pain, you come and overpower it,
Sohni is not asking for happiness, let the wretch suffer more.
vaayi
The girl did not comprehend love, she look it for a pastime,
The one who has lost her way is blind to Godhead,
He will not be counted tomorrow, who is not accounted for today,
He is in disfavor with God and is allied with Namrud*.
vaayi
The night passed without seeing the beloved,
How did you sleep away the night, when the friend was so near?
vaayi
O mother, all my desires are fulfilled,
There is no better talk than the talk of the beloved,
Talking about him enlivens, hearing about him heartens,
Sit on The Grantor's door, the proper place to offer thanks,
There is no limit to His glory, I can go on singing His hymns,
How many of your innumerable great attributes can I enumerate,
I just cannot sing your praise the way I ought to,
Those who are in your presence, in proximity, are yearning for you,
In their thirst to you they search and search,
Even as I ought to keep quiet, my heart stops not from crying.
Melody Of The Odyssey Of Being
Chapter-I
1
Sooner or later I have to go to Hoat,
Waste not the toil of laborer, my Lord,
Do me the favor of meeting the camel man during my life.
2
Grief-stricken Sassui, weeps and makes other weep,
Lying sideways at full length,
The gentle girl looks in the direction of Punhoon,
Lateef says, the girl looks in the direction of Punhoon,
Lateef says, the girl recalls beauty of her beloved,
Answering the call of love, she died on her way to the beloved.
3
Even id yearning grilled her, Sassui would still yearn,
Sassui has drink cupfuls of Punhoon's love,
But her craving is not satisfied,
Move one drinks these waters, more intense becomes one's thirst.
4
Perceiving the dazzling beauty, whoso had a sip,
Their painful craving increased manifold,
It remained unsatisfied through they always in midstream.
5
Thos, who are in love, their thirst is untold,
Drink cupfuls of thirst, sharpen your thirst with thirst,
Serve me a drink, punhoon,
So that I may quench my thirst with thirst.
6
Whoever drink a brimming cup of love,
They know not satiation because a sort of blaze rages in their hearts,
The wilderness, that these poor dear are moving into, is limitless,
That is why they are thirsty even in midstream.
7
Though always in midstream, their thirst remains unsatisfied,
Perceiving beloved is a mirage,
That is why they are thirsty even in midstream.
8
Sassui may willingly accept wilderness,
Those, who have thirst inside them, water also thirst for them
9
Even though Jhoopras* are on water but the fools die of thirst,
The beloved is nearer breath, they search but do not find him,
Unmindful of their own breath, they cry like the sick.
10
Sassui could not comphrehend Aari, she was near him,
By getting acquainted with Punhoon, she exposed herself,
The unwary Brahman woman lost her self by being with Baluchs.
11
Hot wind blew, people got scorched,
Sound of 'oh, 'oh, came from the skies,
Birds twittered in grief after Punhoon was gone,
Herdsmen were pained to see their cattle pensive,
Beasts accepted death out of grief,
The plains also howled for the too had great liking for Aari.
12
Follow his path with servility and humility,
O lonely woman, do not take liberties while in Kech,
Leave your ego behind, take love with you,
Beware of ever going near Satan,
If you expecting nothing, you will gain hope.
13
Go after servile, humble and undemanding,
Let no one know your pleadings and entreaties,
Exploring mountain is very hard, it is impossible without love,
It is by the grace of God that one can part with one's ego.
14
Sit not in Bhanbhore, o woman, *go not to Haaro,*
Do not tell lie, confess not truth,
Burn not for the beloved, nor forget the pain of separation.
15
Be not happy over comforts, nor fear sorrows,
Don't pull down your house, nor build a new one,
O wretch, do not die, nor try to live.
16
She is not happy with comforts, nor depressed by sorrows,
Neither stops on the way, nor goes far,
O mates, the Banbhan woman cannot do without both ways.
vaayi
O friend, my body and mind resonates with your love,
Memory of the beloved rings inside me like continuous tinkling of bell,
My eyes thirst to see you, return soon to me, my Lord cover,
I don't see that old love, whatever happened to that love-talk?
I am a captive in Bhanbhore without you,
Do not abandon me in mountains, o Aaryani, my support,
If you are not there, spring turns into autumn for me,
A thousand physician have made me sick with their medicines,
You are the medicine of my heart, be quick, my know-all,
Bring some potent potion to this patient,
It is you, my beloved, that Abdul Lateef thinks of all the time.
Chapter-II
1
Seeing the mountains, o slave grief, do not slow down your pace,
Search passes, says Lateef, and go after the Kechis,
Look out for the traces of the traces of the Baluchis's campfires and follow that trait,
Despair not of meeting your gracious husband,
Don't say the beloved is far when he is before your very eyes.
2
To those who transferred their through from here to hereafter,
The beloved, who is all beauty and wisdom, is just one step away.
3
Perhaps my spouse has remembered me in Vankaar*,
That is why I am going alone gathering pace, o sisters,
I reached Kech by the grace of the Baluch.
4
I am not familiar with Vankaar, the track seems to be unending,
Come, my beloved, I am tired of tracking,
O my jewel of a spouse, Lateef says,
Do care for the who is dying of exhaustion,
See that you don't forsake this wretch midway.
5
I am not familiar with Vankaar, I have not seen this place before,
Mountains have slashed me not with knife but with taunts,
It is because the beloved is so dear that I am leaping across the range.
6
I am not familiar with Vankaar,
I have not taken even a small quantity of water with me,
Mountain is unkind, sun is scorching,
Hot wind blows on the handicapped,
Come to me there, Hoat, where I am all alone.
7
I am not familiar with Vankaar, the mountain is sleep,
Making progress is very difficult here, says Lateef,
Make easy the first stage of my journey.
8
Trees of Vankaar the Jao, Jamar, and Jar are tall,
Pebbles become hot, so does earth,
The poor creature wanders here and there but fails to find any footprint of the beloved.
9
Trees of Vankaar are tall,
Where blue snakes are said to be numerous,
There, says Abdul Lateef, the lonely woman made all efforts,
Where there is no family or clan, come there on the way, my guide.
10
The poor woman had never seen Vankaar before,
People had no compassion, it was a dark country,
She made with the camel man for acquiring pain.
vaayi
Alas, they went away, handsome Hoats,
I had no influence over them, they were relative of Punhoon,
Sassui enquires about heir camping places,
Did you seen Aryanis with these marks of identification,
Their camels were decorated with, bells and trinkets?
The perfect one, the pride of their tribe, will take me with him,
O mates, Abdul Lateef says, my beloved friend has come back.
Chapter-III
1
Leaving Punhoon behind, you are searching him in mountains,
You are endeavoring hard because you are wedded to him,
Your looking for him in wilderness is a blunder,
Hoat is not in Harho, go and enquire from those who stay behind.
2
Enquire about the whereabouts of,
Punhoon from those who stay behind,
O miserable woman, look for the beloved always inside yourself.
3
O naïve, the mountain man is not there where,
You though him to be,
Do not go to mountains, your very being is Vankaar,
Consider outside as foreign, explore inside yourself.
4
Forgetting other locations, search your own house corner to comer,
Don't go after to find him, the friend is right inside you.
5
The friend is right inside you, seek him in the rear,
It is absurd that you go far out and call for him.
6
Bypass other houses, enquire about the beloved from yourself,
He is with you for whom you are suffering such hardship.
7
O Sassui, you are searching for out the one you cary with you,
No one has come to know by such wanderings,
Enquire about him inside yourself, you would find him there.
8
The one you are seeking, is always with you,
Lateef says, o weakling, look inside yourself for the beloved,
By doing so you will discover that his abode is right inside you.
9
Why go to Vankaar, why don't you look for him here?
The Baluch, says Lateef, is not hidden over there.
Be true, gird up your loins, uphold your love for Punhoon,
Direct your eyes within, his abode is right inside you.
10
The fake lovers enquire about him in Kech,
They, do not search Hoat here,
They, whose hearts are entwined with Punhoon, forget all way faring.
11
Go to the beloved heart and soul, forget going on foot,
This is the way of foot-messengers, it cannot lead to Kech.
12
Go to the beloved heart and soul, forget going on foot,
Sassui, do not look for the path in hill sand, crawl spiritually.
13
Go to the beloved heart and soul, leap not mountain,
The priceless Aryani is in your body.
14
Go to beloved heart and soul, leap not across rocks,
I found the mountain man, the lord of Kech, within myself.
15
Go to your beloved heart and soul, take not your head with you,
They, who are egocentric, fell short of Aryani.
16
I ask you, how to proceed toward Kech?
I say, go selflessly in the wilderness,
Never give up yearning for the beloved, you wretch.
17
Never keep yourself away from your love, o miserable,
As twins are joined together at birth,
You be with your beloved like that.
18
Never keep yourself away from tour love, o wretch,
Apply a little musk to your face.
vaayi
O mates, I lost my friend because of carelessness,
What should I do now?
While I slept, the party went away, as I got up sorrows came,
Alas, I asked for Punhoon after eating cerial,
Tell me, what did he say before he left.
Chapter-IV
1
How would they proceed to Vindur*, who have no yearning?
Many of those, who are only wishful, tire midway.
2
Everyone is wishful, no one is prepared to suffer privations,
It is not for everyone to move in that direction,
Only she should accompany me, who cares not for life.
3
Kech is not the place where to everyone can move for meeting Hoat,
Only she should accompany me, who cares not for life.
4
Love off all the mates was only up to the spinning yard,
Who would wander in mountains with me the fortunate?
5
Whoso is in comforts should not wish to accompany me,
Only they would walk the mountains, whose hearts are cleft in two.
6
She does not walk the mountains, yet claims to be in love,
Staying at home she forfeits her life for the beloved.
7
O mates, those of you, who have spouses, should return home,
I will not return without my spouse,
I will explore the mountain to its base,
Love for the camel man cannot be equated one bit.
8
O mates, those of you who have spouse, should return home,
Agony of separation in love is unbearable,
Only they, whose hearts are ablaze, will walk the mountains.
9
O mates, those of you who have spouse, should return home,
None of you will accompany me to Kech, don't waste time,
I have girded myself up having renounced all comforts for the camel men.
10
O mother, I will wash, dye my clothes saffron,
I will be an ascetic, stop me not, mom,
I will wear large earrings for my beloved Baluch.
11
O Inayat, let Jani keep you embedded there,
The path of asceticism is very difficult,
If you tasted wine of this tavern, you will go mad,
One can't wriggle free of such a relationship, says Sayyad.
12
Taking me for a concubine, my brothers-in-law went away,
My feasting them was not good enough,
Nor did I gather my mates to entertain them with singing,
I did not even observe traditional hospitality,
O mother, I was indeed wanting, but Baluch true to his word.
13
The word you gave when staying in Vankaar,
This wretched woman would have you keep it.
14
It is you, who has to keep it first, Punhoon may do so then,
Forget not the word you gave to Hoat.
15
Even after your beloved give you his word aplenty,
You will have to undergo many a travail if you talk of love.
16
Having heard him give his word, sleep not, Sassui,
What would you do if he oversteps them all.
17
As the sun sets, Sassui sheds bitter tears,
A messenger or a pedestrian there is no one,
Whom Sassui could ask about Punhoon's land,
Though in a fix, she does not think of turning back.
18
To stride, I have no strength for it, walking causes blisters,
Let no one ask me to return even in jest,
The Harho has sapped my grit completely.
19
My soles were blistered, I wept copiously on the way,
But I did not curse him out of anger,
Even in my utter exhaustion I said, "He is the best guide,"
20
O mates, one of you should awake her,
Who sleeps utterly exhausted,
The party has left, you are still asleep.
21
All the residents of Bhanbhore got tired of advising her,
How could that wretch return, whose beloved camel man took away?
22
While her mates tired to talk her into returning,
Her thoughts instantly transported her to Punhoon.
23
Do not advise me to return, mates,
I will set out and somehow find Aryani,
I will make up for all my lapses by trampling the mountains,
How can I equate myself with the lords?
24
O mother, I wish to die before and not after turning back,
Would that I fall upon beloved's footprints writhing in pain.
vaayi
You know my condition very well, my love,
I suffer from chronic pain,
Love for the friend pains anew,
It is because of you, o my physician, that I suffer from this affliction,
Bless me with joy of health, put an end to my sorrow,
It is for you that I sigh, lamenting is my fate,
I am lazy and ill-mannered, break my fetters, o protector,
You are a specialist in this sickness, do come Lord,
You are a the medicine of my heart, I have consulted many physicians,
Near as you are, come, take Abdul Lateef in your arms.
Chapter-V
1
When I left Bhanbhore to walk the mountains,
I pulled my weight and reached Kech, where Punhoon is,
"All is you, whom would you execute?"
2
When I delved deep myself and had a converse,
There wasn't any mountain in the land,
Nor had I any concern with the Kechis,
I myself became Punhoon,
All the pangs were there for the separate being of Sassui.
3
Mates, it was for being alive that,
My brother-in-law inflicted sorrows upon me,
But as I left Bhanbhore, all the sorrows turned into comfort,
The veil over me lifted, and I myself became Punhoon.
4
I became Punhoon as the veil Sassui lifted,
Those, who go alone, their veils are removed,
The deal supported to be made in Vidur, she made it here.
5
She became Punhoon, all signs of her individual identity vanished,
"Verily those who know themselves, know Allah,"* that is the way,
The trade that goes on in Vindur, she transacted here.
6
She became Punhoon, the beauty of Sassui vanished,
"Allah has indeed created Adam after His own image"*
Is echoed even by trees,
The crazy woman took Hoat in her arms out of love.
7
Misconception misled me, else I was Punhoon myself,
When I went close to the beloved, I lost my individuality,
Not a bit of knowledge is possible without perceiving the beloved.
8
I will walk the mountains,
Turning back would be a disgrace to my clan,
I am a handmaid of the Baluchs,
I will not claim equality with them,
"Separation is worst than death,"* I will not be here,
I will not give up hope, I wish to see the camel man before I die.
9
The wretched woman can hardly survive without the camel man,
His companions drove him away on camel early in the morning,
Seeing Punhoon's sitting place, my eyes shed bitter tears.
10
Once you give up your individual self, you will be near the wonderful,
"Nothing that I saw was devoid of Divine manifestation,"*
Build your shelter near this so that Hoat never leave you.
11
Hoat is in your arms,
Why do you enquire about him from the passersby?
"And in your own selves, will you not then see"*
It is something that you should comprehend,
None has ever gone to find Hoat at a shop.
12
Hoat is in your arms, why do you ask for him?
"And we are nearer to him than the jugular vein,"
Yours is with you,
It is the self that is between us and the wonderful.
13
I searched all over for my friend the camel man,
"Allah encompasses everything,"* is His sign,
Punhoon is in everything, there is nothing but the Baluch.
14
Having known all, how can I keep mum?
The fire of love is ablaze within me,
"Love is the fire kindled by Allah,** it burns like a furnace,
It is only Aryani, I know no one else, o mates.
15
O mates, Aryani is all inside me,
I see everyday mountains within myself,
Since I was love-smitten, the lord of Kech met me on way.
16
She goes after Punhoon as her soul is possessed by the taste,
Standing, sitting or asleep, she heads in his direction,
""Love is a veil between the lover and the beloved,"
Drop that veil to get rid of all doubts,
O mates, there is only Aryani, I know of no one else.
17
O sisters, I was naïve to wed without full inquiry,
That is how Punhoon's brothers were able to leave me pining,
Only they, who are pierced with dart of love, will walk the mountains.
18
O sisters, I was naïve to wed without full enquiry,
Had I known, I would not have cared that much for the highlander,
Only a moment of tete-a-tete entangled my heart with the camel man.
vaayi
He is the guide on the difficult path,
He will not abandon in the rapids,
Having pitched camp in the passes, he waits for the stragglers,
The Aari lord clothes the naked.
Chapter-VI
1
He gave cup of separation to this wretch,
Hoat has lit a kiln fire in me,
Seeing locks of the spouse, I lost peace of mind.
2
Pain inflicted by the locks is not relieved by medicine,
Yesterday I saw the locks dangle gracefully on cheeks.
3
I had seen the thick beautiful locks in Bhanbhore the other day,
Alas for those, who are killed by the locks.
4
Self was lost on the first glimpse, locks are a stranglehold,
Curl of the locks kills the wretched.
5
I cannot live now, mates, locks have me in a stranglehold,
The thick locks I saw in Bhanbhore have slain me.
6
The one, who slain by the locks, needs no shroud,
She is a martyr, content in her martyrdom.
7
O lord of mountain, don't be unkind to the wretched,
Abdul Lateef says, you are the horor of all,
Affluent as you are, kill not the wretch with words,
For God's sake, meet the wayfarers in good cheer,
Who is favored by association with your name,
Do not abandon her, o Hoat.
8
Affluent highlander, show anger to those, who are your equal,
How can you be annoyed with the one, who is your slave?
Come, my valiant friend, I am destined to come to you.
9
O mountain, don't be hard, I am practically dead,
This wretch has personal relationship with Aryani.
10
She treads no rocks with her feet softer than silk,
Her injured soles are bleeding,
Whatever her condition, she walks on to Punhoon,
He, whose handmaid she is, may come back to her.
11
She treads on rocks with her feet softer than silk,
She cares not for injuries but is worried about the Kechis,
I know not how Hoat crossed Harho and went beyond.
vaayi
Hoat my beloved would come safely to this woman,
He will tie me to his shirttail and take the laundress with him,
He will not be a friend of comfort but in misery,
He will give me the message of love, placing his cheek on mine,
He will take the laundress with him and not abandon the orphan.
Chapter-VII
1
Do not search for the beloved's footprint,
It has reached his homeland,
It is of no avail to sit on tracks without Kechis,
O Allah, return to me the one, who has gone to Vindur.
2
They may gird up their loins, who head for Vindur,
Why should they gird up, who have already untied.
3
Beloved's homeland is away from my homeland,
But beloved himself is away even from there,
Sassui had to take on a long journey for her dear ones,
O Hoat, I live for you where as you go to the royal court.
4
Having spent some time alone with me,
The beloved was up and gone in the night,
After threading my being in pain, Punhoon went away,
O my fate, wait for a while so that I may join with my beloved.
5
My heart knows no peace, it is in grief without the friend,
He has fastened me with strong shackle of love,
My body and soul are now the beloved's property.
6
Who seek Punhoon with love all their lives,
Why do shallow envy them?
They indeed are fortunate, who die on their way to the beloved.
7
You are indeed fortunate for you follow footprint of Punhoon,
Hold fast to that pillar Sassui, and weep again and again,
Do not stay behind, move, so that you may find Hoat.
8
They, who stay behind, cannot be in love's loop,
And they, who sleep, will not get beloved's company,
They won the beloved,
Who removed forward and sacrificed their lives on the altar of love,
Accepting all the fears and hardships,
They marched on to reach the lord.
9
The spouse is not gained by staying behind, nor by sleeping,
Only they get together with the beloved, who weep on mountain paths.
10
She tracks Punhoon's footprint and pines in secret,
She has tightened the girdle of love for the beloved,
Lateef says, the damsel quarrels with herself while struggling through the mountain paths,
Even if she does all this all her life,
She will not be equal to the dust of beloved's feet.
11
I should track beloved's footprint or pine for him?
Putting me in this painful situation, brothers of Punhoon went away to an place.
12
Pine for the beloved, and track his footprints,
By doing this, you will reach them in the mountain, o woman.
13
Find his traces from with in you, don't enquire from all o Sassui,
Sift the dust from the big mound,
If you act on this advice you will get the treasure.
14
She writhes, tells not, melts with pain,
Lateef says, she tracks the beloved's footprints discreetly.
15
If you can light the fire of love in yourself,
Blow on it so that it reached heaven,
Forsake all goods required for living here,
Make all your worldly transactions in nothingness.
16
How will you reach the beloved by holding your head high?
The more you stiffen your neck the more you will break into pieces,
Be humble o miserable woman, beloved is lost with stiffness.
17
The feeble damsel received the love dart, behold,
She is broken all over,
She neither lives nor dies, but is convulsing,
Sayyad says, she has however prepared herself for the sufferings.
vaayi
Baluch is full of mercy, I am striding in the mountains,
I will hold his camel's rein and go with him,
Let the dust of beloved's feet covers my face,
There is no one to rely upon in Bhabhore except the lord,
I will not let loose helm of Ari,
The rein of my life is in the hands of Hoat,
They did not stay anywhere after picercing peg of love,
O my guide, beckon to yourself by raising your hand,
I have no friend in Pub after Punhoon,
After you I will not comb and dress my hair,
Abdul Lateef says, o sisters,
My entire body immensely yearn for the beloved.
Chapter-VIII
1
Sans support, sans help, I am feeble and unfamiliar,
I am, says Lateef, shedding bitter tears for the beloved,
Out of intense love, I shed tears in Habb,
I try to win over Punhoon with humble entreaties,
I will grind and cook, if only you look me along.
2
Sans support, sans help, I am feeble and unfamiliar,
It seems to have been for dying that,
I made an outlander my beloved,
Sayyad says, you are Sassui's support in straits,
O imbecile, how do you expect to meet him without having provisioned?
3
Sans support, sans help feeble and unfamiliar I am,
There are tigers, thieves in hideouts and snakes in plains,
Come back, o Punhoon, my beloved, let I die.
4
Sans support, sans help she is confused and baffled,
Even her blood relatives cannot accompany her to mountains,
Dependence on these relations, says Lateef delayed the woman,
O Ari rescue this true lover from burning in love and from helplessness.
5
Sans support, sans help and crushed by sufferings,
How can she, wounded and depressed, stay forgetful,
Sun-burnt all over, she submitted to Punhoon,
Sassui, scorched by hot winds, would climb the wedding bed.
6
Sans support, sans help and weak, be true and strong,
Sayyad says, seasoned by hardships over rocks and boulders,
She is under attack by worries,
The pathways have dyed her crimson, says Lateef.
7
Sans support, sans help, she returns not,
She goes on moving towards the beloved , says Lateef,
Poor woman cries for the lords of Kech.
8
When Izraeel,* awoke Sassui from sleep,
She though a messenger from Punhoon had come.
9
When she saw Munkir and Nakir,
She got up and asked them about Punhoon,
Did you see the beloved's party passing by on your way here?
10
Camp-following the Kechis, trample upon stones on way,
And for the sake of your spouse dye the gravel with your blood,
Lateef says, cross the passes and explore the mountains,
Camel man is going very fast, step up to catch him.
11
The woman is lying utterly exhausted, she neither lives nor dies,
She is not sharing her miseries in this bad and unfriendly Bhanbhore,
Lateef says, she cannot forget her union with the beloved,
Show kindness by coming back,
How long can this servile woman go on searching?
12
Don't enquire about Hoat in Haarho,
Work your way into the woods,
Sassui, suffering is good company for you,
Cross the passes with its help,
So as to gain beloved's company, o woman.
13
Even through utterly exhausted, she went on climbing peaks,
When on way to Hoat Punhoon annihilate your self,
Proceed through sand, those who sit down sand envelops them.
14
These camel-droppings, this halting place, this rock and this path,
She did her best to follow the trail of her beloved's party,
Lateef says, there is some spoor in the rocks,
Following path of the lord, she earned good name in both the worlds.
15
Do not stay in Bhanbhore, make all possible efforts,
Climb mountains and find footprint of Punhoon,
Only through search can you know the whereabouts of Hoat Punhoon.
16
O Sassui, one should make all efforts to follows the dear ones,
Do not tire of following the camel track,
Woodmen will show you the trail of Baluchs.
vaayi
Hoat is ready to depart, how can I cope with it?
Fie on cots and manors, bitter is all food,
How beautiful it looks when the beloved sojourns in the spinning yard,
There he showers favors on the supplicants,
I am a washerwomen of Punhoon,
I will wash has clothes all my life,
Be hopeful, do not abandon footprints of the beloved,
Kechis harnessed the camels, my trouble is all due to these camels,
You, are support of the blind, come soon, beloved.
Chapter-IX
1
Do not be forgetful, nor ask the way,
They, who had love in their eyes, went and found him.
2
The uninitiated seekers went and searched the wilderness inside out,
Guideless, they did not find the straight path.
3
O wind, erase not the footprints I am following,
O gale, I gave in to your protection the footprints of the beloved,
These are my guide, see that you do not blow and obliterate them.
4
Yesterday the wind erased the footprints I was following,
It is now my lot to keep going for Hoat,
I have to explore many mountains for the footprints of the beloved.
5
Don't get tired, see the dust raised by the camels,
O wretch, leave the land taking nothingness with you.
6
Don't search him at far off places, sit not calmly, Sassui,
Do not walk with your feet, forget staying behind,
Sayyad says, forget all affiliations with comforts,
Walk heart and soul so that the distance is covered quickly.
7
I have sat down, I cannot take a step forward, come, o Aryani,
The exhausted one, in deep love with you, crawls forward.
8
The step that she look in utter exhaustion brought her nearer,
She covered the distance to Pabb in a single stride.
9
O exhausted, everyone can cover a fifty-mile distance,
Take just one step,
Keep up the tempo, the distance will soon be covered.
10
The camel man, the outlander enemy, awakened me,
He himself handed over to me the script of sufferings.
11
These are difficult days for me, I am infected with lice,
As I head for the the mountain, I am shattered all over,
Lateef says, I may break into piece for the friend,
When suffering, caused by the friend, are with me,
I consider lofty mountains small tamarisks.
12
I will now go to Punhoon all alone,
And have heart to heart talk with the highlander,
I will strip myself of all deficiency by wandering in mountains,
Very ignorant thought I am, I have with me love-pangs of the beloved.
13
This time I will go alone to Punhoon,
In front of me are mountains, difficult passes,
Steep cliffs and lofty peaks,
I will not be alone as I will have love-pages of the beloved with me.
14
She saw her friend with her heart,
Though tired, she did not sit down,
Lateef says, she went over rocks and kept up her search in the passes,
The treasure of love exalted her.
vaayi
I will go further, still further, to perceive the beloved,
In front of me are mountains and passes, come back, my proud beloved,
O shepherd, I may tell you that I am wife of another,
I require moisture of love, I am all parched,
Anyone not going with me to Hoat is fathered by rascal.
Chapter-X
1
Come near, o beloved, don't go away,
The done-in damsel raises her arms and cries aloud,
My cries of pain will kill me, kindly come back.
2
Come near, o beloved, don't go away,
Believe me, I will not tire out and turn back without seeing you,
Without seeing your face she is dying, kindly show it to the miserable.
3
Come near, o beloved, don't go away,
I will die in ranges, do keep me alive,
O Hoat, the one who is wandering on foot, leave her not in the mountains.
4
Come near, o beloved,
Let not this wretch suffer the pangs of separation,
You went away leaving behind the tiger of love with me.
5
Come near, o beloved,
Let not the miserable suffer the pangs of separation,
Come to my house asking after me so that I may not die, o Hoat.
6
For God sake, a Aari, see that you don't forget me,
My heart remembers you, it yearns and moans.
7
My husband, forget me not, I cannot have patience any more,
I am looking for you, come my beloved.
8
I cannot ever give up patience and gratefulness,
O my spouse, I have forgotten the days of comforts and amusement.
9
What will I do with patience and gratefulness?
I want him with me to whom I belong.
10
I have adhered to patience and gratefulness,
Come and show yourself to the miserable.
11
I have now acquired patience and gratefulness,
Come, beloved and ask after the afflicted woman.
12
My heart knows no rest since the departure of Hoat,
Bring him back to me, o God ,
Who has addicted me to the taste of love.
13
My heart knows no rest here since the departure of Hoat,
Punhoon's love familiarized me with the taste of yearning.
14
After the departure of Hoat my heart has known no rest,
He is close to my heart, who familiarized me with the taste of love.
vaayi
I cannot pass a moment without you, come back,
My love, my lord Baluch,
I will graze your camel in the rocks and mountains,
I will cut my flesh right from shoulders and feed it to the animals,
Let crown of Kech beak out my flesh,
I will relieve my mind by sharing my sorrows with the wondrous friend,
Abdul Lateef says, Aryani will remember to meet me.
Chapter-XI
1
Be all ears, Kechis are talking, speak not, they are speaking,
Their hidden meaning can be discerned in silence,
Sit with them and listen, you may learn to pine.
2
Listen, so that you learn to pine, today he has said, "come ,
They have learnt nothing to say except "run from yourself,"
Don't resonate like a musical instrument,
Listen so that you may be rid of duality.
3
Listen so that you may be rid of daulity, 'I' is not there,
Forget talking, be all ears, the Kechis are to talk.
4
Be all ears, Kechis are talk, speak not, they are speaking,
Not a bit of 'I' remains with them,
They have chopped down the tree that was ego.
5
Some time one should be all ears and sometime all mouth,
Some times a dagger and sometime a good.
6
There is dagger and slaughter in the courtyard of Aari lord,
One, who dies while on way,
Gets blood money of union with the beloved.
7
Cut as many sticks as possible from this tree , o camel man,
This kind of tree you will not find there,
Other types are aplenty, though.
8
My eyes are dust-laden, how I find footprint?
Who will remove dust from the eyes of the miserable woman.
9
Eyes of Aari lord are with the blind woman,
They will make me see the trees of Vandur,
They themselves see and let me see the forehead of Punhoon.
10
Eyes of Aari lord are with the blind woman,
They themselves will see the forehead of the beloved.
11
Do not call unless called, do not move unless moved,
Do not burn without burning, nor weep without weeping.
vaayi
O Gracious beloved,
You are reliever of pain of the wretch, come back,
I have received, believe me, hard blows of love,
My relatives have caused me a lot of misery,
Comforts did not do me any good, sorrows did take care,
It is on that account that I am being talked about a lot in Bhanbhore,
Abdul Lateef says, o my sisters, spikes of love have pierced.
Miscellaneous Verses
1
Where has the love that arose and was arisen yesterday, gone since?
This reckless love awakened me, o mates,
Its wounds smart so painfully that I cannot sleep.
2
All my limbs ache, bones are also smarting,
The grief inflicted by the beloved himself,
Has made restful sleep impossible,
The pangs that are fatal to others, I call for them.
3
I begged the highlander to give me pain,
Accepting my plea, he gave me that which purifies the impure.
4
As you have puberty, Sussui don garments of the immodest,
Take of the cloak of modesty, wander in wilderness like a vagrant,
So as to be the presence of the beloved.
5
Sassui received a call, which is a lullaby for us,
The journey is endless, and none, who is not called, can under take it.
6
Behold, how Sassui is facing' others miseries,
It is the strangers, who have thrown their worries on her.
7
She is not one of those, who are frightened on seeing passes,
She has acquired the way of the mountain-men.
8
O women do not sit under the learn-to proceed further in sunshine,
You have made them in laws, whose homeland is very far,
Now enter each locality and enquire about the
beloved.
9
Sassui had no companion nor help in Bhanbhore,
Punhoon's brothers had anger against her in their hearts,
Lateef says, o lord, let the exhausted woman cross the passes,
The miserable woman is practically dead, do not go away, o perfect one.
10
Sorrows pounced upon wretched woman,
Forget not, my spouse, the one who come from a low clan,
Renouncing all relations, cross over to your in-laws, o truthful,
Lateef says,, the trek will mature you into a jewel.
vaayi
O mates, I have many tales of my life to tell Hoat Baluch,
I wandered in mountains for your love,
I will scale mountains to break myself into pieces,
Wandering in mountains I lost all awareness,
I will never give up the treasure of love,
O punhoon, the unknown woman will be fortunate to be accommodated
In your camel-plan.
vaayi
Restrain me not, o mates, I will go to Hoat,
Relieve the wretch of all burden of Bhanbhore,
It is obligatory for the wretch to strive for union with the beloved,
It is a must for the lover to perceive the beloved,
I will not sit a corner as I have no mother or father,
Leaving her in her homeland, don't enhance her yearning,
Take the love-smitten away in camel saddles,
My trek is to Punhoon, don't lure me away,
Abdul Lateef says, o sisters,
God has got me together with the beloved.
vaayi
Do not ride your camel, o Kechis, I will plead with Aaryani,
Don't disgrace me, o Hoat, by making ready for journey,
You are the only support of this wretched woman,
Have your camels bow before the washer woman,
Play all musical instruments at the marriage of this wretch,
Attire them all, who are without clothes in the spinning yard,
For God's sake, do not deprive me of seeing your face,
Be resident of my city and make the wretch smile,
O Punhoon lord, sit with washer woman and share her sufferings,
Unloaded his camels in Bhanbhore and seat he groom for nuptial,
Feast the marriage party of Punhoon,
After wedlock, have Punhoon's mother take him and his bride out of bride's house to her own,
Befriend the Brahman girl and show dowry to the wretch,
Abdul Lateef says, o sisters praise the beloved.
vaayi
O brothers forest man, I ask you, tell me how will I reach Kech,?
I am an orphan woman, I have filled hem of my head-sheet with sins,
I am neither a Sammi, nor a Soomri, nor a Jutt or camel rider,
I am from the priestly family who recite scriptures,
I will be a washer woman, enquire about the beloved,
And wash my head-sheet,
I am enquiring about beloved, who went away early,
The party left early, you are following them late,
The Hoat you are enquiring about went past here,
Go after Hoat Punhoon after chastening yourself with love,
First throw the spinning wheel into fire and be a faithful wife,
The party left early and you are enquiring about Punhoon afterwards,
I am shedding tears in wilderness; oh, oh am I here!
vaayi
What sort of relationship I the naïve can have with Hoat?
I am alone in Habb, I have no relative of any kind,
The woman is alone, distance is long, I am without any mount,
I cannot climb the mountain as it has no steps,
I will enquire for him in Pabb and have all,
The trees resound with my calls,
The saliva of Punhoon I will lick slowly,
The beggar should not be starved of seeing the beloved,
There should not be any bad omen regarding,
My union with the beloved,
First I will throw the spinning wheel into fire, then seek wise counsel.
vaayi
I may see a foot messenger from the beloved,
Sisters, I will set out at dawn as I have to walk mountain,
I shed tears all the time like seasonal rains.
vaayi
O mates, all of you pray for me in the spinning yard,
There is no end to camping, pitching and striking,
Everyone is in transit, we have not seen here any permanent resident,
All will recollect Salat* as soon as they are interred in grave,
I know not how the interrogators from the Merciful interrogate,
Allah will bless the imperfect there with His light,
Would that I utter these words, God is one and Muhammad is truly His prophet.
vaayi
My mates, I will not say openly, I will not remonstrate with the in laws,
Beloveds do not return because of relationship,
They may return by entreaties,
Sisters, there is no room for taking liberty with the highlander,
You are that lord from whose door no supplicant goes empty handed,
You the munificent, have rewarded hundreds of supplicants.
vaayi
There was something in the beloved's people had heard it,
You are the one, who is known all over,
Do move on the path, get going on the track,
Who would say that Sassui died, she is on her way to the beloved,
She never tired of walking to the beloved,
Did you see, o forest man, an exhausted woman somewhere near Khheri tree.
vaayi
There was something in the beloved's mind, people had heard it,
You are the one, who is known all over,
Do move on the path, get going on the track,
Who would say that Sassui died, she is on her way to the beloved,
She never tired of walking to the beloved,
Did you see, o forest man, an exhausted woman somewhere near Khheri tree.
vaayi
She reached the trees of Vandur,
She thought she had come close to the beloved's path,
The mountains you thought to be near are very far,
Had they not bad intention, why would have they come from Kech?
They had decided to get me Killed,
Shelter of the love-smitten damsel would be fittingly,
Located on open plains,
They were not letting me on what is being talked of in Vindur,
The camel man brought pearls and beaded their camels,
Abdul Lateef says,
They have unloaded their camels in mountain passes.
Melody Of The Odyssey Of Being Maazoori
Chapter-I
1
On way to Hoat Punhoon only fake lovers get tired,
Rocky terrain feels like alluvial plain to true lovers,
All my mates are shortsighted and faint-hearted
In the matter of true love,
O Brahiman woman, cut up your flesh into small pieces
So that dogs of Kech may devour you.
2
If the pet dogs of Punhoon devour you, Then, o stranger,
You are accepted there as you are remembered by the animals.
3
In the animals reared by Punhoon, take notice of you,
Think that you shall be united with the beloved after death.
4
Wasp-like dog of the beloved awakened her,
He shook himself, barked and looked intently,
He will relieve her of all pain barking.
5
We are neither sweepers nor thieves,
Then, o dog, whom you are making such a terrible din at?
6
Beloved's dog says, admitted that you are friend of the master,
But our way is that we bark first, identify the visitor after.
7
If you want to slaughter me, do it yourself, let no sweeper do it,
I will not allow their hands to touch me.
8
Dog seek carrion, we are ticks for dog,
A tick is stuck in the black dog's ear.
9
Dog crunches bones, whereas a brave man devours his own liver,
"Verily world is a carrion and its seekers are dogs,"
*Keep this in mind.
10
When they see friend of their friend, they retreat,
They do not disobey comments,
When they see a relative of their keeper, they do not bark at him.
11
Incited by their keeper's whistle, the dogs bark and bite,
They do not disobey command, they are matchless,
They are not at fault, they bark and bite on incitement.
12
Let the mountain beasts attack me,
They cannot harm the washerwoman as her supporters are powerful,
They all know, says Sayyad, my relationship with them,
They would not have let me go but for my connections.
13
The protectors' relationship that helped me here,
It enabled me to reach mountains safe and sound,
How will people of Ketch not care for me?
I may be a washerwoman, but I am wedded to a powerful person.
14
It is because I am wedded to a powerful person that،
I am in foreign lands,
Otherwise no one cares for a Brahman or her branch?
And who knows who am I?
No one knew me even in Sindh but the beloved made me known.
vaayi
Abdul Lateef is in a fix describe virtue of humility, o friend,
I cannot express my praise for your attribute of bestowing pain,
I study with eagerness the lesson of love,
The pain caused by Hoat Punhoon is all pleasure,
To starve oneself of the pleasure of fondling,
The beloved is itself a pleasure.
Chapter-II
1
The miserable cannot afford anger, and the hungry cannot laugh,
Mates, the poor naked woman forget her wedding.
2
Sisters, blessed is the nakedness for which wedlock is forgotten,
Mates, abandon indolence, go forth all nude.
3
Go forth all nude, give up greed and selfishness,
Beloved's favor cannot be won by sleeping.
4
Go forth all nude, cast away your clothes,
She will be in the lead, who takes nothing with her.
5
The one who took nothing with her, reached the beloved,
And the one, who went wrapped up heavily,
Lost all chance of union with the beloved.
6
She, who makes herself up,
Loses all chance of union with the beloved,
And she, who is tempted by jewelry, becomes miserable like Leela,*
7
Hoat is distant from the haves but close to have nots,
Beloved is with them, who go forth with Nothing.
8
Get the dagger of Nothing and kill the beast in you,
Sayyad says, sell out all objects of desires,
Take step perceptively so that you may walk light.
9
Those, who walked light, crossed Haarho; o woman lighten yourself,
The haves cannot have the beloved.
10
Those who walked light, crossed Haarho; o wretch, give up makeup,
Walk with Nothing leads to the beloved.
11
Those, who walked light, crossed Haarho,
But those with loads are still in the village,
They were invited to Ketch, who had Nothing under their arms.
12
Those, who walked light, crossed Haarho,
But those with loads are trailing behind,
Sayyad says, they are suffering as they are deprived of love.
13
No one, neither here nor there, talks of woman with plenty,
Those with love reached the beloved, while those with wealth did not.
vaayi
Head for Hoat now, may you reach the path,
Yesterday she gladly made her feet red with blood for,
The sake of the beloved,
Climbing mountain peaks and passes she became all red,
If you want to unite with the beloved,
Wander in crisscrossing passes of Pabb, make intensive search,
A caravan came from Keck laden with precious goods,
Stay at the base of Pabb,
The odor of young camels will reach you there,
It is hard even for the fastest young camels to climb there,
There she enquires from the wayfarers about Aryani,
Abdul Lateef says, o mates beloved may meet me there.
Chapter-III
1
Going toward Haarho, I had to cover many miles,
Without Aari lord I suffered deep anguish,
I had to pass, says Lateef, through passes and defiles,
It is a great blessing for me that I want after Punhoon,
I have left every thing to him, it is not possible for me sit about.
2
Going towards Haarho, I tremble for my lapses,
They rode camels in a covered saddle, she goes on foot after them,
Lateef says, how would I cover miles without a camel?
Ahead are stand and gravels, it is not possible for me to sit about.
3
Going toward Haarho, I will lay down life,
All flesh is scraped off my limbs,
God will show mercy, it is not possible for me to sit about.
4
Going towards Haarho, I may not wander off the path,
Would that, says Lateef, I reach my beloved crawling,
Would that I see Punhoon, it is not possible for me to sit about.
5
My confidants are all gone, now in whom can I confide?
Lateef says, keeping my chastity I am wander in mountain passes,
Which wayfarer I may wander in mountain passes,
Which wayfarer I may accost for guidance?
It is not possible for me to sit about.
6
O trees, grow not taller, o mountain, be not higher,
My eyes, be not tearful lest I fail to find footprint of my beloved.
7
O woodland, why can't you point the way?
Listen to what I am saying to you, o tree,
Help me climb the peak so that this befuddled woman may make do.
8
O woodland, why can't you point the way?
Let not your twists and turns bewilder the destitute you,
Like a guide, have the wayfaring women pas through you,
Unite me with the beloved lest you may not dry up and wither away.
9
O woodland, why can't you point you point the way?
You are liable to blame by the strangers,
Even the Liyaar* troubled the renouncer,
I am complaining of the thorns of Kandi,*
10
Even if countless thorns prick my feet,
Even if my fingers do not bend towards thumb, and cliffs injure my soles,
I will proceed to the beloved without wearing a Jutti,*
11
Jutti will be worn by those woman, who love their feet,
Sassui forsook all rites and tradition for the sake her beloved.
vaayi
Through the peg driven into my heart by the camel men suits me,
It has made my life hard, o mates,
I look into my hands reins of the camel at dusk,
I slept so soundly till morn that I forgot all about it,
I heard Punhoon's call on my way to him,
His call sustained me during my search in the mountains,
I sought blessing of the Gracious in the Gunjo,*
He soon came to my aid while I was asleep on a path in the plains,
The cries and rumblings of their camels, reverberated for miles,
Hoatani Punhoon would raise his hand for the wayfarer,
He, for whom I suffered pain, hunger and hardships,
Has come back to Bhanbhore in our courtyard, o mother.
Chapter-IV
1
Die and live in death so that you may perceive beloved's beauty,
You will be accepted if you take this advice.
2
Die today before the day fixed for death so that you may be honored,
Escape from Bhanbhore, o woman, while still alive,
Be true to Punhoon so that you may meet the angels of Death.
3
Die so that you may he honored,
Living impedes union with the camel man,
O imbecile, have courage give up life,
So that you may find the friend.
4
Die so that you may be honored, be not hostile to yourself,
Never even think of turning back,
Even if you don't find a footprint there is joy for you in crawling.
5
Die so that you are honored, o woman, don't live, an idle life,
You will reach Punhoon after you die.
6
While you are alive, die before the day fixed for death, o Sassui,
Shun not the company of those, who lost their souls on way.
7
Those who died before they were to die, are not defeated by death,
They will live on, who lived before living.
8
Those who lived before living, may they always live,
They do not die again, who died before they were to die.
9
Mountain is high and lofty only for those who love life,
Came along to lead, o death, so that I may follow you.
10
O my breath, you have many ties, o life, get away from me,
Come along, o death, so that I may walk behind you.
11
When you came of age Sassui, you become averse to death,
By doing so, you have shamed the highlander.
12
You did not die of pining secretly for the beloved,
Have you not heard, **Die before death,**
Why then are you chopping your head?
vaayi
The camel did not snort,
For God's sake, bring back my beloved o camel men,
Sassui will be exalted if you put this love-smitten,
To something worthwhile,
Come, graze you camel henna-buds of Maleer.
Chapter-V
1
Go forth by foot, on hands and knees, heart and soul,
So that you remain to the end true to Aari's love,
As long as you live don't equate any one with punhoon.
2
Go forth by foot, on hands and knees, heart and soul,
Never stop, lass, thinking of the beloved,
Having been stricken with love is your credential, o sassui,
There may be a thousand Hoat, equate none with punhoon.
3
Go forth by foot, on hands and knees, and forehead,
Aari lord is near and there is no medium in between you and him,
Affirm with heart, don't equate anyone win Punhoon.
4
Go forth by foot, on hands and knees, heart and soul,
Keeping a close watch,
While on way to the lord of Kech, quicken your pace,
Even if there be a lakh of Hoat, don't equate any of them with Punhoon.
5
Go forth by foot, on hands and knees, with every breath,
The guide Hoat will meet you on way to Habb,
As long as you breathe, don't equate anyone with punhoon.
6
Though tired, she rests not in cool, moves on in heat,
She has dried herself up in Vankar,
The woman had been asking the birds for instructions,
They gave her, in God's name, the directions,
Even told her about the trees in that land,
Aariani may reconcile and turn back.
7
You take long strides or walk slowly,
What is writ will not change a bit.
8
What is writ on fore-head can not be transferred to back-head,
Keep to all that the beloved has written on the tablet of your fate.
9
The number of moments one is destined to pass at a certain place,
He cant but pass many moments there.
10
She scorched her body for the sake of Kechis,
Renouncing all claims, the helpless woman walked the mountain,
Though humble and feeble, she undertook the journey.
11
The poor miserable woman took upon herself the ordeal of search,
Her whole body was wasted by suffering,
The journey was predestined, she undertook it later.
12
It is not a journey like other journeys, who would hear my cry?
I want to cry aloud but people will say the woman has gone mad.
13
Let them call me mad only if they hearken my cry,
Let people come and blame me.
14
So what if people blame me?
The lass, desperate in separation,
Will break herself into pieces upon footprints.
vaayi
Don't get exhausted, don't sit on the way,
You will find as you move on,
Some come and said one thing, others another,
I treasure only what the beloved said to me,
Her softer than silk feet are hardened red in the gravel,
Turn your face to the miserable woman that I am،
What the camel men told me has practically killed me,
The Kechis will lift my bier on the paths of Vindur.
Chapter-VI
1
Try as anyone may, I will not be stopped from seeing the beloved,
I will be utterly abject and helpless until I find the beloved,
I have forgotten tomorrow and cannot abide for the promise,
Nor can I wait till morning, it is now up to you to meet me or kill me.
2
The woman discarded tomorrow, took cash with her,
Don't pull up rein of this miserable to delay her,
Either kill the wretch or let her get together with you.
3
As she looks forward for fulfillment of her desire,
Death has arrived to claim her,
If you came, I will do you morning prostration,
Either take away life of the miserable or let her get together with you.
4
Either let the miserable woman get together with the،
Beloved or kill her,
Just show the wretch her beloved.
5
The poor woman has been wasted by miseries and،
scorched by the fire of Punhoon's love,
O matchless one, why don't you put Sassui in fire and،
Burn her once to all.
6
O miserable Sassui, forget all about your looks and the bridal bed,
To find Aryani, look for his footprint in the plains.
7
Set out for the mountain with all your trouble on your head,
You will meet the natives, who will give you all the news.
8
Placing her hands on her head,
The miserable woman wanders everyday,
She does not burn in the way that it would give her a new life.
9
Seeing him is better than all the makeup, don't doubt it, Sassui,
Be his handmaid, fetch water for him,
Waver not seeing the narrow passes,
One moment with punhoon is preferable over twelve
years with others .
10
Consider it an embellishment to see Hoat Punhoon every time,
One moment with Punhoon is preferable over twelve years with others.
11
Hurry up, journey brooks no delay,
Give your life in the moutains for the camel man,
This life does not last long, sacrifice it for the beloved.
12
Laments of the miserable woman heard in the,
Mountains at midnight,
Are so heart-rending that even mountains may split,
Humans and beast both grieve over Aari's departure,
Such is the condition of those whose hearts are broken.
13
See, the miserable is being mourned even by mountains,
White-footed harts are crying over her death,
And exclaiming agitatedly; 'Her death is killing us.
14
Sobs over the miserable are heard from the mountains,
Kechis speared and attacked Sassui,
Those, who die at the hands of Hoat, Hoat is in their lap.
15
Mountain trees tell of miserable woman,
Sitting under them, the cutup cut them up with her misery.
16
The wounded even those, who have no blood,
Whoso saw the miserable woman was ready to die.
17
The wayfarers to whom she gave message of her woe,
Listening to her sorrows, they were all filled with grief.
18
The cut of the cutup has cut the trees too,
For her woes were solace,
But whoever saw her also become woebegone.
19
The cutup plays plaintive notes, the chopped cries,
One remembers its foliage, the other sheds tears for the beloved.
20
It is drought for you, o woebegone even when it rains,
Bestowing aplenty is in the power of the Lord,
She has in her power only her supplicating hands.
21
It is drought for you, o woebegone, while it rains in
the beloved's land,
Every Baluch child is a source of good luck.
vaayi
Come, my beloved, bury the corpse of the wretch in the passes,
Beloved is accustomed to musk, whereas I smell of soap suds,
Come, Aryani, stay with me for a while,
The have sprinkled musk over every shop,
O perfect one, come and relieve my heart of pain,
Abdul Lateef says, o sisters, the bargain is for laying down one's life.
Chapter-VII
1
I have not met my beloved for a few days,
All these days and night are wasted with Aari lord.
2
I have not met my beloved for many a sundown,
I wish to see him when I breath my last.
3
I have not my beloved and you are setting, sun.
Deliver to him the messages I give you,
Tell him in Kech, the poor woman died on way.
4
I have not met the beloved and I am about to breath my last,
In the throes of death yearn and, weeping, ask for directions,
Would that I do not without seeing the beloved.
5
I did meet the beloved and years passed away,
O mates, this miserable woman wasted all her days,
Now in old age she is looking towards Aari.
6
I did not meet the beloved and youth passed away,
There are many lofty mountains in between me and the beloved,
I cannot walk fast in advanced age,
I wasted all my life, it is now that I am calling out for him.
7
I did meet the beloved and this day also passed,
His love has seized me in its clutches,
She died on the way calling out, 'my love, my love.'
8
I did not meet the beloved and Izraeel came,
There is no arguing with the midhty ,
Death has come to take me away, terminating my heart's desire.
9
I did not meet the beloved and death arrived,
I waited for many years but did not meet Hoat,
It seems, I will die in separation form him.
10
I did not meet the beloved and the dark Day of Judgment came,
Hands stopped working and eyes could not sleep,
What Hoat did to me by leaving was not less then killing.
11
She shins up trees, she will be food for the vultures,
She has let herself mount gallows for the beloved,
Over there are beasts and here is her flesh,
She has not kept back anything.
12
She shins up trees and weeps to see gravel all around,
How can I overcome the separation that has come in-between.
13
She shins up trees, today she reached the treetop,
For the sake of the beloved she has had to seek the aid of the fruit-bearing trees.
14
Holding the folds of her silken petticoat, she shins up trees,
She leaps from bough to bough like young ones of peacock.
15
She shins up trees, behold her vigor,
She wanders at midnight without father or mother,
It is her voice whose echoes are heard from afar.
16
She shins up trees and searches far and wide,
Her lamentations of grief over beloved's separation are echoed far off.
17
Echoes are far off, they are not coming close,
It is seldom that one takes it upon himself to reach that stretch.
18
The cry head in mirages sound like that of a parrot,
The sound and cry are certainly of love.
Melody Of The Odyssey Of Being Desi
Chapter-I
1
I am wretched, pull up reins, I am dying,
Do not ride your camel away,
Come to the abode of this humble woman,
Life without you, my beloved, is like the day of resurrection.
2
Camels, brothers of Punhoon and hills,
All three caused me sorrows,
I took all these sorrows as comforts hoping for beloved's union.
3
Camels, brothers of Punhoon and hills,
I am aggrieved by all the three,
I must quicken my place and enquire about Punhoon's footprints,
It is all fate, otherwise who would ever wander in hilly region.
4
Don't get on edge, o camels, Aryani is still far,
Bending Kandi boughs you graze on their foliage,
You are absolved of all blame.
5
The day you saw alien camels in your courtyard,
You should have occupied road till next day morning,
And have tied the camels with your back-knot hair,
They would not have taken away Punhoon the way they took him.
6
The day you saw alien camels in your courtyard,
You should have arranged to hide keys of the locks,
So that they would have asked for you on the next day.
7
When you saw alien camels in your courtyard,
Why didn't you tie them with your trouser string, o imbecile?
Your overconfidence would not have caused you all these hardships.
8
When you saw the alien camels in your courtyard,
You should have tied their knees with your hair,
You would not have suffered the jolts you did in defiles.
9
Had Punhoon's brothers ridden bullocks to Bhanbhore instead of camels,
They would have dug their cloven hooves in the earth,
Sound of their hooves would have been heard
By those who were asleep,
The pedestrians, Sayyad says, can catch up with bullocks,
But she had to go after those, whose feet were not touching ground,
Join this guideless woman with the valiant
Camel men and their camels.
10
Normally camels snort when harnessed,
But in my case they remained silent,
While harnessing them, the camel man also made no sound,
It appears, the two had hatched it up between them.
11
So what if Punhoon's brothers were crooked,
May my day not be crooked,
There is nothing in the hands of camel-riders and the camels,
Who is this base woman to thwart destiny?
12
Bonds of love should be tied with natives,
They simply pack up and go back home,
Now that beloved is gone, one should better quit Bhanbhore.
13
Outlanders remained outlanders,
Never did they relate themselves to me,
They have evil intensions while I greeted them with smiles,
When I looked for them in the morning, the camels were not there.
14
Don't bring camels near, I have been worsted by them,
Keep them away, clean and saddle them there,
They have taken away my Hoat Punhoon6 from me.
15
Though you have made me miserable,
May you live long, o camel men,
This Brahman woman has no other friend than the Baluch,
I can't speak away because the bond tying me
To him is unbreakable.
16
As Sassui was enquiring about mounts of the camel men,
The camels of Aari Lord came in her courtyard,
Wearing wooden pins in their noses, pearl-studded bands and,
Small bells around their necks,
Whereas you, even though in love,
Slept with a silk band around your head.
17
Be on your guard against the camel-riders,
They have come or are on their way,
They will take away Punhoon from you,
And without losing a moment, they will set out for their homeland.
18
Though the camel men are away at home,
They are immersed in my heart,
Their camels took pleasure in their cloven-foot strides,
As the camels were silent, I had to walk over mountains.
19
Humble and soft as I was, camel man caused me untold suffering,
Leaving me in miseries, they are happy in their homeland.
20
Had I known that relationship with camel man would take this,
Course how could I have acquired miseries from them, o mates?
21
Those who come this time I had not seen before,
As I stayed, they hurried away not letting their Camels touch ground,
I was bewildered to see tortuous tracks in wilderness,
Step up, Aaryani, it is high time to come for my help,
This humble woman is nobody, you reach me in Pabb, my Paaruss*
22
The camel man did not fulfill the claim of friendship,
I was betrothed to Hoat since my child hood,
That is the reason this brothers reproached me before departing.
23
Along with my brothers in laws,
The camels nay amble on to their homeland,
They may not stumble or slip while walking fast,
The camel man went across Pabb smoothly.
24
May the dust not whirl on the way or touch the beloved,
And the camel the beloved mounts may not suffer sunburn,
O Punhoon, holy beloved, It is not fair to be unkind and hard.
25
The sun may not burn the camel man,
Nor hot wind touch the camels,
O God, May the Arichas, not face the gusts of Hot wind,
There are many camel men but my love is Punhoon.
26
While departing, the camel men deceived me completely,
Every tree is emanating fragrance of Aari Lord,
If the beasts devour my flesh
My skeleton will proceed to the beloved.
27
Camels were my enemy,
So were the camel men and brothers of Punhoon,
Fourth enemy was the wind as it covered
Beloved's footprints with dust,
Fifth enemy was the sun, which delayed my journey by setting,
Sixth enemy was the mountain as,
It did not make its passes any easier,
Seventh enemy was the moon as it was late in rising,
It is time for birds to return home, but I am wandering in mountain.
vaayi
No one else should ever have relationship
With camels and the Kechis,
I was asleep and the slipped away on their camels,
Standing in front of the beloved's sitting place she laments,
But they deceived me and took away my beloved,
They did what they had planned before,
O mates, says Abdul Lateef, my Lord will come to me someday.
Chapter-II
1
It was predawn when dew falls that camel man went on their way,
They broke open the camel pen and took away Punhoon,
'Far too remote in that',* the guest room is deserted,
Opening up the wound of the miserable woman,
Hoats went away to Haaro.
2
The mates of Sassui came to her with warmth,
'Every journey is a piece of hell,** turn back from here, you silly girl,
The right path is ahead, how can Kechis take you along,
When you are still taken up with duality.
3
When Aaryani pulled my soul to himself after saying,
'Be and it become,'
My fate was decided there before the day of covenant,
'Whoever has a craving for and he struggles to acquire it, he would succeed in getting it this
All Shah* has said,
I still draw sustenance from this saying,
My death would be permissible on a message from punhoon,
Mates, pray for me so that I get together with the beloved.
4
All is darkness without Aari lord,
No one can ever perceive brightness without the beloved,
O my love, dispelled all fog, and clean my heart,
'whoso has no guide, his guide is Satan,
'*without guide all is darkness,
One who goes alone is distracted by conceit,
'He who takes up Tareeqat without a guide'' is unwise,
Many a seeker lost the path because of that.
5
Wilderness is vast, load is heavy, Vankar is not near,
The woman, says Lateef, has decided to depend on camels,
He will come back to me if he likes, all is up him,
Which way is the highlander, which way has she raised her hands؟
6
Having trained their camel, the Kechis rode them away,
Zigzagging up and down the peaks they do not snort,
May the camels of the leader of all the guides may not get tired,
Lateef says, by the grace of God they crossed the desert tract,
What worry these camels can have, when their support is Hoat.
7
Waking up the camels the camel man rode them along the tract,
May the camels not get tired before reaching the mountains,
Lateef says, traversing the desert tract, they went across,
What can all the camels, when their support is Hoat.
8
They are filling their leather bags at dawn,
Lateef says, they are not letting me on about their camels,
They are taking away Hoat, the support of this helpless woman.
9
They are harnessing their camels, they are in a hurry,
They are talking about their departure in their own dialect,
Talking thus, they are taking away Hoat Punhoon.
10
They are harnessing their camels, they are in a hurry,
They are talking in riddles about their departure,
And killing me by making preparation for their departure.
11
Camels, being tethered, are munching Aanra grass nor grazing buds,
Lateef says, they are thinking only about their departure,
They are worried about the trek lying ahead.
12
Weakened by the gusts of hot wind, she breathes on her clasped hands,
She had come across camels with peculiar fleshy feet and broad chests,
Lateef says, they nevertheless crossed uneven paths and twisted ways,
Who else will climb mountain,
It was Brahman girl who undertook the feet.
13
Where young camel are frightened, and grownups cannot move,
Not can four-year old s take a step forward,
There she intends to cross,
The five-year old camels, says Lateef, are exposed there,
Only the eight-year old camels know about the track,
Sassui has the nerve to undertake such arduous journey.
14
In great agitation she strikes her head against the rocks,
Lateef says, she eventually discovered where camel man were,
Thanks to you, o Beneficial God,
She joined her beloved in good time.
vaayi
The beloved came in, all sorrows went away,
I am enlivened, mates, my beloved has come,
I will sit face to face with him and have heartily talk,
The highlander has brought camel-loads of musk with him,
How can I, a low woman, ever be headstrong with the lord,
Sassui was completely down and under, but some secret of Punhoon has revived her,
Abdul Lateef says, o mates, the beloved has come back to me.
Chapter-III
1
For God's sake, o camelmen, do not ride away your camels,
You are support of this pathetic woman,
See that you do not sever relationship, my love.
2
For God sake o camelmen, do not ride away camels full tilt,
Take along this wretch of a woman, holding her by hair,
Craving for the beloved is practically killing me,
I will bring bad name to my family if,
I turned back before reaching Kech.
3
Nowhere before Kech are there trees,
O low woman, walk on for Kechis as far as need be,
Press forward in that direction and think not of turning back.
4
Many destitute woman died within reach of Kech,
There are twenty pathways, I know pathways, I know not which one they followed.
5
May the come, O God, whose coming gladness the heart,
I may, by any means, see the land of the camelman,
Having crossed the mountain passes,
I may hear Hoat urging his camel on,
If only recognized the leader, I will slave for him as Gulboo.
6
Caravan came from Kech last night at a proper moment,
I may go and see camels and faces of the Kechis,
Having crossed passes, says Lateef, I ask for Kechis' lane,
I will slave for you if you took me along.
7
Caravan came from Kech, I consider it beneficial,
Dust of their feet I may massage my limbs with,
If you took me along I will slave for you under the name of Chambeli.
8
Caravan came from Kech led by lord of lords,
Seeing him soothed my eyes,
If you took me along,
I will slave for you under the name of Naater.
9
Caravan came from Kech led by a handsome youth,
Tiny bells laced in colorful threads are around camels' neck,
If you took me along I will slave for you under the name of Doulat.
10
Caravan come from Kech, mounted on handsome camels,
All the mounts were decorated gracefully,
The swagger of these camelman is wroth lakhs, o mother.
11
Caravan come from Kech with a leader at its head,
I may cut my hair to make reins for his camel and mend its saddle,
Punhoon is handsome, so are his companions.
12
The camel-back covers are decorated with silk tassels,
And diamonds wroth millions,
Foliage on the wayside touched Punhoon,
Did you see any such camel men passing by?
"Their caravan went by yesterday and,
You are looking for them today."
13
The guests brought their camels in,
The camping ground and dismounted,
Then they pounced upon Punhoon like,
Sea falcons and took him away,
The cruel highlander left me while I was asleep.
14
My sisters, the Kechis rode away yesterday at midnight,
I learnt this when I got up at dawn,
The camel man caused miseries to this supplicant woman,
O Supreme, join me with the high placed Punhoon.
15
I though the beloved would be with me forever,
He slipped away losing himself in a vast area,
He was the one for whom I was poised to forfeit my life at Vankar.
16
I though the beloved would be with me forever,
But he, without showing any pity for this low woman, went away,
He caused miseries to this wretch,
The young camelmen caused me lot of harm last night, o sisters.
17
Had I known that the leader of the camelmen will,
Make me wander in mountains,
I would have had their camels beaten,
And their saddles thrown in fire.
18
Makran is no one side, Kech the other,
Such a caravan had never come Bhanbhore before,
The highlander stirred my heart with a love dart,
The camel, which took away my camelman,
I forfeit myself for them.
19
Which way is Makran, which way is beloved's country,
The chieftain was guide of all the camels,
The one who is leader of the country, join me with him, o God.
20
It was love that enthused her to wander in wilderness,
Else who, living in comforts, would ever wish to do so,
She painstakingly searched the whole mountain for brothers of Punhoon,
Her spouse came back to her and all,
The hardship of her treks bore fruit.
21
My husband not crooked but his brothers did a great mischief,
I will go out and look for the camels in wilderness,
O mountains, move away from my path,
Else you will break into please.
22
There are many winding paths and numerous narrow passes,
What all these can do to those, who are face to face with Truth.
vaayi
I never though you would leave your love-smitten in mountains,
Hot winds are blowing and days are scorching,
The love of Aari lord humbled her,
The woodmen saw chanting in woods during daytime,
How she would reach Kech, whom you left in the mountains,
The humble one showered here rains of love,
O mates, says Abdul Lateef. I may reach my inlaws.
Chapter-IV
1
Help, the cruel Aareechas took away my spouse,
They brought Punhoon messages of Aari,
Schemed among themselves and kept me in dark,
Making me believe otherwise, they packed up and left,
O mates, the camel man did a Doomsday last night.
2
Help, the strong-armed took away my husband by force,
Bhanbhore is deserted, it is a Doomsday for me.
3
Help, my husband's wrathful brothers took away my husband,
It is a Doomsday, it was foretold.
4
Help, my husband's brothers took away,
My beloved from me by force,
My house is desolate without him, o mates,
They did a Doomsday to me and went away.
5
Help the tyrants away my husband by coercion,
How can I be patient without the superb.
6
Help, my husband's curly bearded-brothers, took away my husband,
I will go across the formidable mountains for them,
Who can reach Kech? I will make all efforts though.
7
I did not realize at sundown that the camelmen would behave like that,
How can this poor woman tell what did to her last night.
8
I did not realize at sundown, at sun up I was distressed,
I have lived many a miserable day because of the camelmen.
9
I did not realize at sundown, at sunup I was distressed,
At midnight the beloved's thoughts come surging in,
I am victim of the miseries inflicted by the camelmen.
10
I did not realize at sundown, I was distressed at sunup,
While my eyes did what they were accustomed to,
The camelmen crossed the territory,
Doing lot of harm, they went away at midnight.
11
They went away at midnight and headed for Kech,
The love-twist of the Baluch has bewildered my mind.
12
May he, for God's sake, spend a moment with the frail woman,
She is under the care of Aari lord here as well as there,
I am full of obvious defects, may the noble one free me of them,
Taking the laundress under his protection,
The perfect one will lead her to Kech.
13
I am in fact daughter of a Brahman but was brought up by a washer man,
The beauty of Hoat has done me in,
So long as I live, I will be seeking union with him.
14
The days I passed in the washer man's neighborhood
Where fateful, o mates,
It was because of them that I suffered miseries,
Destiny brought the camelman to wed me.
15
We are the washer-folk workers of Punhoon lord,
Hoat is accustomed to musk whereas I reek of soap,
May no one's husband expose her in home.
16
I am a woman, who calls a maid a lady,
It was for me base woman that Punhoon worked as a washer-man.
17
Punhoon had clothes in his hands,
Which he was washing with other washer-men,
It was that some messenger of Aari came to him,
" O you perfect one, it does not become you to dash clothes like that."
18
There is neither Kech nor Bhanbhore nor any relative of the woman,
It is she who is anxious, not Hoats,
Nothing but entreaty works before the beloved.
19
Helpless and hopeless, she has no relative of any kind,
Many manual workers follow the beloved's camp,
I am also among them, a low-caste wench,
Lateef says, she went across as a lower caste desert woman,
I am a frail woman, it is by your strength that I cross the mountain.
vaayi
Why are you lining up camels? I the humble did not tell you to,
O camelmen, for God sake,
Take the reins and bring back my husband,
Stay overnight at Bhanbhore and pass some moments with me,
The one, who lovingly entered into wedlock,
Does not make that destitute miserable,
For the sake of Lord, show me your face, o friend, o beloved,
Bend tree branches to graze your camel,
Turn reins to the weak and frail, Abdul Lateef says.
Chapter-V
1
A musk-deer* and Huma' are always perplexed in the universe,
One never plants his feet on the ground, the other is always breathless,
Sassui seems to have acquired her painful wandering from them.
2
Last night she saw Roajh'* and thought camel man had come,
Love and craving for the beloved made her mentally alert,
Sasssui was inane but sufferings made her aware.
3
While searching for Hoat in Habb, she saw Roajh,
Even though she was disliked by Kechis, she longed for them,
She can never forget the Baluchs.
4
Sassui you will meet in mountain ibex and other animals,
Brahman woman's cries of fear are heard at day-break,
O God, for once unite me with Hoat.
5
Hoat supports those who have no provision for journey,
Punhoon himself would come dancinging to the mountains,
There will be a moment of tete-a-tete, says Lateef.
6
She was happy to see the paths,
Which the camels had recently trodden,
There is no limit, passes are endless,
The one, who loves Hoat, Vindur is within her reach,
Your soles will be cooled to see the camels grazing in Pabb.
7
Sassui crossed that moment, which had defeated men,
However lofty the moment be, it is level plain for those in love.
8
The mountain by impending the way to,
Aareechas indulges in a futile act,
If there be millions of mountain passes, I will cross them all with love.
9
The which obstructs the way to Aareechas is a mountain,
Talking my husband with them, Burfats* and Brohi* went their way,
I may see Punhoon while I weep in widerness.
10
There are numerous mountains between me and the Areechas,
I will raise my hands to Haaro and pray for joining the Beloved went away yesterday that is why,
I am searching the mountains.
11
I consider the Kambho and Karo hills as black clouds,
I will leave behind Pabb early tomorrow morning,
It is time for me to proceed, I will not sit down midway.
12
Mountains and clouds look alike,
Hard cliffs, hardship, crooked paths,
I, humble and without support, am on foot,
Where there are narrow paths,
Be of help to the one who is bewildered.
vaayi
My heart remembers him, he is in my every breath,
My mates, I will go walking to my beloved,
I will push on to Kech, my mates,
Hoats have made up their mind to leave,
Who will stay a moment here?
I am hopeful that God will bring them back,
The distance is long and hard, it is the highlander,
Who is prompting me to carry on the travels,
Punhoon may keep his word, which is always true,
The Baluch lit fire in my heart and went away,
This helpless humble woman has left all her affairs to Allah,
Abdul Lateef says, o sisters, he will not be indifferent to me.
Chapter-VI
1
Mountain has tortuous and difficult foothold,
I called out to the wondrous in a surge of passion,
One of my calls did reach Hoat,
I can only call, it is for the Baluch to hearkan.
2
Mountain has tortuous and difficult footholds,
Taking along my beloved, the highlanders crossed the wasteland,
The destitute injured her feet in climbing the cliffs,
Whatever they had hatched up, they carried out and left.
3
Mountain has tortuous and difficult footholds,
The abrupt curves of vindur will kill me,
Lateef says, have me cross Haarro.
4
Tortuous and difficult are the curves of Vindur,
The one who is in love with Hoat will search the mountain,
Lead me there with your grace, my Guardian, says Lateef.
5
Tortuous and difficult are the curves and bends of Vindur,
The going away of the camels has made me miserable,
O holy Punhoon, come to me for God's sake.
6
Tortuous and difficult are the curves of the paths,
My whole body hankers for Aari,
They harnessed their camel and got ready for the journey,
Says Sayyad.
7
I have neither a spade nor a knife, nor a knife with which I may spilt rocks,
The mountain, I have to cross id huge and forbidding,
The spike, watch the beloved has inserted in my heart,
Will not be pulled out while I live.
8
Where mountains are harsh, distance is long,
And all around is wasteland,
Where wise men forget their wisdom and logicians their logic,
Lateef says, Sassui went across the tract charged with love,
The one, whose leader is Aaryani can have no fear on the trail.
9
Where harsh are the mountains,
Long is the distance, and sand-covered are the paths,
Ahead are the passes and all is wilderness, says Lateef,
There, O God, help the one who is still midway.
10
Where harsh are the mountains,
Long is the distance, and variegated are the rocks,
Camels snort while crossing the footprints of Punhoon,
Neither cry nor complain,
All worldly relations are for the living.
11
Where harsh are the mountains, long is the distance,
And high are the valleys,
Lateef says, there are said to be beasts of prey,
There, o Aaryani, you alone the support of the destitutes.
12
Where harsh are the mountains, long is the distance,
And camels snort while crossing,
She is yearning for Vindur because of her relationship with her in laws,
I am left behind, says Lateef, ride up to me,
There Aaryani is the support of the destitutes.
13
Where harsh are the mountains,
Long is the distance, days hot and all around gravel,
May the partridge not twitter on the left* of them in the mountains there,
When the lord Punhoon was born there was rain in Vankaar.
14
Where harsh are the mountains,
Long is the distance, dew falls like rain,
Sayyad says, I have heard a lot about the harsh Haaro,
Where sitting rooms are all dark unfriendly, ride up there my guide.
15
I lay down to sleep but could not for longing of Punhoon,
When he, for whom I had remained awake and then fallen
asleep, Came, I did not wake up,
Sisters, I did wrong for yearning and sleep do not go together.
16
My love is a gem, a light in the darkness,
He will not abandon me at reckoning on the Day of Judgment,
The highlander, the lord of Kech, will remember and call me there.
vaayi
I will ride to Kech, certainly with my inlaws,
O sisters, I will not live without the camelman,
How can I sit idle after suffering so great a pain,
I don't remember any one in such a big town of Bhanbhore,
The party of lord Punhoon has gone ahead of me,
I may, somehow, pass the night and search the mountain in the morning.
vaayi
I will roam the mountain far and wide for my beloved,
I will do some skipping as I search the mountains,
I cannot stay for a moment in the big town of Bhanbhore,
Punhoon would not have left me on his own, but for some lapses of mine,
Abdul Lateef says, come on, get moving for the beloved.
Chapter-VII
1
My heart got so entangled in love for Punhoon,
That it was not possible for me to stay a moment in Bhanbhore,
Do not advise me, sisters, to return,
My life is now in the hands of Hoat, mates.
2
What for did the decorate their camels?
They tied tiny bells and tassels, and covered their backs,
With printed cloth and jingled ankle bells,
Lateef says, they rode prancing through the narrow passes,
The Barhman woman still pins faith on the Baluch,
They may pull up the reins and turn back to this destitute.
3
They subjected the miserable to torment after torment,
Some dart of love had hit her heart,
She is now in the company of animals in the wilderness.
4
What the miserable woman faced was not in her control,
O Hoat, this handmaid cannot reach you without your hand,
If you came, o Aari,
I will hold your shirttail and cross the narrow passes.
5
The cutup woman face some such situation that she is now helpless,
The handmaid cannot find the way without your helping hand,
Let the distressed know some so that she may make do.
6
Do be kind sometime my love, and send me greetings,
I am wasting away yearning for your,
Hands are unable to do any work, eyes know not sleep,
I cannot bide a moment while you are passing time at Vindur.
7
Bhanbhore smelled sweet with be coming of,
Musk-laden caravan of Punhoon,
The camelmen, all perfumed, lined up the market,
Guided by Hoat, the caravan reached Kech.
8
The entire land was fragranced, mountains emitted sweet smells,
Whole of Bhanbhore thrilled, and every place was perfumed,
The prince delighted, and the maids were relieved of all misery.
9
When mountains received fragrance of Punhoon,
The slave women, relieved of all misery, wore silk garments.
10
When mountains received a sprinkle of fragrance of Hoat Punhoon,
Sisters, the trees also emitted fragrance of Aareechas,
O mother, my hope is realized as Punhoon has arrived in Kech.
11
O mother, the Kechis, making halts along the way, proceeded on,
The dewdrops at their halts have not dried,
They went away hitting me with spikes of pain.
12
O mates, ever since I have become related to the camelmen by marriage,
The highlander has torn my body to pieces,
Right from that moment I have been half dead.
13
None of you, o mates, should trust the words of Baluch,
I should not have slept but tied myself with the beloved's reins,
So as to have the camel man stay at my place a moment longer,
I am not disliked by the Kechis, but some luckless wench performed ceremony of entwining hopple at my marriage.
14
O mates, o mother, my husband's brothers were not at fault,
Fault was mine,
I was unfamiliar, they were familiar,
The beloved was from another land,
Right from the beginning I did not hold to the shirttail of Aari lord,
Help those walkers, who have only you, to attain their goals.
15
My mates, I did not do which one must do in love,
I did not sleep with the curly hair beloved tied securely to my breast,
How then the Kechis could have ridden him away,
From me on their camels,
It was all my fault, no one should blame Punhoon.
16
Forget me not, my husband, I depend on you,
Have me cross with your grace the mountains that is said to be formidable,
O Aari lord, come there at that moment,
To help this humble woman go across with your light, my love,
Turn the darkness on earth into light, my holy beloved,
O perfect lord, listen to the entreaties of the supplicant.
vaayi
Beloved's love pulsating in all my sinews, o mates,
I was asleep, they mounted and went their way at dust,
I want to talk to the beloved or about him,
Fie on the days that I have to pass in beloved's absence,
I am stricken with love, not a moment passes without it,
I very much long for the embellishment of the camelman,
I will reach the caravan, o mates, and go with it,
Spikes of love are pierced in my heart in thousands,
Many crows hovered over the way-worn woman.
I am all humbleness, console me, my beloved.
vaayi
The grief of separation has done me in, o mates,
O sisters, the separation from Aareechas has shattered me,
I am so weak that I cannot search mountains.
vaayi
The dear ones, who crossed narrow passes, I crave for them,
The camel that took Punhoon's safety to Kech,
I cannot live without them,
Climbing mountains, the Barhman woman raised her hands,
I am daughter of Naaoon Barhman but was brought up by a washer man.
vaayi
Leaves not the orphan slave girl in mountains,
There is no match of my beloved in the universe,
O Punhoon, take this washerwoman as servant with you,
I will serve the beloved and will fetch water for him,
Don't leaves alone the one who is sold to you at Vandur,
Abdul Lateef says, o mates, Aaryani will come back to me.
Melody Of The Odyssey Of Being Kohyari
Chapter-I
1
You did not awaken even for a moment and slept through the night,
Get up to reach the one who is near, indolence does not become you,
O wretched woman, pass the night sitting with the guests,
It is because of your sleep that you fall behind daily.
2
You did not awaken even for a moment and slept through the night,
Stupid, you are asking for whereabouts of the camel men at dawn,
Now keep to their path, fortune may unite you with them.
3
You did not awake even for a moment and slept through the night,
Meanwhile, saddlebags of Hoataanis were taken away from here,
Why don't you, o naïve, now run to catch up with them.
4
The camels heaved themselves up and snorted,
Well done to camels for being vigilant,
Fond though you are of slumber, Sassui,
Get moving right away to catch up with the camels.
5
Indolent women, give up indolence, how could you be so drowsy?
They stole away and reached their destination,
Strip your eyes of sleep, else you will cry on the winding paths.
6
Careless persons go to bed as early as sundown,
Lateef says, they hear to notice the camels make,
How can they get together with their beloveds,
Who go to sleep at sundown.
7
Eyes drowsed and unfortunately sleep overcome me,
Now for whom can I stay in Bhanbore,
O sisters, the camelmen have injured my heart.
8
Whenever they slept, stretching their legs out on bedspreads,
Their companions left them while they were sleeping.
9
It was careless of you to stretch out your legs and sleep,
Had you stood upright at the door of the friend,
You would have heard him moving about,
Verily you were not a blood relative of Aari Jaam,
You luckless woman, you are in love with Punhoon,
And yet you let yourself go to sleep.
10
Stretching out their legs and going to sleep is the way of low woman,
Lateef says, why don't they go for their Hoats,
These unfortunates are reproached for going to sleep,
Why do they, who go to sleep early, ask for Punhoon.
11
You want to sleep at sundown, face wrapped up like the dead,
You did not notice stealthy movements all around,
That is why, o miserable woman, the party left you asleep.
12
You want to sleep at sundown, face wrapped up like the dead,
You did accustom your eyes to wakefulness,
It was your fault but are blaming the Kechis for it.
13
You did not awake like a lowbred woman,
Thus, o imbecile you come to have difference with the Kachis,
You call yourself a handmaid even then you sleep for whole night.
vaayi
No one may speak ill of me in Bhanbhore,
My mates, writ cannot be evaded,
What is adornment for my mates is not my line,
In whatever condition I am, I must get going,
Under whatever tree the beloved made a halt,
I shake its branches and hug it,
No one can avoid what God has ordained,
I have to bear whatever is my fate,
Abdul Lateef says, may God have mercy on me.
Chapter-II
1
O mountain, you are a tyrant, you are working tyrannies,
You cut my body as a hewer cuts a tree,
It is all doing of fate, otherwise who would walk the mountains.
2
I will tell the beloved all the suffering you have caused me to,
At sunup you are dreadful, you are tortuous too,
It was not good of you to efface the beloved's footprints.
3
O mountain, why don't you clue me in on the beloved?
Didn't the camel train pass by you yesterday?
Was this wretched woman's beloved Hoat with it?
4
O mountain, why don't you clue me in on the beloved?
Didn't the camel train pass by you yesterday?
May my beloved hear my call and come back.
5
O mountain, first of all I will complain of you to the beloved,
Stones lacerated my feet, you split my palms,
You had no pity, nor any concern for me,
I will yell, "The mountain is oppressing me."
6
Hurt me not, o mountain, I am already distressed,
I don't recollect any comfort but only pain and sufferings.
7
O mountain, one should sympathize with the distressed,
One should ask after particularly those whose beloveds leave them,
Home come, you hurt their feet, o rock?
8
It is bitter grief that I have had this little talk with you,
But talking of my love sickness has nearly killed me.
9
O mountain, come cry aloud me for Punhoon,
I had only one beloved, he too is separated,
Whom cam I blame? It has happened to me because of my fate.
10
O mountain, the grieving came to open their hearts to you,
When the suffers of beloved's separation come,
They should be consoled.
11
O mountain, tears dry not on the cheeks of the grieving,
Even the rocks of Pabb split into pieces,
A horde of sorrows is draining away life.
12
O mountain, I wish to sacrifice my life for you each day,
Because it is upon you that the highlanders always meet to converse.
13
When the grief-stricken and the mountain cried aloud together,
Beasts became aghast hearing their lamentations.
14
Mountains are pegs fixed into earth,
Beloved are pegs into mountains,
You will nowhere find such close intimacy.
15
The grief-stricken woman and the mountain are crying together,
They do not let anyone know of their love-sickness.
16
Today too the grieved woman and the mountain wept,
Between themselves,
The love pangs for the highlander suddenly surged in their hearts.
17
To walk a mountain one must have a companion along,
No track be undertaken without a companion,
None of her mates would walk the mountains with her,
But it was Chambeli, who managed somehow to cross the peaks.
18
O mountain, what harm can you do to the miserable,
Even if you are hot?
If you are rock of Pabb, my limbs are made of steel,
No one is to be blamed, it is my destiny.
19
Mountains have as many shapes as clouds in the sky,
At the base of these mountain I looked for the beloved's footprints.
vaayi
I belong to Hoat, they will not leave me,
I will conciliate Punhoon by putting head-sheet around my neck,
I crouch on the path in the hope that he will come,
I will not stay here for a moment after the beloved,
By the grace of the Beneficent, I will get together with the beloved.
Chapter-III
1
Mother, you may weep inside or near home,
I have severed all relations even with trees of my land,
Only they will walk mountains, whose hearts are afire,
O Hoatani, do not leave me in mountains.
2
Do not leave me here in mountains, Hoatani,
For God's sake, bring your camels near the woman,
I will myself wait on the Aareechas.
3
Do not leave me here in mountain, o Hoataani,
I will go with you on foot, setting whole of Bhanbhore on fire.
4
Do not leave, me in mountains, o astute Hoataani,
Aflame in your love, the miserable searches mountains for you.
5
Do not leave me in mountains, I was left behind by my own self,
Reach them on way, my love, who had been misled by their selves.
6
I start up sleep for the Baluch, mother.
The highlander's arrow struck my heart with full force,
It shook me all over, making it hard for the wretch to survive.
7
I start up in sleep for the Baluch mother,
The arrow-heads of Punhoon are made of steel,
Hoat did shoot the arrow, I am struggling to pull it out but can't.
8
Whoever or whatever I may be, I am handmaid of the Baluch,
How can I, a low caste woman, ever take liberty with Hoat Punhoon,
Right from the day of creation I have belonged to Aari lord,
I am not equal even of his footwear,
How can I live if I forget the Kechis?
9
Whether she lives or not, she is handmaid of the Baluch,
Because of this relationship Sassui was heard of,
He abandoned his honour but she will continue going to Hoat.
10
A handmaid of the Kechi lord, a worthless slave girl,
Both her pig-tails are in the hands of the Baluch,
Lord of Pabb will come back to ask for the Brahman woman.
11
A handmaid of the Kechis, a servant, a slave-girl,
How can they be forgotten, who dwell in the heart?
Would that no one be disgraced in the courtyard of Kechis.
vaayi
The Baluch will show grace and take me along,
He will guide the miserable himself in the name of God,
"Despair not of the mercy of Allah,"* is absolutely correct,
Abdul Lateef says, o sisters, verily he is such a Leader.
Chapter-IV
1
Sisters there is no talk, no mention of the Areechas,
They went beyond Pabb after crossing sand and gravel,
Leaving her in sorrows of separation, the poor woman's,
Beloved went away.
2
Sisters there is no talk, no mention of the Areechas,
How do I cross this vast range of mountains? Loved.
3
I cannot stand beloved's going away, may his leaving never be,
If he stays here always, I would not have to walk the mountains,
I wish to see Punhoon with own eyes close by.
4
I cannot endure beloved's going away,
It is not in my hands to stop him,
O God, guide the handmaid of Aaricha on the path,
I ask you, o goatman, to clue me in,
The carelessness of my eyes put me to such hardship.
5
I cannot bear departure of Hoat, do not talk of departing,
Stay for a night in Bhanbhore, pass a moment here,
Don't kill the wretched woman, who married you so eagerly.
6
Did you meet them, who have nearly killed me,
O brother, no strenght is left in me without them,
I told you of my suffering because it was all becoming unbearable.
7
I recognized those, who had nearly killed me,
Punhoon shot me arrows from both his eyes,
Now it is beyond physicians, beloved is her only recourse.
8
I recognized those, who had nearly killed,
My limbs had no blood joints were lifeless,
Hoat gave me medicine with his own hands.
9
Reflection of Punhoon is sometime shade, sometime sunshine,
Beloved's killing is like slaughtering of a goat.
10
The reflection of Punhoon is something bright, sometime dark,
I have come now to this variegated way,
First they will apply caustic soda and then dye me.
11
The reflection of punhoon is like silver lining of clouds,
I weep a lot on path for Aari.
12
Reflection of Punhoon is all pleasure,
I consider even a dreary day pleasant because of Punhoon,
The sufferings caused by Aari lord are sweet.
vaayi
I want to be untied with the Baluch at least once, o mates,
I cannot climb mountain, I am depressed without my friend,
Help this traveler, who is traveling on foot, to reach Punhoon,
O sisters, it was fate that brought me to Bhanbhore,
I am handmaid of Punhoon lord, a slave of his slave,
By the grace of the Gracious Lord, Kechis will be my bier carries.
Chapter-V
1
In the absence of my beloved, I am sustained by love pangs,
It is better, o mother, to die them to endure agony of beloved's separation,
Sisters, mates, the pain from which you don't suffer, I do.
2
In the absence of my beloved, I am sustained by love pangs,
The Brahman woman is facing sorrows without the Baloach
After you, my beloved, I am overwhelmed by sorrows,
How can one, who is disease-ridden, be cured, o mates?
3
How can she be cured, o mates,
Who is enveloped by pangs of separation,
Whose mind is broken by sorrows and is distressed?
O mates, I have been unwell since the beloved left.
4
I am unwell since the beloved left, o mates,
Where the highlander, my judicious beloved, has gone?
Those, who were the love of Sassui, are happy in Kech.
5
If only disclose a bit of what I have experienced, my mates,
Beasts will go dumb, mountain will split,
Trees will burn, no plant will grow.
6
If only disclose and tell a bit of what I have experienced my mates,
Beasts will go dumb, herdsmen will be paired,
Hills will be dislodged, whole of mountains will burn down.
7
O God, who have not learnt to reach Habb,
Unite such cripples with the beloved,
Lateef says, help them reach Kach, who are infirm,
O Helper, see that you do not leave them halfway.
8
I recollect plenty of sins that I have committed,
Leave me not, o true lord Aari,
Come, o patron of the have-nots, reach me on way, o guide.
9
My mates come and advice me to forget those who have gone away,
Concerned only with comfort, they do not shed bitter tears like me,
They may stay behind, sufferings are now my mates.
10
Why do mates, who have not suffered,
Come to mourn with the aggrieved,
They are not wounded inside and are weeping to show off,
Their crying out loud for my beloved is not heart-fell.
11
Why do they, who have not suffered,
Come to mourn with the aggrieved,
Their grief not heart-felt, they are weeping to show off,
Those, who are genuinely moved,
Their grief is recollected in their lament.
vaayi
They may or may not take me along, I belong to them,
Why does the perfect one be hard on this weakling,
The camelmen may stay for sometime in their land,
His saliva is precious than billions, he may give me just a drop,
The Baluch may call his handmaid while on his way,
I cannot reach him by foot, he does not rein in his camel,
Abdul Lateef says, sisters,
They will respond to the call of love and take me along.
Chapter-VI
1
How to weep before the beloved, I know not,
Raising my tears-drenched hands I roan about in wilderness.
2
How to weep before the beloved, I don't feel any urge for it,
Scorching wind in mountains, unfriendly creatures on path,
I saw the afflicted lamenting in mountain.
3
How to weep before the beloved,
I am blistered inside but cannot express,
I lament inside like a frenzied person,
I talk with tears, whereas the Baluch way is different.
4
How to weep before the beloved, I know not the path he took,
I bow my head for the Kachis and call out.
5
How to weep before the beloved, I know not his footprints,
I lament all the time, sorrows have surrounded me,
To strive and roam about in search of Aari is my destiny.
6
How to weep before the beloved, my weeping is false,
I heard different type of learnt in mountains.
7
For those, who are burnt by the fire of love,
Wilderness is a habitation,
Take your love to the seekers of truth,
The cock-eyed sees three, whereas He is one.
8
Abandoning many, go with one,
The spouse does not tolerate even twos; you,
The cock-eyed, are talking of threes.
9
You are still away from the path and forgetful and forgetful of the track,
Be familiar with the right path so that you may find the right track with your heart.
10
Seeing the Pubb mountain, see that you don't turn back, o women,
Don't fear, don't shiver, this mountain is a carpet stretched out to Kach.
11
Wind over the passes is very hot, it is scorching the plains,
This hot mountain wind has your eyes wet.
vaayi
I will humbly beseech the highlander,
I will not survive the anguish of beloved's separation,
They rode away their camels with their heavy panniers,
The highlander went away doing a doomsday to me,
Hearing my lamentation, he may halt on his way,
I threw dust over my head as Hindus do on Holi,
Lateef says, the poor woman is looking here and,
There for the beloved.
vaayi
The highlander I am looking for in mountains may take pity on me,
I am crazy for beloved, people call me mad,
Take this humble woman with you, don't leave her in mountains,
I will dye red my blouse with tears of blood,
O my mates, the arrow of Aricha has pierced my heart,
Pulling the bowstring the shot the arrow with full force,
Lateef says, God will be gracious enough to show kindness to this unworthy woman.
Sur Hussaini
Chapter-I
1
Do not wander off, sun is about to set,
Give up sluggishness and listlessness,
Don't settle down, so that you reach your,
Destination before twilight.
2
Do not wonder off, sun is about to set, have courage and move on,
Sun is in front of you; calculate not as to when it will set,
So that you be in beloved’s company at twilight.
3
Do not wander off, sun is about to set, walk by inserting up your trousers,
This is the way of those who go to Harho Mountain.
4
Sun set, it was late she saw in the mountain,
Sufferings were the only provisions of her travel,
And the miserable headed towards the oasis of Wankar.
5
O sun, don't make miserable late by setting,
I don't mind dying after seeing beloved is footprints in the mountain.
6
The Baluch went away, what should I do now?
I will wander in wilderness even after the sunset.
7
While I was sitting the sun set beyond mountain,
How long I will search footprint on rocks?
Mates, now I have to live with suffering.
8
My mates, it is all wastelands, no one should accompany me,
There is no water, distance is long, and it is thirst and stand all along,
May be someone from you die of thirst and curse my beloved.
9
Sun set beyond trees crimsoning its rays,
Mother, it killed me by spreading darkness.
10
Sun set beyond trees dying its rays,
The mountaineer I was wedded with has gone to Kech.
11
No footprint on the plains, probably they did not stay in the vicinity,
It was their last time that they fulfilled demand of love, and went away.
12
I will die and will completely be annihilated for the camel drivers,
The mountaineer made my life wretched and forced me to wander in the wilderness.
13
I saw the mountaineers, for whom I had given up my life,
I recognized the Baluchs from their swinging gait,
Mother, the mountaineers, my guardians, have come.
14
Are you sure you heard of their arrival, or vainly wailing for them?
Hundreds like you were left in wilderness by the Hots,
These Baluchs are utterly unfamiliar with compassion.
vaayi
I wish they had seen my condition,
I cannot climb to the peaks and the path is on the mountaintop,
They gave mountains in dowry to a sorrow-stricken women,
While journeying she promised with trees to give offerings,
##If I bring Punhoon with me,
I will give offerings to every tree,##
He pulcked my heart from its place like a tooth-stick from root of a tree.
He charmed my heart and made it red like pomegranate,
He sent me stones of pubs ad ornaments,
My beloved be comfortable no matter if I am sacrificed for him,
I wish I had overheard the intrigues about Punhoon's abduction,
I would not have put off my arms from around his neck,
Abdul Lateef says, he has come and all my wishes are fulfilled.
Chapter-II
1
O mother on one earth is scorched and on other my heart is on beloved's fire,
She wanders and moves forward between the two fires.
2
I am all over in blazes of beloved's fire,
Mother, you are reproaching me because you know not the reality of love,
You come near me so that I tell you the first line of sufferings.
3
Behind it rains over me and water flows down from my head,
I through it to be love but it is like a blaze of fire.
4
As Babiho* dies in scorching breeze, the breeze may blow on,
Me and I die like that bird,
##A desert bird that subsists on dewdrops and cannot bear heat it dies in the hot desert breeze.
5
May I get affected by the desert breeze as I am torn by love,
The mountaineer whom I shared my love secret with, has gone to Ketch.
6
Tears like are blood are flowing in torrents,
Inflicting wound of separation you are going away o camel driver.
7
Take away my spinning wheal from the weaving shed o mother,
The mountaineer, for whom I have been spinning, went away to Ketch.
8
Don't card and make lump expecting me that I will spin,
Kick the wheel and break it, throw the lumps in water,
The mountaineer, for whom I have been spinning, went away to Ketch.
9
Don't make cotton lumps and expect me not that I will spin,
Get them spun on wages I am head over heels in love.
10
Tie on spinning, on cotton, on weaving shed and the mates,
Putting my heart in calamitous love the mountaineer went away.
11
Mates ask me to spin, I try but thread does not come out,
I wept and blood like tears and the weaving wheel got all wet.
12
Fie on Harho Mountain, on Punhoon and love,
I accepted death on seeing the beloved.
13
Fie on their language, on Baluch and the entire community of camel drivers.
[Read original verse]14
As the day gets hotter she drives forward,
Possibly the Bhanbhan women love Baluch since eternity.
15
As the night wetter she drives forward,
The naïve has no other worry excepted of the camel drivers.
16
Neither there was any account taking nor the day became hot,
The weaving girls severed the love relationship before it.
17
So long you live burn yourself, there is no other way except the burning,
Whatever the season hot or cold, drive forward.
18
Whatever the season hot or cold, drive forward,
It may become dark and you may not be able to find footprint.
vaayi
My beloved is my bridal decoration and pride,
He is necklace of my neck that glitters,
Beloved is costume for the naked once,
Friend's sight is bright in Eid,
The beauty of Hot Punhoon has illuminated the mountainous area,
He made fragrant the wilderness and the oasis Wankar,
The mountain emitted fragrance and sweet smell spread widely,
Millions sacrificed in his name,
This bondwoman is always spellbound by his grandeur,
I sacrifice my house and the street wherefrom he will came for my mainstay,
Abdul Lateef says: o sisters, my beloved joined with me.
Chapter-III
1
While moving about suddenly some thought of beloved came in her mind,
I will leave Bhanbhore as my heart is not getting amused here.
2
The comfort of Bhanhore spoiled me,
Now I should mountains with sorrows.
3
My sisters, better escape from Bhabhore so that you are salvaged,
Previously my other friends procured woes from the place.
4
My sisters, smoke of hell is emitting from Bhanbhore,
O Sassui, consult early some guide and set out for search.
5
O sisters, I am passing days in Bhanbhore with wounds of love,
I remember the beloved, who set out on journey,
How can I forget those who proceeded on journey right from me?
6
O sisters, I prize wilderness to Bhanbhore,
Had I been in Bhanbhore I would not have searched the mountain.
7
O sisters, I prize wilderness to Bhanbhore,
It was there that I saw the matchless Aryani.
8
The naïve woman of Bhanbhore got tied up relationship,
That is why she lost her beloved by exploring mountains.
9
Bhannhore did not act sanely and did not follow the Hot,
The city could not recognize the matchless Aryani,
Those who saw him with heart only they joined the peacock like Aryani.
10
Whose saw him with their heart went after him,
Even when Punhoon secluded himself.
11
Bhanbhore was dirty, Aryani washed it clean,
The lord of Halar Mountain removed all fears of the people,
The damsels learnt to print their cloths and made effigy of the beloved on their printing seals,
That matchless came and even the grieved damsels got property up and sat on bridal bed.
vaayi
O mother, I saw fresh footprint of the beloved on rocks,
It was not erased by winds,
The dust of his feet is more fragrant than musk,
The guide in the wilderness was in front of me,
Lateef says: he will show mercy and take care of poor persons.
Chapter-IV
1
Feeling disgraced because of me the dear ones left early,
They learnt here in Bhanbhore about my caste.
2
Had I been slave girl of the Baluch,
They would not have left the miserable in miseries.
3
Hed I any blood relationship with the Aareechas, o sisters,
The mountaineer would have called me while readying for the journey.
4
Had I been of their caste I would have blamed my husband' brothers,
But I did not say a word out of reverence,
O mother, it was my caste that was degrading for the Kechies.
5
The camel drivers were ready for journey I entreated them but they did not stop,
The party departed for Kech early in the morning.
6
Had I spread my hair on their bed even then they would not have stayed.
Possibly they saw some fault in me.
7
You did not keep awake with your companions they why you weep now?
This is against the tradition that they were proceeding for journey and you asleep.
8
I don't see the comrades, who were prop of my heart,
Now on whose courtyard I go and stand expectantly.
9
Did you see my comrades whom I lost from my courtyard?
Now I shed tears red like Mujath,* for the dear ones.
10
I call them but my comrades are not responding,
The camels don not snort at the door of forsaken woman,
How great wrong are done in this bad city of Bhanbhore.
11
When I search him he is after even from Kech and when I sit he is with me.
I made a mistakes of nonsensically searching Aari lord hene and there.
vaayi
She is searching the mountains and exploring Vinder for the camel drivers, o mates,
The sufferings became her companions much before Punhoon,
O would graze his camels near the hillside,
I would happily make their reins,
While pursuing Kechies she is not looking for any favorable route,
O sisters, Shah Abdul Lateef says:, come near me o Ari lord.
vaayi
O hoat, I will give my flesh-place to the beats,
Giving up Bhanbhore I came t o your courtyard,
I cannot live without Aryani Punhoon,
The wretched is inwardly grindings woes in a millstone,
Come near o beloved, go not away from me,
I saw her, believe me, even though warn and show will not come back,
Show your face to me, I will not die without seeing you,
The sweet beloved's cup captivated her,
The love fire of bar is blazing inside me,
I will not leave you even if I am buried in each,
I will throw my body in dust keeping my head,
Hearing of holies departure she is learn up,
Raise your eyes, look at me mercifully,
Sister's, Abdul Lateef says, may the beloved show his kidness.
Chapter-V
1
The camel crossed last and went beyond Manbaan*,
Taking my husband Punhoon lord forcibly with them, they went,
Their way and took to their way,
Baluchs were my mainstay in Bhanbhore.
2
Baluchs were my mainstay in Bhanbhore,
Following other travelers, they went far away.
3
Hold it for dear life, I am crushing the armlets,
Bridal bed suits only those who are with their consorts,
They are taunting me because they have not suffered like me mother,
The family members of Aari have made me to roam about in rocks.
4
Take away all the pilows beddings o mother, and throw them away,
Whatever you gave me in dowry keep it with you,
I am st out for Wankar, I have seen the footprint of Punhoon.
5
Rocks-slabs are now my wedding bed and stone are my matresses,
Whenever I pass night beasts are mu relatives,
Because of craving for the beloved I feel rocks as palanquin.
6
The yearning which the baluch evoked in Sassui is her companion,
It was Sassui among all the people whom the yearing led to Punhoon.
7
O mother, I procured love in barter from the stranger traveler,
I suddenly developed acquaintance with these aliens,
Stop me not mother, Hoat has robbed me of my heart.
8
How did you tie your hem with of the outlanders,
You had lost senses that you made the mountaineer your consort,
O miserable Barahman woman, you thought the love of Baluch is an easy affair.
9
The neighbors did not hide my defect,
Sitting beside Punhoon they told him about my caste,
This is why the Baluchs left the helpless woman asleep.
10
Mother I am fascinated with Hussani raga,
When I listen it in day I am motivated and search with grief, in night my wounds get refreshed,
I am afraid last there is separation with the beloved.
11
What is achieved in separation, cannot be achieved in union,
My beloved came in my abode and distanced me.
12
Come around o separation, the beloved's union has distanced me from the beloved,
The wounds that yearning had caused, beloved heated them.
vaayi
Alas Punhoon has distressed me, I have no home and no honour,
I starve for camel and seeing them is a feast,
I consider the city as a desert and a desolate plain,
I am weeping in wilderness all alone and naked for Aari,
I am desperately beating my face to see him,
The dart of love is pierced badly in my heart,
The insane woman has abundant miseries,
Favor me my love, with salvia of betel-leaf,
When would it be that this miserable woman would have her abode in Kech?
You are the patron of Abdul Lateef in the next world.
Chapter-VI
1
The baluchs have come and my heart's is fulfilled,
Seeing Punhoon; entourage my entire body from toe to nails and eyes cooled,
Forgetting all worries I was immensely happy.
2
Sorrows showed her the way that leads to the beloved,
And made her to recognize the beloved and joined her to him.
3
For some persons grief is a precious commodity,
Rolling up big amount in lion cloth one should trade in grief.
4
I would give hundred comforts and my head was well,
If only I get grief in lieu of that.
5
Giving hundred comforts I bargained only one grief,
That led me and showed me footprint of the beloved.
6
Don't shake me with force, o pain already very feeble,
As salt melt in water I am melting in grief.
7
Don't go away from me o grief, the way beloved ha gone,
So that after beloved I share my love secrets with you.
8
My sorrows have shown a slightest decline,
It is like over brimmed water drawn by the Persian well.
9
My sorrow have never shown a slightest decrease,
Persian wells are drawing more water today than yesterday.
10
Sorrows show no sympathy they surge suddenly,
I have countless grieves of my beloved,
I am confronting the grieves that make one shameless.
11
Sorrows got a good chance and penetrated in my heart,
Whom I tell about them, let they flourish.
12
O grief, change not your taste, I am not sick of you,
Go not away from me at any time o grief of love,
You only go then when I join with my beloved.
13
Varied are the affliction, one surges, the other subsides,
O mother, beloved's love has perplexed me,
Mates, the dart of beloved love is struck well.
14
Dart of beloved struck me, and camel were robbers,
The dewdrops that make the camels inconvenient, may not drop,
The sight of beloved is feast for my eyes.
15
Dart of beloved struck me, do not advise me to hold back,
I will dye with blood the entire land stretched up to Kech,
The narrow mountainous passes have encompassed me.
16
Infliction struck, mountain burnt, o sisters, earth scorched,
And I gave up hope of living any more.
17
Probably all the love-inflicted women have gone away,
Now whom from I enquire about the beloved?
18
Until the love afflicted once don't gather together there can be no lamentation,
Others only wring their hands, it would be the real afflicted ones who will lament.
19
Neither there are those who weep nor are those who lament,
I am all alone with my sorrows and they are killing me.
20
Mates, had the sorrows been distributed I would have distributed them to others,
Only those who confront sorrows know it, others comprehend it not.
21
Everyone has a handful of sorrows, but I have plenty,
Peddling them I wander, but those who barter in sorrow are no more.
22
O you afflicted woman, grid your belt tightly,
Kech is very fan see that you do not die in mountain passes.
23
Sorrows are the beauty of joys, fie on the joys which are with-out sorrows,
It is because of them that the beloved came in my courtyard.
vaayi
Some secret of the beloved that beloved that is my mind shall kill me mother,
I climb mountain peaks for the sake of beloved,
I will go out and search Haro Mountain for Hoats,
O the pedestrian, take my message to the beloved,
O God help me to reach my beloved's land,
Hoat moves away and I stay on, it does not suit me,
Bury me by feet of Punhoon,
Allah, Abdul Lateef says, grant me this wish.
Chapter-VII
1
Those who all the time seek beloved, behold him,
They search in all the direction and will see his courtyard.
2
When you have solicited him you search him else enquire not about him,
Those who search are assuredly not away from Hoat.
3
I may search him again and again find him not,
Lest my craving for him dies out on meeting him.
4
I search and search and find not those who had been my yesterday's companions,
Unloading all their goods they set on journey.
5
I search you find you not, may you remain away, my beloved,
I may not pass a moment without you and my body gets not.
6
I search you and find you not, there should not be physical union,
So that the crave that is pulsating in my sisters may not be satisfied.
7
My beloved, I may search you and find you not, grant me my wish,
So that on daybreak I may after join resting a while.
8
I climbed mountain peaks and then stopped going further,
O sisters, my heart is entangled with Punhoon.
9
I climbed mountain peaks and then stopped going further,
I passed many days in mountains hoping to meet the Aaryani,
Take care of me I have settled down and am unable to take a step further.
10
I have settled down and am unable to take a step further, Arya nin come today,
The worn out woman is in love with you and she is crawling toward you.
11
Whoso will love Baluch like me,
She will crave all day long climb mountainous winding ascents.
12
Whoso will love Baluch like me,
She will climb scaffold and shed blood red tears.
13
Whoso will confide is Baluch like me,
Tears will never dry on her cheek.
vaayi
I have no influence of any sort over the camel drivers,
The burning of heart is burning the burnt one,
I will make entreaties to the lord of Kech in mountain passes,
The fresh footprint of Punhoon is fading in the mist,
My heart is thirsty for the lord Aari,
Do not kill the miserable an don't drive away camels,
I raise my eyes full with tears and look for them,
I had a momentary snoozed and they slipped away,
I Saw the love smitten woman sobbing in the mountain,
Abdul Lateef says, o sisters, she perceived glitter of a jewel.
Chapter-VIII
1
They crossed away my courtyard, I am miserable, mother,
I moan for them and will break into pieces,
It behooves me not to live as beloved has went inside.
2
They crossed away my courtyard and there is all grief,
My friend is keeping company to this insane woman the wilderness.
3
They crossed away the courtyard you now go behind the camels,
Delay not in Bhanbhore you will reach him now,
Start at once, so that you can have love talk with him in the mountains.
4
They crossed away my courtyard what this low person should do,
What I should do now is to burn the entire Bhanbhore.
5
They crossed away my courtyard leaving their bondwoman behind,
They are mounted on camel and I am a frail and feeble woman,
I walk a little, then raise hands to entreat, and then crawl and weep,
Let someone tell Punhoon that the miserable woman is in mourning.
6
With all acquaintance and intimacy they left me behind,
O sisters, I am burning like furnace for Aarichas,
It seems to be my fate to shed tears tears in the rocks.
7
With all acquaintance and intimacy they left me behind,
O sister, how can I give up Aaryani who is my own?
Whatever service I rendered Kechis did not care.
8
Had I knew that it is my fate to be separated from the beloved,
I would have washed off what is written in my fate,
Then I would have been saved from all the suffering of traveling to Kech.
9
Be aware, your dear ones are leaving you,
You will not find such Baluch anywhere else.
10
You did not made them happy and did not own over them,
Had you done it you would not have suffered that much.
11
The point wherefrom camel man drove away in groups,
Why you did not break yourself in pieces there.
12
O woman, burning fire on the way,
Break not you covenant, the group will climb mountain.
13
Get not detached from the group that will climb mountain,
You may be left behind and find not the path the group may follow.
14
They talked with twisted tongue,
O mother, that put me in confusion and I could not say anything.
15
They did not talk in any other dialect except the confusing one,
O Allah, may there not be any misunderstanding between me ad them.
16
The Kechis brought with them some dialect from Wankar,
Listening that my it became difficult for my eyes to sleep.
17
Now that you have asked for a friend put aside all restrains,
Whoso saw Hoat they kept from all religions.
18
O forest man, get along, be happy, may you not come to rief,
Tell me about the one, who is guide of the whole party,
Your too will be benefited and I will also meet the beloved.
vaayi
Pray, leave me not in mountain; I am your follower,
I am orphan without resources kindly show faithfulness off love to me,
Leaving the orphan girl in mountain go not away to Kechi,
Counting me in your companions take me with you,
I have lost my good quality you kindly show your virtue,
Come earlier to me in the garb of ascetic and attend to me,
Abdul Lateef says, o Aryani, show your mercy very early.
Chapter-IX
1
I am not incised with knife but my heart is cut by anguish,
The anguish that one can live with, killed me.
2
Knife did not cut my heart o mother,
Those who killed me I see not them in the vincinity.
3
Those who cut my limbs,
After the beloved I sew it up but it is not repaired.
4
Let those Baluchs come to Bhanbhore,
Whose following makes a low person like me, humane.
5
Forgetting playfulness shed tears and think of the companions,
I passed only few days with Hoats.
6
All the time there is mourning and lamentation in humble woman's abode,
Fire of love blazes in the heart of the love smitten,
I will melt the Haaro Mountain with my blood.
7
What for you are weeping, will Hoat return now?
O mates, her dear ones showed all the callousness that they could show,
For God sake, see that no one deceives me.
8
When I weep I am happy and when I laugh my heart burns,
My eyes will be soothed only by meeting the beloved.
9
My eyes did nothing, they did not shed blood-tears,
Upstanding they saw the beloved departing.
10
My burnt, unfortunate, and besotted eyes, say nothing,
They stop not weeping, and cannot survive without Hoat.
11
Having shed abundant blood like tears for the beloved, my eyes are worn out,
They are humbly looking at the direction of Pub,
How these eyes could be my friend who did not stop the beloved who was leaving.
12
It rained and rained, the footprint of Punhoon got covered up,
Still she is asking the way to her beloved's land.
13
Do not burn the one, who is already burnt, do not put her on fire,
And like ironsmith put her in water only once.
14
The love-incinerated woman shed blood like tears beneath dwarfish trees,
Would anyone tell me when is it likely to meet the beloved agai.
15
While walking in the courtyard the footprint Punhoon left,
It has become now necessary for me to look at those constantly.
16
No matter if I die, I will be known in my mates,
I may stay as bondwoman in the vicinity of Punhoon.
17
If you kill the wretched she will be relieved of all fear,
I am not alive while suffering pangs of your separation.
18
I am neither living nor dead,
I wish to take a last breath while remembering you.
19
Had you died yesterday you would have united with beloved on that day,
We have never heard that any one in good physical condition met her beloved.
20
I have to die one day, let me die on the way to beloved,
So that beloved is responsible for my death.
21
Bear hardship in Pun for Punhoon,
So that all your mates praise you for the time.
22
The mountaineers of Kech are not related to that, who sleeps,
Climb on scaffold if you talk of love.
23
O mountain passes did the helms of the mountaineers' garments touch you?
##O mother, they passed by us weeping more then you##.
24
Some dart of Kechi's love pierced her,
The poor woman become target ad cared not for her life.
25
The villagers told her that; Kech is afar, and distance is long,
Listening this she accelerated pace with more vigor.
26
O villagers, give me some indication of the camel man,
Is it true they had Punhoon with them.
vaayi
I will go from here to my native place,
Though the distance is long but I will reach the goal,
With God's grace I will find the wonderful in mountains,
O mates when I will be match to the came drivers,
I will intimately reproach Hoat,
I will complain to him about all that I have suffered in his separation,
Abdul Lateef says, I will meet him in my hut.
Chapter-X
1
Calling for her beloved she takes every step with gusto,
They will not climb bridal who retract and die.
2
Accelerate your pace express not slightest repentance,
Suffering are adornment to those who crave for beloved.
3
Stop not calling, call him again and again,
May be he remembers you on your way to him.
4
Call again and again so that all trees are reverberated,
Beloved is at long distance, may the mountaineer hear you.
5
The mountaineer came as if like a dagger to kill the poor woman,
May the mountaineer livelong, no matter if I die.
6
You waste time by sitting down, and enquire from the passersby,
Ho you naïve, will join the beloved.
7
You sit and waste time, this is not the way of love,
Severe all the connections, which hold you back.
8
You sit and waste time and still you claim relationship with Punhoon,
O stupid, he is stranger and has no relationship with you.
9
The neighbors know not how much painful night I passed,
Bhanbhan is wounded with Baluchi's stare,
And she with her grief headed towards the beloved.
10
Some woman in the neighborhood wept and my wounds got refreshed.
I will put beloved's perspiration in my wounds,
My beloved, I sacrifice all my life for you.
11
I have no rest today. I saw the Punhoon's companions making preparation,
They are packing up their luggage to proceed to their native place.
12
She did every possible effort for the mountaineer,
She enquired from every wayfarer about the where abouts of Punhoon's brothers,
The one who slept away, searched mountains of Lasbella and plains and paths.
13
Do some favor o Kechi, to a low person like me,
I, the destitute, am your bondwoman,
Come you mountaineer, and console the miserable.
14
Do some favor to Kechi, to a low person like me,
I am your bondwoman o Baluch,
Laeve me not you are my hope that you will join me.
15
The suffering I am experiencing were in my fate even when I was swinging in cradle.
I was brought up in comfort so that I suffer all these miseries.
16
Sorrows fostered me and suffering brought me up,
Sayyad says, happiness was not my fate,
Perhaps I was part of the creeper of woe.
17
As she was born she faced woes and as she grew up she lost all comfort,
This humble person was destined to get these two.
18
Sorrows got prepared and proceeded in advance of me,
Let us search them, who had gone to Vinder,
I will not change Hoat and make others my friend.
19
This night also was over and she proceeded to Haaro Mountain,
She enquires from every wayfarer about punhoon at dawn.
20
There is no longing, no craving and no talk about it,
Not even casual allusion to it, perhaps love evaporated.
21
Those who seek craving they have plenty of it,
It cannot be procured from market shops, search and you will.
22
You with whom I am entangled in love, you come, I long for you,
What you will do for me after death, do that in my life.
23
Despair not, I am not away from you,
Apparently we are away from each other's sight but our limits is the same.
24
If you have seen them tell me about them in the name of Allah,
My eyes are shedding tears day in and day out for them.
25
It was only last night that I had dyed red my shirt in ecstasy of the mountaineer's love,
Next day morning o sisters, it drenched it with tears if anguish.
26
On my bridal night my mates distributed cloth with affection,
It appears that at that time my mother was offering stones of.
27
Sometime o mates, beloved's thought surges suddenly,
I burn all over, even my breaths start burning.
28
You did not do for Kechis what should have been done for them,
You dragged on and did not take step forward.
vaayi
Even camels felt sorry for the sufferings of Sassui,
The camel drives ornately saddled their camels,
They are being beaten with sticks, the step not back,
The reins of camels are in hands of their masters,
The mountain echoed with sounds of the camel drivers,
Hoats care not for you o Sassui any more,
Abdul Lateef says, may the beloved meet me.
vaayi
She fastened her steps there where she recognized footprint of beloved,
It was out of love that she recognized footprints of the beloved,
They went away to Vankar and this simpleton thought they were there,
Where is that mountaineer who invoked love in her and made her wander in the mountain?
Where mango trees, lemons and other varieties of fruits abound,
I will die over there otherwise you reach me there,
Probably they were annoyed that they abandoned me,
Abdul Lateef says, she met her friend in mountain passes.
Chapter-XI
1
Beloved's love is all pain,
Punhoon's brothers, while leaving conferred on me hardships of mountains.
2
The camel man did not do what Aari had instructed them to do,
How it is possible to reach Kech with such merciless persons?
3
As Aari had instructed them to do, the camel drivers did not do,
She leaped and went out of village,
She gave sacrifice of her life and slept on the path of the plains.
4
O mountain passes, did the mountaineers stayed for a while near you?
For whose craving I shed tears of blood last night.
9
Some rain of Ari's yearning showed on her,
As such her love for Baluch is not subsiding.
10
You do see Kech my mates, the land of Baluchs,
Punhoon has entwined me with his love.
11
The lord of Kech is pallbearer of Sassui's dead body,
She was restless to see her beloved,
Lateef says: Aaryani himself brought her from the mountain passes,
And the humble woman got the chance to be buried of the feet of Punhoon.
12
Many are victims of horse, whereas I am victim of camel riders,
Whoso will speak love will be bear the hardship like me.
13
The delicate fingers and typical Baluchi from of foot,
Come and see mates, the fresh footprint of Punhoon,
The camel driver did immense cruelty to her.
vaayi
O mother, my life breath is gone with the beloved, how can I stay in Bhanbhore now,
I cannot forget their yes full of love,
How can I restrain my heart that melts for them,
O mother, clasping my hands I implore the beloved,
Abdul lateef says, o sisters, I may meet the beloved.
vaayi
Mother, I have no hold over myself, I am pierced with beloved's dart,
I am broken into piece on the winding paths of Pab,
Even if I have to die my heart will be knotted with kech,
I lost myself on the track of Punhoon, I am liberated,
I have to live with blind people and I am miserable for that,
I have no relative in this big city of Bhanbhore,
I slept earlier and this distanced me from union with beloved,
I am entangled with lord Punhoon and it made are miserable,
Allah, he may not forget me whose sight is source of my life,
I will seek beloved's union so for I will live,
Abdul Lateef says: I will meet the beloved.
vaayi
I did not know that they would take away my beloved Hoat,
I did not know, I could not apprehend,
They practically killed this low woman, and cut into piece the Banbhan woman,
I may see with my eyes the abode of my friend,
The loved ones left earlier and you are enquiring now,
You did not tether the camels and hold them back at that time,
Brahman woman's heart is on fire.
Chapter-XII
1
Had they seen the Baluch as I saw him,
They would have asked me to search, and would themselves had been in the mountains.
2
I don't blame my mates, as they did not see the Hoat,
Had they seen him they would have been weeping with hands on their heads.
3
Perhaps they saw Baluch in different way,
Had they seen him as I had seen they would have lost senses like me.
4
Perhaps they saw Bluch in different from,
Otherwise they would not have forgotten him during day and night.
5
Had you seen o mates, peculiar smile of Punhoon,
You would have been wrapped all over in pain.
6
Had you met Hoat Punhoon like me,
You would have put your hand in mouth and would have cried in wilderness.
7
Had you talked Baluch, mother,
You would not have forgotten their conversation.
8
I wish to be unwell today and not get well,
I cry and crawl along the road after Punhoon and his party.
9
M mountain, all my anguish may not be known except the beloved,
Staying here has become impossible for me, who will bear comforts,
I had only love relationship with Hoat, I don't claim to be in full relationship with him.
10
All my other mates have full relationship is only of love,
I have some secret of the mountaineer in my mind,
I had a bit of love, I don't claim to be in full love.
11
Continue wailing, forget it not,
Weep nor manifestly, shed blood tears covertly,
Patience has great strength, it unties lovers very early.
12
Alas, alas those with high qualities are going away,
Is it true that the loved ones of the voyager are readying to leave?
Mother, my expectation of his coming back are never over.
13
Alas, I now cannot moan the way windows moan,
Who would shed tears blood for Punhoon?
14
Alas, they have gone far away,
O mother, when would crows hover on me to give tidings of his coming?
15
Silence of beloved will kill you, shed not blood tears,
Don't lose heart, but remember that one loses beloved with ego.
16
To whomsoever one is coupled with in this world he is tied with him in next world also,
Those who do not perceive Hoat here how would they perceive him in Kech.
17
As people restrain me the more I am determined,
The non-series persons talk about love and people believe them,
You trample over them in their sleep and go after Punhoon,
Go out of Bhanbhore and search Aryani out there.
18
I am on crooked path whereas others are in a company on the straight path,
Whoso will talk of love will be in trouble like me.
19
The one who died on the goal faced no trouble of any sort,
If you me to death, all my worries will be over.
20
My heart is tied with the beloved with some rope,
There is some knot so strongly fixed I try to open it but it is not opening.
21
I don't know what happened and where I am going to?
I repent and twist my heads, wrist and fingers,
There is beating of drums in others' houses, but I lost my friend.
22
I thought I have advanced towards my goal but I am still there wherefrom I started my voyage,
My love is long-standing, it is better that I die now.
23
Males, grief of the beloved is in company with me in the wilderness,
It is this grief that showed me the perfect mountaineer.
24
There are inclines and declines in the mountains, I consulted the experts,
##Those who go alone can be animals## prey,
This is a difficult land, hence journey without guide is hazardous.
25
There are uncountable robbers in the wilderness,
O you woman on foot take some guide along with you.
26
There are many Baluchs but my Punhoon is their lord,
Riding a camel he will take care of the helpless,
He would put his hand on the heads of the helpless ones.
27
There are many BAluchs but Aaryani is my mainstay,
I selected him out of all and kept him in my mind,
The one who is sold out at Vinder she can hardly return back.
28
The one who is forsaken by her consort people call her mad,
They are naked in weaving yard without Hoat,
They only know him who have seen him.
29
Seeing the camel I hopped these may be of the Baluchs,
Without whom let there be cataract in my eyes.
30
Whoso saw the beloved retracting become reproach for them,
This is way of love smitten that they die on beloved's path.
31
Great are the uneven mountainous paths and I sacrifice all the comfort of Bhanbhore for them,
O mother, the precious stones you offer me are of no use for me,
My heart is once and for all coupled with Baluch.
32
She has such a love with Baluchs that,
If they are rude with her, she responses them with courtesy.
33
It is good that I had relationship with Baluchs,
I followed them and thus I saw Kech.
34
Would any one of you accompany me sisters, my spouse is in mountains,
I will apply henna of Malir on my limbs,
Making Aari Jam my mainstay I will go to Vinder.
35
It befits you to go after Punhoon,
The camel of the mountaineer went away while you were asleep.
36
The camel drivers are not taking me to their homeland,
If they make me one of their long robe wearing ladies I will serve more than all their ladies.
37
There was a time when I had a high position and Punhoon used to wash my cloths,
Now my position is such that camel drivers are not taking me along.
38
Where did the mountaineer go with them, now where I find him?
I thought I would go along with them in mountains.
39
The mountaineer makes me to undertake journey of difficult plains,
And shows me lands which I had never seen before.
40
The identity mark of the grief-stricken is that their shirt is torn at shoulder,
They are deep in grief but never disclose it to other,
Sorrows had been in love with us since childhood.
41
Torn shirt at shoulder and bare head,
Sister, what is left for me in Bhanbhore?
42
O wretched woman, you developed relationship of love with Punhoon,
It was like deliberately facing death,
You were happy and hearty but you willingly put yourself in the fire,
These Hoats will make you suffer by tomorrow morning.
43
Mother accompany me up to outside Bhanbhore,
May that we meet not and talk not again.
44
Coming outside Bhanbhore when I made many calls,
The camelcade of Baluch crossed the mountain passes earlier.
45
My palms are injured by walking constantly on stones,
But I am bearing it because I have some secret of the mountaineer in my heart.
46
Don't talk of love, ways of love are very difficult,
Avoid not sorrows, ask for more.
47
Whoso saw the beloved she made him ornament of her neck,
How others know its value except the connoisseur.
48
Loose not heart o Sassui, you will get all comfort and happiness,
It for your love that the mountaineer has come with his camelcade.
49
On hearing about the martyrdom of Hussain Bibi Fatima lamented in Hussaini raga,
It was after that the people came to know about the tragedy.
vaayi
I made cries and all efforts, they went away very far,
My Hoat did not come back,
The ropes of love were tied to me even when I was in cradle,
I sent many messengers to Kech for the beloved,
I had to bear grief of friend for all the time ever,
While departing, the calls that Hoat made, I could not listen,
Abdul Lateef says, mates, the Aryani will come to me.
Melody Of Cupidity
Chapter-I
1
The wound of your parting is ever smarting the helpless
For God sake, do not away, my love,
Come, so that diamond in flames in your presence.
2
I throw the diamond in flames, neclace in hell,
Only if my love relents, I will be honoured even in my
shabbiness.
3
I throw the diamond in flames, necklace in hell,
O damsel, Sayyad says, how can you be at repose?
The king is very possessive and self-willed,
Dread of his reign is all over,
How come you bartered the chieftain, the coolness of your eyes?
4
If people are sharp Chaneser is four times more,
Alas, you preferred necklace and severed relation with him.
5
O simpleton, being bewitched you craved to possess it,
By talking to Chanesar you distanced him from yourself,
It changed your fate and you suffered pangs of separation.
6
Bewitched by the diamond you went on to possess the necklace,
But such temptation have disgraced millions,
The lord turned away his face and you suffered sorrows of separation.
7
Beautiful designs and the floral patterns of the necklace made me made,
I through I would win the necklace in stake, and have it forever,
But Kounroo's move was cleverer than mine.
8
Jewels affixed on the necklace, which lured you, were all fake,
These were, in fact, mere counterfeit beads,
Such delusions and temptations have separated many from the friend.
9
What you look for necklace is in fact the neckband of sorrows,
Chaneser forsook you and become consort of the mind,
May not the lord be displeased with any one.
10
When I did not have armlets on my arms, necklace around my neck,
I had neither combed and smoothed my hair,
Nor applied antimony or any other make up,
It was then I was favorite of my consort.
11
When I wore golden earrings, ruby necklace,
Oiled and dressed my hair,
It was then that he forsook me.
12
Chaneser already had something up in his sleeves,
Necklace was only a pretext for forsaking me.
13
Once Chaneser was annoyed with you, and Jakharo had
Tearfully pleaded,
O beautiful lady, you did not realize that the lord had cast you,
Out of his heart,
The necklace was only a pretext.
14
He had already been displeased with me, necklace was only an excuse,
Listen my mates, the consort is under no one's obligation,
He straightaway dismisses all claims on him.
15
Seeing Chanesar's foot awkwardly placed on my foot on the lid,
I had then a premonition that he would disdain my love.
16
Chanesar my consort, I had never expected kounroo sleep with,
You under the same quilt and become your mate in the palace.
17
O my love, why you scorn me,
I sit by the foot of your bed and leave day forlorn and dejected.
18
With tears in her eyes she packed up, mounted her camel in king's courtyard,
Bringing the camel a sitting position,
She said, "Go, tell Chaneser that Leela is leaving for good."
vaayi
Vaaee
Chanesar my love, come to my abode, I have given up necklace,
Both outsiders inquire about leela and conspire about leela,
I have given up the necklace,
They took away chaneser by betraying my trust,
I have given up the necklace,
O my lord, cover all my flaws, faults and blemishes,
I have given up the necklace,
How can I now indulge in coquetry at your door?
I have given up the necklace
Abdul lateef says, I have come to your door,
I have given up the necklace.
Chapter-II
1
Lured by the necklace she slipped and lapsed in pride,
All who visited her, called her a delinquent,
Her heart burnt with their taunts,
She forgot even the carefree days of her childhood.
2
May be what I did was not proper in my mates eyes,
That is why they all laugh at me.
3
You were clever and thought you knew you consort very well,
You thought you would look beautiful by wearing necklace,
But the consort does not like fakes even if lavishly adorned,
For he knows them inside out.
4
I though the moment I will climb his cot I will charm him,
But it is God who presents maids instead.
5
I was cleverest in the whole vicinity, smartest among the mates,
I erred, I can't lift my face now.
6
O God, I wouldn't want to be wise for wisdom causes grief,
I was in my ignorance that my beloved favoured me.
7
I was the first lady, my house thronged with friends,
My touching the necklace caused my consort to turn his face,
Away from me,
I fell from his grace, now I bear the scar of separation.
8
As a first lady in the realm of chanecer,
I was greeted with beating of drums and playing of flutes,
I fell from his grace, loneliness become my lot.
9
I rocked in royal swings, unmindful of consequence,
The incident of necklace created an ugly situation,
The beloved parted, putting me in distress.
10
The most dreadful blunder of married women,
It is their ego for it estranges the consort.
11
Fire on that wifehood that causes self-absorption,
Better prefer separation if it satisfies your consort.
12
O you quarreted with your consort and reproached him,
Not realizing what is in his mind,
(regarding retribution)
13
By talking back to Chanesar you exposed yourself,
You hadn't the measure of whom you regarded as your own,
That is how you lost your consort to kaurnoo.
14
Leela, do not expose yourself by talking back to Chanesar,
Stupid, by quarrelling with him you have harmed yourself,
You fool, you have yourself brought on the stigma of separation.
15
Beautiful Leela, do not show off before one, who knows everything,
Fool, your conceit to your forsaken,
You will certainaly lose in argument.
16
You can not vie with him by talking back to him,
Whom you think your own is highly jealous king,
He does not like any one to love any but him.
17
Don't show off by arguing with Chanesar king,
Your friend Dasro is very forbearing, do, not expose yourself,
Let him be your shield and cover all your faults.
18
Leela don't expose your self by talking back to Chanesar king,
The consort belongs to none, neither you nor to me,
I have seen many a favorite one sobbing at his door.
19
Leela, if you have learnt lesson, give up all scheming,
Roll your head scarf round your neck as a sign of complete submission,
If you beseech him for forgiveness he will never ask you to leave.
20
If your entreaties can bring your consort back placate him with sobs,
Continue your entreaties, this is a place where only entreaties count.
21
If he is not moved by your entreaties, persists in your entreaties,
Do not give up hope, the beloved is immensely merciful.
vaayi
Vaaee
He will fovour me again, the consort will come back to me,
I will die on my way to the destination, thinking of you,
The consort will come back to me.
O beloved, you can bear this separation but I can't,
The consort will come back to me.
There is no one for me but you to confide in,
The consort will come back to me.
Abdul Lateef says o mates, the beloved has shown grace,
The consort will come back to me.
Chapter-III
1
Never ever should a woman take liberty and coquette with chanesar,
I latter realized that coquetry was unavailing here,
When displeased he loses no time in turning out his dear ones.
2
Never ever should a woman take liberty and coquette with chanesar,
The consort does not like pride and vanity in any one,
Even a trivial lapses incurs his displeasure,
He loses no time in turning out his dear ones.
3
All are his dear wives and all have necklace round their necks,
They embellish lavishly to win the consort's favour,
But he consort, only with those who behave humbly.
4
All are his dear wives, all have necklaces round their necks,
They made all efforts to win his favour,
But he takes to those who behave meekly.
5
All are his dear wives, all have lavishly adorned themselves,
Each one of them is sure that the beloved would visit her abode,
But he want to the doors of those who, knowing their flaws,
Were blushing red.
6
O Dasra! I have erred aplenty and have come to your door,
If you intend to be cross I am too week to vie,
O forgiver, forgive me in the name of God.
7
If I no sense regard your own qualities my love,
You always overlook countless lapses of insensible persons,
It is your way and mettle that you cover for the morally destitutes.
8
Do not asses me by virtues, I have none,
O my consort, do honor me with a visit.
9
O Dasra, comfort me with kind words of hope,
You are my consort and I am your seeker,
Cover up my love, so that I may live with honor,
Among the people.
10
My beloved, do not repel me, I am truly base,
It's your love that has cast me on earth,
You alone are my husband, while you have many wives.
11
You have numerous wives while you alone are my husband,
Come to me, my love,
O beautiful and smile woman, if he relents don't take pride in it,
Come to my abode with love, oblige the wretched women that I am.
12
Numerous beautiful woman are yours wives, you are their consort,
Do not leave me, Dasra, and do not make me blameworthy,
I have put my headscarf round my neck, its both ends are in your hands.
13
My love, you have distanced yourself from me that I can't bear,
O consort, you have many wives whereas you alone are my all,
Time husband, kindly oblige the wretched women, do come to me.
14
Leela, do not grieve so much, get up, clean your countyard,
Offer yourself and all your ancestors as specific to your beloved.
15
Leela, do not writhe in pain, grieve not, get up, sweep your courtyard,
The consort has become to the abode of a lowly person like you.
vaayi
Vaaee
Would that I see the beloved during my life,
O my kind beloved, do not withdraw your kindness from me,
O Allah, grant me company of my beloved,
I will remove dust from his feet with my eyelashes, and place,
My hands on them,
I saw my beloved from a distance, he is true to the praises I
Have heard of him, he did not hesitate in meeting his lover,
Abdul Lateef says, he granted my request.
Melody Of Self-Redemption
Chapter-I
1
Yesterday we meet a begging, incense burning ascetic,
Scarf around his head, fine-looking rosary around his neck,
He described Moomal's beauty and wounded our hearts.
2
Yesterday we met ascetic, lustrous like a full moon,
He awakened yearning and pangs of separation in our hearts.
3
3-yesterday we met an ascetic one watch after sunrise,
Behold his elegant countenance, eyes shedding bloody tears,
Any come face to face with Moomal, seldom returns.
4
Yesterday we met an ascetic smeared with dung-ash,
Green shawl on his shoulders, golden rosary around his neck,
Tell us about Moomal's deluding alure.
5
Yesterday we met an ascetic besmeared with dung ash,
We acquired peace from his presence.
6
The begging ascetic got rapturous in wilderness,
Talking about Kaak, tears trickled down his eyes,
Some sharp point pricked his heart, his healed wound seemed to open up.
7
As arising sun glows, ascetic's countenance seemed to glow,
His hair, folded on his head like a crown, emitted fragrance,
He guided us to the place whence he acquired his lustre.
8
As rising sun is ablaze, so was his countenance,
No one can face its glow,
Had he crimsoned his face with lac or Paan?
It was because his heart overflowed with sweetheart's love.
9
The ascetic burnished all over with love,
He was born as moth, ablaze like sun,
He come to banks of kaak and got crimsoned by the maidens.
vaayi
O my friend, my fellow traveler, get ready,
When would we depart for kaak,
Millions have gone towards ludaano,
When would we depart for kaak,
The messenger from the Benevolent One has brought the call,
When would we depart for kaak,
He will hand you a message, leave here now,
When would we depart for kaak,
Abdul Lateef says, ##I am on my way to the beloved##
When would we depart for kaak.
Chapter-II
1
O loin-clothed crimson ascetic, tell us about Gujar maidens you saw?
Your eyes shed red tears,
O Saami, why didn't you disclose the beauty you perceived?
2
Pupils of the Gujer maiden are like hatchets,
She strikes hard kings and nobles,
Behold the graves of the outlander along the banks of Kaak.
3
Gujer girl dares charm the veteran charmers,
She out shoots those who shoot two arrows at a time.
4
Her eyes have diamonds of amour,
Noble or commoner whosoever goes there is slain without distinction.
5
Her eyes have pincers of amour,
She looks at the rulers fluttering her eyelids,
A single glance at her suitors, whoever goes there is slain.
6
Moomal kills princes, her glance bewilders expert hunters,
She has tantalized many men of learning and saints,
She particularly shoots arrows at those whose heads are adorned with dadem.
7
The ascetic jolted and perplexed us,
There is limitless love at the banks of Ludano,
You go there, you will find over-flowing streams of love.
8
Let us get on the kaak landing where love erupts in waves,
There is no restrain of any sort, every one can perceives beloved.
9
Let us get on the kaak landing where love is engendered,
Be it day or night, every one perceives beloved.
10
Let us get on the Kaak landing where big caldrons are bubbling over,
Millions get dyed in a pannish saliva.
11
O camel, drive fast, that is the purpose your masters have kept you,
Sayyad says, "step carefully on the incline of Ludano,
You be will face to face with Moomal by evening or morning,
As willed by Sodho, will graze on lotus flowers of Kaak.
12
Walnuts, grapes, fine branches of sandal wood, musk and lotus،
Flowers there abound,
Untouched they are, even bumblebees have not hovered around them,
Stride along, so that we may perceive the maidens and lotuses of Kaak.
13
What if camel is not fully grown, it strides quite fast,
It will reach Kaak like a flying bird,
Camel of your breed is not a slow mover.
14
O camel, climb the Kaak banks and get out of woods,
Lateef says, "No one has ever come back from Ludano,
Many having reached there, forget their flock."
15
All four friends, expert hunters, climbed kaak,
Rano thoughtfully threw beetle nut (in artificial stream),
Marching on to Kaak they reached where fair Moomal was,
They trampled lotuses of Kaak and did not return.
vaayi
The Rajpoots Ranas, would surely perceive Moomal,
Learned and noblemen, holymen,
Nobles and kings will eventually die,
All will sbmit to God's will and leave here,
O my Guide, when I depart I may have kalma on my lips,
O my Lord, make easy my departure from the world,
O Ahmed, may you come to my relief at the difficult time,
Never leave this mendicant alone o my guide and leader!
"All living things taste death" true is the writ,
What is predestined has to take place,
"Mare," "says Abdul Lateef, " The sublime one will be gracious to me.
Chapter-III
1
As are red roses, so are their dresses,
Their back-not hair is soaked with jasmine oil,
There are cries of exultation all over,
Sayyad says, perceiving their beauty one feels sting of love,
Seeing their attire onlookers are tongue-tied.
2
As green are the betel leaves, so are their shawls,
Back-knot hair is smelling of musk,
Bodies refreshed with attar and ambergris,
Lateef says, "She is attired in multihued gorgeous dress,"
Her heart delighted at the thought of her betrothal to Rano.
3
Gold-bodied Gujar maidens, play with silver,
Aloe burns in parlors, beds smell of musk,
They bath with tray-full of ambergris,
Gallant lovers, standing in rows of two, are afire perceiving such beauty,
Lateef says, they become ascetic for seeing beloved,
The kaak-crimsoned ascetic are about to arrive.
4
The kaak-crimsoned ascetic, their colour fades not,
Tippers drank and bitter wine made them drunk,
Attaining height of ecstasy they moved on,
Enraptured with love in Ludano, they yearn for union.
5
Enraptured with love in Ludano they yearn for union,
They drank wine of Kaak yesterday, their eyes are red even today,
Poor fellows forgot about tomorrow and away from the beloved,
They become like Mamoees,
Behold, beloved's beauty has dyed them crimson.
6
Those who are dyed crimson their color dissolves not,
Though washed in esteem, Hallar's dye fades not,
Even launderers cannot wash its redness off.
7
The Kaak banks where the mates wash their scented hair,
There bumblebees come lured and fall into the so perfumed water,
Inhaling the perfumes the gallant lovers are smitten with love,
And shed tears of blood.
8
The place where she lured Ranas by perfuming her back-knot hair with musk,
It is love that vibrates there all around now,
Sodho* is gone making Moomal lovelorn and the whole place desolated.
9
The Gujar girl had wounded many, now is she who is wounded,
It is Rano, who pierced her heart with dart of love.
10
Raano's countenance is matchless, more elegant than any one else,
Lateef says he came and applied red hue of Ludano and dyed Moomal red (with love),
Now there is no other utterance, all is Mendharo.
11
Rano's countenance is matchless, Sodho is beauty of all,
He washed dirt of all the hearts,
There is no other pleasure, all is Mandharo.*
12
Rano's countenance is matchless Though there are other,
Wise Sodas also He strained bow of love,
Many celebrities gave up their claim,
There is nothing else, all is Mendharo.
13
Leaving Kaak at corner, they transcended themselves,
Lateef says the people of Ludano truly recognized Sodho,
Moomal was left behind; all was Mendharo.
14
Leaving Kaak behind they surpassed themselves,
What can Nater do to them who crossed Lodano.
15
Kaak could not stop Lahootis, places did not seduce them,
Mistresses and maids failed to bridle them,
The divines left behind millions like them.
16
Leaving behind millions of them the divines went away,
The mistresses of kaak now beat their breasts and putting ash in their hair,
It was later learnt that they had wounded all the Sodhees.*
17
Kaak could not stop them, nor wealth seduced them,
They wounded Sodhees, they are in distress,
The damsels showed all blandishment and used ruses, but the,
Lahootie divines went ahead.
18
O Moomal, even if you are not destined to unite with Rano,
Retrace not your steps; your love will lead you to him,
Weep not, though reproached, cling to him.
19
Even if I am not destined to unite with you,
It is enough for me o my love, that I am reproached.
20
With all your reproaches I am yours, you are my reproach,
I am benefited by reproaches in a way none else has been benefited.
21
With your reproaches I lost my self,
Millions came but Sodho removed my doubts,
Kaak is torture for me, come soon my love.
22
Kaak rivulet is Crimson; do not think it is blood that fows,
This water is syrup of love O Sodha.
vaayi
O Raana Mendhra, pray, do not forget me,
All around people taunt me about you,
Pray, do not forget me,
I smiled at some one, Raana become jealous.
Chapter-IV
1
I kept the candle burning till the rays of sun appeared,
Come back Mandhra, for God's sake, I am dying,
Yearning and longing for you I flew crows of Kaak.
2
While I stood waiting stars appeared and then disappeared,
All night I was on the watch out for Mendharo and his camel,
Tears flowed down my cheeks, and sun rays appeared.
3
I kept burning lamps of flower oil till call for dawn prayer sounded,
I don't know what was reason of Dholo's stay in Dhat,
Mount your camel, come my love,
I have flown crown of Kaak in varied ways to bring tidings of your coming.
4
Turning of the wicks up consumed all oil in lamp,
Come back my love riding your camel,
Night passed away crying for Raano.
5
Pleiades faded out while triple stars arose,
Raano did not come, his time of coming passed,
Damn the wretched night that passed without beloved,
Raano is resting in Dhutt leaving me in woe.
6
Without Sodho, o mates, the whole house seems deserted,
My colour has faded in your separation, o Raano,
Heart is torn apart, body is yearning for you,
Beinng in love with you, I inquire about you from whoever goes past.
7
Sodha, you know all about me,
You are the solace of my soul I can't sit still,
I inquire about from every one whoever goes past.
8
Many Dhattis came, my heart is entwined with Sodho,
Mendharo applied some kind of henna to my body,
I try to forget him, but he is all the time present before my eyes.
9
Last night Raano revealed some secret to me,
After that I am disconcerted without him,
Gone though he is, he will be back I hope.
10
When all were asleep, Sodho revealed some secret to me,
If it is disclosed none will sleep, o mates.
11
Raana, I waited for you every day,
The love-talk of my Rano is inscribed on my soul,
Rivets of love have joined my soul with you.
12
You are the plesure of my heart, the jewel and the lord of earth,
O Sodha, brides are craving for your company,
O the perfect one and the lord of Kaak, do not forsake me.
vaayi
Ride back your camel, I pass night in tears,
For God sake, ride back your camel,
House and all it contains I give up, sweet scent suit me not,
It did not behave you to desert Kaak,
I am facing taunts of my mates for your sake,
I will be happy if you step into my home conciliated,
Abdul Lateef says, O God, bring the beloved back to her home she misses him.
Chapter-V
1
You have attached yourself to a lion, don't ever turn back,
Follow him with love and sincerity,
O Moomal, never shower your charms on commoners,
On judgment day you will remember Sodho a great deal.
2
Go straight on the path, never turn back,
Or you will be dealt a neck, twisting slap, says Lateef.
3
Never turn back, go straight on the path,
Today or tomorrow they will lay you in dust.
4
The earth under my feet is over many of my dear ones,
We saw many braves overlaid with dust,
Life lasts only a few days, get up and seek right path.
5
The dear ones packed up, rode away on their mounts,
While here they never harmed anyone.
6
How come you took Raano for a plaything and dallied with a fake?
He was annoyed to see you with a stranger,
Alas, you broke faith and will now wail for him.
7
Be not cross, take not offence ride your camel near,
Tighten its saddle belt anon,
Lead them all who repent their lapses,
Come, revel in musk and delight my heart.
8
Be not cross, take not offence, unsaddle
Your camel nearby,
Kaak and fragrant quilts are repulsive without you,
Come, revel in sandal, delight my heart.
9
Take not offence, it is not good, reconcile, don't go away,
My little lapses has caused me wounds of separation,
Lateef says, bless me with guidance,
I came to you so that I may get peace.
10
Be not cross, take not offence, it is not good, be not unkind,
Forge all my vices, come with kind heart, and be equitable,
Lateef says, there is no match of my beloved' beauty,
Cover my blemishes so that I delight.
11
Take not offence, it is not good, be not obstinate,
O sagacious Mendhra, overlook my ugliness,
O perfect one! Cover my weakness and immaturity,
Forgive my lapses so that I delight.
12
Kaak burnt, trees withered, I am afire,
Leaving his walking stick, his doubting my fidelity kills me,
I will not survive, come soon, my beloved.
13
13-Kaak burnt, trees withered, palaces are aflame,
O mates, the love of Sodho has put me sorrows of separation,
My sufferings many, come soon my beloved.
14
Kaak burnt, trees withered, and deluxe palaces are aflame,
Without you, fears lurk in my heart,
O beloved, fulfill all the promises you made with me.
15
Kaak burnt trees withered, Ludaano scorched,
After you may chamber wear morose look,
O Mendhra! It is not fair to be indifferent to those who are lifeless.
16
I make offering of my life my wealth, and the Ludaano,
Would that beloved of the infatuated devotees, may never turn away from them,
O Mehndhra! This is not fair to be indifferent to those who are lifeless.
vaayi
He stays away for many days, some one may advise him,
To have mercy and reconcile with me,
He is building houses and huts over there,
O Mendhra, I am sending a deputation to reconcile with me,
I wish Mendhro might not turn down my request,
The wounded one is shedding torrents of tears,
I will make offering of my life if he brings his camel,
Lateef says, he may come from Ludano to me, the wretched one.
Chapter-VI
1
No heir, no support, no kith and kin,
Pain surges like fire after you left my love,
O messenger, deliver this message to the lord of Dhatt.
2
Convey carefully my message to the lord of Dhatt,
The wound of separation is painful,
Would that you rode your camel to this base person.
3
O sagacious Sodha, ride your camel to this base person,
What use is Kaak, my whole body is yearning for you,
Free your heart of doubt, come to the one who misses you all the time.
4
Forbear and forgive my love, come to longing one's abode,
O you the source of my life! Even moment's separation is unbearable,
Come and cure me of pain with your amorous glances.
5
Cure me of pain with your loving compassionate glance,
I look forward to a love chat with you,
Find time to come and see condition of quilts and pillows of our wedding bed.
6
See the condition of quilts and pillows,
Seeing bed that has touch of your body, my heart bleeds,
On one side parents are unkind, on other side my beloved does,
Not turn up.
7
If my love Mendharo comes from Ludaano,
I will give whatever I have,
No wealth of any sort I need without him,
I entreat Sodho with heart and soul to come.
8
Sodha, my eyes have dried up in pain and cannot shed tears,
They Languish for love chat with you,
How can they ever be happy whom you have put on gallows?
9
Countless Lodhies may come, none has a countless like that of Raano,
My eyes and my entire body is secretly burning for him,
How can they ever be happy whom you have put on gallows.
10
Moomal remembers Mendharro all the time,
She grazes his camel on fragrant creepers,
Hoping that today or tomorrow he will come to her abode,
And she will tell him all that she has suffered in separation.
11
O Sodha, your separation has lit fire in my heart,
Memory of the love chats that we had together is killing,
My mates taunt me about you, come, let us reconcile.
12
O Rana Sodha all the time I remember your love chat,
Many suns rose and many nights passed,
I am full of faults, come and cover them.
13
If Mendharo comes to be my guest,
I will fling my ego and self-consciousness in fire,
All my pride and self-importance in oven,
I will sacrifice my self along with my parents and all my belongings.
14
All my mates used to chat at weaving place of my house,
Now behold cotton pods lying on ground, and desolate weaving place.
15
I do not see my mates today with whom I used to weave cotton,
standing on Kaak's for them.
16
You belong to Dhatt, belongs to you are lord of Dhatt,
If weigh you against the whole country, it will not be equal to you,
Wash off ill feeling and pitch your tents on Kak's banks.
17
Pitch your tent on Kaak's banks and settle down here,
Know fully dwellers of the palace,
Else you will miss the opportunity and repent afterwards.
Chapter-VII
1
Go not to Dhatt, disgrace not Kaak,
I am bound to you since creation by your word of love,
Thinking of you I shed tears of blood in place,
Believe me every thing is a poison for me without you.
2
Those fond of Kaak would look charming asleep,
Lateef says, the cherished ones departed from Ludaano,
They never return who rest for good.
3
Lateef says, they departed from ludano,
They ignored Moomal's beseeches and plunged her in sorrows,
They broke their routine of coming to Moomal and went to rest forever.
4
O ascetic, not break your routine of coming to me,
Nor severe relations with me,
So far as you are in the proximity, my heart is at rest.
5
Sodho took away my life leaving a skeleton behind,
I am dying for his love talk,
I may not see any one except you.
6
O mates, Sodho has blighted me so much that,
Kaak has become bitter for me and I have forgotten the weaving place,
I wish I may not see any one but you.
7
O my mates, Raano has blighted my heart,
He broke my heart, into pieces on the banks of Kaak,
I feel as if my heart was not with me here but is somewhere else.
8
O mates, Raano has completely smashed my heart,
He has cut my body and blighted my heart,
I feel my heart has gone out of my chest and is not there.
9
O Raana, I do not know how you got annoyed with me,
Relent on your own, and come on the banks of Kaak,
I cannot coquettish with anyone but you.
11
O Mendhra, relent, come back, forgive all my faults,
You are consort of many brides but you alone are my spouse.
12
O Mendhra, you did injustice to me, you come and immediately left away,
You were my consort, you should have stayed and awakened me,
O Sodha, you would have verified as to whom was I sleeping with.
13
Sodho does not behave the way people behave,
He does not weep so that tears moisten his cheeks.
14
Many long to reach his door, it was Moomal who was destined،
To reach there and come back.
The life of those is absurd who have come on a false invitation.
15
Look, the cord of Raano's love is fastened to my soul,
As boat is fastened with rope to shore, so has he fastened my heart to himself,
Rest is impossible, I remain awake and shed tears.
16
I am fade up with gardens that bloom on the banks of Kaak,
Without Sodho I do not like kaak,
Raano fastened my heart with rope and pulled my body like a boat.
17
Seeing Ludaano without my beloved will burn my eyes,
Raano was unjust last night when he went away,
I go to him for without him kaak is like poison to me.
18
What to do, where to go, Sodho is not making up with me,
Last night Raano went away, all learnt about it, I am disgraced,
My wearver mates come and taunt me,
If he makes up I will spread my hair on his bed,
I will graze his camel on the creepers of milky taste,
Abdul Lateef says, my beloved will come to me here.
Chapter-VIII
1
O my love, without realizing I committed countless blunders,
They all came up to confront me.
2
O my love, without realizing where ever I made any mistakes,
O Sodha, they came up to confront me.
3
Without realizing I erred countless times,
O Sodha, they all came up to confront me.
4
Your silence over my blunders is guidance for me,
Your forbearance led me to the straight path, Mendhra.
5
O sodha, your patience is guidance for Moomal,
Forbearance you showed yesterday, erased all my blunders.
6
I bound myself to you so that you may not point out my faults,
O my love, faults that you covered, do not uncover.
7
I bound myself to you so that you may not confornt me the my faults,
I was looking forward to a bridegroom like you,
Who covered my faults with his shirt's hem.
8
I was like a raw metal, you made me gold,
All my short coming are there for you to see,
O my beloved be kind and cover all my blemishes.
9
I am covered by love, ere I was all neked,
From amongst the whole word, he made me cloud of the kak.
10
I was all naked, beloved covered me,
He gave me his name making me cloud of Kaak.
11
By giving me a piece of cloth, he made me cloud of Kaak,
Mounting on the bridal bed I indulge in coquetry.
12
Sodha, your patience is a solace for the abashed,
Respect is due to those who say all silently.
13
Your patience teaches many,
It was my misfortune that I did not learn quickly.
14
Sodha, your patience made me human,
From my wrong doing I learnt what you really are.
15
Your patience is advice for me,
I will shed tears of blood before you.
16
Your patience is sense for the unwise,
Mendhra, your silence is extremely precious as it covers faults.
17
Sodha, your silence brings senseless to sense ,
Because of your patience I repented soon.
18
All became ashamed in the face of their faults,
All my shameful deeds went in my favor.
19
Sodha, those who regained their ability of being ashamed,
Perceiving their follies they writhe with regret.
20
O my spinner mates, some people are thick-skinned,
They do not mind losing face again and again.
21
They do not mind losing face again and again,
I wonder what to do with such ugly thick-skinned people.
22
Those who have too many faces,
No sooner they loose one, they wear another,
Their poverty is virtue, who hold dear their honour.
vaayi
Come Raana, stay night, I will graze your camel on sandl-wood,
All the time your thoughts pulsate in my whole body,
All the night I gaze at the path you might come at dawn,
Mendhra, all the time I talk and think of you,
Abdul Lateef says, the Munificent will bestow me with munificent.
Chapter-IX
1
An ascetic came from Raano,
The divine radiated like a full moon,
Dispelled all darkness with his radiant self.
2
An ascetic came from Raano,
The whole vicinity become fragrant,
The true accomplished ascetic has come from there.
3
Raano sent you a camel-riding messenger,
Lateef says, perceive the handsome one coming from Ludano,
His camel will enter Kaak early in the morning.
4
May Allah soften his heart and he turns reins towords me,
I will wash my house floor with sandalwood,
It is Sodho's union that has covered the whole Daatt.
5
New message came from Raano last night,
Lateef says, we have received gift from the Munificent,
Cast, creed and breed, is not queried, whosoever come finds acceptance.
6
Where may I ride my camel, it is radiance all over,
Within me is crimson Kaak, in me is a brilliant Ludano,
All is Raano, there is noting but Raano.
Melody Of Chastity
Chapter-I
1
"Am I not your God*? when the words fall on my ears,
"Indeed you are" was my immediate heartily reply,
At the very moment I pledged my life to my kinsmen.
2
When "Be and it become" sounded, I am in love with,
My herdsmen ever since,
How then, O Soomra, you put fetters on such person,
Rulers put fetters on my body in vain.
3
When Allah created soul by saying "Be and become,"
We were together then, there it was that the dart of love had,
Pierced heart,
It was the moment of my identification with you, o beloved.
4
Before 'Become' He pronounced 'Be',
And laid out the earth in full glory,
It was then that my fate was jointed with Mroo.
5
Pronouncement of "Be and Become" was not yet,
There, nor was there any other sound,
It was then my person met him.
6
6-Pronouncement of 'Be and Become,' was not there, nor limbs or flesh,
Adam had not yet taken physical shape,
It was the moment of my identification with you o beloved.
7
Pronouncement of 'Be and Become' was not there, nor had any moon from,
No awareness of virtue, no seduction of sin,
Only Oneness prevailed, Unity par excellence,
It was the moment, Lateef says, that Marui perceived the secret of secret of secrets,
Of that, o Beloved, my eyes and soul are kneely aware.
8
Destiny so ordained, else who would come to lodge in this prison?
My fate brought me here and showed me this place,
My heart, body and breath are not agreeable without the herdsmen,
Be kind o king, have Maarui meet her herdsment.
9
Captive of fate I am, who would come to lodge in this prison?
"He is nearer than our jugular vein," I will certainly return to my homeland,
One day I will leave these mansions to meet my people.
10
This is a prison of destiny, my time,
'My body is here, my heart is with you,
Would that Allah unites me with my people.
11
That which is the prison of destiny has become my lot,
'Having written my fate, the Divine pen went dry,
It is all fate that my people are in the desert and I am in this manor.
12
There is no prison like the prison of destiny,
Having written my fate, the Divine pen went dry,
Leaving no room for even a tiny change,
O Umer, may the desert dwellers be freed from your bond.
13
Away from dwellers I pass here a miserable life,
'My eyes shed tears of blood in separation, would that I reach,
Them in affection,
My heart, eyes body are there where my beloved is my, mates.
14
All things and places go to blazes,
'All things return to their origin, I too yearn,
to my desert dwellers,
I may go back and see my native land Malir.
vaayi
My heart remembers herdsmen, who stay close to where it rains,
Come, o Hameer, break the shackles; I can't live like this,
I pass my days in this fort with bleeding heart,
Death would be welcome, if by your mercy o Allah I get to greet,
my herdsmen,
Would that I return to my people as whole as our tradition dictates,
Would that I die in Maleer beside the Gola creepers.
Chapter-II
1
No messenger, no traveler, no camel driver came,
No one from my kith and kin visited me,
Who would bring messages from them?
2
No new, not even a dream, nor any camel driver,
No one has brought here any news from there,
I do not know what the king has decided about me.
3
O camelman, bring soon some one from there,
So that the fort's dirty ways and paths may become fragrant,
Come, I would clean dust of Paaur* from your feet with my eyelashes,
Lateef says, for God's sake do not delay,
Who can live in these mansion? suffocate here.
4
Bring the camelmen O God, who may take my messages,
They may not own me, I am theirs,
I have ink my hands someone fetch me paper,
Tears prevent me from writing as they fall on pen.
5
How can I pen the tearing of heart by destiny,
Those united with the beloved lit a pyre,
I weep day and night as his words have many connotation.
6
Why not weep day and night for your contented relatives?
They migrated yesterday leaving me on pyre,
How can I live if they go and make home in Thar.
7
At different places in desert are the encampment of herdsmen,
Lateef says, they removed lac-dye from their shawls,
O Umer, set me free so that I may graze cattle.
8
Every where in Thar are abodes of my contented folks,
They depend for their lives on you, O Soomra,
I will go there proudly with my shawl unblemished.
9
My blouse is patched, my shawl in tatters,
Expecting my relative to take care of me I did not, celebrate,
harvest season,
O Lord, preserve sanctity of the shawl that I wore in the desert.
10
My blouse is patched, my shawl is in tatters,
I will not oil comb my hair, let them remain knotty,
I have no wish but to see Maroo's face,
O Hameer, would that I return to my homeland in this condition.
11
My blouse is patched, my shawl is in tatters,
I would to go desert dwellers in this state,
So that my relatives may say that she relied only on us.
12
The naïve damsel stitches her blouse and maintains her love,
The chaste maid mends her own out shawl,
Lest it be said that she put them to shame.
vaayi
O Umer, I ask the passersby, "is any one going to where my beloved is?*
Standing in the balcony Maarui weeps and makes others weep,
She detains the passerby and lifting her head enquires,
Remembering my folks my soul shed tears,
No messenger from my folks came yesterday,
O Soomra, my God protect your subjects.
Chapter-III
1
Herdswomen never wear silks,
They look more beautiful in their embroidered shawl in silks,
Their coarse woolen shawls are far better than brocade,
I prefer rough blanket to the saffron cloth,
Shame upon me if I cast away the shawl that my elders gave me.
2
Costly woolen clothes and brocade I will never wear,
Stole made of costly silk drenched with amber I hate,
Would that I and my beloved Maroo jointly use the milky white blankets,
I thirst for my beloved herdsman.
3
Cotton threads tied by Maroo around my wrist I value them،
more than gold,
Don't offer to herdswoman silks, o Umer,
Superior is each thread of the shawl that my elders gave me.
4
Cotton threads are like golden threads to me, and each strand,
is worth a million,
One who discards silver, millions mean nothing to her,
I will never use your oil as my body is anointed by the beloved's.
5
I won't use your oil, Maroo's betrothal oil is my heart,
I will never hear of any offer as my beloved is my support.
6
I was wedded to Maroo wearing woolen shawl,
He tied cotton threads around my wrist,
Which are more, precious, than gold,
Say Umer, how can I wear your silks?
7
So long as I live I will not wear silks,
Why should I remove my shawl for two day's life,
So long as I live I will not have any other consort.
8
Blessed are my mates, who wear glass bangles on their wrists,
I yearn for the hut of my beloved,
I cannot equate these palaces with our cottages,
I want to keep up the ancestral tradition unto death.
9
What others are ashamed of, my folks take pride in,
Wearing cheap glass bangles on wrists.
10
Black thread on our wrists, gold is sign of mourning,
Hunger we prize, starvation is a pleasure.
11
It is not the way of herdsmen to better kinsmen with gold,
I will not break my kinsmen's tradition in Umerkot,
Nor will part with my love of huts for love of palatial mansions.
12
How can affiliated wives wear white cloths?
Whose husbands are facing taunts in Thar,
How can they be chaste who break their marital vows?
13
How can I sleep under warm quilts when my consort sleeps in cold,
Do not make, o Umer, a jest of me a woolen shawl-wearer.
14
How can I sleep under warm quilts when my consort is in will darkness,
Fie upon your syrups for I prefer thirst with my folks.
15
Praise be to desert-born damsels, whose chastity the desert protects,
Creepers and grass are my folks' garments,
They move about in jungles draped in creepers,
My parents gave me wilderness in dowery.
16
Rain water they drink, woolies they wear, bare foot they move about,
Cluster of trees is their meeting place where they relax without risk,
Unselfconscious of themselves they live free from fears,
Umer, they are not defiant, don't harm those miserable.
17
Sour Khabbar* trees all around, and huts amidst dunes,
Sayyad says, they offer cupsful of milk to guests,
I am a sacred trust, betray it not, O Soomra.
18
What is Eid celebration to you is an occasion of mourning to us,
Engrossed in their miseries they forget Eid's shopping,
The herdsmen of Maleer are-martyrs of deprivation.
19
My beloved graze his cattle on Cheeha grass in plains,
I have promised to meet him in rains.
20
My beloved is in plans, I am captivity here,
In my homeland grow Pharih and Laani plants,
I will converse happily with my beloved in Maleer.
21
My consort is there; I am in captivity here,
Yearning for her mates she withered in cells,
Lateef says, she has withered in cells,
The girl of Maroo suffers pangs of separation,
She is true to the pledge she has made over there.
vaayi
I wedded Maroo wearing woolen shawl,
Threads, precious than gold were tied round my writs,
How can I wear silk which I have already discarded?
Sanger and Saaoon are food for blanket wearers,
How can eat dates, who was given Daunra as dowry,
Their food is Khih, Maandhani, Makhhanivarious
kinds of edible grasses and seeds,
Umer is harassing her because her tribe is away.
Chapter-IV
1
Maarui washes not her tresses, her desert mates flashed in her mind,
She weeps and makes others weep, she is brought here from there,
She craves and pines for Paaur,
Being away from her kinsmen she hardly listens to any counsel.
2
Maarui washes not her tresses, her heart is in Maleer,
If Umer sets her free, her blemish will be washed,
Whole khhaaur will drink milk in celebration if their maiden is returned to them.
3
Maarui washes not her tresses, laughs not and eats not,
And mulls over Umer's justice,
"The dameges you have done will confront you."
4
Maarui washes not her tresses, her hair are all knotty,
The damsel remembered the herdsmen of Paaur,
O Umer, she will never stay in a manor without them.
5
Away from her folk Maarui washes not her tresses,
Outside Maleer she coils not her hair uses not the fulter's earth,
One, who belongs there, will not stay in a fortress.
6
Maarui washes not her tresses; is indifferent to herself,
She gets to hear of Umer's justice,
And says, "Alas, my people haven't come."
7
Maarui is weary in the fortress, looks haggard,
She oil not her hair, suffering has marred her beauty,
Lateef says, she is in fetters, her pleasures and fragrance have disappeared,
The broken hearts will not make up themselves for amours.
8
Her face turned to Maleer, she stands straight and cries,
Your comfort to me are like gallows, O Soomra,
I belong to Maroo and can't be anyone's wife by force,
A heart that belongs there, cannot be happy in fortress here.
9
Face turned to Maleer, she stands there,
She removes not shawl that parents lied on her head,
Don't tighten your chains around the chaste girl, O Soomra.
10
Climbing on the roof of the fortress I turned my face toward Maleer,
As I gazed in the direction of my homeland, my eyes shed tears,
Cry rose from my heart, my soul groaned,
My herdsmen did not ever enquire after me.
11
Had they enquired, the captive would not have minded captivity,
Methinks they have forgotten me completely.
12
Other prisoners are at peace, it is only we, who chafe in chains,
Missing them is like sword hanging over them.
13
For whom I am in rags right renounced worldly comforts,
They have not even once inquired after me,
Gazebos have broken my heart, mansions have virtually taken my life,
Not these places, kinsmen's indifference has killed me.
14
Not places but kinsmen's indifference has killed me,
O mother, when would they enquire after me?
My heart is always on the look out for them.
15
My heart is on the look out for them,
I pine here for Paaur and my beloved herdsmen,
I will not give ear to anything else but go to my homeland.
16
I will head for homeland, Maleer is my destination,
I will gather wild Duth* and Saag along with my mates there,
It would certainly be my good luck if I got to be near my consort.
17
Good luck it would be if I got to be near my consort,
Every time I see the herdsmen, I feel I am seeing them anew.
18
How can I stop thinking of my herdsmen, O soomra?
Their love is nailed into my heart but not by any blacksmith,
Thousand rivets of their love are fixed in my heart,
I have not seen my herdsmen nor their huts for many days.
vaayi
Snatch not, pull not my shawl, O Umer,
I will not equate palatial food with Daunra,
He alone is my consort, I won't take anyone else,
The one desert dweller is the only consort of this lowly creature.
Chapter-V
1
Lost is my beauty, O Soomra, my herdsmen will hardly accept me,
Some of my cousin taunt me, yet others will do so,
If you remove my chains, I will not stay in fortress.
2
Lost is my beauty, my face is sullied,
I have to go there, where one cannot go without beauty.
3
Lost is my beauty, a beauty like a radiant diamond,
My heart burns, for my face is sullied.
4
Lost is my beauty, after I came here,
How I will this blemish be washed which I received here?
5
Lost is my beauty, where is my excellence?
How can I go my homeland in this condition?
Restore my beauty so that I may see face of my herdsman.
6
Lost is my beauty, how can I go to my homeland,
And see my herdsman without beauty?
7
Lost is my beauty, how can I see my herdsman,
The lord of herds will not be happy to see me without beauty.
8
Lost is my beauty, Umer, prisoner I am,
I happened to me here with my kinsmen were in Maleer.
9
Lost is my beauty, how will they accept me?
There is no bridal pleasure in facing herdsman with an ugly face.
10
People of Maleer have beautiful faces,
It is their good luck that their lapses are overlooked,
Unfortunate was I that it happened because of my beauty.
11
There is no Omnipotent but He, and all misfortunes are from Him,
Say "nothing shall befall us save what God ordained has pre-scribed"
is our solace,
For Maarui good and bad luck are one and the same.
vaayi
Stupid that I am, what did I do while in Maleer?
O my God, I committed many a minor sins,
While living in the huts of herdsman, I committed many a major sins,
Do not deny me the grace of your mercy,
There are cool creepers in Thar and million of thorn trees.
Chapter-VI
1
My return there in the condition I came,
Would make them, says Lateef, as happy as in the season of rains,
My stay in this manor is a life long stigma,
That has faulted me in the eyes of my consort,
How will I raise my head in the huts of my herdsmen?
2
If I meet my herdsmen in the condition I had come,
I would want to wander and graze cattel there,
How can I go my homeland, how would this stigma be removed.
It will be befitting for me to be with my desert mates in seasonal rains.
3
I do not wish to live is abused,
My eyes are fixed Malir bat what face I can go there?
4
Either I should not have been born or
Should have died immediately after birth,
My birth has put my relative in distress.
5
Do away with your beautiful face, why didn't you die by poison,
So that Maleer-born damsels will have nothing to do with you,
How then you claim to be one of them, O Maarui?
6
Fie upon my life, O Soomra,
That which is not the way of herdsmen has come my way,
With what face will I go to my homeland.
7
Fie upon my life O Umer,
That which is not the way of herdsmen has come my way,
With what face will I go to my homeland.
8
Maarui should not have been born or grown up or should have died earlier,
She came in Umerkot and disgraced her shawl,
The one, who deeply loves her herdsmen, cannot be happy in palace.
9
By God, though in prison, I wash clean my shawl,
Soomro is too powerful for arguments,
O God, make Umer kind to me,
So that I see my consort, the anchor of the whole world.
10
O God, let it not happen that I die in prison,
My body in shackles, I weep day and night,
I may get home first, then I may breath my last.
11
I am in prison, but why I am in prison?
Is it only I that is tarnished, and is only my neck that is in iron?
If I die here, take my dead body to Maleer.
12
If I die pining for homeland,
Do not let my dead body remain in prison,
Do not keep this outlander away from her beloved,
Spread the cool desert earth on my dead body,
Take my body to Maleer in the last throes of my life.
13
Pining for my homeland if I die,
Take my dead body to my homeland,
Let me be buried beside my herdsmen in Thar,
I will live in death if my dead body were sent to Maleer.
14
If I die here pining for my homeland,
Let my grave be near my herdsmen, O Soomra,
Homeland creepers may be laid for incense upon my dead body,
I will live in death if my dead body were taken to Maleer.
15
Iron collars around my neck and fetters on my legs,
Feet in chains, I am fastened to room floor,
Informers roam about, ministers are on guard,
I am not in this cell on my own, but forced into captivity,
O lord of Maleer, come and enquire for this herdsgirl.
16
I am not here on my own, but against my will,
Lateef says, I should fasten tight my shawl around my waist,
Happy are the mates, who are in their native land,
Soft wool of little rams is produced there, wool of longhaired ewes here,
Would that ii enjoy the seasonal sweet fruit,
O man from my village, come to my help in these mansions.
17
I am not here on my own, but under compulsion,
When I arrived here my feet were put in crooked chains,
Wrists into cuffs, limbs into stocks.
18
Iron fetters on my hands, love-fetters on my heart,
I think of the nomad's Dhutt*, where my beloved lives,
It was not my pledge with parents to stay in this fortress.
19
Fetters and iron collars have sapped my energy,
I have not put on flesh for fear of Soomro,
O my mates, pray so that I may guard the sanctity of shawl.
20
May the sanctity of white wool shawl be protected,
If it be torn I may mend its tears,
O Umer, protect this poor, naïve girl,
I have pledged with my mates, I would be with them in the rainy season.
21
It is pledge with my mates to be with them in rainy season,
I must somehow convince my kinsmen of my blamelessness.
vaayi
Even after death I will not leave, the land of my herdsmen,
I will wander about with my consort in rainy days,
O Soomra, my dead body will not tire my people,
The desert damsel will never yield to princely hands.
Chapter-VII
1
The herdsmen smiled, spring breeze blew,
Sayyad says, I remember them, their cattle tracks, and enclosures,
My charming consort might have built huts near some dunes.
2
Herdsmen smiled, winds brought rain,
Lateef says, winter is over, calves have grown strong,
My mates are shearing sheep for soft wool,
Umer, they spin wool near their consort carefreely,
In Paaur small sheep present their backs for shearing,
In Khhaaur are made superior woolen shawls,
As they starch their cloths her mates say: "we want Marui in Maleer"
3
Herdsmen smiled as spring winds brought rains,
O Umer, I have learnt about that land from the Duth-sustainer,
Where creepers, trees and bushes have bloomed,
They put basketful of Trooh* in mangers,
Every one freely tastes of desert fruits and honey,
Maarui will hardly stay in mansion, she will ultimately go to Maleer.
4
They bring home and cook enough Duth for daily consumption,
Stack up harvested Saaoon* and dry it,
They cook grain of Lunmb* for rice,
They prefer Aaraari* to mutton pilau* O Ume.
5
My happy herdsmen are always plentiful,
They pick and bring branch of Daunro,* cook its grain,
Those who rely on woods are never lean.
6
Content with meager food, they are strong and steadfast in virtue,
They move about, their dust-smeared bodies wrapped in coarse shawl,
Go and ask in Maleer about their virtue.
7
No restrain, no restriction, no tax in Thar,
They pluck red flowers, fill cattle mangers,
Peerless are Maroo, joyous is their Maleer.
8
Big and small baskets on head, they come perspiring,
Heels dust-laden and feet sweat-soaked,
I identified them from their gait, it being their peculiarity.
9
I yearn for Jarr* tree bent branches,
I wish I could pick Peroon* in company of my beloved.
10
Crops ripened for harvest on their own, unwatched, un-hedged,
Maleer is very spacious for my mates to move about,
The one, whose kinsmen are in plains, don't lock her up in mansion here,
Those who yearn for Aaraari,* have their chains removed.
11
Here are many doors and windows,
I can also pitch numerous tent for you,
Maarui, don't weep and moan for those who never visited you;
There seems some trouble with my herdsmen who live on puss flowers."
12
A fine needle, has sewn my heart to beloved Maroo,
Desert creepers and grass as are always in my thoughts, O Soomra,
My heart is there, here are only my flash and bones,
My skeleton is in fortress, my soul is in the huts of my people.
13
A fine needle has sewn my heart to beloved Maroo,
It has stitched meekness in patched layers,
How can I bore my ear without ancestral needle?
14
I cannot equate kingdom with needle, o mates,
It covers others nakedness but itself remains naked,
Only a born-again can appreciate qualities of needle.
vaayi
My nights pass in weeping, my night pass in crying,
I am in prison, are any other also in prison?
I left my nativeland two seasons ago,
On one hand is Umer's scheming, on the other my Maroo are away in desert,
O Umer, it is not befitting for you to oppress prisoners.
Chapter-VIII
1
Thoughts of my kiths glitter in my mind, I forget them not,
Since covenant between God and the souls, even earlier than that,
"He neither begets nor is begotten" what Maarui can do?
She may die and day thinking of her herdsmen.
2
Thoughts of my kiths glitter in my mind, I forget them not,
Those who had drink crystal water from the fountain of love,
I live by thinking of their abodes,
Leaving all goods behind, they left for where it rains.
3
Thoughts of my kiths glitter in my mind, I forget them not,
"There is nothing similar to Him" Beloved's sight is not possible,
My herdsmen have settled in nothingness.
4
Thoughts of my kiths, who live along the track, glitter in my mind,
They carry stacks of Khhih* Maandhaano* Makhhni* in Dhatt,*
To taste seasonal fruits and grains in my beloved's hut,
I will break all chains and rush to my homeland.
5
Thoughts of my kiths glitter in my mind, they hover in my heart,
Lateef says, Lord has shown kindness and showered mercy,
Let this wretched women know of her homeland's well-being.
6
Thoughts of my kiths glitters in my mind, they live in my body,
Whither have Maroos migrated from Maleer,
I seek saints' blessing for meeting them some day.
7
Thoughts of kiths glitter in my mind, live in my soul,
It rained and they migrated to Mohar*?
I can recall the early morning sounds of churning curds,
Blessed are Maleer's salty wells, which I used to draw water from.
8
Blessed is the watering place where thirsting herds come,
My mates collected Duth, stacked it in courtyards,
Thinking of all this my heart grieves in gazebos every day.
9
They sank wells in the desert to water ruminants,
Women come at dawn to draw water from three hundred-foot deep wells,
Filling their leather buckets they stride away, laughing,
My love for my people increases day by day.
10
At midnight when water level goes down, women come to draw water,
The forgetful do not get a chance in day time,
This wretched women was carried off from a well.
11
Learning about my kidnap, the virtuous girls ceased coming to wells,
No desert woman had ever been held been held captive,
Why didn't I die before hearing taunt of my people.
12
Those who chatted at dawn, their voice are heard no more,
Who used to come to draw water, now sleep beside their husbands,
Water-drawing ropes are lying scorched on either sides of wells.
13
All do not sleep, some still come to draw water from wells,
Perhaps only those come who get thirsty while grazing ruminants.
14
Not even a bleat of goat is heard, nor a sound of draw-wheel,
O Lord, I am witnessing dry troughs near wells,
Where are those who draw water from three hundred-foot deep well?
Probably they have pulled down their huts and migrated some-where else.
15
Having drawn water from wells again and again, they coiled the ropes and went away,
I am worried about those herdsmen, O Lord,
They, their creepers and trees, glitter in my mind all the time.
16
In Thar abound narrow deep wells, drawing ropes and Opuntias,
They happily graze their young animals near the Phogs,*
How can they take care of me when they are so busy themselves?
17
O Umer, my kinsmen are busy, whom can I tell my sorrows,
My kinsmen, whose memory enlivens me, have gone far away,
They have dismantled their huts near wells and left.
18
My stay in this mansion has caused me two-way suffering,
Here it is Umer's pressure; there reproaches of my kinsmen.
vaayi
My kinsmen, my herdsmen, may reconcile with me, O God,
I am all sinful, you are my cover,
I am full of blemishes, you cover them all,
It has rained in Maleer, humming at every watering place,
I have come with my shirt-hem full of sinful deeds.
Chapter-IX
1
They build their sheds where rain falls,
They don't seem to appreciate my situation here,
They may have forgotten me busy as they are in earning their livelihood.
2
There are rains in the land of my herdsmen, all is grass, mire and mud,
My heart thirsts and yearns for them,
I want to drink in long draughts cups full of their love,
A single sip with the beloved is better than full goblets with others.
3
Crowed of contented herdsmen are all over plains of Dhutt,
Whole of Paaur is verdant, no damsel stays at home,
I am on spikes in the prison cells, suffocating in the palace.
4
This season cheerful herdsmen are out with their herds,
They drive their lambs to graze them in fields,
Thinking of all this my eyes shed tears,
Come, o my friend, Tara bird twitters predicting rain.
5
This season herdsmen are cheerful in khhaaur,
Mates bring Saaoon*, Siarich*, Makhani* aplenty,
Sayyad says, does any one in the homeland remembers this
chaste desert damsel?
Lateef says, never remove red shawl from your limbs,
It will rain with the grace of Allah, come o beloved.
6
In this season herdsmen are cheerful living with in thorny enclosures,
Water is aplenty and in easy reach of their cottages,
Lateef says, Maarui is in chains, they are happy in Khhaaur,
Every one will eat Khaboota*, it will rain, come my love.
7
This season herdsmen are cheerful, content in their homeland,
But, Lateef says, Maarui is in chains in fortress,
Cucumber is in plenty in Maleer, it will rain, come my love.
8
This season herdsmen are cheerful leading prosperous life in jiyai*,
Lateef says, they graze their cattle on Lunb* grass in Waagion,
And drive them to Ketai, it will rain come my love.
9
Leaving Kharooria* they proceeded to Wareejhap*,
Sayyad says, they were here a short while ago,
Seeing their deserted abodes, tears trickle down,
My countrymen have gone far away,
Whom can I reproach other than them?
10
This is their way when they migrate they take their
dwellings with them,
My virtuous kinsmen crossed Thar and went away.
11
They stayed for some days in Thar, then went away,
No messenger has ever come from the herdsmen,
Those with whom I passed life went away.
12
Putting both arms under my head as pillow I lie down on
ground littered with droppings,
Away from the waterless tract my eyes and nose are
oozing water,
My countrymen have gone far away towards Paaur.
13
They held gatherings all over Thar, enjoy eating Pippon* in Paaur,
Thinking of them my eyes overflow with tear, O Soomra,
I have not seen them since long, my heart bleeds for them.
14
I grieve and mourn as my kinsmen are out of sight,
O God, send a camelman to bring news of their well-being,
So that my heart stops weeping and working.
vaayi
I will go to my countrymen, I will go to my Maroos,
To my ancestral place, to my home,
I will thrash Sangar* with my mates in my homeland,
It has rained in Maleer, I will wash my things,
Umer, I will feed on Koder* of my that place,
I will leap to pluck grains of Golaro*,
I will take out Kookar* grain from home granary, blow it on,
Palm, and chuck it into mouth,
On Eid and other festivals I will eat Mandhaano*,
I will eat Pussy and give away tribute of Daunro*.
Chapter-X
1
It rained and all is verdant, I have received happy news,
Line of worry on the faces of shawl-wearers has disappeared,
Soomro has sued for peace with the herdsmen,
O Maarui, you will now be honoured by the prince.
2
How can sapless trees, separated from their trunks,
Know that it rained in Maleer.
3
Has any one come from there for me to seek news of my homeland?
Last night colourfull flashing clouds poured rain.
4
A camelman came from there with authentic news,
Don't forget your consort, don't breath your last,
You will go back, your are only day or two more here in fortress.
5
You are only a day or two more here in fortress, don't remove your shawl,
This is an emblem of your folks' pride,
Do not equate, the time you passed here with that you passed in Paaur,
O' virtuous girl, keep your chastity, you will go back to Maleer.
6
Remember you mares, whose chastity is true.
Don't fill out without Maroo, treat gold as lead.
7
Remember your mares , whose virtue is true,
There is no questioning of there virtue.
8
The one who come from my ancestral land, I would touch his feel,
I would tell him, says Sayyad, all that is in my heart,
I would not stay here even for a word-long moment.
9
The one who, came from my ancestral land, taunted me,
"Don't sit on royal with necklace around your neck,"
"Burn not, Lateef says, the treasure you have wrapped around your waist,
Your mates have sent you a message to keep your chastity,
In a word-long moment you will get a call to return.
10
What for my homeland mates will be cross with me?
My hair is knotty and lice infested,
I have lost sleep in thinking homeland maidens,
Had they been here they would have realized how difficult it is
to keep modesty.
11
O chaste damsel, there still is lot of test for your chastity,
You are chopped, wounded all over, torn; and stewed in secret,
And then come undefiled to be honoured in your homeland.
12
So long as chaste girl remain undefiled I will not stay in fortress,
Oyster is reared in sea but never drink its water, nor of any river,
As it looks forward to rainy cloud so do I to Maleer,
If I go undefiled, the whole Khaaur will rejoice in milk.
13
As oyster in water looks forward to rainy cloud,
As crane yearns for mountains, so do I for my homeland,
There pledges to depart, here no such pledge,
How could have I remained here, had I not been detained.
14
Oyster is reared in sea but looks forward to rainy clouds,
The bivalve never drinks brackish water, it has tasted fresh,
It bore pearl because it does not quench its thirst even though deep in water.
15
My mates learn from oysters the way of trustworthiness,
They keep off all water looking forward to rainy days.
16
Learn from oyster the way of yearning, my mates,
They ask for water from up rather of ground.
17
The first night I saw this palatial mansion, I was cast down,
O God, may it rain in my herdsmen's land Moher,
Would that we meet our mainstay in Maleer.
18
The days I passed here away from my homeland,
My ancestral countrymen will taunt me for that,
I may wash off dirt of palaces in huts of my herdsmen.
vaayi
My heart is tied up with my countrymen,
I may drink cups full of goat's whey with my loved ones,
I will not leave my beloved's feet as long as I live,
I may leave this place in a word-long moment,
I may go back to my native place and great the shawl-wearers,
How can I leave my shawl when stay here is only for two days only?
Chapter-XI
1
A herdsmen from Maleer came to the fortress,
My supporters' concern has weakened the oppressor.
2
Happiness on his face, dust of my homeland on his foot,
Have you brought any message of love from my herdsmen?
I grievously miss the spinning shed, the homeland,
For me the dust of my homeland on your foot is musk.
3
At which watering place are my herdsmen staying,
where did rains fall on them?
Come, sit with me and tell me about my dear ones,
I pine for them, their news will revive me.
4
Were there any rains after me in Maleer?
All day yesterday my eyes longingly gazed towards my homeland.
5
Is it true, rain fell in Maleer after me?
Duth-eaters are gone after Pussy for many days now.
6
Did it rain copiously, was there abundance of water
in Maleer?
I raise my tearful eyes, gaze in that direction,
I may quit these palatial mansion and meet my herdsmen.
7
It rained in the way they desired,
They, acting as per God's will,
Reached Maleer safe and sound.
8
Blessed were the days that I passed in captivity,
I shed tears in the palace heavy raindrops,
Yearning for union I was all shattered and broken,
Chains and fetters purified my love.
9
O Umer, I met Duth-eater of my homeland,
Standing on his feet he gave me message of my beloved,
Lateef says, by His grace all the chains broke.
vaayi
She won the lord of Maleer by keeping her shawl,
Conciliated with herdsmen, she won shawl as her dowry,
Having guarded her chastity she asked for her beloved,
She did not swap hut of her folk for mansion,
She enjoyed eating singer and Khatoonba with her mares,
And tasted every delicacy with her beloved in Maleer,
Abdul Lateef says, O Lord, protect my honour there.
Miscellaneous Verses
1
If those whom they depend upon, become plunderers,
Then how long desert-dwellers can stay in the desert?
2
If those who are prop and protection of people, turn out
to be plunderers,
At whose door poor desert dwellers can bewail?
3
My homeland is Maleer, it is fate that has brought me here in
this fortress,
I will drink paneer of pour with my beloved,
By God, Hameer has done me great harm by imprisoning me.
4
I know they will chasten me for staying away from my beloved,
If there was some one to take me there,
I would tell them all secrets that are in my heart.
5
The days I passed in my home in the presence of my beloved,
I miss and relive those days, thinking of Pour makes me grieve,
I will not accept the ruler's hand,
I pass this night in virtue as my herdsmen is to come at dawn,
I may never be away from the door of the lord of Maleer.
6
O Umer, unworthy me is longing,
O worthy one, do not detain those who languish here.
7
To day I was told mates' unfair remarks;
You have had princely feasts,
And forgotten your kith and kin.
8
Seeking corners of the palace the fair maid blames her fate,
Thinking of Maleer she weeps and makes others weep,
O God, unite the girl with Maroo in his home.
9
I claim the herdsmen as mine, wherever they be,
My mates pick plenty of gourds in Malir,
When will my cry pull the fortress down?
10
I won't mind dying if it be after I have reached Maleer,
and washed off all dirt by my beloved' side,
Having poured a little native water over my body I will come back,
All shawl-wearers of Thar will be grateful for this.
11
I want always to be with my Maroo in Maleer,
One, who takes me there at night's end I will lay eyes at his feet.
12
O Soomra, my kinsmen Maroo are shabby,
They awake early at dawn and move about the dunes,
There are their footprints, don't fight with them.
13
How can I wash my cloth when there is no feast, as I have
not any wedding to attend,
Maroo is not with me for whom I wear clean dress.
14
Those who look toward Maleer day and night,
What can you with such persons, who yearn for Maleer.
15
I will never ever accept any consort, Other than my shawl
wearer, who is matchless,
Shabby though he be, he is mine as he dwells in my heart.
16
Let my face be dirty, O Soomra,
Lets Maroo say that I washed it is palaces.
17
If you tear my skin and put salt on it,
My folks have never committed such an unworthy act,
Every breath of my life is steeped in the love of my herdsmen.
18
Lighting flashes over where my kinsmen are,
I pass my night crying, thinking of my folk,
Don't let those face taunt who are in your prison, Umer.
19
Where huts, dunes and sheds are, There rain clouds flashing
and soaking Paaur,
O Allah, may these hopefuls not die without meeting Maroos.
20
Where huts, dunes and sheds are, the lighting flashes in that direction,
Lightning excites me and I pass night in tears,
Only virtuous girl are worthy of Maroo of Maleer.
21
The lightning has increased its flashes on the plains,
Soomra, pain of their separation has erupted inside me,
They have migrated to some other place,
Would that I see my elders and their goats.
22
Lightning is in form, season of rain is back,
Looking yearningly toward native land, my eyes stop not
shedding drops,
My condition would not have been this had the cared of..
23
Where wool rugs, blankets, saddlebags, sheds,
and ripe fruit of Kirir are,
There my mates are happy near their consorts,
Would that I enjoy with my kinsmen the fruit of Khhabbar,*
And greet those Opuntias of Thar.
24
In the country of herdsmen Prosopis, Khhabbar
and other plants have ripened,
Umer, I grievously miss my consort,
I have pledged with my dear ones to protect the
sanctity of shawl and waistband.
25
O messenger, tell my dear herdsmen what I have told you:
My consort, do not forget the days we passed together,
I am miserable in these cells, do help me soon,
Send me a fistful of Mandhani so that I taste it while in chains.
26
O messenger, talk to my beloved herdsmen with tears in your eyes:
As lightning flashed on Thar I became pensive,
Come soon, sorrows have torn me to pieces.
27
O messenger of my beloved herdsmen,
if you go in rainy season,
Pay my respects to my mates,
Tell them, I am truly their bondmaids,
I am doing my best to return to them.
28
O messenger, tell my beloved with emphasis:
Chains are on my feet and cuffs on my wrists,
I am passing my days disconsolately without you.
29
O messenger of my beloved herdsman, take some of my messages,
Give my respects to some of my mates, who come to your mind,
The creepers and trees have blossomed and Kirir tree has born fruit?
My mates enjoy Prosopis Podsat the seeds of forest trees warming them
like vermicelli,
I wish I could break my chains and go and meet my herdsmen.
31
We the herdsmen are naked since our birth,
We consider Thar a blessing as it covers nudity of Dhatt dwellers.
32
So long as they were near, I received their messages regularly,
They migrated to Maleer, talking their herds with them,
How can I visit blame upon them?
33
They packed up and proceeded to Khhaaur,
After many a halt on way they moved to Thar,
The herdsmen have left behind in Maleer their good deads.
34
As knots are interwoven in Gandheer* so is my
heart interwoven with herdsmen,
The Thar-dwellers are full of virtues,
Without them O Hameer, I pass my days in misery.
35
As knots Gandheer* are interwoven, so is my heart inter-
woven with herdsmen,
Lateef says, the knots tied by Hameer are easy to undo,
Reaching Maleer I will untie them all, Soomra.
36
Those who are of Thar my heart craves for them,
Rains and villages of my homeland are always in my heart,
Pain of the separation from my kinsmen torments me.
37
May the cattle pens that were desolate, be reinhabited,
And herdsmen return to rebuild these deserted huts and settlements.
38
The favours my herdsmen showed me in Thar,
How can I forget them, and cast away my shawl?
39
Hearing of her homeland, she bloomed with happiness,
I came to know all about here and there,
My sisters and well-meaning mates do miss me so.
40
Hearing of my homeland, all my chains broke,
All distress inside me disappeared filling my heart with happiness.
41
It was your fate to remain virtuous, O Soomra,
That is why you refrained from outraging the honour
of my kinsmen.
42
My kinsmen crossed Thar with all their virtues,
Living without them is a torture.
43
For God sake, Soomra, give up high-handed ways,
I have passed far too many days in prison, I am redcuced to skeleton,
My heart's yearning for the beloved will not slacken.
44
Weep not, cry not, shed not tears,
You have been set free, burn all your chains,
O herdswoman, you will reach your kinsmen very soon.
45
Weep not, cry not, shed not tears,
Pass your days as they come,
O herdswoman, happiness follows suffering,
Lateef says, see your chains have been removed,
Burn all these chains, you are free now.
46
Weep not, cry not, scream not,
Lateef says, raise your arms for prayer when all are asleep,
You will see the palace where you were wedded, O Maarui.
47
Weep not, cry not, scream not,
When it rains, valiant youths will come there in scores,
The Lord will unite you in rainy season, Maarui.
48
I am a shawl-wearer, I will not turn a new leaf,
I have guarded my waist inside shawl,
With basket under head I have lain on ground renouncing all comforts,
I will protect with my life Maroos' privilege over my body.
49
Today too the wounds of my herdsmen's separation are festering,
O Soomra sorrows have possessed my heart,
Maroo's separation has virtually broken me.
50
Wounds of kinsmen's separation are festering,
Waiting to be united with them I have virtually
died of separation pangs,
I remember those who are settled in Thar,
I ardently long for the abode of my beloved.
vaayi
My heart belongs to Maroo and his to me,
O Soomra, let my face remain soiled,
My beloved may chasten for washing my face in a mansion,
I may go to my land with tears in my eyes.
Melody Of Humility
Chapter-I
1
You are Samma king, I am a Gandri fisher,
maid, the embodiment of all imperfections,
perceiving the you do not turn away from me.
2
You are the Samma king, I am a Gandari fisher girl with
limitless blemishes,
Perceiving the stick of fish, I am soaked with, see that
you do not turn away from me.
3
You are the Samma king, I am a Gandari fisher
girl, flaws are countless,
Noticing the spots of fish secretions on me see
that you do not turn away from me.
4
You are the Samma ruler, I am a Gandari fisher
maid with many faults.
Realizing that I am only a fisher girl see that you
do not turn away from me," says Sayyad.
5
You are the Samma king, I am a Gandari fisher girl
with millions of defects,
Whatever my social condition you know it well,
In the name of God The Imperceivable, see that you
do not turn away from me.
6
You are Tammachi lord of the lake, I am only a fisher girl,
Do not forsake the one who is known after you.
7
You are the lord of the lake, I am only a poor Gandari maid ,
See that I am exempted from the taxes.
8
Those whose food is stinking fish and property the slacks of fish,
And who are meek, week and feeble,
The Sama king has made them his relatives by marriage,
" I entrust all my poor folk to you.
9
Nets baskets, and the small boats, that is all they own,
They come early in the morning to Tamachi's parlor,
These fish catchers and fish eaters are the people whom Lord,
Tammachi has made his relatives by marriage.
10
Baskets full of stinky fish and winnowers of fish intestine,
that helm what they own,
Repulsive is the of their helm with anyone else's helm,
But the Lord Samma is their midst and showering rewards
on them.
11
Black complexioned, ugly ill-mannered and, by no standard, pleasant,
They sit beside the road with Basketfulls of stinky fish for sale,
Who else would bear their uncouth manners except the Samma.
12
Net, sraw-baskets, winnowers and reed-mates their love
object is fish,
They live and sit upon fishing scaffold, reeking in stench,
And like otters they wallow in water,
It is these fishermen whose honour Samma has taken upon
himself to protect.
13
They carry lotus roots in their loincloth and their
dresses are of lotus leaves,
They are the people whose abode the king was
pleased to grace.
14
They carry lotus roots in their loin cloth and their
dresses of lotus reeds,
It is to them that the king gave the entire Keenjhar
Lake in reward.
15
They carry lotus roots in their loin cloth, bunches of lotus flowers,
On their shoulders, and bundle of reeds on their heads,
They come with all these gifts for obeisance to the Samma King.
16
The fishermen become very near and close to the Jam,
Each fisher women, big or small visits the palace,
Whether they be of Keenjhar or Rome all are favoured
with rewards.
17
She does not catch, nor keeps, cuts; sells fish,
She willingly threw the basket of fish in the well,
All her manners are true to the conventions of the palace.
18
She neither cuts, nor sells, nor carries fish in the baskets,
She has given up all measures, weights and scales,
She now behave in the way of palace.
19
In the presence of all the queens she presented a lotus to
the king,
Pleased the king took the fisher girl for a ride from amongst
the queens.
20
There is not a streak of pride and vanity in the fisher girl,
The flutter of her eyes captivated the king,
Of all the queens she was he one he was enamoured with queens.
21
Unique was the humility of Noori,
The fisher girl charmed Samo, the
peerless among all,
The queens came and stood behind
her and thus obliterating their ego.
22
Hands on fish she is cajoling,
Before meeting her, king had an image of her in his mind,
King's body was in secret communication with her.
23
She was, in no way, by appearance of behaviour, a fisher girl,
As is the queen string among other strings
in a violin, she was among the queens,
She was queenly, right from her birth,
Recognizing her thus, the king tied a string
round her wrist.
24
There is no one in the environs of Keejhar as beautiful as Noori,
She is spared all fishing chore,
Tamachi the king himself stands up and fans her with peacock feathers.
25
It is Tamachi's lake and Tamachi is the lord of lake,
Go to Tamachi's door and sing his praises,
Thus you may get permission of anchoring your boat.
26
Fie on Samma and Soomra queens who walk about haughtily,
Blessed are the Keenjhar born girls who all the time remember Tamchi,
In one night the fisher girl won the Jam over all.
vaayi
Living among the fisherfolk, she got hold of a jewel,
So long as Tamachi lives he'll shower blessings on Noori,
Filth give way to perfumes and fragrance,
The crippled, blind and lame, all came to Tamachi's call,
Behold the generosity of the prince, he did not discriminate
against any one,
Even the lowly ones were given presents like seasonal fruit,
He threw pearls as fish shells are cast in fish shop,
He showered jewels in fish ferry like fish's scales,
He gave away gold and silver to the supplicants,
He brought sparkling pearls and rubies and distributed to all,
He bestowed pearls and rubies and distributed to all,
He bestowed turquoises among the mendicants,
Abdul Lateef says there was a rain of precious jewel.
Chapter-II
1
O my smiling beloved consort May you live long,
You are comfort and solace of my heart,
Lord Tamachi! pray stay some days on the Keenjher bank.
2
O Lord Tamachi stay on some days more
on Keenjher bank,
May ace raised among my fishermen.
3
Water below, branches above; tree-lined avenue beside,
Tamachi's boat floats leisurely in the lake,
North wind blows and Keenjher swings like a cradle.
4
Water below, tree branches above; and lotus
flowers floating near the bank,
Spring is bank and Keenjher is all fragrant.
5
The queens made up and adorned come to lure
the king away,
But he, fishing nets on his shoulders with Jabera
fishermen.
6
Fisher girl had boat oars in her hands and Jam had
fishing net,
Yesterday there was a playful fishing in the Keenjher
Lake all day long.
7
It was because of fisher girl's love that Tamachi was Tamachi,
Riding by his side she ennobled the king,
This people living around Keenjher would confirm even today.
8
Those who were born before Jam Noori knew them not,
They never went to any house and never attended any social gathering,
What interest they could have in Keenjher sole interest is only Tamachi.
9
Neither any one gave birth to Jam nor any one was born of Jam,
He cares for all Gandara female folk, young and old,
"He begets not nor begotten" (Quran) is the truth of his greatness,
Exalted and mighty is his throne.
10
There is talk all over the huts that Jam has come,
The fisher kids stand on the bank of the lake and smile,
May Jam live long who has made the fisher women blissful.
11
Cleanse your huts, Jam Tamachi has come,
O you fisher women! Forget all your worries,
cleans your courtyards,
The entire Keenjher area is in peace as Jam
Tamachi has granted protection to the inhabitants.
12
There is some charm in Noori's eye,
The darts of her eyes pierced Jam,
She entranced Jam with her glance,
It is because of love that Jam Tamachi
is carrying fish net on his shoulders.
vaayi
Who would ever call her fisher girl, she is royalty,
She has coiled forelock as a sign of her wedlock with Samo,
Those who did not allow her to sit beside them have now come
to pay homage to her,
With her charms she made the whole world prize-worthy.
Melody Of Killers
Chapter-I
1
The know all got perplexed, the intrepid confused,
They went together in the current, came across Mahran,
And the poor souls forgot all their past and present knowledge.
2
Night set in, moistening their turbans with dew,
Oars floated, poles drifted down the stream,
No one ever came back from kalachi's.
3
There was such fury in the whirlpool that,
whoso went in was lost
No can say who trapped their nets?
4
Yesterday the turbaned ones went to Kalachi carrying harpoons,
My brother have not returned, it is so late,
The wonderful band has been hauled in by the whirlpool.
5
I don't see rafts floating, nor are nets at their places,
O mother, boatmen have not brought their boats back.
6
Every day I see many fishermen with their catch aplenty,
And bring home fish aplenty,
It is killing to see my own fishermen's things at home,
Departing from the world they went down into the deep.
7
Yesterday the fish catchers went exploring to kalachi,
O mother, I am suffering pangs of their separation,
Leaving me down in the dumps, they went down into the deep.
8
I stand in the sun close to the whirlpool's brink,
Fish catchers have not come home, long time has passed,
Those, who were my support, they turned their boats and
rowed away.
9
While I great the fishmongers with smile, they turn away,
Turning their mount, they go to lucky women.
10
Where the fish catchers sought fish, there is now dry sand,
Many a fisherman is down, river is dry and tax collectors are gone.
11
There is no fish-odor in the market, nor are fish-scales lying
here and there,
Where there were Danmbhras* in abudance before fish before،
Seeing the stalls empty buyers go way.
12
Now that I have borrowed fish, bring my fish catchers back O God,
O Lord, do not let me down before the fish merchants,
It is now in their absence that my pride has come to appreciate
their wroth.
13
When they were somewhere near, they returned,
Probably they have gone far,
Fishmongers, their callouts remain unresponded, have come back.
14
The way you strut was the way of fish-catchers' strutting,
They ever hankered for Kalachi's, never slept in peace.
15
Entering the deep, they explored the unexplorable,
They killed the whale; their faces are glow.
16
If you intend to enter the deep, dye your nets,
No kith and kin for those, who go for the Kalanchi.
17
Whales are not caught by spreading net in shoals,
Have good provision for the sea, and nets made of strong dyed cord,
You are in shoal and hallow creeks, the deep is still away.
vaayi
Probably the whale got the fish catchers,
They are not home,
Go, o boatman, attack the evil one,
They have not come home
Where are their hooks, where are their nets,
The whirlpool is thundering, foam is all around,
Abdul Lateef says, o sisters, all will steer through the deep waters.
Melody Of Mourning
Chapter-I
1
Reposing hope in Allah, the bard Beejal set out from here,
With tassels and tiny bells tied to his fiddle,
Seeing the sedan of Rate Dyach from afar,
He prayed to God "O Gracious one, may the
king be enthralled my music"
2
The minstrel walked down from a distant place,
He calls for the head wherever he halts.
3
He has walked down all the way from a distant place,
He is not demanding money, but life,
"chop your head, be quick, I can't bear moment's delay."
4
"I have walked from a distant land,
You are at heaven, I am an earthly,
How would you grant? This supplicant seeks head."
5
"Walking from a distance place I have arrived here just now,
If it be late by dawn, give it now,
O handsome consort of Sourth, think over what I say,
Gratify the minstrel, who has come amongst from your enemies."
6
"Having heard of your dignity I have come walking from a distant place,
I am a simple man, I do not know how to beg,
Bestow on me that which deliver me of all greed."
7
Cold weakness me, heat melts me,
This supplicant seeks your protection by playing fiddle,
Confide secret in the fiddler as to a close friend.
8
Cold weakness me, heat melts me,
Leaving all alms aside give me protection,
O my hero, dye me a full in your color.
9
I have come on your door, o king, with my selfhood,
Save me from the burning fire of hell,
May God place you where there are eternal gardens.
10
I have come your door, o king, with this condition,
O gracious one, grant request of an ailing bard,
The bard is saying something at your door,
O worthy one, show him beneficence, grant him security.
11
Shunning all other doors I have come to your door, o king,
Whatever I play on my fiddle, listen with kindly ear,
What my heart supplicates, you know very well.
12
Shunning all other doors I have come to your door, o king,
This supplicant is imploring all the time before you,
He is demanding nothing, give him protection.
vaayi
Rai Deaach gave away his head, he sacrificed it for the lord,
He went away leaving behind his queens and kingdom,
His sacrificed was received in grace by Allah and all his desires
were satisfied,
The mendicant sought king's head with his fiddle and got it,
Abdul Lateef says: the mission was accomplished.
Chapter-II
1
Some gifted bard came in Junagarh,
The perfect musician took out his fiddle and played it,
The whole city was charged by strings,
Maidservants were moved, mistresses bewailed,
The strings vibrated, "This supplicant is a killer."
2
All the night he played for the king near the fort,
Pearls were showered on him, which he did not touch,
Being hereditary bard he received the award he merited.
3
In modesty Beejal struck the cords,
The king responded from the palace,
Graciously called him in the citadel,
Thus the king and the bard become one.
4
In modesty he played the instrument,
The peerless king responded from the colorful palace,
At an opportune moment the minstrel unfolded his identity,
"I am Ahmed without letter M," said the suppliant,
Only few could comprehend that two had become one.
5
Only few could comprehend it,
Those who did, realized,
"Man is my mystery, I am his," he followed it,
Losing their duality the king and the minstrel became one.
6
The king was in his colorful citadel and the bard in palace ground,
The fiddle he played was heard in the palace,
He graciously called the bard in a mansion where even maids did
not find admittance,
"Give him a horse of high breed and saddle studded with pearls,"
But, Sayyad says, the bard wouldn't accept any thing except king's head.
7
Pleased with the music the king he showered rewards on the bard,
Returning all the bard played more melodious tunes,
"I have enough of wealth,
Give me your head in the name of merciful Lord o king.
8
From the outset the minstrel had set his mind on getting king's head,
So he accept not basketsful of presents and reject pearls,
"I have come at your door because you haven't learnt to say no."
9
I have never held my begging bowl out for alms,
There are many steeds of high breed in my stable,
Can I ever play string begging for an elephant?
The crown you are wearing on, I am seeker of that head.
10
Those who are hereditary mendicant musicians I am verily
one of them,
Tell me something from that which you have inherited.
11
O Beejal, play that meaningful melody,
Which you head played when entering Girnar,
Are you in a hurry as you have to go a long distance,
Or you would accept charity now?
12
I will neither accept the reward, nor have I a long distance to go,
I have come here with some set purpose,
Try to understand that purpose, o consort of Sourath,
I will not go back without achieving it,
I have come all the way only for you.
13
The mendicant accept not gifts of wealth or property,
He is above all reward and has come with a set purpose,
Only thing that he wants is to be intimately aquatinted with the king.
14
He begs for head, insists for head, accepts nothing except head,
He spares not poor, kills nobles,
He bows down rulers and squeezes their breath,
The creator will not spare any one, be it evening or morning.
15
O minstrel, may you not come again,
All the time you fix hook in someone's head,
All your life you hurled crowns on ground.
vaayi
The melody emanating from your strings has enchanted me,
Happily came you and created turmoil in Girnar,
Give up demand of my head, I will bestow enormous gifts on you,
I will give you massive worth million,
Lateef says, I may see homeland of my beloved.
Chapter-III
1
The melody Beejal played at dawn,
Immensely pleased the king in his palace,
"Come up, o supplicant, face to face,"
"I would lay", says Lateef "millions at your feet,"
"Come on, o my guest, so that I give you this head,"
2
O bard! Come up to me in sedan,
King, the consort (of Sourath), has invited you in his palace,
He has pledged to chop up his head at dawn.
3
The bard came into the place with his fiddle,
His every note will call for king's head,
He will not move without king's head,
Junagarh will crack and the palace will bewail.
4
The bard came in the palace with a sowed like fiddle,
The fiddler struck the string, and the palaces wrecked,
It clamored all over that Beejal's plea been heard,
Junagarh will crack and the palace will bewail.
5
There was no intermediary between the munificent lord and the beggar,
Whatever was in bard's mind, vibrated in the strings,
What was in bard's mind, spread all over.
6
Dyach greets you with salutation ten times a day, O bard,
You demand head which isn't worth a grain of pepper,
If the empty skull be off any use to you, I will cut it twenty times.
7
And recalled to my surveyed all over,
And recalled to my mind all the generous kings,
It is and none else, who would give his head for the strings.
8
If I did not have that which you had pledged to brings from one
Had you asked for that which I did not have,
It would have been a slur forever on all the munificents.
9
I am ready to forfeit my head for you,
Notwithstanding I cannot give you what you are worth.
10
I am ready to forfeit my head for you,
Take the skull and rush back,
Lest you defaults in your commitment with Ani Rai.
11
I cannot equate my head with music of your fiddle strings,
Worthless though it is I wouldn't let you return home empty handed,
There is nothing in the head , I am ashamedly chopping it.
12
If I put hundred heads in one scale and a string of your fiddle in another,
The scale of Beejal's tuneful strings would overweigh head is a hollow skull,
there is nothing in it.
13
If I had thousands heads on my trunk,
I would chop off each for your music.
14
Offering your head is no big deal, o Dyach,
Give me that which has no match, and which could be authority
for the supplicants.
15
Even as giving away is hard giving away of head is restful,
Whereas, o Dyach, it is painful to give away is related to strings.
16
Put in my pouch what is related to music,
Do not turn me away, I have come from far off.
17
Seeing is bowl brimful the bard gratified with king's generosity,
"Head is you have now, supplication I will give you at dawn,"
"Verily, the real existence is in nonexistence."
18
The bard putting fiddle on his shoulder had come to Girnar,
He had sung a song implying his request,
Large hearted king had been gratified,
Mother of Dyach should be proud.
vaayi
O friend, I will give you my head as a greeting gift,
O bard, let us be friend and go together to Junagarh,
I beseech you never ever speak ill of me,
If I had a thousand of heads on my trunk,
I would chop each for your strings,
Abdul Lateef says, o mates, the king was smitten by love.
Chapter-IV
1
The bards never come to palace without a set purpose,
The down cast eyes perceive light with light,
The moon rays sparkle in the king's tent,
Lateef says, when the bard received many countries in gift,
It was then that the rulers recognized him.
2
O bard, it is good that you come, I am into the secret,
I have unraveled the riddle of your music,
Now accept what is put in your bowl.
3
There is t is something really wondrous about your fiddle,
You play it with your hands and remain unscathed,
But while you played it last night it pierced me through and through.
4
It is not the music, it is some mystery vibrating in the cods,
Though all tell it be the fiddle but it the hands of the fiddler,
Pounce like a falcon to gain the precious.
5
The notes sounded by your cords have found favor,
My head is here in return for your music,
Head is made of clay, when cut, it will just be clay.
6
Ask for something else, whatever you ask for will be given away,
I weighed my home, my beloved wife sourath, none equals your cords,
Come near me so that I may reveal some secret,
I should whether cut my head right from shoulder or give you along with trunk?
7
The bard having tuned the fiddle began playing it with perfect skill,
It is easy to give head but the bard is demanding something more.
8
O wino, merge your secret with mine,
Be quick, as death stands straight behind you.
9
Cut my head, be happy, never come and never sing again,
I am ready to give in sacrifice whole of my country.
10
The cord, the dagger and the neck, all three reconciled,
What you have come for is not worth the journey you undertook,
Thanks to God that you have asked for my head.
11
The matchless fiddle started emanating music,
The alchemy like bard struck the cords skillfully,
On seeing Dyach he revealed his real self,
Taking out dagger and plunged in his neck.
12
The flower of Girnar is plucked it is lamentation all around,
Hundreds of Sourath like women are bewailing,
They adorned Dyach's head and holding by the hair handed over to the bard,
The damsels wailed that the king left them last night.
13
The present Dyach gave was worthless like shells,
Having obtained it the bard regretted.
14
Dyach did not gave, he only tantalized the supplicants,
The bard realizing this come and gave him back his head.
15
Sourath is dead, it is all peace, the king
pitched his tent some where else,
There are melodies and music all over
Behold, the king is happy.
16
Sourath is dead, it is all peace, the king unhitched his tent,
There was no music and no cord vibrated,
It was then that the bard gave the head back to Dyach.
vaayi
Farewell, o farewell, the dear departed, Sourath is bewailing,
Forget all music and play the cord of Tareeqat,
Sourath is lamenting amidst her mates,
I will give you, says e Dyach my bedecked head,
The bard who has come is the killer of the powerful,
He separates friend from a friend and thus shows his might,
It is love that has cut my head.
Melody Of Martyrdom
Chapter-I
1
Muharram moon is sighted; grieving of the princes resurges,
Allah alone knows, He does what He pleases.
2
Muharram moon is sighted, grieving of the princes resurges,
The people of Makkah and Madina wept on the highways,
Praise be to the One and only, who issues such orders.
3
The month of Muharram ha returned, but the Imams have not come,
O Lord, join me with the lords of Madina.
4
The month of Muharram ha returned, but not the princess,
O Munificent, let me see the lords of Madina.
5
Coming out of Medina the lords camped outside,
They sent men to bring wood, water and grass,
Riding their mounts they said, "A biggish battle is about to ensue."
6
Coming out Madina the lords set out on a slow and steady
march along,
The steeds of these bridegrooms cantered on,
Auspicious became the palaces, where they stayed overnight,
Shoulders, spines necks of the braves ached grievously.
7
Having left Madina, the princes did not return,
Brother dyer, dye my clothes black,
I am wretched for the princely travelers, who have departed.
8
Hearken, the hardship of martyrdom is a nuptial ceremony,
Yazeed was little aware that it was all a matter of love,
Death is like rain for the descendents of Ali.
9
The hardship of martyrdom was a rain of mercy,
Yazeed knew not, it was a sign of love,
The Imams have an eternal covenant to die.
10
The hardship of martyrdom was a rain of mercy,
Yazeed had no idea, it was a sign of love,
The Imams were destined for slaughter from the beginning.
11
The hardship of martyrdom was divine grace,
Only perfect devotees can comprehend the mystery of
Karbala's occurrence.
vaayi
The leaders of the believers are leaving Madina today,
They are leaving Madina, they are quitting Madina for all times,
The sun and the moon went together to the Prophet,
Alas, darkness spread and stars have emigrated.
Chapter-II
1
As the moon set the valiant chieftains mounted to set out
from Madina,
With drums, falcons, axes spears, daggers and javelins,
The sons of Ali would do battle with steel.
2
As the moon set the valiant bridegrooms
mounted to set out from Madina,
With drums, falcons, axes , spears, daggers and maces,
The intrepid sons of Ali would do battle with steel.
3
As the moon set the valiant lords set out from Madina,
With dreams, falcon, axes, spears, daggers and maces,
These innocent sons of Ali, with do battle with iron.
4
They pitched tents on the battleground of Karbala,
And plunged in the fight with Yazid,
Seeing the blazing swords they did not turn away their faces.
5
The members of the holy house, the perfect ones, come to Karbala,
With their Egyptian swords they made the infidels tremble,
Such were the brave sons of the Prophet's daughter.
6
Sayyad lions, the perfect ones, came to Karbala,
Slaughtering with Egyptian swords they piled up corpses,
Seeing the lord Hussian's onslaughts even the fearless trembled.
7
The valiant young, the perfect ones, came to Karbala,
The earth quaked, sky shook,
It was not a battle but a panorama of love.
8
The perfect ones came to Karbala on their own,
Facing the enemy, they held consultation among themselves,
Alas, how woeful was the fate of Imam Hussain.
9
The perfect ones, the chieftains, came to Karbala on their own,
Consultation among themselves,
Sitting in front of enemy they shot errows,
This was their falters since eternity.
10
He has His beloved gets slaughtered, His friend killed,
And makes His dear ones suffer,
Allah is independent, He does what He likes,
There is some deep mystery in it.
vaayi
Woe, woeAlas, the angels wailed mourned in the battlefield,
Alas, Imam Hussain departed,
They pitched their tents on Karbala's ground,
It was God's will, they bore suffered what was preordained,
The lords came to the ground of Karbala today,
Their fate engulfed them in the like dark clouds of anguish,
Seeing sufferings of lord Hussain, prophets wept bitterly,
Angels, skies and earth shook, lamentation gripped heaven.
Chapter-III
1
Did anyone witness yesterday the battle of the braves?
Chopping of elephant bones, flowing of blood n streams,
They go right in where there is risk to life.
2
It was under the dark cloud that I saw them last fighting,
Black butts of sword in their hands, unruly horses under their haunches,
I made their acquaintance for whom retreat was reprehensible.
3
The whetters came and whetted hatchets and swords,
Swords in hands, the braves remove them not from shoulders,
Standing steadfast they are ready to be killed.
4
To strike, to challenge, to care of comrades, is the way of the brave,
They do not let all this come in the way of the game of striking steel.
5
Braves confront braves, swords clashing,
They shout and strike, pile corpses upon corpses,
Heads fall and toss, battlefield thunders and echoes with cries.
6
On this side they shouted, on that they struck,
The clarions and bugles sounded on both sides,
Horses and the bridegroom heroes wedded with
death in the battlefield.
7
Horses and the bridegrooms-like warriors do not live long,
Sometime they are in castles and sometime in battlefield.
8
When the bridegroom saddled his horse,
He heard the call of his father Ali' the 'lion of God',
What God wills is destiny, it can't be avoided.
9
The pouched sheets carrying the braves are swings,
Their wives throw dust in their own faces and cry,
Beating their chest they wail; the battleground thunders
and echoes with cries.
10
O spouse, come to the battlefield in your groom's embroidered dress,
Step up to the ground, where swordplay is in full swing,
Falter not until you attain nuptial-martyrdom.
11
"Ran away" I won't say, "killed" I would believe,
I will be proud to foment wounds on my husband's face,
I will die of shame if the wounds are on his back.
12
O fugitive, you escaped from the battlefield, and put me in shame,
They are taunting me whose faces are raised high for martyrdom
of their husbands.
13
O escapes, you have disgraced me by running away,
They are faulting me whose heads are high with pride.
14
Those, whose heads are high faces are raised
bewail for their consorts,
"O mates, my brave has washed stains of all.
15
May you die and I mourn for you, do not come
back, my spouse,
Taunt have a long stretch; life only a few days.
vaayi
O Ali, o Ali, misfortune has been visited upon the orphans,
God has so commanded, o Imam,
Fai on separation by death, it is all time separation,
Bibi* collected pebbles and put them in a pot to cook,
Those, for whom she did it, are engaged in battle.
Chapter-IV
1
Some dew dripped, some wind blew
the off springs of Ali, the lion of God, had to pass night in wildness.
2
Cease fighting with off springs of Ali, o Yazeed,
You will not experience the happiness which Imam Hussain will do.
3
Those who fought yesterday with off springs of Ali,
Woe betide them as they were in the party of Yazeed.
4
Those who fight with offsprings of Ali today,
Or those who are his ally, keep away from them.
5
Koofis did great wrong by becoming partisans of Yazeed,
These wretches encircled the young Imam on the battleground,
The lion attend martyred as they firmly intended.
6
Koofis wrote letters vowing their allegiance in the name of Allah,
"We are your bondsmen, you are our ruler,
You have only to come here to be enthroned."
7
Koofis did not let them have water to drink at Karbala,
So they though of great lord Ali,
Coming out of their tents, they looked for the prophet,
reach us o lord Muhammad of Arbia.
8
The morning bird flew in from Karbala at daybreak,
Close to Prophet's mausoleum it cried,
'I witnessed the flashes of steel, reach them, o Muhammad of Arbia.'
9
The morning bird flew in from Karbala at daybreak,
Close to Prophet's mausoleum it cried,
'The braves have attacked, reach them o Muhmmad of Arabia.'
10
Morning bird flew in from Karbala yesterday,
'They are bathed in blood, their condition is disturbing,
All the companions of lord Hussain were martyred yesterday.
11
Karbala sounded with cries of the princes,
These chieftains of the world bore thrusts of steel.
vaayi
The Imam stayed in the battlefield the whole day,
The whole day they stayed in the battlefield,
If you go there, O crane, give my salaams to grandfather,
I am encircled by enemies, O God, let it rain.
Chapter-V
1
Hassan is not with Hussain as his comrade and companion,
The homeland of the princes is far beyond,
That is why, o Yazeed, your attacks are so swift.
2
Had Hassan been there when the battle was raging,
He would have been close to his brother, hovered over
him like a moth over a candle,
Who else is there to resist attacks on lord Hussain.
3
Not all those who fight in battle are brave hearts
Only they fall on the battlefield for whom retreat is a reproach.
4
The one who wears armor in battle, lusts for life,
He alone is brave, who all the time longs for crusade.
6
The brave and manly Hur stepped up,
I am moth, lover of flame,
It may please your grandfather, the Prophet,
This honorable head I sacrifice for you, o groom.
7
Hur had instructions right from the beginning,
He came from the other side in the course of battle,
Approaching the Imam he said, 'I offer myself as sacrifice for you,'
"He does not strain any human being beyond his power of endurance,"
I will do all that I can,
The groom was also wounded, that lion too was martyred.
8
Beard dyed in blood, teeth red like pomegranate-flowers,
Full moon like turban lying in the battlefield,
His mother was proud among Muhammad's followers,
Bravo to the brave, who is hacked in pieces on the battlefield.
9
Beard dyed in blood, teeth like well set pearls,
Forehead glowing like full moon in the battlefield,
"Allah is the light of skies" was reflected on earth,
The mark of prostration on his forehead* was set like a diamond,
His mother was collecting pebbles of Karbala,
Hazrat Ali was wiping blood drops of his wounds,
The creator forgave him all because of his martyrdom.
10
Karbala is crimsoned, hoofs of Duldul* are red,
Imam fought on, the sun smiled above him and set.
11
Four swords tied round his waist and two turbans on his head,
He lived up to the valorous tradition of his elders.
vaayi
Imam did not return today, bewail, mourn, o believers,
No food, no water, nor did rain fall,
They were in great battle for nine nights and ten days,
Duldul, the horse of Imam, had red saddle on,
The lion prince did not get to have the pleasure of bridal
bed as he was martyred.
Chapter-VI
1
O prince, fond of battle, so long as you are alive,
Rising above sword's buttons, taste the mettle of steel,
Be food for vultures, who have been waiting since years.
2
Those whose feet were sacred, they had never put them from cot on ground,
Swords cut the girths of their saddles, the plume-wearers prince fell on ground,
The vultures fell upon the piles of dead bodies.
3
As are herds of goats on a mountain so are vultures on the battlefield,
The ferocious among them dash here and there and fight each other,
Widows of martyrs will dye their cloths black, cause the cost of indigo go up.
4
Vulture have no abode, they search for battles,
They swamp down on Hassan and Hussain, and heads with
heads of Imams as if performing a marriage ritual,
And disheveling with their peaks the matted hair of plums wearers.
5
Vultures wander day and night in battlefield for their food,
They ask each other in whispers, "which way lies the battlefield,
They eat flesh of swordsmen letting coward rot.
6
Vultures do not eat bovine beef nor have taste for buffalo's,
They look out for the flesh of those who wear plumes.
7
Vulture, do not pluck my eyes, don't eat my pupils,
Don't you see the sand-covered prince on ground,
Whose young body received nine hundred nine wounds,
Whose weeping mother last night assigned them in God's custody.
8
May all you feathers fall, May you develop gout,
Because you did not shower flowers on the lords.
9
Vultures were suffering pain of utter dependency,
The scarcity of their livlihood ended with the coming of braves,
They will do battle as they are fond of combat.
10
The strong and brave, fond as they are of combat, cannot stay put,
All the brave hearts have laid lives for the Imams,
'They fight in thename of Allah' is their task,
The Hurries greet the martyrs with garlands and weaths.
11
The strong and brave, fond of combat, were fully armed,
Some were brothers, some nephews and some intimate friends,
With God's grace they vanquished their enemy,
The Hurries greeted the martyrs with garlands and wreaths.
12
Paradise was their abode, the nobler went to Firdous,*
They died in the way of God and became one with Him,
O God, bless me with sighting of your face for their sake.
13
The entire world learnt about Hassan and lord Hussain,
The arrows with black feathers flew in sequence,
Sayyad brought honor to his father, forefathers and himself.
14
Three groups wept bitterly for Hassan and Hussain,
Human beings in their hmes, animals in forest and angles on skies,
Birds dashed on ground bewailing that the prince were departing,
O God, True lord, Make the princes victorious.
15
Any one who achs not for Hassan and lord Hussain,
The Creator and Mighty God, will not forgive him.
vaayi
Wail for them Imams, wail for the martyrs,
Why not you weep bitterly and fill eyes with bloody tears?
Whatever befell Imams it was from God Himself.
Melody Of Clouds
Chapter-I
1
“It is cloudy, behold the dense clouds” so says Lateef,
“It is raining heavily in big drops, bring out your cattle herds,
Leave your huts, come out to open plain with all provisions,
Do not lose hope in God’s mercy.”
2
"God has brought clouds, behold the clouds," says Lateef
With the downpour the plains are verdant,
God has covered the paths with lush green grass,
The poor nomads heaved a sigh of relief, there a torrential down pour.
3
Sight of rain-laden clouds is not so pleasant as that of a beloved,
Without beloved, colours do not move heart," so says Sayyad,
With arrival of the beloved, hundred rainy seasons set in.
4
Beloved arrived in the propinquity is soothed my aching heart,
All the pain and affliction vanished at once,
As beloved revealed his beauty openly.
5
Clouds of emitted dense vapours towards north,
Clouds spread, they are always there in the season,
Lateef wishes clouds to ends miseries of the people,
And pour plenty of water and quench their thirst.
6
Today too clouds are formed towards north,
Creator is causing clouds to pour on paths and deluge the country,
May not my beloved leave my side for any reason.
7
Today too cuckoo is cooing towards north,
Farmers take to fields with their ploughs, herdsmen rejoice,
Today too my friend cloud is in disposed to rain.
8
Today too dark clouds gathered towards north,
Big drops of rain are falling and tree branches are agiggle,
Buffaloes were very thirsty, their thirst is quenched fully,
Having bathed in water they are running joyfully their pen.
9
Today too the peaks of clouds emerged towards north,
The lighting in seasonal rain dose not lie,
Come back my beloved forgetting all misunderstandings.
10
Today too the clouds like black hair (of a damsel) are
spread towards north,
the lighting with red apparel id heralding rain,
My beloved was away, rain has brought him back.
11
Today too the clouds are formed towards north,
The rainy season is well in time, it did not delay,
Downpour deluging plains delighted poor nomads.
12
Today too all my hopes for clouds are pinned in the sky,
O my mates, rainy season reminded me of my beloved,
I long for the land to be moistened,
I want you to be home my beloved, and every season will be
a rainy season.
13
Today too the clouds gather towards north,
It rains on Prophet's Mausoleum inundating plains,
May clouds, with lighting return and make poor nomads happy.
14
Today too clouds are gathering towards north,
may the rain fill creeks and dry depression of scorched earth.
15
Clouds roared and turn round from north,
They filled the pits, empty dry depressions and flooded the whole environ,
Behold, the plains are exuding perfumes,
The flashing clouds came direct on prophet's Mausoleum and rained.
16
Clouds with lighting came from Prophet's Mausoleum,
Casting glance filled Nara river,
O God, command the clouds to fill the empty parched wells,
My gracious beloved unveiled his sublime beauty.
17
Unexpectedly beloved showed himself,
It cleared rust from my heart and made me happy,
All my heart's desires have been fulfilled by beloved's sight.
18
Clouds bedecked with flashes have come to rain,
It provided water to thirsty millions the
flashing clouds turned and stretched their limbs on Kaa'ba.
19
Whenever it rains, it is monsoon season,
Unyielding cattle have yielded milk,
Lean and hungry calves will not be unhappy,
For there is plenty of grass all over.
20
O rain, if you learn to rain like my eyes,
You would rain day and night and would never stop dropping.
21
The disheveled hair of the beloved are like dark clouds,
As are the clouds, so is my beloved,
Raise your eyes longingly, my friend, So that all sorrows,
all pain is wiped out.
22
Clouds or no clouds, my eyes are always overcast,
Tears roll down my cheeks when I remember my friend,
May they always weep whose beloved is abroad.
23
Lighting flashed in clouds, the village silos would be filled with grain,
Perceiving beloved's blessing all my sorrows vanished,
May rain fall soon in torrents on lovers.
24
It rained in torrents on the lover today,
Scram you, famine maker, clouds are within sight.
25
High breed horses of in the yard, buffaloes of curved horns in pen,
Huts amidst lush green ground look delightful,
Beloved by my side on a fragranced bridal bed, may it ever rain,
Would that I and my beloved be together forever.
26
It rained on desert, on dry land, on Jassermere,
Morning reverberates with sound of churning,
Wives of herdsmen are affluent, their hands are full of butter,
They milk brown buffaloes,
Housewives and their maids are happy in their homes.
27
It rained on desert, on dry land, on Jassermere,
Clouds came thundering over "Paa-er"
Removing grief of forlorn damsels forsaken by their lovers,
Herdsmen happily walked along the fragranced path.
28
It rained on desert, on dry land, along "Katchh"
Behold, plains were flooded in late hours,
Beneficent God has relieve all country of miseries.
29
O cloud, in name of Allah, take care of thirsty folk,
Pour plenty of water on plains making grain abundant and cheap,
Pour rain on my motherland so that herdsmen may prosper.
30
Human being, deer buffaloes, all yearn for clouds,
Ducks look for clouds and quail chirp for rain,
Oysters in ocean yearn for raindrops every day,
(O God), Make water plentiful so that herdsmen may prosper.
31
O my beloved, do not sell buffaloes of curved horns,
keep the entire herd,
Lean or fat, own them all,
Take your herd from highland to lowland pastures,
So that the spring may come singing to our courtyard.
32
Clouds com in season, but you don't my beloved,
My beloved is resonating in my mind, he is about to come,
God has prepared land for tillers,
Do not think for a moment that the rain is over.
33
Clouds, bedecked lighting have come,
Rainfall has filled the dry bed of Puran.
34
Clouds, bedecked with lighting, have come to rain,
Flashes in clouds have enlivened me,
Clouds hummed and washed away all rust from my heart.
vaayi
I have all hopes in Allah, the Sayyad would take care of me,
Prophet would prostrate before Allah humbly,
He would beg for clemency for his followers,
Angel Israfeel will sound the siren, sun will scorch eyes,
All believers would gather around the Prophet and he will rejoice,
Each will leave the other and would run to Prophet,
Allah will oblige him and will pardon all sinners.
Chapter-II
1
Clouds are crimson like red sealing wax,
Colors in the clouds have formed motifs like those on damsel's stole,
It rained near Bhitt* and filled the lake Karar* to its brim.
2
Clouds rolled on Bhitt happily,
Flashes of lightening look bloom khatnahar towards north,*
All green plains look fresh and "Daman" is in abundance,
Rainfall flowing down plains filled Karar battom to brim.
3
Filling Karar it rained on sandy plains,
Timely lightening made the monsoon to pour fully,
Clouds came from "Makaani" and passed by "pub"*
Creator has grown plentiful "Chiho" all along the banks of "Chukhi".
4
Cheeho along Chukhi's banks, flowers along "Gang"*
Having filled low-laying plains clouds moved from "Hadakat"
after filling the low lying plains,
They brought deluging down pour, the entire desert looks like a
garden in spring.
5
Today clouds formed pleasant colorful peaks,
Whole desert resonates with music of sarangi,* Sarando and Chang,*
Last night clouds poured jars of rainwater over "Padhaam"* plains.
6
Meehan* and Neehan* both are one and the same,
When it rains the clouds rumble,
I would stand forth like a cloud if you come my beloved.
7
Seeing clouds they cry for their consorts sobbing convulsively,
May the huts built by these forlorn damsels not get drenched
and leak in the rain,
When chilly winds of north demolish their huts to whom they
should turn cry out for help,
May that their protectors come back to take care them.
8
Seeing clouds they cry for their consorts sobbing convulsively,
The damsel, delicate like flower buds, tremble on hearing
thunder of clouds,
Alone without consort, in silence they suffer.
vaayi
Let my rival burn with jealousy, I'll go to my friend's door,
More the rivals jealousy, more my beloved's love,
Wearing anklets of love I'll dance in front of my beloved's door.
Chapter-III
1
Elephant envy my friend's gait, and want to learn it,
Handwas'* marvel at my beloved's red lips,
Lighting flashes as full moon radiates,
All are, says Lateef, yearning to see the beloved,
The dear one walks alonng is saffron- colored radiance.
2
Rainy season set in, enthralling music pours forth, rain falls in torrents,
There is water all around, grass is in abundance, buffaloes go grazing grass,
Thrilled herdswomen make garland of flower and wear round their necks,
Grounds, cucumbers, and mushrooms, are in abundance,
May you o God, end miseries of all people.
3
Rainy season sets in, enthralling music pours forth, cuckoo is cooing,
Tellers take up ploughs, herdsmen rejoice,
Today too my friend cloud has poised for rain.
4
Rainy season sets in, enthralling music pours forth, clouds gathered quickly,
Grain is cheap, butter is in abundance,
I rinsed off rust from my heart with ##Kalma##.
5
After watering Raook*, cloud showered benevolence on Lutori*,
It flooded depression, and filled all dried ponds,
God, let the rain fall in torrents.
6
I see sky is overcast, do not settle down, my love,
Clouds are gathering towards north with eyes full of water,
Leave low plains, build hut on a high lands.
7
O my love, may God bring you back,
My heart remembers and wails for you.
8
It rained more heavily in late monsoon than in early days,
God let the rainfall only when I had prayed for it to exhaustion.
9
Beloved comes like a heavy monsoon rain,
Setting along side those, who had longed for him whole of their lives.
10
I need a warm cover, my hut cannot stop the chill,
Tell his to him who is best among all,
Come home to me, my love, so that I may get into form.
11
My consort, without your cover I shiver in cold night form the dusk,
O you perfect one, without you I shiver even under the quilt,
I live in hope that God will bring you back at dawn.
vaayi
Your eyes are like clouds, your countenance fascinates the whole world,
Perceiving the Divine light in Muttalib's* forehead the elephant prostrated,
On my lord's birth towers of the infidels' fort collapsed,
Lord made you visit and see all the heavens,
"And your lord would soon grant you" was God's promise with you,
The Almighty himself has sworn by the dust of you feet,
Immense are the favors of Allah on Ahmed,
Those yearning for rain are happy,
Our friend has let the rainfall.
Chapter-IV
1
Beloved, like a monsoon rain, hums toward Jhok,*
Making plains verdant with heavy rainfall,
Cloud pours abundant water on people with overcast eyes.
2
With northern wind lighting appeared and flashed on Khanbhat,*
O herdsmen, drive you buffaloes with curved horns and their calves to highway,
Herdsmen prosperous and happy, their thirst is quenched,
Clouds would downpour and deluge plains in a short while.
3
Sun is peeping through clouds and is not clear,
Lightening flashes tidings of rain to come,
O heart, do not pine away with anxiety for you are soon to meet.
4
After raining over "Dhat" the lightening flashed on "Parkar"
All the dry ponds and plains are filled with water.
5
Flashing clouds glided from Dhut* to plains, onward to Umerkot*,
Deluging parched plains with rainwater,
The sportive cloud inundated Samaro.
6
Flashing clouds glided from Dhut to plains, onwards to Kamaro*,
Raining on dry bed of Puran on Samaro,*
It rained on parched plains of "Pran" and on "Samaro",
Behold, lightening is attired in dark clouds.
7
Flashing clouds glided from Dhut to plains, turning them into lush greens,
Sun and moon are no match to my love in radiance,
The gracious beloved came home at dawn.
8
Flashing clouds glided from Dhut to plains reverberating with thunder,
Put in order your cottage for your beloved,
As the merciful beloved would visit you at dawn.
9
Flashing clouds glided from Dhut to plains showering bounties,
God's immeasurable blessings are on cattle with curved horns,
O my love protect honor of herdsmen.
10
If rained all night stopped at dawn for respite,
But it rains in a heart that pines beloved,
Were you to suffer similar pangs, o cloud, you too wouldn't stop raining.
11
With monsoon came flashing clouds
Once again to rain all over,
Some lightening flashed on Constantinople, some went towards west,
Some glittered over China and some took care of Samarkand,
Some of Delhi, Some to Deccan and some to Thundered on Girnar,
Some to rambled to Rome, Kabul and Qandahar,
Some to Dehli, Some to Deccan and some thundered over Girnar,
Some rushed to Jaisalmer and then to Bikaner and Bakar
Some drenched Bhuj and then Dhut,
Some came Umerkot, some rained on Walhar
O my Lord, bestow prosperity on Sindh forever,
O my sweet friend, shower blessings on all the world.
12
Skies are again overcast, all land is rain filled,
Bedecked with flashes cloud look like a bridegroom reclining on a wedding bed,
Cloud blessed poor damsel, they were married off doubling the dowry,
Tillers carrying seeds, joyously rushed to fields,
Rain has enlivened all, whole world is prosperous.
13
Skies are again overcast, all land is rain filled
Embellished with lighting clouds inundated everywhere,
Millions of silos are filled with grain in all over the world,
Rainy season has ended distress and brightness is all over.
14
Flashing clouds arrived and playfully deluged low-lying valleys,
Buffaloes are out grazing without herdsmen,
With their udders full and calves in train,
They yield fresh milk,
Estranged are reconciled.
15
God commanded clouds to embellish for raining,
Flashing clouds arrived and rained in thundering claps,
Those hoarding for high price wring their hands,
Their hope of making fifteen of five is shattered,
Hoarders and miser profiteers my perish,
Herdsmen are again speaking of great showers,
Sayyad says, they all depend on you o Lord.
16
Inside me dense clouds rain, outside there is not a trace of cloud,
Lightning flashes inside those, who are truly in love,
Those with their lovers besides them, their eyes aren't ever tearful.
17
It rains heavily inside me and so it outside,
Those whose lovers beside them their eyes aren't ever tearful.
vaayi
Rainy season has set in, I will dye dress crimson,
My friend cloud again means to rain,
Adjusting bells around the canvas's necks, herds maid's tresses were drenched,
Sayyad says, come home o beloved and take me into your care.
Melody Of Hope
Chapter-I
1
I search in limitlessness, and find not the Guide,
Beloved's beauty has no shape,
On our part yearning is limitless and on his part is the indifference.
2
No one reached the other side with "I",
"Verily Allah is one and He likes Oneness", burn duality in all form,
Shed tears of 'being' before oneness.
3
I cast duality in fire my beloved, transcend me from myself,
Hold my "I" away from me, it only you O lord whom "You" suits.
4
It is only O Lord, whom 'You" suits, You are all Beauty,
There is no other thought if only you shun doubts o dualist.
5
Hold my "I" away from me, I have abandoned talking about my self,
O the Compassionate, I have passed many days of my life in duality.
6
To think that you are away from associationism is itself associationism,
Discarding your 'self' be away from yourself,
There is no 'this', 'that' too is not without 'this'.
7
'That' is not without 'this' too is not without 'that',
"Man is my secret, and I am his,"* think over it.
All the saints and scholars have been saying this.
8
There is neither the beginning nor the end of bondman,
They transcended transcendence who had true perception
of the beloved .
9
They discarded obeisance and gave up yearning,
They reached the stage where there is no limit.
10
I am your bondman and you are the one to be worshipped there
is no doubt or suspicion in it,
This is the way of the lovers that they remember their beloved,
That is truth in which beloved is perceived.
11
So long you perceive yourself there cannot be true Namaz,
Discard all affiliations and then offer prayer.
12
So long you perceive your 'self' there cannot be true prostration,
Discard your being and then offer prayer.
13
Nonexistence elevated the bondman,
They are concealed in appearance and are same in manifestation,
What can be said here about the secret of the beloved.
14
It is matter of beloved's mystery, and the matter is all mystery,
O my heart, don't get confused so that it may distance you from the beloved.
15
Don't to discern appearance of the beloved you are seeking,
Only that be called conversation with him which is not a face to face.
16
One cannot be identified without appearance, don't his appearance,
Discard self and acquire intellectual of a child.
17
Those who abnegated self and were merged in Allah,
They do not observe method of standing, genuflexion and prostration,
When they were nonexistent only then they reached exist.
vaayi
After beloved's arrival the night may not pass when I am playing with him,
O the Omnipotent, why did you impose separation on the poor supplicant?
They climbed on hard rocks not caring for me,
Sayyad, may I be near your company,
I am expectantly looking for him he may have mercy and come,
Abdul Lateef says, sisters, beloved will come soon.
Chapter-II
1
If eyes don't perceive beloved first at sun rise,
Pluck them and give them to crows.
2
If eyes will not perceive beloved first at sunrise,
I would pluck them and give them to crows ad morsels.
3
My eyes has done me much favor,
Even looked at an evil person I perceive my beloved.
4
If my eyes perceive other than the beloved,
I would pluck them and give as morsels to the crows.
5
Offer you eyes before breakfast to the beloved,
It would be like seventy delicious dishes in breakfast.
6
Those eyes had breakfast by seeing the beloved early in the morning,
It would be like my body and soul performed Hajj.
7
Eyes came early in the morning to see the beloved,
Upstanding in prayer before the beloved they would do nothing,
They will be red without a red dye and will reconcile with the beloved.
8
Eyes perceived something somewhere,
They are driving to that direction on their own.
9
Eyes perceived something somewhere,
They frenzied and were stricken with love,
Then after, Sayyad says, they did not sleep peacefully.
10
Eyes perceived something today,
Beloved showed kindness they reddened with rapture, says Lateef.
11
Even perceived something yesterday,
Beloved's dazzling beauty reddened them, says Lateef,
Those eyes ravished who saw the beloved.
12
They weep and smile for seeing the beloved everyday,
The more they perceive beloved the more ravished they are.
13
They weeping and smile for seeing the beloved,
Seeing him many times they grope for him again and again,
They are never satiated from seeing the beloved again.
14
They see the beloved everyday but still they yearn
to see him again and again,
They saw the beloved and recognized him.
15
Eyes ire eyes and rebuke,
Since they have learnt yearning they have become demanding,
They laugh and are annoyed, at one moment they are cross
and in second moment they are reconciled.
16
Eyes have strange habits,
They gather sufferings of others,
And entangle in love there weapon is not required.
17
Eyes know many ways of quarrelling,
They are persistent in their quarrel and never settle it,
As are clouds in the sky they are laden with rain,
They stop not shedding water like monsoon rains.
18
As much as I restrain my eyes,
They trampled people who were asleep and saw the beloved,
They practically killed me and reconciled with the beloved.
19
Eyes did what they wished,
They entangled there where life is at stake,
There is no argument, one has to give his life.
20
My eyes without consulting me did whatever they liked,
They entangled there where there is no scope for argument,
My poor heart is sitting on beloved paths and is melting in grief .
21
Your eyes should be such that they act differently unlike common people,
If people go by the current you go opposite the current,
Look for him inside you, and go to him by turning your back to other.
22
Until the turns his face he looks beautiful even not facing me,
If the beloved turns his face toward me,
All my veins will be red and my body will be refreshed.
23
Your eyes should be such with which you can see the beloved,
See not to anyone else beloved is very envious.
vaayi
O mates I cannot behave on my own, take care of me,
Wherever he asks me I step to that direction,
The pen is in hand of the writer, how could I change it slightly,
Reins are in hands of the master where I drive my camel,
I always fly crows for beloved,
Abdul Lateef says, he will come I should not give up hope.
vaayi
My friend, how will my eyes be restrained without you,
You are their patron, I am worthy of dust,
Even if you were beyond the setting and rising of sun,
I must have come to you with my eyes.
Chapter-III
1
Don't perceive with the eyes you have in your face,
Seeing with eyes no one comprehended the beloved,
Only they perceived the beloved who closed both the eyes.
2
Your eyes will get you entangled and then will withdraw,
Hence don't trust your eyes.
3
O mother, these my eyes whom I consider faithful,
O naïve, I made mistake in comprehending the real beloved.
4
Don't make these eyes your well-wisher turn them not searchingly,
Enquire and then follow the real track.
5
O mother, as the carder cards cotton, love has carded me in the same way,
My hands are unable to work, and my limbs have turned useless.
6
The Divine knowledge has separated life from the body,
I cannot take a single breath without beloved,
Now it is only God that is in my soul.
7
Every one guided me on the straight path, there should be someone to misguide me,
Yearning and acquisition are only half way,
I seek a place where there is neither isness nor nothing.
8
This is also human conjecture the there is neither isness nor nothing,
The beauty of beloved is beyond all conjecture.
9
This is again human conjecture that there is nothing,
His sanctity of the beloved is beyond all conjecture.
10
There is love in the eyes and where darts of love are shot,
I sacrifice life and all my body for that,
Lateef says: every limb is to be offered is sacrifice,
I sacrifice my heart for the friend,
My heart and eyes climbed on scaffold for the beloved.
11
Those who do not have beloved in their eyes and do not offer their heart to him,
Their life is absurd and they live without any achievement.
12
Stupid fellows could not discern the paradox and talk absurd,
How could they see the beloved who have cataracts in their eyes.
13
Until you make your body stander than needle,
How would beloved insert you in his eyes like antimony.
14
Come my friend, sit in my eyes so that I may hide you by closing my eyelids,
So that no one should see you nor I should see any one.
15
Make my eyes your abode and be in my pupils,
Immersed in my eyes so that I can see whiteness.
16
Expose not my love to the wicked people, my beloved,
May they short period of our union becomes long in giving explanations.
17
Yearn with more yearning, yearning is not easy,
Be secretive even from secrecy so that the wicked people it not.
18
If the wicked persons know about my love what could they do,
It is not offence to see the face of the beloved,
The dart of love Has pierced me and it has made me weep bitterly.
19
The wicked person who dug a pit for my friend to fall in,
The slanderer himself fell in it and perished.
20
O God, may the wicked persons livelong ill feelings for me,
Let them see fulfillment of dreams of my union with the beloved,
And thereafter they die by burning in that agonty.
21
The wicked persons will misguide only those, whose love is weak,
But those who burn in love defeat them completely.
22
May the reptile or a cobra bite the wicked persons,
Who uprightly listen my whisperings with beloved.
23
May you the wicked person, suffer for your wickedness,
You have obstructed all the ways of beloved's coming,
May you the black faced, fie in your own agony.
24
Beloved always do favor, but people take them as disfavors,
It is difficult to know the ways of beloved.
25
Beloved way is such which has never heard of,
One gets confused seeing such ways.
26
No length, no breath, no face and no form,
This paradox the blind cannot discern.
27
The human faculty of discerning gets baffled, it cannot comprehend,
The blind person cannot evaluate the real value of beauty.
28
The human faculty of discerning got baffled,
The blind man cannot understand love's signals.
29
Human faculty of discerning gets mortified,
The handicapped person is unable comprehends all.
30
The human faculty of discerning the commoner lacks,
Hence blind man cannot discern the mystery of love.
31
Some blind person gathered around a dead elephant,
They examined it with hands and cannot see it,
In fact only those with sight recognized the elephant,
It is only their spiritual leaders who can improve their vision.
vaayi
In appearance you like the idol breaker Abraham,
But inside you are idolater Aazer,
Claim not to be healthy you are still sick,
There is no controversy regarding Exalted lord,
You look Muslim but in heart you are little of it,
Duality is not the way of achieving union of the lord,
About Lateef says: safeguard my fidelity.
vaayi
There is no particular season of death, repent early,
'Be quick to repent before death,' waste not a moment,
Be quick in preparing yourself for meetinf the beloved,
Death comes and drives them with stick who are forgetful,
He has kept ready the hatchet to cut,
He demolishes mansions of the blind persons,
The bridegroom will be taken to their homes after performing a marriage ceremony at proper time,
Abdul Lateef says,
They will be without coffin there.
vaayi
My Allah, keep me not away from the beloved,
Since he alone is my mainstay,
How that land be far off where my friend resides,
Mother my eyes had gone there and had hovered over the beloved,
The one who holds the pen in his hand is kind Benefactor,
He may not write bad about this bondwomen.
Chapter-IV
1
Seeing the manifestation they cloud not comprehends the Absolute,
The pedigree horses are in the stable but they cannot be recognized because the covering cloth hides their identity,
They were no doubt estimable people, but reasoning hindered them from discerning the Realty.
2
Seeing the manifestation how cloud they comprehend the Absolute,
They remained deprived of the true conception of the beloved and died.
3
They died as deprived persons and not as the enlightened ones,
Like a sparrow they struck their beaks and moved the reeds,
They were just bubbles in the ocean of existance.
4
Abandon the abandoning and give up the giving up,
This is the way of reaching Him, you learn it and tell it to others.
5
Learn to abandon and then abandon the abandoning hide yourself from world and even from hiding itself.
[Read original verse]6
All try to hide their acts from people but no one hides them from hiding itself,
All the time is the worry about it.
7
Work with your hands and stare with your eyes,
Behold your beloved he is standing there in your courtyard.
8
We ourselves are the on whom we year for,
Leave me o doubt, I have rightly recognized the beloved.
9
We ourselves are the one whom we year for,
##Neither begets nor is begotten,## go to him,
From that o connoisseur, you find out the Truth.
10
If you see thing in their true perspective,
You will say, ##every thing in Truth,##
You blind, do not have slightest doubt in it.
11
Peep inside yourself: don't look outside like,
If your eyes are full of love you will prefer to be in main current rather than on the bank.
12
Those who affirm their all doubts are washed off,
There is nothing like that negation in which is Truth.
13
Duality is great hindrance on this path,
The duality of darkness is light,
Every thing looks clear only if you look at things through glasses of 'Alaf'
14
This is no faith if you only recite Kalma,
Hypocrisy, duality and satan are there in your heart,
Apparently you are Muslim but in your inside you are Azar*.
15
You are untrue to faithlessness, call yourself not faithless,
You are certainly not a true Hindu, wearing of Janio you deserve not,
Bear color mark on your forehead only when you are true to your faith.
16
Your countenance is like that of Moses but your behavior is that of satan,
Why don't you banish that deceitful from your heart?
17
Your countenance is like that of Moses but your disposition is that of Satan,
Why don't you discard this unfertile deceit?
18
Face is cleaner then mirror, but heart is all dark,
Sweet is your tongue but your mind is full of sins,
That is the reason that he is never close to union.
19
Put antimony of union with beloved in your eyes,
Discard duality and embrace Maarfat,
Don't stain the beauty of beloved,
Look with the eye that affirm truth and you will be a true Muslim.
20
Black antimony suits only women,
Don't pass a rod of black antimony through your eyes,
Apply to your eyes the radiance of the beloved.
21
Whoso applied to their eyes antimony of rediance,
Then they saw crimson glow everywhere.
22
Whoso applied to their eyes antimony of whiteness,
Then they saw whiteness all over.
23
If a slave learns Persian even, then he will be a slave,
How cold he deserves to be a chieftain when he is entangled in worldly requirements,
When hungry he ask for food and when thirsty he demands water,
He is commoner among the commoners and cannot be from among the nobles.
24
Every one gets angry over vices but my beloved is angry over my virtues,
The deeds I counted virtuous by tongue , I never performed,
I annihilated ego and regarded all my virtuous deeds as worthless,
I put forwarded a humble plea that I am ashamed of all my so-called good deeds,
The beloved was conciliated only then when 'I' amid was banished.
25
Every one gets angry over vices but my beloved is angry over my virtues,
In carelessness of childhood I had lied a lot,
It was because of that that my sorrows were more than my joys.
26
What I confessed to heart did not confess my beath,
I concealed my love from all,
But it could no conceal it any more when beloved left me.
27
I made all efforts to conceal my love from people but tears disclosed it,
The evil persons made it out from my pale countenance,
Hostile was the paleness my secret love.
28
Lover wants that he should not tell any one about his love,
But how it could remain concealed when eyes shed tears and heart burns.
29
Love can never be kept concealed in heart,
How a boat can remain smooth when Mehran in inundating.
30
Million of rivers inundated inside me,
I burn inside but no steam came out.
31
Self is veil against you, be careful,
Its presence is obstruction in you and beloved's union.
32
Self is veil against you, listen you seeker,
Indulge not in arguments, all veils will be lifted.
33
'I' sprouts in me, 'I' suits me,
Awareness of 'I' gained from 'I',
'I' suits those who are aware of it, you don't say it.
34
That which is the origin of every thing, God is there,
As meat cannot be baked on husk so love cannot germinate in earthen silo.
35
Meat cannot be baked on husk, love cannot germinate in earthen silo,
How with immature methods there can be union with beloved.
36
He is nearer than eyesight but I cannot bear to see, they are beyond perception, I am melting only by chanting his name.
[Read original verse]37
An addict was eased to see the thing he is addicted to,
The beauty of the Truth the immature perceives not,
Infidelity and the infidel joined and became Islam.
38
My beloved bound me all over put me in the deep water,
And standing on the bank commands me not to wet my cloths.
39
One who is thrown in deep waters, how can he be safe from wetting hi clothes?
Please seeker, tell me the way.
40
Make Tareeqat your mainstay, and comprehend Shariat,
Acquaint your heart with Haqeeqat, and make Maarfat your goal,
Stand on all this family and you will be saved from wetting your cloths.
41
Never do wrong act, regard it as a withered and dead branch of a tree,
Worthy seeker, following ascetics bind your lion cloth tighty,
By doing this you will cross the stream with all the four sides or your stole dry.
42
He went above all ways of honoring and praises,
Where there is call of the Lord there is no one else,
He entered the stream of love, which has no limits.
43
You sleep and wish bridal bed and avoid all kind of hardships,
Without beloved's favor you may not climb bridal couch.
44
You sleep and wish for bridal bed but avoid all kind of hardships,
Without blessing of beloved you may not climb bridal couch.
45
Those who have in favor of the beloved they only will climb the bridal bed,
Those who are ##steadfast in their belief and righteousness,##
The are adorned and ready for marriage ceremonies.
46
Those who have immersed with beloved their sleep is prayer,
They accustom their eyes with sleep and get good dreams,
They are relieved of all worldly worries and sorrows.
47
Rosary is their body, bead is their mind and rhythmic instruments is their heart.
The strings of all the desires vibrate the oneness,
The music that emanates from their sleep is prayer.
48
The one who is annoyed during friendly talk cannot be friend's favorite,
Some evil person has turned the beloved against me and he is indifferent.
49
Annoyance is not love's way, one does not get beloved favor again,
Behold, the entire universe is based on love.
vaayi
There is something is the huts, which appear worn out,
The residents of these huts who do not count, are deer to God,
They are strangers to general public but they are beloved's guests,
'All my proteges and friend are wrapped in my cloak'* he will cover them up,
'No one except me know them' they do not let anyone know about them,
Put your scarf in your neck ad sign of humility and serve people,
Abdul Lateef says, sisters, something is surely over there.
Melody Calamity
Chapter-I
1
O mother, my entire being is immersed in grief,
Pride of the love-smitten is to keep moving on beloved’s path.
2
I am beset by grief beloved took away health,
Mother, pangs of beloved’s separation are killing me.
3
Grief has no visible from, if flows within the being,
Pain has furrowed all over my body,
Who can like me a lonely life without the beloved?
4
As in rainy season grass grows in a dry land,
So does grief burgeon in my heart when beloved is away.
5
The fire the beloved kindled is blazing inside,
How can it be out as formed by the beloved?
6
Telling of grief is immaturity holding back is not easy,
O mother, my body all is pain.
7
As the bottom of flying pan burns in fire, so do I,
Beloved gave me a sip of love –wine,
Welcome is this burning, beloved may not be separated.
8
While asleep grief of beloved’s separation surged in my my heart,
I got up from bed, distressed and writhing in pain.
9
Share your secret with yourself, don’t make it public by crying,
Endure your pain silently till you find some curer.
10
Weep secretly, lt no one know except the beloved is away,
Be strong to endure pain, my heart, like roots of lotus plant.
11
Heart languishes, laments is never quit,
Remembers the beloved, whom it cherishes.
12
For whom my heart stops not languishing and lamenting,
Don’t think, mother, that I can live without him.
13
Heart is restless like a camel herd,
I did not tie love knot with the beloved to severe it.
14
Clouds inside cranium, eyes never stop being overcast,
Today my beloved rained in my being heavily,
Come, beloved, do care, I am overwhelmed with love.
15
Though I lose no moment to hold beak my heart,
It does not bide a moment without them beloved,
The more I try to keep it from pining, the more it pines.
16
It rains inside me, why should I crave clouds?
Cloud of beloved’s thoughts,
Disperses not even for a while.
17
While I slept I recollected a beloved’s virtue,
Tears soaked pillow, wetted my hand,
Thinking of him more, I live in vain without him, mates.
18
As I recalled the beloved memories flooded my mind,
Whatever my condition I forget him not,
Hands get soaked as tears flow my eyes.
19
I live on recollections of your love-talk, my beloved,
How many of your qualities can I count? Your favors are countless.
20
When I think to tell him my deep feeling for him,
All my sinews vibrate like a rebeck.
21
My mind knows no rest, nor is bound by reproaches,
Like a roadside tree it is always laden with dust (of sorrows).
22
Reassuring my heart as I come out at dawn,
Love leads me again to the beloved’s path.
23
Recalling him he flashes in my mind, I must remember him,
Beloved’s countenance is always in my soul.
24
Recalling him he flashes in my mind, I try to forget him but can’t ,
His thoughts pain constantly like a fractured bone.
25
I plan to relate all to him,
But when I meet him, I forget all.
vaayi
The one who favors even blockheads, lose not hope in him,
Come, mendicant, unpack and sit at the Beneficent’s door,
He is nearer than all who are near you, why call him loudly,
He sits beside the ugly calls the dirty to his side,
Blockhead, how many of your sins you will deny before the
generous Lord,
it is hard to use craftinese the presence of the Wonderful,
Adam was created from what is taken from the pit,
Abdul Lateef says, the friend would respond to my call in difficulty.
Chapter-II
1
Beloved has not met me, whom do I tell my love secrets to?
They have grown in my heart like sprouts on the fertile riverine soil.
2
The love secrets grew tell in belly foils like trees in riverine track,
I did not confide in other and beloved did not meet me alone.
3
Gibbeting my being, the beloved went away,
I wept and turned poor trees green.
4
Do no dissipate clouds of your eyes from me, my love,
Rain on me to wash off all my doubts,
Seeing you my longstanding grief vanishes.
5
Eyes do not sleep, they have shaken off all drowsiness,
They extinguish and rekindle thinking of you.
6
Beloved’s seemingly difficult attitude is, in fact, not so,
Bear his reproaches, go to him, you can not live without him.
7
Beloved is multihued and soft like embroidered silk bodice,
How can I forget the one, who has made me euphoric?
8
As are manifold knots in the oar,
So are anxieties in my heart, how to meet the beloved.
9
As wheel-drawn water of a well cannot be separated from sand,
How so I do cannot separate my heart from the beloved.
10
It is extreme cold; I have no quilt no matters,
Neither my consort is here, nor have I enough energy to
bear the cold, my youth is wasted,
What cloud be their condition whose wretched huts are
without support?
11
North wind blows, I have neither quilt nor mattress,
Only they feel the cold, whose huts are dilapidated.
12
North winds, I have neither quilt nor mattress,
I passed the night pulling all the four sides of my
torso-sheet around me.
13
Why don’t you cover your love as a potter does the the kiln?
If fire loses heat, how would pots be baked?
Go and learn this from the potters.
14
Learn, dear friend, the way of love from the kiln,
Though it burn all day, it does not let the vapor escape.
15
When all asleep a shut my eyelids like a kiln,
I burn off and on thinking of you, my love.
16
Potters mixed something with clay and kneaded it,
If the scoundrels learn a little of it,
The potters would surely die of shock,
there will be lamentaions in the scoundrel’s courtyards.
vaayi
O my mates, my relative, I am watching footprints of my beloved,
I have to share heart’s secrets with my beloved,
The secrets of love have grown like a tree in my heart,
Beloved met me not in private and I shared not with others,
The love secrets sounded and were heard in beloved’s vicinity,
I repent what I did in the past,
I hope will you not confront me with my bad deeds that I committed yesterday,
My eyes have become accustomed to shedding red-blood tears,
I seek mercy of the Merciful, others seek some one else’s,
Abdul Lateef says, be kind to me, my Lord.
Melody Of Seekers
Chapter-I
1
Khhahoris sought the Glorified by inaudibly repeating His name,
With such words these lovers crossed spacelessness,
Having been fully baked in the fire of love,
They became one with the One,
And thus perceived the Glorified everywhere.
2
O mother, I saw them, who have seen the beloved,
Telling anything of them is beyond me.
3
O mother, I saw them, who have seen the beloved,
Let us stay a night at the abode of such perfect ones,
Their acquaintance will be a raft in midstream.
4
Groups of ۡKhhahoris went into the Pubb*,
O passerby, where can I find footprint of Dothis,
Who having stayed a night in the wilderness, explored mountain.
5
Go, find out from the other side about the Khhahoris,
How did the Dothis explare the mountain for Duth*?
6
Why don't you endeavor early before night sets in?
The Khhahoris have left early with their water bags,
How would you fetch Duth of a far off realn?
7
There they be, the Dothis, the days, the mountains, the passes,
Who faced to love, are wandering in scorching heat.
8
Dothis explore the land that none has heard of or seen,
Khhahoris lie on their sides on rough rocks,
They seek true knowledge where there is infinity.
9
Finding the workers forgetful Khhahoris get exasperated,
Dothis have gone far to stay in wilderness,
They certainly value what my beloved says.
10
Smearing their body with dust they roam,
They disclose not their heart's secrets to naives,
They certainly valme what my beloved says.
11
Go sit in the Khhahoris' courtyard, come back,
Hiding from public the inflame their beings,
Some grief has never let the Dothis have a moment's sleep.
12
is there any Khhahoris? call came from the montain,
There was already some talk about them over there.
13
Many seek Duth of this here world,
But pathways of the Khhahoris are far off.
14
There is no scarcity of Duthis who seek it,
They being sings of that world to this world,
There after they tell about the beloved.
15
If any one seeks Duth , he has to toil in the mountains,
The mountain does not yield its gifts to those who sleep.
16
I saw Khhahoris, who stay not at home,
Bearing cold winds they shed tears for their Lord,
Dothis found Duth when they under went suffering.
17
I saw Khhahoris, who never rest,
Dothis found Duth when they negated their bodies.
18
I saw Khhahoris, who do not tarry a moment,
They search the mountains for subsistence in scorching sun,
They sobbed in the forest when they found Duth.
19
I saw Khhahoris, who do not sleep,
They found Duth, their subsistence, in the wilderness,
And went across where there is infinity.
20
Gravel, wilderness and mountain, where there is excruciating heat,
Feet get lacerated by crossing over passes,
My beloved take care of me, the low person.
21
Khhahoris girded up their lion-cloths early in the morning,
Exploring mountains they turned themselves into dust,
Letting their bodies suffer they eventually found the extremity
of the mountain.
22
Mother, Khhahoris burnt incense and left,
Being familiar with mountains they set their minds on Duth.
23
Using no mount, they get going on a trek,
Their minds set on finding Duth in wilderness,
Not even a rag on their bodies is what marks them out.
24
They never sleep with their rope-footwear off,
All the time they worry for the journey.
25
Haggard faces and worn out sandals on their feet,
They explored the land where even the guides get baffled,
The secretive ones tell secrets of that far off land.
26
Haggard face and worn out sandals on their feet,
They were on edge since midnight about the journey ahead.
27
Empty water bags under their armpits,
Worn out sandals on their feet,
Did you come across any Khhahoris the?
vaayi
My eyes raining, I may join my beloved,
I will join my beloved by searching him day and night,
Bless me with beloved's union as you bless white-footed
does with rain,
My eyes are over cast as if it was a rainy season,
Mother, I will not sit idle, I am in love with the beloved,
Abdul Lateef says, mates, I will go to my beloved.
Chapter-II
1
They who came to know of hamlet on the Ganjo*,
Abandoned their rich fields, the searched and became Lahootis.
2
They who came to know of the hamlet on the Ganjo,
Closed all books, searched and became Lahootis.
3
They whom the dust of the hamlet on the Ganjo mountain touched,
Gave up their deep sleep, they searched and became Lahootis.
4
They who were aromatized by the hamlet on the Ganjo,
Explored that place and became Lahootis.
5
They who became familiar with the hamlet on the Ganjo,
Left all worldly affairs, searched and became Lahootis.
6
Those, who took smell of the hamlet on the Ganjo,
Leaving all wear they searched and became Lahootis.
7
They who went deep and appraised the hamlet on the Ganjo,
Destroyed their bodies they searched and became Lahootis.
8
What concern do you have with the hamlet on the Ganjo?
Obsering the rock makes one restless,
Don't search mountains, don't roam about,
Giving up all comfort bake yourself to became Khhahori.
9
Discern before you step in Ganjo has many qunihties,
Khhahoris went across even without water,
Who ever has seen the place, returning is a reproach for them.
10
It is not worldly land not,
even birds can not reach there,
There the Khhahoris climbed the trees and picked wild fruit corn.
11
The jungle will weep bitterly for the hunters,
It will mournfully say, there are neither dogs nor traps,
Thereafter it will no more be in this world.
12
There are no dogs nor their barking nor any cries of hunters,
The jungle curses and wails in mourning for the hunters.
13
Blessed be deserted place where there is only one beloved,
Leave that place where evil persons abound.
14
Blessed be that dark night in which path is lost,
Do not regret about that one nor forget this one.
15
Dark night and bright day are the attributes of light,
But where there is beloved there is no color or form.
16
Carry basket of Tahqeeq* but not on head,
Hearken the call of Haqeeqat* like a deaf person,
Be blind to perceive the beloved.
17
Today too dust raises in mountains by caravans,
Dothis are coming from jungle for Duth,
The Khhahoris, tents are no more at the same site.
18
No Dothi in the mountain, the mountain is desolate without them,
I ask every one, would the Dothis come for Duth?
19
Only birds know of the true Khhahoris,
Having found them they built nests in their courtyard.
vaayi
You naïve, you attached yourself to the beloved without assessing your worth,
With what face you have come back to him?
You would not have suffered so much if you had gone with him,
How did you not burn for the beloved?
My heart is scorched like sand and crackles for him,
My limbs are on fire since yesterday,
I thought I would walk mountains for him.
vaayi
O my eyes, why did you not remain awake for him,
My eyes shed copious tears for them,
Let those suffer who went to sleep at dusk,
Forgetful that you are, you were dozing, so the beloved went away,
Abdul Lateef says o mates, I may meet my beloved mates.
vaayi
Whatever be my caste, you perceive yourself, my love,
For what light I would fill water bags of the outlanders,
If they kindly call me their bondswoman I will be honored,
I explore the mountain till is dawn,
I would beseech Allah till it is dawn,
Abdul Lateef says O mates, I have had a tete-a-tete with the beloved
Chapter-III
1
They who lost the path came to grief,
They are despondently roaming in desolate places like a blind man,
Closing their ears they move about like dumb persons,
They grieve over their fated separation,
They became asceties for the take of Lahoot, they yearn for it even when asleep,
This craving never leaves khhahoris what they up and about.
2
Searching the rock they found and lost the path,
Having found something on the inverse path they do not traverse the right track,
Forsaking both the worlds, they seak not the right poth,
They smear the bodies with dust for the sake of the beloved,
The Khhahoris do have some inkling of Lahoot.
3
Do not near beaten track, take the unconventional path,
Burning yourself in the fire of sufferings, become o waise.
4
Few have put their foot on the inverse path in the old age,
The path to the beloved where people get baffled,
From amongst millions only some find the extremity of that land.
5
They kept off the inverse path and heard the unheard,
I have just seen them there.
6
Many are snakes in knowingness, unknowingness is honey,
Only they get to know who go across both.
7
After exploring many lands khahoris have come back, mother,
With which country's dust their feet are covered, I know not.
8
Those, who go to jungle do not get lost,
those who traverse beaten track are robbed,
they are not misled who give up both the worlds.
9
Jungle burnt into ashes, hideouts of thieves were destroyed,
Seeker and the sought got united.
10
The jungle weeps bitterly for the hunters,
It mournfully says: There are neither dogs, nor traps,
Hereafter it will not be burnt.
Melody Of Love
Chapter-I
1
Why and what for you be servant of others,
Hold stirrup of the Gracious’ horse, who is the Lord of universe,
He will surely be comfortable, who loves only Allah.
2
As reed produces sound when cut,
Cry of pain of beloved’s separation issues suddenly from my heart,
Why do you brand me, o physician, when pain is right in my heart?
3
You robbed me and took away my life breath,
You first snatched my heart, o beloved, and then became indifferent,
See, how deeply you have injureda weak person like me,
Leaving behind skeleton you took away my life.
4
My life breath are in beloved’s control and he is not in my control,
Lateef says, how did mountain struck the breast,
Beloved appeared in dream and made me happy.
5
As elephants trunk hangs down earth word, so dos my whole body,
Hang down before my beloved, hang down before my beloved,
Rather my whole body prostrates before him,
This way I may get near the beloved.
6
If you only come once while I remember you, my love,
I will put my eyelashes under your feet and spread my hair on bed,
I will then be your bondswoman for whole of my life.
7
If you come you while I am remembering you, my love,
I will talk to you my heart’s content in mountain passes.
8
Fall-in love cannot be described nor there can be any argument about it,
Says’ Lateef, The fateful love descended on me, and water flows down from eyes,
Be patient, my heart, beloved departed yesterday.
9
My good beloved, wthatever you did to me was good, but I didn’t know you will do so,
How can I persuade my heart and give it to you?
How can I describe the love that has made my heart its nest.
10
My good beloved, whatever you did was good, but it was not fair,
Having charmed and infatuated me, got out of it,
Even if you did not love me, it was not,
Fair to do like that.
11
Today too eyes remembered their beloved,
Drops of tears stop not flowing down the cheeks,
Longing for the beloved satiates not by seeing people.
12
Some are far though nearby, some far are nearby,
Some come not to mind, some are never out of mind,
As Kundi buffalo’s curved horns are entwined together,
My beloved is entwined around my heart.
13
Today too the beloved called and slashed me with his eyes,
He distributed flesh and left skeleton behind,
‘Accept the fait accompli and be patient and steadfast’,
He exhorted me,
Beloved killed with smile the one who is already dead.
14
People demand wealth, I demand beloved every day,
I forfeit forthwith the whole world for the friend,
Mere mention of his name pleases me, what to talk of seeing him.
15
Taming my heart the beloved took it in his hand fastening
it with a brittle thread,
He entwined it so that my heart is now staying jont.
16
Ever since beloved embarked on a journey,
Ever since beloved embarked on a journey,
I have no peace at night nor rest at day,
I will sacrifice myself for the beloved millions times over,
It is God’s will else I would make all efforts for union with him.
17
Ever since I came to know the beloved,
He has not been out of my mind even for a moment,
He is staying in my heart having made it his abode.
18
Some times he bolts his door, some time he opens it wide,
Some times I come but cant get in, sometimes he invites me in,
Sometime I yearn for his call, sometimes he confides in me such
is my lord beloved.
19
You are my noble beloved, I am a mere servant,
Clasping my hands I do obeisance to you,
I will not leave your door even for a moment , my friend,
Never ever deprive me of your grace, my love.
20
Beautiful indeed is beloved’s countenance but
his manner is poisonous like Tooh*,
One is attracted to it but dies by consuming it.
21
Beautiful is beloved’s countenance, he is gracious,
God has gifted him with beautiful and pleasant eyes,
His mere though enthralls me.
22
I had never been familiar with that love,
It was beloved who entreated me and acquainted me with it,
It was only thereafter that I was able to perceive the beloved.
23
Giving up stubbornness if you came to my home, my love ,
I long to share what goes on in my heart,
If you sit beside me I will let you know all that is in my heart.
vaayi
Beloved is darling of my eyes, dear mates,
He is here, is there, where I turn my head,
Climbing mountain I find his path,
I solemnly say, o mates, my beloved is most
beautiful among all,
Abdul Lateef says, mates Allah the Independent shall
join me with the beloved.
Chapter-II
1
As great is sublimity of your wisdom,
That great you do me, my beloved,
Perfect One, would it be too much for you
to favor me with a glance?
2
My heart is surfeit with yearning for you, dearest,
Pick a knife, cut my limbs, hesitate not,
If you glance at me with favor, I will take it as a great good turn.
3
My love, it is not fair to kill first and then be indifferent,
I pine for you and not a drop of blood is left in my body,
I have been secretly worshipping you.
4
Whenever I recall company of my beloved,
A sudden cry erupts from my heart.
5
As an ironsmith entwines rings of a chain,
So my beloved has entwined my heart.
6
When my beloved goes out on a walk with grace,
The very ground greets him by saying “In the name of
Allah” and the path kisses his feet,
Hurries reverently are engrossed in amazement,
I swear by Allah, my beloved is most beautiful among all.
7
I am your soldier, beloved,
I may come to you all the times and go back after glimpsing you,
It was for your sake, my love, that I greeted even the wicked.
8
Perishes everything perishes, the world is momentary,
Burying you in dust they will level earth with feet,
Spade* and a reed* are fate of every one.
9
Beloved eyes are shining scimitars, and bumblebee like
black brows are spears,
Wounds of separation smarted and reopened inside,
O Allah, join me the friend for whose company my
heart yearns.
10
I am waiting for him but today too he has n’t come,
My heart yearns and misses him greatly,
May God bring him so that my courtyard is purified.
11
Today too my limbs are cut into piece by the beloved,
Pain of his separation thrashes me as the ear of
corn is thrashed.
12
Today too fate has favored me, my friend has entered my abode,
Joys threw away all the woes,
As the washer man thrashes clothes so were thrashed the sorrows.
vaayi
God will help me, Allah will support me,
O guide, lend me your hand to take me out of the mire,
For God’ sake, steer the boat of worthless creatures safely to the other shore,
My Lord, destroy by fire the enemy that is sitting on our way to you,
With the grace of Compassionate God, all will reach safely the other shore,
Beneficent Allah, show Abdul Lateef the country he long for.
vaayi
He will come now, hopefully my beloved will come,
Taking the blind by finger he will take them to habitation,
He will build hut of this humble near his own,
He will lead the caravan safely through the hills,
Muhammad shall be the leader, people will follow him,
The friend will come and solace Abdul Lateef.
Chapter-III
1
Unique is love that baffles even the strong and sturdy,
It keeps one wandering in mountains during days and
weeping through nights,
While heart craves for the beloved.
2
The one who has no support in Bhanbhore except the lord,
While departing you did not ask after the lowly like her,
Come o Lord of universe, to the wretched.
3
Every one boasts to be a sincere friend,
It is easy to talk, a friend in need is a friend in deed.
4
The warmth of sincerity has cooled in people,
Every man is devouring an other’s flesh,
O friend, nothing will endure in the in this world except
fragrance of good deeds,
All are poseurs, there can hardly be one sincere persons.
5
Thanks, o dear friend, that we met in life,
In friend’s company my heart received enumerable solaces,
O God, don’t put me away from beloved’s neighborhood.
6
Do not shift your gaze, o friend; if you have focus it again,
Let your eyes continue their habit and be focused earlier,
I am full of faults, look at your own good self.
7
There should be only one love, not numerous,
Heart be given to only one and let others long for it,
They are impulsive persons who believe in many loves.
8
My beloved learnt of my faults,
He did not mind and never reproached me for them,
The beloved very kindly cover them all.
9
O Gracious one, show me my beloved’s court,
The beloved has spoken of reconciliation,
It is the way of friend that they never seve relations for good.
10
Wherefrom you learnt butcher’s way, my love,
Take a sharp knife, do not kill me with the blunt one,
Open and peep in the wounds that pining has caused.
vaayi
They silently drove away their camels with out saying a word,
Camel drivers kidnapped my beloved, mountain,
Killing the low person like me at midnight, I may join the beloved at dawn,
The Benevolent would bless Abdul Lateef.
vaayi
Do not leave me, you alone are mine,
There is no one who listens to me,
You are inside me since the time when “Be and Became”
was pronounced,
O Ahmed, reach me there where earth is narrow,
O Muhammad, the cause of creation, reach there where
there is noiseless void,
You alone are the support of your followers,
Do give to Lateef some paradisiacal wine.
Melody Of Ascetics
Chapter-I
1
Yogis in this world are of light or of fire,
Those who radiate light, I cannot live without them.
2
Jogis in this world were truly afire,
They eschewed comfort, and never sought it,
They have made me miserable, I cannot live without them.
3
The Lahutis made countless entreaties,
Alas! They went away; I cannot live without them.
4
I search them, I seek their aroma, the ascetics have gone away,
What a company they were I cannot live without them.
5
I die for them, beat my head, and search their eyes,
How good they conversed, I cannot live without them.
6
Help! Do not forget the ascetics for a moment,
Find footprints of Kapries & in all humility,
Having found their path, go after them,
Move on day and night; I cannot live without them.
7
The Kapris put their feet on Lahut,
They possess emeralds; I will not live without them.
8
Sounds of their con-shells are very precious to me,
Their con-hells are gold; evaluate them not on their seeming poverty,
Giving a contrary impression they will suddenly proceed to the East,
Move, they have raised their hands; I cannot live without them.
9
The sounds of their con-shells are great wealth to me,
They are beyond description, they argue not,
They have attained; I cannot live without them.
10
I was sound asleep when a sigh woke me up,
Those who awakened me, I cannot live without them.
11
I h woke me up, Roping me to yourself, take me along,
Those who are in my heart now, I cannot live without them.
12
Roping me to yourself, take me along,
Those, who robbed me of my heart, I cannot live without them.
13
Roping me to yourself, take me along,
Those who robbed me of my heart, I cannot live without them.
14
Roping me to yourself take me along,
O Kapri! Your con-shells are my sustance,
Breath life into me, I can not live without them.
15
They intoned something sublime through their con-shells,
They struck my heart, I cannot live without them.
16
They lifted the veikl with music of their con-shell in a moment,
I am really done in by their Keenar,
They have made me miserable; I cannot live without them.
17
Blowing their con-shells they set off at daybreak,
They have disappeared; I cannot live without them.
18
Blowing their con-hells the intrepid departed at daybreak,
I search and search for their train but find it not,
Those whose seats have ambergris; I cannot live without them.
19
Jogis collect manure and burn it,
They burn their ego with music of non-shells,
Those, who get across to other bank, I cannot live without them.
20
Seeing their chambers I am restless,
I am completely bewitched by their con-shell music,
I lament and bewail, I cannot live without them.
21
Seeing their sitting places pain erupts inside me,
Music of their con-shells is not heard in the morning,
They resign to their fate, I cannot live without them.
22
Seeing their chambers I sob convulsively,
Lahootis brought me down and throw me on the ground,
They, who are resigned to their fate, I cannot live without them.
23
I cry near their chambers, I cannot restrain myself,
Keener of Lahutis has stabbed me,
Woe is me that I cannot go them; I cannot live without them.
24
Seeing their chambers I put am in my mouth,
They left for Kalat*, I cannot live without them.
25
Sitting by their side I look at them but perceive them not,
There is no one as beautiful like them,
Looking at them perceive them not; I cannot live without them.
26
The Babus'* became beggars, and are in their chambers,
Having burnt their ego they stay not anywhere,
Those whose abodes reverberate with lamentation,
I cannot live without them.
27
The Babus became beggars and effected their ego,
Nanga' have limitless love,
Those, who have sandalwood with them, I cannot live without them.
28
The Babus became baggers, today they are not at their chambers,
The samis* are all the time absorbed in love,
My heart became one with them, I cannot live without them.
29
Nangas the Samis proceeded to Nani',
I am restless, I cannot live without them.
30
The Nangas proceeded to Nani, the humble ones went away,
Sound of their con-shells is not heard at daybreak,
Those, who were here, I cannot live without them.
31
Fastening girdles round their waist, the Nangas left for Nani,
Those, who go there, I cannot live without them.
32
The Nangas left Hinglaj and set out for Nani,
There Mahesis* visited Dwarka*, with immense pleasure,
Those whose leader is Ali; I cannot live without them.
33
Woe betide me that Nangas set out for Nani,
Those, who went away yesterday, I cannot live without them.
34
The Nangas went to Nani surreptitiously,
I have became restive, I cannot live without them.
35
Mother, I do not went this body without Yoga,
Sami is my life breath; I cannot live without them.
36
They do not take anything with them, not even their selves,
Those with these signs, I cannot live without them.
37
Where is Samis' zest that was there yesterday,
Seeing their group I lost my senses,
Woeful are their sitting place; I cannot live without them.
38
Sitting alone they converse with themselves,
Those with these distinction; I cannot live without them.
39
Sitting alone they converse with themselves,
Closing up they embark on their voyage,
Their parting makes me cry, I cannot live without them.
40
Sitting alone they converse with themselves,
They talk of journey and about leaving,
And renounce renunciation, I cannot live without them.
41
It is hard to perceive denouncers in their true color,
They talk to deaf persons and deal with mortals,
Sound ears are required, I cannot live without them.
42
Jogis lost their individuality, they are concerned with the whole,
Their abode is nothingness, I cannot live without them.
43
Sounding their con-shells, jogis left in order to maditate,
They were here just now, I can not live without them.
vaayi
Their mystical con-shell will kill me one day,
Read pip of camel-drives is not like it,
It beat flute and is better than Tamboor,
Bells that drove Sohni to the river are not on a par with it,
Sharper than the string that severed Deyaac' head,
No instrument is like it in the north, in Sindh or Hind,
It is sweeter than any sweetmeat for those who have tasted it,
Respond to it, tarry not, take speedy steps,
They became ecstatic ascetics, who listened to it,
The one who that has been praised by God Himself need no other praise,
It is above all other musical instruments whatsoever,
bells charm animals, this charms human beings,
O mates, Abdul Lateef says, this resurrects the dead.
Chapter-II
1
On the first day I studied Kapris,
Not a moment were they in sound health,
done up all day long, Sayyad says, the ascetics were in constant pain,
because of some compelling reason, they move about unknown.
2
On the sound day I sat down to learn about them,
Their saffron cloured cloths were dusty, and thick ribbons tied to their topknots were in ruins,
They let their hair grow into knots,
And the poor ones let not let on about their existence,
Enraptured the Nangas move about unknown.
3
On the third day they lit fires at their places,
Collecting straw and fire-woods they keep them burning,
The nomad ascetics know very well what burning is?
But they never tell, they move about unknown.
4
On the fourth day, resting their head on the staff,
they sank in meditation,
They are cutup by love of the beloved, there is nothing false about it,
Strong emotion surge up in their hearts,
Pure gold Samis have become, they move about unknows.
5
On the fifth day, some reflection made them restless,
And pain surged up in their hearts,
They no doubt landed in the arena of love,
Sayyad says, they passed the whole night in distress,
En visioning the beloved, they move about unknown.
6
On the sixth day they were in trance,
##Aadesees have nothing but God in their hearts,
love burnt them and made them humble, they are ash-smeared,
Begging for few grains, they move about unknown.
7
On the seventh day, Sayyad says, the washed their rags,
Upright they stand hands clasped before the Unperceivable,
They brought signs of some transcendental world,
Stitched their soul with Ram in secrecy,
Putting on their patchwork sheets, they move about unknown.
8
On the eight day yogis roamed place to place,
Samis learnt the ways that befit renouncers,
God is always in their whole being,
It is for exalted acquisition that, they move about unknown.
9
On the ninth day sleeping brightened their eyes,
The Merciful acknowledging them showed them grace,
They built their abodes there they perceive Nath,
With these traits, they move about unknown.
10
On the tenth day they emerged adorned being loved by God, behold them,
The page of union with the beloved they turned over in their favor,
They discovered the path leading to guru,
Blessed are the yogis, they move about unknown.
11
On the eleventh day luck shined on the renouncers,
Their efforts bore fruit and they went on the pilgrimage,
Keeping constantly silent, they move unknown.
12
On the twelfth day both of their wishes were fulfilled,
All the yogis were longing for that pilgrimage,
They indeed were elevated, who met the Guru.
vaayi
Kulpati* have come, o mother, I will go with them,
They worldly comforts have not drawn then inn and their grand and desires,
Those, who were lured by love -talk have now closed their abodes,
They have distributed all their humble belongings,
Let us go and see the Lahutees, who have girded up their loins,
My mates, Abdul Lateef says, they have come to my courtyard.
Chapter-III
1
Sanyasis are in some pain that makes them restless and they move about ,
Wound from the Imperceptible smarts day in day out,
Kapris always tremble for fear of the Lord,
Those who roam about day and night, let us go and see their places.
2
Sanyasis are in some pain that makes them restless and they move about,
Outside they tell not, but are wounded inside,
There hearts are broken, let us go and see their places.
3
They are always on the path journeying,
Ecstatic they head for east and then to different places,
Those who are aware of the imperceptible, let us go and see their places.
4
Set out taking nothingness on your shoulders, be not like haves,
The robe of ascetics spoiled you and you have spoiled the robbers,
Sami is one who has annihilated his self.
5
Set out taking nothingness on your shoulders, be not like haves,
Lahuti! Lateef says, this is the way of Aadesis,
How they cloud be Kapri, who have even a slight worldly care.
6
Ascetics with silted ears, of Kapat and Kapri sects, and those,
Whose ears are twisted and incised,
These lovers sit facing the chilly north winds,
Through constant rigors they have reduced themselves to skeleton,
Those mendicants, who have completely annihilated egos,
let us go and see their place.
7
Ascetics with silted ears, of Kapat and Kapri sects, and those,
Whose ears are twisted and incised,
Lateef says, Lahutees change not their goal,
Those, who consume their egos, let us go and see their places.
8
Ascetics with silted ears, of Kapat and kapri sects, and those,
whose ears are twisted and incised,
Having reached their destination they lit fire,
Those, whose bed is dust, let us go and see their places.
9
Ascetics with silted ears, of Kapat and Kapri sects, and those,
whose ears are twisted and incised,
Lateef says, these Lahutis are never lured by worldly possessions,
Those, who live in this condition; let us go and see their places.
10
Ascetics with silted ears, of Kapat and Kapri sects, and those,
whose ears are twisted and incised,
Leaving all worldly cares they proceed to Hinglaj,
They acquiesce nothingness, left us go and see their places.
11
Let us go with ecstasy to see their places,
I am grateful to the bent-eared ascetics for their favors,
Their concern for me set my mind right.
12
Shutting up their abodes they went to the Ram,
I pine and do not get any news of the Aadesis,
In what direction they go? Where have they gone?
13
Consumed in love for the beloved they are grilled all over,
Evil and good are one and same for them,
All the time they shed blood-mixed tears,
How can you ask about their cast and cread?
14
With conshells on their shoulders and grief as their companion,
Some inner urge drove them on to Kabul,
they talked on way of some shrine over there.
15
Sufferings are the provisions for Samis and woes are in their patchwork garb,
They have embedded the spiritual messages to their beings,
The Samis went their way sounding their conshells.
16
O Sami, sight of your empty hut distresses me,
Why did you build it when you went away without living in it?
vaayi
Yogi is the one, who has rosary in his heart,
Sami is the one, who has sealed his mouth,
We entered the shrine guided `there is no god but Allah.
vaayi
I hope they will come back, will look to themselves,
Aadesis will come again with fires lit,
Spread your hair on bed for the beloved,
They will talk secretly and relieve me of all pain,
They will care for the relationship and take me with them,
Abdul Lateef says, o mates, he is just like that.
Chapter-IV
1
If you to be a yogi severe all worldly ties,
O Nanga, go not to friend's door to shed tears,
2
If you want to be yogi, break all worldly relation,
Join your heart to the One, who neither begets nor is begotten,
So that you reach the end in the field of love.
3
If you want to be yogi, adhere to Guru's way,
Give up all worldly desires when on way to Hinglaj,
O Nanga, seek the Nath with love.
4
If you want to be yogi, give up all greed,
Be slave of those who are slaves of slaves,
With sword of forbearance destroy heart's malice,
So that, Nanga, you are signed up as Lahuti.
5
If you want to be yogi, follow Guru's path,
Learn to suffer with pleasure, o Saami.
6
If you want to be yogi control your heart, be free of cupidity,
Light fire in your heart, and heartily repeat on rosary god's name, and soul.
7
If you want to be yogi, drink cupful of Nothingness,
Having attained nothingness, do not stand there with 'I',
So that dealing in nothingness you may reach Oneness.
8
If you want to be yogi, seal mouth,
Your ears have done nothing wrong for you to have put rings in them,
Shun cotton sheet; wear leather, footwear suits you not,
So that Sami, you are not defamed before Guru.
9
Asceticism befits ascetics and ascetics befit asceticism,
There is some deep mystery in the affairs of yogi,
Woe is me that I did not learn asceticism.
10
You are not worthy of asceticism, even then you talk of it,
On the one hand is the walk to the beloved, on other is the terrain,
Yogis went to the beloved shedding blood red tears.
11
Yogis are not alive, you too cease to live after professing asceticism,
O naïve, hear with open ears this message,
'Annihilate your ego, be away from your self,'
There is no separate self, how do you say 'I'.?
12
What keeps yogis alive, is misery for the common folk,
Malaise is health, if you only understand it.
13
Yogi, you renunciation still lacks much,
Cut, tear and lacerate yourself, burn in secrecy,
Light a fire that turn into water.
14
O shameless, either be true yogi or leave it,
Why you slit your ears when you cannot bear even cold,
Be off, keep away, lest you disgrace others.
15
Yogis are friends of none, you be near to someone,
You may meet who talk of the east,
All the times he looks in Nani's direction,
Lateef says, they invoked boundless love in me,
O Coverall, let me be crimsoned in the company of Samis.
16
They are false yogis who are fond of food,
Who care much for their stomach are worthless.
17
O my being, do not disassociate from ascetics shirk asceticism,
and do not put on ascetic wear,
Do not deal in lies, reveal, not truth,
If you offended Ram, it will result in divine retribution.
18
O my being, do not sit ears, do not become wifely.
Soldiers gave their lives haven't you heard of them, o sami?
Ask whatever you want to know, dumb cannot complete,
Go to your goal Lahuti, making humility your guide.
19
Kapri, slit your ears, be brave, my heart,
Set out so that arrow of Nangas pierces you.
20
Light fire of sheer love in your heart,
Fetch the fire of love and let it burn you inside out,
The fire should be such that it turns into water.
21
Kapri, it is feminine asceticism that you slit ears,
You have to distinguish between curd and whey, Sami,
Ram put those off the track, who preferred scum.
22
You do not hear well with the ears on your head,
Hearken the message with ears that are inside you.
23
Sell your donkey-like ears, and get others,
Listen with those the message of the beloved.
vaayi
You forgetful, sit not, wake up, remember God,
It is hand to be in the field of love,
They also went shedding bitter tears that united with God after death,
Fact is that union with beloved cannot be achieved by sleeping,
Those who anxiously get up at midnight, only their fate will smile,
Abdul Lateef says, would that the beloved comes back again, o mates.
Chapter-V
1
Bent knees of the Sayasees are like Mount Sinai,
Sayyad says, knees of patchwork coat wearers are in prostration,
They lie before God ##at distance of two bows from Him or even less than that,##*
##Every thing in this in this world is perishable,##* nothing remains,
##Allah is the Patron of believers and He leads them from darkness to light##* is their way,
##Prophet Moses fell senseless,## these brave yogis go forward,
'Their eyes do not deviate, nor do they disobey' this is what they do,
There the ascetics perceive the beloved,
They sit unseeing, unhearing ununited,
Without movement, without communication, they are there,
Sayyad says, what do you want to know about them?
2
Bent knees of the ascetics are like Mount Sinai,
They do no take along ego on their journey to the east,
The sheet they are wrapped in is the sheet of sacred secret,
Love has covered them from head to toe.
3
Bent knees of the ascetics are like Mount Sinai,
##The seeker of God is male,## this they remembered,
They gave up totally all types of comforts,
And kept letter Ali* in their mind.
4
Their bent knees are like Mahrab*, their body like grand mosque,
Making their heart indicator of Kaaba, they circumambulate their body,
Reciting Takbeer' of Tahqeeq, they renounced all bodily urges,
They don't have to answer for the sins, whose hearts are dissolved in the Guide.
5
Beloved's countenance is Mahrab, whole universe is a grand mosque,
They crossed out Quran from the tablets of Furqan,
There reason and spiritual knowledge flew away,
All is Allah, where to bow my head in prayer?
6
Placing their heads on their bent knees they are contented,
After the pilgrimage they entered into godliness.
7
Those who crossed Lahut achieved godliness,
Not a word comes out of them.
8
Their inside is ablaze with love, and outside is all dusty,
Having got to the bottom of thing they gave up falsehood vice and evil,
They never went near anything bad and acquired much virtue,
As they burn they become true and happier.
9
Forsake yogi's hair-ribbon, light no fire,
##Remember Allah in your heart,## stoke this fire inside you,
Those, who are aware of the friend there is nothing sweeter than nothingness.
10
Yogi, have your head cut, having ears pierced is the way of aristocrats,
Sayyad says, your company finds favor with Samis,
##Whoso Allah wills, He guides him towards His Light,##* is for them,
This is place of those, who have given up both the worlds.
11
Yogis left the world and proceeded to the east,
Lateef say, the jewels-like Lahutis departed,
##Allah beckons to the place of safety##* is what Lord is saying to all and sundry,
Alas, this rotten world has made every one crazy.
12
What for have Kapris adopted such attitude,
They are not bothered about hell nor do they care for paradise,
They are neither concerned with infidelness, nor with Islam,
Standing upright they are saying, accept us o Beloved!
13
It was as if yogis were never in neighborhood,
Sounding their conshells they dismantled their huts Yesterday.
14
Shariat is their way; Tareeqat* is their meditation,
They reached Haqeeqat*, their goal is Ma'arfat,*
Nasoot, Malakoot, Jabroot, these stages they found as reward,
Behold, they crossed Lahoot* and proceeded towards Hahoot.
15
Crossing Nasoot they approached Malkoot,*
And sounding their conshells, they moved out of jabroot.
16
Those who searched did not find, those remained seated found the Lord,
They discovered Him in themselves after a hand search,
Lateef says, their bodily shackles were removed,
The Kapri had not seen Kabul and Kashmir,
Those, whose goal was truth, found the Guru without moving.
17
To expect not is the cover of Aadesis,
They are always happy, welcome whatever be their fate.
18
To except nothing is the cover of Aadesis,
Some times they are on the horseback, sometime on foot,
Sami swim in sea like ground Like float hey swim in ocean,
Even when they land in crocodile's mouth they do not whimper complain.
19
Red became red when the red passed by them,
They yogis came to rest on the abyss of non-existence,
These mutes churned the abyss with true knowledge.
20
Cold, hunger, and strong winds yogis bore on their bodies,
There is no shelter for Kapris except Allah.
21
To expect nothing is their abode, non-existence their dwelling,
Their reign is resignation to God's will.
22
Ask not about the past and think not of today or tomorrow,
Care only for what you perceive while breathing,
Go on the path of Allah, be vigilant even is ecstasy.
23
Depending on their pride they empty many methods,
Lateef that is way these neives reach not the right path.
vaayi
Mother, the favors ascetics did me dispelied my drowsiness,
Kapri, breath your last while serving the guru,
Get absorbed completely in his secret signs,
They know no sleep, whose sleep was terminated by Aadesis,
There is mystery in what they say through signs, my love,
They became one with oneness and do not hear of duaty,
Eyes shunned drowsiness, there is no malice in their hearts,
##Verily Allah is One and He likes Oneness,##
Is mean for them,
Amusing me with mysteries the toilers scorched me,
Abdul Lateef says, o Allah, be kind to me.
Chapter-VI
1
They are silent by some dagger that is why Samis are never happy,
Their bodies ach in the days and pain through the nights,
Mother, yogis' health is always infirm.
2
Inside their soul is Ram, outside they talk different,
Filling the cup to the brim they drank it up,
Thereafter they closed up all their places.
3
Inside their soul is Ram, outside they talk different,
They are always on the move, their hair hanging long and tangled,
Sayyad says, Samis are much in my thoughts at morn.
4
Their hair tangled, they are always in mourning,
No one has ever called them to know their agony,
All their life passes in grief.
5
Their hair remained unwashed and years passed by,
Eyes fixed towards the imperceptible they never turn them to earth,
From black their hair turned gray, they are scorched by tongues of fire,
Lateef says, they tremble and shed blood red tears,
Happy as they are in their suffering, they will never be free of love.
6
Their hair remained unwashed as years passed by,
From black their hairs turned gray, they flung their wisdom in fire,
Their ego completely effected they are released from selfhood,
Why they shoot arrows out side largest when Guru is inside them.
7
It was not Nangas but love that won over the Guru,
And it was for them that rain fell on shrines.
8
They did not bow before Nath nor they intended to bow,
They make no pilgrimages for renunciation, nor do they worship it,
The Aadesis bring marks of divine diamonds.
9
All the time they chant Hernam and wash their loincloths daily,
Those who did not conciliates Ram, Nath never conciliates to them.
10
All the time they chant Umes and wash their loincloths daily,
Those, who do not kill their cupidity Nath does not conciliate them.
11
The patchwork garb wears live together where they can hear bells,
They keep their bodies free of all impurities,
Naagas do not sleep, they go to Ram in tears.
12
Their bunch of reeds is like Jaun flowers,
I die of yearning for Samis is whose patchwork garb are flowers,
Inward they are precious jewels, outward they are ugly Kapris.
13
The patchwork garb wearers stand near market and remember Guru,
They chant the verse of Divinity and drink it deep in their hearts,
Sthe sweet mouthed made us intoxicated with love.
14
Those whose bodies are dust smeared went out, the loin-clothed made,
Me wretched, Aadesis have burnt me inside,
they went away blowing their conshells.
vaayi
These eyes have had me entangled, tell me mates, to whom may I complain?
I am fed up with tasteless medicines of physicians,
Mates, radiant beauty has made me writhe,
Love not the one who does not reciprocate your love,
Company of the beloved is as sweet as the sweetmeat,
The Unique bestowed on Abdul Lateef first fruit of the season.
Chapter-VII
1
Fed up with food; Kapris have no taste for delicious dishes,
They call out for alms in wildness, they do no beg like beggars,
Eager to be cleaned out, they set out to seek suffering.
2
Fed up with food; Kapris are not seekers of delicious dishes,
Yogis called out for alms in wilderness, they are friends of no one,
Depending on indigence they set out to seek and found suffering.
3
Fed up with food, they had smell of hunger in wilderness,
Yogis left the place on empty stomach,
Freed by indigence they set out to seek and found sufferings.
4
They do not beg with bowls, nor do they approach any house for alms,
These followers of Shiva keep away from people' doors,
Why should they ask for religious injunction when there a court within them.
5
If they know who beg with bowl,
The Kapris will find alms in wilderness, and never beg outside.
6
Those who are restless at midnight sleep early,
Lateef says; Lahutis wake up with a leap at midnight,
Seeing people in sound sleep they set out on their journey,
How can they stretch their legs to any direction when God is everywhere.
7
They sit awake in afternoon and go to sleep at dust,
These Shiva-devotees wash their faces only with dust,
They lie down by roadsides at daybreak,
They never tell anyone that they are Aadesis.
8
They are wakeful in afternoon and go to sleep at dust,
Even when they die of hunger they do not ask any one for alms,
9
They have weakened their bodies with tightly tied leather belts,
They have not accustomed their stomachs to delicious food,
This way Kapris reach Kabul.
10
They have weakened their bodies with tightly tied leather belts,
They have not accustomed their stomach to delicious food,
All the time Ram resides in their souls.
11
They have weakened their bodies with tightly tied leather belts,
Lateef says, Lahutis have put their bodies through penance,
And never leave path shown by the guru.
12
Aadesis left here for abroad,
Kapris set in their mind some foreign country as their goat,
Wearing new dress the loveable renouncers went away.
13
They eyes of Aadesis are always respectful,
In whatever situation they be, Beloved is ever in their souls,
Except the loincloth they don't let anything remain in their possession.
14
Take of your loincloth and present yourself before yogis,
Gird with love the loincloth of anguish,
They are the one who have cover let of nakeless.
15
Once they gird loincloth they need no ablution any more,
They heard the prayer call which had sounded before Islam,
Leaving all worldly affairs Samis joined Gorakhnath.
16
Yogis bridle their bodies daily,
Red turban on their heads they are like bridegrooms,
Those, who captivated me I do not see them here anymore.
17
O God, bring Yogis back to my courtyard,
I will remove sorrows from my body as removed with water,
They will come to my abode with glad tidings.
18
Blood like tears trickle their cheeks,
They have incised their ears in such a way that they are in two parts,
Having repented for their deeds the Nangas have become pure.
19
Lateef says, lahutis do not take cupidity along,
Their distinction is that have severed all worldy relations,
20
Limbs scorched by fire and skin burnt by furance,
The sight of the palaces they built will kill me, mother,
Abdul Lateef says, they did not show any pity and left me mates.
21
Let people not worship you, don't get crowds around you,
Give up wearing jogi dress and hold your tongue from telling hypocritical tales,
Best your heart so that you may reach your goal.
22
Let people not worship you, keep up to yoga tradition,
Making people your devotess is a great malady,
Renouncing away from worldly affairs is not a luxury,
Nangas manage to escape it.
vaayi
Biding goodbye to all yesterday, Kapris went their way,
Sometime they have to face north winds and sometime smoke,
While they warmed their hands I shed tears,
Sawing me like sandalwood they bored holes of sorrows in me,
These ascetics neither beg nor plough fields,
Abdul Lateef say, let the precious come, o God.
Chapter-VIII
1
They have stayed a night, the patient ones will depart on the morrow,
Latif says, let your entire body throb with their yearning,
Coming across again such yogis may not belikely.
2
Today they are in your courtyard, these patient ones will leave on the morrow,
Have to your heart's content the pleasure of their company,
Adore their feet lest you miss Sanyasis.
3
Have a heart talk with them so far they are in their chambers,
Give up yourself ten times a day,
Once they went to Hinglaj, only by good luck you will meet them again.
4
Sit beside them while still they are in their chambers,
Fixing on a goal they are about to leave for it,
Leaving all comfort and their native place, they are headed for Ganges.
5
Visit them while still they are n their chambers,
They are fixed on rocky wilderness, they will set out for it,
You will meet such personages only by good luck.
6
Come to them while still they are in their chambers,
They forget not the pleasure of Lahut,
They have tasted the flavor of self-effacement and separation,
They will leave you and move out to Kabul.
Today there is no assemblage of the yogis in chambers,
Cry if you have to when thinking of them,
Behold, Lahutis are going away from you.
8
Today the sound of seekers is not heard in their chambers,
Aadesi are gone, sight of their shrines is killing me,
The Lahutis, revivers of life, have departed.
9
Today there are no sessions of yogis in their chambers,
Their memory has copiously burnt me,
To whom my heart was inclined, have departed.
10
The band of yogis is not in their chamber,
Remembering them I wept through the night,
Lahutis, for whom my whole body yearns, have departed.
11
Today there are no fresh leaves and straw in their chambers,
Aadesis have gone leaving behind ashes,
Sanyasis went their way blowing conshells.
12
Today no one weeps bitterly in their chambers,
Nor were restless Aadesis yogis, who were the beauty of shrines,
They closed shrine doors, silence prevailed, and sound of horns is not heard,
Nangas are gone not a single one remained,
Grief surges up at their memory
The Lahutis have roped in my being.
13
No smoke, no mist and no flame of fire in their chambers,
Having lured my heart with their sweet company yogis their way,
Like tears I shad of their separation they are killing me millions.
14
Good that we lived and met the Yogi, he relieved me of all pain,
He guided the blind ones on the path to east.
15
Good that we lived, met and saw the Yogi,
We come across the Sami whom I was attached with.
16
Good that we lived and saw the Nango,
My bud like mind bloomed into a blossom.
17
Had they been here, I would a claim over them,
I would have regained the rosary, the image and the instruction that I had forgotten.
18
Had they been here now, I would have a claim over them,
They went away, the sight of the shrines they built kills me.
vaayi
Slit-ear Kapri are gone,
They robbed me of my heart they were mendicant robbers,
They struck conshells of humility in my body.
vaayi
There are many yogis in the world, but I am in love with world forsakers,
They save not a grain in their begging bowl,
They pick up some broken rice from dust or eat raw grain,
Sitting on paths, I roam about like mendicants,
Thinking of yogis I wring my hands,
Mother, Aadesis have done me many favors,
Mates, Abdul Lateef says, the beloved is endowed with glorius luster.
Chapter-IX
1
Putting hunger in their begging bowl they will rejoice,
They do not hunger for food and pour thirst to drink it,
Lateef says, Lahutis have crushed all their heart desires,
Crossing the wilderness Samis reached settlements.
2
No patchwork sheet or wear, not a rag of a loincloth,
In which direction they step, they find their Lord in front of them.
3
No patchwork sheet or wear, not a rag of a loincloth,
In which direction they rush they find lord in front of them.
4
No patchwork sheet or wear, not a rag a loincloth,
Those whose huts are bereft off all effects have Lord in their front.
5
No patchwork sheet or wear, a rag of a loincloth,
Samis have lit a fire in wildnerness,
The Jabruti yogis blowing their conshells went away.
6
They tight the lion cloth of love,
As they had come in this world, so did they return,
Their sublimilty will reveal itself in the east.
7
If they pursue path the same way they pursue bread,
They would find the goal and be free of all worries.
8
Sayyad says, those who seek bread early in the morning,
Those Kapris have no ears, they call themselves ascetics in vain.
9
As commoners enjoy festivity, so do jogis hunger and thirst,
The intoxicated keep fast and do not celebrate Eid.
10
The Sanyasis, who prizes clothing and food,
Allah is verily distance from them.
11
You ask about the past, get a move on now,
Aadesi, you die today, everyone will die tomorrow.
12
Leaving their village on mount Ganjo maintain, they got on their way,
Those, who did away with their bodies on Guru's path,
And did not rest even for a while enroute,
Ram met them midway, so they were spared rest of the treck.
13
Eyes sanyasis are always tearful,
Jogis keep their eyes from falling asleep.
14
O mother, eyes of Aadesis are always half asleep,
It is not very often that they pass night sitting.
15
There are still some deserving of canshells,
They are still sounding it but only Sanyasi hears it.
16
Burn incense of negation in your heart,
Lahuti, get flame of love and apply it to your body,
My heart, burn yourself in such a way that fire turns to water.
17
Those, who realize death's inevitability, do not forget the Unique,
Nanga Kapris do not fall asleep on way,
Wakefulness has always brightened their eyes.
18
Those one who is present at all places, good or bed, be true in your love for him,
Have no love chat with him, who is not faithful in love,
Forget not the path, be unique by remaining true to love.
19
Keep your eyes shut, do not open and seek with them,
Kapri, go on enduring flames of love,
Ask yourself about your intent to go to Hinglaj.
20
Yogis were gone to Jamer, as I peeped in shrines,
Who else would worship except the one who burn incense.
21
Seeking is very hard, seek not without candle,
Be in friend's chamber while still he is here,
Leave his place only when he himself leaves it.
22
Seek not without candle, seeking is very hard,
Millions have been rendered blind by this darkness.
23
What you took for candle, is in fact sunshine,
For a blind it is still dark when night is over and sun arisen.
24
Yogis did not look Him where the Lord is,
Kapris with infirm belief went to a far off place,
He is right here, they went to Higlaj in vain.
25
They also looked for Him there where the Lord is,
Kapris with firm belief went to a far off place,
The Lord was here but they found him in Hinglaj.
26
Do not leave the spiritual path, Sami,
Move along set on journey with those who are always,
On the move so as to lead a full life.
27
Those who persure are at peace, the conceited ones have no place
##He who has Allah, has every thing,## take guidance from it.
28
False lovers beg for alms at every door of the town,
##verily dumb are persons who know Allah,## follow the tradition,
They make their stay where they perceive nothingness.
29
O kapri, do not accept that which has passed and is passing,
The field of Ali is peaceful place Sanyasis.
30
They have sorted through the dust of Ali's field,
Hearing of distant path they abandoned thei stands,
What can the world do to them by reproaching them.
31
Pass through lahut Kapri, don't burn incense,
Depend not on the near, step not for the distant,
Go on with those, who have no worldly ties.
32
Don't grow long hair like those of yogis, don't burn incense,
##Remember Allah in your heart## light fire inside you,
Those, who are aware of Beloved, nothing is dear to them than nothingness.
33
Yogis' fires are ablaze at dawn,
Let us go warm our hands on those fires,
Sanyasis' dart has pierced me to the core.
34
Those, who are dyed in Hari's color, care not for clothes,
Lateef says, the Lahutis are happy to be beggarly wear.
35
Hunger is their alms, and dust is their incense,
They have put on getup that the commonalty is ashmed of.
36
Conshells, waist ropes, patchwork wear, these three are their possessions,
They hurled their begging bowl on ground and broke it,
Those who are fixed on Lahut, do come out of shrines.
37
Get rid patchwork wear, robes and waist ropes, take patchwork sheet, burn them up,
Look in the direction which yogis took,
The misguided one thinks that conshells are of Shiva cult.
38
Get rid patchwork wear and garbs, do not burn your patchwork sheet,
Take quilt with patches and raiment, do not burn your bowl,
My heart, be wedded to yogah how they said that the conshells are of Shiva cul?
39
The patchwork garb that the guru gave me is my pride,
O disciple, sit down with your legs folded and wrap it around reverently.
40
It is shame to take off patchwork garb that the guru gave,
How many of its comfort can a disciple tell of?
41
The patchwork garb that the guru gave me suit me fine,
It will takes you to the goal if you wear reverently.
42
Tattered is their inside garb and silky is their outside wear,
Such Kapris are donkey's slaves.
43
Tattered is their outward dress but inward dress is silky,
Such kapris are God's slaves.
44
Seeing many colored flowers don't think of multiplicity,
Identify the one who is this as well that.
45
Behold, they have thrown their begging bowls and conshells in dust ,
Giving up all worldly concerns, they merged in the whole.
46
Whatever yogis talk is enigma,
Seeking is arduous, pursuing is a wonder,
To grasp their enigmatic talk is a prayer.
47
So long as they do not perceive the one for whom they have become yogis,
Their nights pass in misery.
48
They laugh not, eat not, talk not,
It is difficult to find out what is in their minds.
49
These yogis seek only their sitting place,
If any one severe all ties finds the turth.
50
They pass night in appeasing Ram, and bath in the day,
Misled are those yogis, who distrubute worldly objects among themselves.
51
They saw something that scared them to fall back,
They cannot sit down and standing is reproach .
52
They take not food in their begging bowls, and wear not clothes,
I also acquired some spiritual intoxication from them.
53
Cover your heart with patchwork garb, wear not any dress,
Remain in shrine and devour your own flesh,
So that forsaker, your fragrance reachs wilderness.
54
Where there is no sky, nor a trace of earth,
Moon rises not and no sign of sun,
It was there that Aadesis left their mark,
It was there that they came to know and discovered Nath in nothingness.
vaayi
Mother, yogis are a hard people, Sanyasis are a hard people,
Ever so I have accepted the Kapris all the time my soul craves for them,
I hope my dear ones will come tomorrow at## dawn,
All the time I talk of those Aadesis,
I rise at midnight to implore Allah,
Abdul Lateef says,
Mates the Gracious one will bestow talent on me.
vaayi
Beloved is not staying overnight, mates my love is not staying,
What would I do without my lord at daybreak?
These wanderers are related to none,
The knife from Lahutis Keener has struck me.
Melody Of Spinning Girls
Chapter-I
1
Even if you are a proficient spinner, do not spin alone,
Connoisseur may find some fault with that fiber.
2
Those, who spun alone amassed wealth, o mother,
Fine fiber like their's is not being spun by me?
3
Spin as long as you can, this moment is passing
Every one is a spinner, only a dexterous spins fine,
Those who learnt this did not drop cotton ball even for a while.
4
This moment is passing, spin as much as you can,
Spin for embroidering on the day of your Eid,
So that you may not have to shed bloody tears amid your mates.
5
This moment is passing grieve for yesterday,
Get to your spinning wheel, do not sit idle,
So that the connoisseur does not throw it back in your face.
6
Not caring to spin, you sleep to relax your limbs,
Tomorrow the Eid day will come suddenly to field you without clothes,
Your mates will call you there, you will regret for not adorning yourself.
7
Liar, you do not spin even after inserting thread in spinning wheel,
Even so you make yourself up to attend marriage function,
How can a girl with so much load of cotton on her head of forgetfrt?
8
Today too you are dying for rest, you did not spin even yesterday,
How long will the husband do favors to you, naïve?
9
Today too you are dying for rest, you did not spin yesterday,
Spinwheel frame damaged, its cords loosened,
Alas for those who did not profit from spinning.
10
You washed the day, which were real spinning days,
Not for a while you neared the spin-wheel,
How would you lift your face before the wondrous lord?
11
No matter if you have grown old, come to the spinning place,
Leaves everything aside be closed to other spinning girls,
So that the connoisseur tomorrow calls you along with other spinning girls.
12
You the headstrong, why don't you spin with these golden hands?
Give up evasions and shirking, sit in a corner and spin,
So that you may smilingly respond to the call of the connoisseur.
13
Keep on spinning the broken wheel till the new one is assembled,
Don't develop habit of sitting idle, o naïve,
No one knows who will fiber on the new one?
14
You love yourself and go stray, this annoys the lord,
Wrapping scarf round your neck turn the wheel humbly,
So that your poor quality fiber is not rejected.
15
Lest you turn back on luck, spin apprehensively,
Spinners are always at their wheels, o mother.
16
Whose spun fine fiber with conceit and vanity,
The connoisseurs did not accept even a thread of their fiber.
17
Whoso spun rough fiber with love,
The connoisseurs accepted without weighing it.
18
Passion of the spinning girls is a strange that they spin and tremble,
Hoping for profit they come in the spinning yard early,
Even connoisseurs long to see their beauty ,
Their fibers were accepted without being put on scales.
19
Their fiber is indeed good who spin such quite in secrecy,
That the sound of the spinning wheel does not reach their ears,
Lateef says, they spin trembling in seclusion,
They return jewels as their fiber is indeed far more valuable.
20
Even if they spin a small quantity of their caroled cotton,
Lateef says, their hands produced very smooth fiber,
They, who learnt to spin for muslin, made gold, mother.
21
Some spin yarn in Arabia, some spine in Kabul,
Their fooduct was best as it was sold for jewels,
O God, do not let them be thrown out who have spun coarse.
22
Carrying cotton-tufts in her skirt she calls on every door,
Does anyone want to have her cotton spun, I am a spinner.
23
Spindle is crooked, threads are twisted how can I spin?
How much loan I get against the fiber that I spin in this condition.
If lord favors me I will look beautiful among my mates.
24
You go stray and love yourself, give up self-love,
All that you have spun will be wasted because of it,
Better barter your little froonethere o naire, where
there with thousand-strand yarn trembled.
25
Deserted are the spinning wheel, where are the spinning girls?
Cotton balls of the matchless are gathering dust on ground.
26
Yesterday they spun all day long but have not come today,
Disjoining their wheel-cords, they closed spinning quarters.
27
Neither there are cotton pads on plants, nor are spinning girls,
Seeing the deserted markets my heart melts.
28
Having opun fine fiber they brought it in the markets,
When weighed, the scale with beloved's love went down,
The spinning girl acquired peace from cotton ball.
29
The one, who has not learnt spinning fine fiber, may spin rough,
Her yarn was considered fine was weighed,
Though rough and small in quantity she was favored.
30
Those who spun yesterday are baffled to see,
Those, who have no cord, are happy with connoisseurs.
31
Carrying cotton in my skirt when I went to the spinning yard,
None of my mates was there, all had gone to sleep.
32
Those who turn round and round the wheel of their mind early in the morning,
Though they don't spin but they are darling of the lord.
33
When examined and weighed, the fiber, were many defects in it,
Calling the spin the connoisseurs enquired secretly the reason,
"I am uncouth and coarse, I could not unit knots," was my reply.
vaayi
Heed it, naïve heed it,
Who had carded with care even a small quantity,
Lateef says, their hands produced smooth your,
Some of your cotton balls sparrows ruined, some wind blew away,
You does near spinning wheel, and love to slern ber,
Lateef says, conciliate the lord at midnight with tears in your eyes.
Melody Of East
Chapter-I
1
Crow, go great my beloved humbly by touching his feet,
See that you don't forget on the way the message I gave you,
Lateef says, for God's sake, talk to him privately,
Tell him all that I ask you to, may you ever be happy.
2
Fly in the name of Allah, do not layover midway,
Hold my message dear like life breath,
Do not tell anyone but beloved the confidential message I give you.
3
Fly back and give me his message,
Sit down and tell me a little about our getting together,
The one who is out of sight, fly to bring him back to me.
4
Perch on tree branch, recount the message,
Deliver the message correctly as is the way of crows,
The one who is away, fly to bring him to me.
5
Come crow, be quick, perch on a tree branch, tell me of the
beloved coming,
Fly to bring the beloved back; who has gone to a distance land.
6
Come crow, be quick, sing of the beloved's coming,
The one, who has gone to Kalat, fly to bring him back.
7
Crow, bring back the one, who has gone abroad,
Without whom eyes have wept themselves dry in the world,
Latif says for God' sake, make the whole village rejoice,
The one, who is cross over some lapse, fly to bring him back.
8
Crow, give me some news of the beloved who is abroad,
I will bedeck with gold, o bird, all your feathers,
Convey my message as you hover over his abode.
9
Come crow, perch on a tree branch and tell about the homeland,
Was my beloved happy and the homeland prosperous?
I have looked aboard for the beloved long enough.
10
Sitting on study post, the crow chirps, his head high,
He conveys message truthfully at the spinning place,
Crow, beloved's messages are my sustenance.
11
Who made the crow fly away from my shed?
He had brought message from the beloved,
Mates, had I heard his message, I would not
be so miserable now.
12
U pluck out my heart with my own hands and give it to you, crow,
Go and eat itabrood in beloved's presence,
The beloved may possibly say, "who would make such a sacrifice?"
13
Perching on a mound, then on a tree branch, the crow something,
The grief-stricken girl threw the cotton wad on ground,
Out of distress she abondoned the spinning wheel.
14
Perching on a mound, then on a tree branch, the crow
cawed entreatingly,
He delivers whole messages at the spinning place,
Be quiet, mates, let me hear what the crow has to tell.
15
Perching on a tree branch, the crow cawed something,
It causeddistress all over the spinning place, no one could spin,
Hearing what the crow said, she is all anguish.
16
The crow said something from the tree branch,
Last night he conveyed beloved's greeting, mates,
No one should spin so that I may hear his message loud and clear.
17
Cawing loudly, crows settle down on trees,
They convey beloved's message from treetops,
The crows from the beloved's land tell no lies.
18
The crow of beloved's land is no liar,
The flier takes and brings message,
And so, says Lateef, he relieves me of all anxieties.
19
O my beloved's crow, come say something pleasant,
You smell of spring's fragrance, and have a maund of musk,
On your way to me cross the beloved's courtyard,
So that seeing you my body may berelieved of all anguish.
20
Today the crow brought facilitation from the beloved,
Wishes fulfilled; I am full of joy,
God has brought the beloved back, all my prayers are granted.
21
What happened, why are you lying on the ground, o crow?
You, how could not bear sun a bit, have borne it daylong,
Seeing you thus the crows gathered and made a racket.
22
O crow, as trusty liaison between me and my beloved you
have not remained so,
You did not convey to the beloved in clear voice,
You do not go all the way but bring in halfway.
23
Crow, your hop has invigorated me,
Jumping from branch to branch you have come to chirp
on a conjoined branch,
Fly off that branch so that the beloved may come to me.
24
Take my message and deliver it to my beloved,
Darling, what made you stay away so long?
Separated from you I languish grievously.
25
Beloved is away and love has leaped in his absence,
Eyes are expectantly looking towards paths of the beloved's villages,
Way farers will finally bring happy tidings.
26
O crow, I will be grateful to all your kind,
If you fly early in the morning toward the beloved,
Make a lot of entreaties and supplications,
That; darling, we find no one like you in the entire world.
27
Beloved's crow swaggers on a bough,
He has brought tidings and laughingly felicitates,
It is he, who conveyed my feelings to the beloved,
He is welcome to tread on my eyes as he is my friend's courtier.
28
Be it a dog or a crow from my friend's land,
I would forfeit my life many times over for it.
29
Never make a crow your messenger who feeds on carrion,
Will he think of his stomach or go to friend's door,
One who can, conveyance of messages is not for him.
vaayi
My Lord let my relations with ascetics may not be snapped,
They asked me to accompany them to Hinglaj,
They took me along to the East,
That is the place of my pilgrimage, that is where I will ultimately go.
The divines acquainted me with place of pilgrimage.
Chapter-II
1
In intense longing I wander like the wandering ascetics,
May he raise his eyes and set them at me.
2
The friend's happy raised eyes bestow immense pleasure and peace,
The beloved with a simple freed me of all the miseries,
People think to be privation, but it is pain that has made the divines lean.
3
The ascetics cry over the cauldron at sunset,
It is missing the beloved that has made these loving souls thin and lean.
4
Claiming to be divine you comforts, you have not learnt the ways of divines,
Even at the beginning of journey you sit down to rest,
You did not meet your spiritual guide and claim to have got the prize,
Be always true to your beloved.
5
Claiming to be divine you demand comforts and shun privations,
You go to people and beg for flour and grain,
Kaapri, you did have had your ears bored for tasty food.
6
The pilgrims of the East closed their dwellings at midnight,
I did not hear their chants at dawn,
Such is their class that they do not relate to the grief-stricken.
7
The pilgrims of the East closed their abode this morning,
There is aroma of musk in these outlanders.
8
They set out the path and proceeded to Eastward,
They gave up their abodes here to build up there.
9
Penetrating deep in the East I looked for them all over,
The dear ones did not send news of any sort,
They were outlanders, went their way blowing conshells.
10
I am slain by East, to whom I may complain?
Counseling others I myself became insane,
I fell in love with those, whose equal I am not.
11
When I miss I repeatedly chant 'East',
Longing for them I continuously shed tears,
It grieves me to think that I will not join him whom I long for.
vaayi
The eyes whose over lord you are, how can they be restrained?
God created heavens and the good earth,
He created universe by saying "Be" and it became,
It is a false world, so are all the possessions, all is only for two days,
We depend on Allah and believe in Muhammad.
Melody Of Peacock And Swan
Chapter-I
1
Saying “God is unique”, the swan flew high in the air,
And crossed the dark fog, the ordeal of birds.
2
Abandoning storks' company, the swan flew skywards,
And went to the fount where his beloved is.
3
Eyes fixed on the deep, the swan scans the current,
He is looking for the pearls he is used to peck.
4
Why don't you delve into the deep where are pearls?
what have you to do here on the bank?
5
The swan is there where the water is deep,
What water bird is it that dallies in the shallows?
6
He has now reached and learnt about the fount,
The secretive swan has found mines of pearls in the deep.
7
The herons have made the crystal water turbid,
Swans are ashamed to come to that fount.
8
You all and vacillate don't be apprehensive, give up all deceitful talk,
Do not build near those, who talk in terms of 'I' and 'We',
attain union with the beloved.
9
You sit and vacillate, don't be apprehensive,
Enter the deep crystal clear water and search there,
Do not explore banks, keep of the mire of watersides.
10
You sit vacillate, don't be apprehensive now,
The Lala birds, says Lateef, dislike pure water,
Heron's uncan is over, the swan has joined the beloved.
11
Some of the birds some emrgel from the turbit water,
Some collected pearls, some had their feathers crimsoned,
With lakhs in too, the swan joined the beloved.
12
If you see eye to eye with after thinking it over,
You will never again associate with herons.
13
Naïve swan, how come you associate with herons?
Replace the turbid, come quickly to the clean and pure
it would be odd for you to associate with herons.
14
You while bird, drink clear water so that you may cross whiteness,
It is not your way to sit idle when water is dirtied,
Clean fount is worth dying for, only herons have graves in unclean fount.
15
There are herons graves in the unclean fount, go seek the clean fount,
Tell not to herons what you hear here o swan,
What you return the union, do not tell it to any short sighted.
16
The fount has been dry since years, the footprints of swan are fresh,
How can a heron comprehend this paradox.
17
Fly here swan, you are missed here at the fount,
Lest the hunters may conspire to kill you.
18
Bird is alone in the fount, hunters are the fifty,
It floats betwixt waves, trusting in God.
19
Lured by a decoy in the river the birds flew down,
It was their trusting nature, which had the poor things caught.
20
The decoy that had birds killed has neither breath nor flesh,
It has a wooden spine with feathers of grace,
Poor things were deceived by these very feathers.
21
As drop by drop you fill your belly, o swan, you will have to make a vow,
You would pick only five pearls of the Mehran,
You will be trapped to death today at dawn or dusk.
22
Lotus is rooted deep in the bottom, bumblebee flies sky high,
God satisfied longing of both for each other,
Glory be to love that brought lovers together.
23
Lotus is rooted deep in the bottom, bumblebee flies in wilderness,
Both their amour is symbol of love,
Much as they drink, their thirst is not quenched.
24
What are you doing on the bank, swan? Don't hang about on tracks,
Get into the meadow of Oneness, give up lame excuses,
Find found of Shariat and swim through it,
Be with other swans at Haqeeqat, chant Tareeqat,
Cleanse your heart your heart with Maarfat,
Peck grain in the instructions of guidance,
So that you may not encounter any hunter on this side.
25
They fly when people are asleep,
They carefully peck pearls in the deep,
What harm can hunters do to them with all their designs?
26
Swans the pearl eatass are in beloved's company,
They don't stick their beaks in mire to eat fish,
People are not aware of them as they move about with herons.
27
All swans are alike, none is dirty,
Where they pass night they make that fount fragrant.
28
Fount are the same old ones, birds are different,
The poor things that hovered and chirped have gone.
Those, who opened their doors to all, have gone over
to the banks of Keenjhar*,
29
All peacocks are dead, not a single swan is left,
The homeland is occupied by false water fowls.
30
The fragrant is made turbid by the false water fowls,
Chagrined, the swans are migrating to mountains out of some weakness.
vaayi
O my mates, I belong to the Baluch,
I am handmaid of Kechi Lord, I am called Natir,
I will pick the footwear of my Jam Punhoon with my eyes.
Chapter-II
1
Bird and cage are one, so are fount and swan,
When I delved deep in myself to find my own secret,
I found that the hunter troubling my body is right inside me.
2
In the love of peacock I searched the Keenjher all over,
The Lalas noted for their swagger, did not return again to to their habitat,
The close to heart swans, have all gone.
3
Do not regard young snakes as harmless because they are born of cobras,
Struck by them even an elephant cannot move from where he stands.
4
Do not regard young snakes with scraggy bellies as harmless,
Their bite can make a causality of even the sturdiest.
5
Those cobras whose habitats are in arid soil, their venom is genuine,
Their appearance is like that of angels, but their bite is fatal,
If one gets entangled with them, there is no hope for him.
6
Those cobras whose habitat are in arid soil, their venom is of different type,
Even their spine works, if any one happens to step on it,
Their breed can be recognized from afar,
Is there any one, who can face them in battle?
7
There are certain cobras, whom even peacock avoid,
Even if it bites slightly by stealth, peacock runs back with his flock,
They migrate in flocks when they find them inveterate.
8
Let a scatter brain tease a black cobra,
If it bites pointedly, the bitten will never turn back,
Either he dies then and there or pine for health.
9
Viper, you have great enemy of the snake charmers,
You cannot escape; foot is placed on your hole,
This is a habitation of those, who burnt Junagarh.
vaayi
All flattery is short timed, it is false game and a fake pass,
Peacock, you climb tree branches and call out aggressively,
Have you not heard the pounce of the falcon?
Melody Of Dawn
Chapter-I
1
This is not the way of a minstrel to dangle fiddle by a peg,
How is it that you cross with beautiful morning?
Who would call you minstrel when you do not play early in the morning.
2
How can you sleep for whole nights? You,
Ought to pass your night weeping,
Tomorrow your fiddle will be lying on ground.
3
Keeping the fiddle by your head on bed, you sleep that whole night,
Was it ever the way of musicians?
4
Those who have no rest, can be called minstrels,
With fiddle on their shoulders they wander in wilderness to find a path.
5
You are roaming about downcast, where you yesterday, minstrel?
O bard, give up your purposeless wanderings,
Supplicate at the door of Sapar* to receive something valuable.
6
Minstrel is not distance is long, convey to the elevated one,
"whatever your intend to give me, send it here, I will not come.
7
If those who excel in the art of music, learn secret bestowing upon the unskilled,
Will at once smash all their instruments in places.
8
Many expert musicians of hymn are there,
but of what use is such expertise?
What ever man does is sinful,
You are Paaruss, I am iron ore, your touch me,
I will be transformed into gold.
9
Get up, you simpletons, there is a call from Sapar,
You have not learnt hymn music a bit, the king is pleased
on his own though;
You supplicate me, I am all yours,"
10
Talent is not by caste, whoever works hard achieves,
Sapar Jam bears all insane demands of the ignoramns,
He, who passes night with the king, is never is trouble.
11
Reclining on one side he sang artlessly,
Having sung to the sleeping, he went away at dawn,
He knows only one tune, has learnt no other.
12
Reclining on one side he sang wildly,
Later a sedan was sent for him being happy
with the minstrel, the king honored him, says Sayyad.
13
The lord of Bela is gracious do let your grace come furth,
Sapar knows what is in minstrel mind.
14
Even if you skilled, pose as unskilled, this is a place for ignorant,
Only those get admittance who forget their self,
The king is kind to the ignorant.
15
Forget all skill, be ignorant naïve, seek alms then,
Last night Sapar had high bread horses kept for you,
The lord Lasbella blessed those, who do not know singing.
16
The king blessed the bards early in the morning,
They sang raag Bihag to the king at dawn,
Nothing is in my hands, it is up to the beloved to grant union,
May a humble person like me be united with the beloved.
17
Stretching out you sleep for the whole nights,
Why don't you have communion with Sapar at midnight?
Last night he the Roonjho had opened boxes of pearls,
Picking there from minstrel filled their jars.
18
The munificent king reproached the bards;
"why did you leave my door to beg on other doors?
That is why you faced hard days"
19
Bard beg from him, who gives everyday,
All worldly doors are unrewarding if you intend to beg there at,
Tomorrow they will cast it in your teeth.
20
Repent daily is the door of the munificent,
O bard! Do not take your lips off this threshold even for a moment,
There is no other way for the bards but to sing.
21
O minstrel, remember Sapar in every breath, never forget him,
Replace strings of your fiddle with those of silver,
Present yourself before him, imploring and entreating.
22
Seeing shabby supplicants, Sapar called them,
The knowing heard it, the ignorant became hopeful.
23
Your are Sapar, I am supplicant, you are the lord, I am a dog,
Asking for the way to you, I strange the fiddle upon my shoulder.
24
You are Sapar, I am supplicants, you are bestower, I am ignorant,
On hearing you are call, I strung the fiddle upon my shoulder.
25
You are Sapar. I am supplicant, you are bestower, I am all fault,
You are Paaruss, I am iron, a touch of you would make me gold.
26
You alone are the bestower, all other are supplicants,
Rain falls only in season, your blessing ever apour,
If you come to my abode, I a lowly would be honored.
27
The morning star has risen, get up and raga Behag to the lord,
Sapar is an envious lord, he probes minstrel mind.
vaayi
The of Bela will bestow gems, pearls' and treasures,
Don't let your self get weary of singing raag Behag' and turn your back,
O blind, be and beg at the bestrrver's door,
O reciter, see that you do not give oneness,
Leave all for other be one only with Sammo Sawai,
##Allah is one and He indeed likes oneness## He thus reined us to one ess,
He summoned all the supplicants to him of his own accord,
Sing hymn to Him, he gave food of love,
There he directed the lovers to the path of love,
##Man is my secret and I am his, ##thus he spoke,
He confided all his secrets without any reservation,
Behold, he himself puts alms in the bowls of bards,
O mates, Abdul Lateef says, he showed great mercy to me.
vaayi
He liberally bestowed rewards, carried burden of the undeserving,
He gave gifts of gold to the ignorant,
The lames and the blinds, all came on his generous call,
Why don't you praise the one, who brings something out of nothing ?
'He graces and disgraces whom He wills' is all from Him,
He favored spern and created out of nothing,
He shattered all schemes of the contenders,
The jealous were put in pain and the climates overwhelmed,
Abdul Lateef says, mates, all loves the Lord.
Melody Of The Days Bygone
Chapter-I
1
Tell me Kanda,* some anecdotes of the lords of Dohro*,
How were the night, how were the days then.
2
Tell me Kanda, some episodes of the lords of Dohro,
Your condition shows that you are passing hard days.
3
Kanda, is it true that the dear ones departed from you?
Pads are dropping in bunches from your branches.
4
Kanda, had you been grieving over the lords of Dhoro,
You would have not consoled yourself and borne pods.
5
Kanda, had you been bereaved for the lords of Dhoro,
Your branches would not have blossomed to bear pods.
6
What was your age, Kanda when the Dohro branch flowed full?
Did you meet any messenger like Jasodhan?
7
Is it true that Dhoro has dried and Ak fiber plants have grown
all over on its bank?
The powerful ones have lost power, fount has dried and the
tax collectors are gone?
8
When Dhaagi and Dhoro through rich soil,
The Jasodhan had a good stock of thorough bred horses.
9
Dhoro has dried into puddles wild grass grown on its banks,
Water is not flowing in Patihal* as before,
Now people gather at other varied places.
10
Water is not flowing as boatmen had seen it flowing before,
Seeing small quantity of water boatmen diverted their boats,
Friends like Jasodhan are dumb founded.
11
When the channel was flowing full you did not return, o croc,
Why you think of returning when wild grass grows on its banks?
Now you have to bear poking of fishermen.
12
When water was full you did not return, o croc,
Today or tomorrow you will be netted by fishermen.
13
When water was deep you did not come back, o croc,
Fishermen have now pitched poles and encircled you.
14
You fattened, o croc, and are butting with your blunted jaws,
The white surf you saw, that water will be no more there.
15
Once my beloved thrust hook in my throat,
Thereafter he never thought of removing it.
16
When they thrust hook in my throat,
They did not kill me, but left me with a cord of distress.
vaayi
Beloved, it is because of me that you have adorned yourself,
Mother, waiting for him will kill me one day,
He walks on tips of his toes; his gait is like that of Pabiho* and Peacock,
Sandal stems from the beloved, and immeasurable is his fragrance,
The whole rang is musky and fragrant with fresh flowers,
O Allah. Unite Abdul Lateef with his adorned beloved.
Chapter-II
1
O lord of Madina, hear my humble calls,
Those who are in your protection in midstream, steer them across.
2
O Lord of Madina, hear my humble calls,
You are my only mainstay, I can't think of any other.
3
O Bridegroom of Medina, hear my humble calls,
Do me good turn you are the support of sinners, o Muhammad.
4
O the lord of Medina, hear my humble calls,
In the name of Allah reach me soon, my beloved.
5
O lion of Medina, hear my humble calls,
Step forward with your sacred feet, this sinner
depends solely on you.
6
O lord of Medina, hear my humble calls,
I am in you protection; reach me soon I am in midstream.
7
Mendicant, go to Medina making feet of your eyes,
Where the pupil's light of Muhammad glitters and put
it forth where the luster of his beauty is a sight for the
sore eyes of his followers,
Make a pilgrimage there is a loving devoutness.
8
O Lord let such wind blows as unties me with the beloved,
I am sitting on the path, may I not lose hope.
9
I set my eyes to watch over all the pathways,
I may see him coming on the path way.
10
Yesterday I set my eyes to watch the beloved,
I may see the camel men of lord Punhoon coming.
11
Today too I set my eyes to watch for the camel men,
Come, lord Punhoon, so that eyes' thirst is slaked
12
The camel man for whom my eyes have been
looking, did not come today,
My eyes may shed tear if he is here.
13
Looking for the beloved my eyes have cried themselves blood-red,
If Punhoon shows kindness they take me along as a maid.
14
Looking for the beloved my eyes have cried have cried themselves blood-red,
I would be restored if the beloved, who went from here, comes back.
15
Looking for the beloved my eyes have cried themselves blood-red,
The cause of my grief is unaware of my grief.
16
Today I cleanse my courtyard hoping that the beloved will come,
He is in mountains since many days, may he come back.
17
He is mountains since many days, may he come back,
Mother, love of Baluchs has made me humble.
18
O Allah, as great is your name so great my hope in you,
O Creator, there is no limit to your mercy,
O Sustainer, your name alone lives in my soul.
19
O master, we found your mastery to be wonder,
You make leaves drown and stone float,
If you come to me, I will be honored in my shabbiness,
20
O Lord, your mastery is indeed a wonder, beyond comprehension,
Great is you might, you are self-reliant.
21
Great is you might, you are full of mercy,
Do not withdraw your grace, I am your own.
22
As sweet is your name so great is my trust in you,
I went to many doors, none is like yours.
23
As great is your name so great is the mercy I beg for,
You are shelter, shed sans pillar and beam,
What can I tell you, know all?
24
Oh my dear, do not let your relationship with this humble
creature go slack,
There is no help for this wretched woman except you,
li is your name alone that I depend upon.
25
O Coverer, cover me, I am all naked,
Cover me the Coverer with coverlet of protection.
vaayi
My eyes have known no sleep, I am in mountains since yesterday,
Mother, you return home, grieve not for them,
They are not taking the one, who longs to go with the clear one,
Anguish is more sharper today than yesterday,
All other mates are happy with their husband, I am living with taunts,
My heart sheds blood red tears like pomegranate flower,
Abdul Lateef says, o Lord, let me join my beloved.
Chapter-III
1
My consort, come once to this humble person's abode,
My love, I am covered with your shirttail.
2
So as you are unwavering, my consort, I will not be without mainstay,
No one but you alone repair my broken joist of my hut.
3
Others have many consort, but mine is really a treasure,
Placing his hand over he covered my defects.
4
Others have many consort, but mine is really a wide hearted,
Even if he sees my defects, he tells not other.
5
Others have many consorts, but mine is really all forbearance,
Even if he sees my defects, he tells not others.
6
Others have many consorts, but mine is of high caste,
Even if he sees my defects, he tells not others.
7
You quarrel with your consort but laugh with the rival,
Foolish woman, you are leaving grain and collecting chaff.
8
Sleeper, wake up, one should not sleep so much,
Union with the royal beloved cannot be attained by sleep.
9
Sometime sleep, sometime awake, one should not sleep so much,
This is a noontime place put you take it for homeland.
10
They are really blessed, o brother, who awake,
It removes, says Lateef, rust from hearts,
Get at dawn to work, young man.
11
Keeping asleep will not do you good, remember the beloved,
Time will pass, you will wring hands.
12
These are only a few nights, o naïve, that have misled you
that you pass in this world are only few,
Many nights will come that will find you alone.
13
Sleep caused me as much grief, mates,
It was the sleep that had me separated from the beloved.
14
Sleep caused me as much grief, mates,
Beloved went across Hero* why you shameless were drowsing.
15
The night passed, stars faded,
You have missed out, now wring hands.
16
What fell at dawn, o men, don't think they were dew drops,
These were night's tears, which it shed on seeing the miserable.
17
You slept the whole night and did not think of the beloved,
You thought the beloved would be home with you all your life?
18
May the beloved not remove his arm, may dawn not remove its veil,
So that I may entertain consort unseen by people.
19
The lovers faces follow, evil persons laugh,
They forgot the purpose of their coming into this world.
20
They saw only foam and got confused, they did not taste the milk,
They lost religion for the world, and went broke.
vaayi
My Hoat would not do it, would not,
Mother, they would not do it, they would not leave me in mountains,
For union with the beloved I weep night and day,
The love if the Baluch has thrown me in mountains,
Hot winds are blowing and days are heating up,
Allah, unite me with beloved as you unite white-footed deer in rain,
Abdul Lateef says, o Hearer, unite me with my beloved.
Chapter-IV
1
Cranes are screaming in mountains, they are
about to depart today too,
Last night cranes made a racket in the rocks.
2
Crane misses her flock and fount terribly,
Pinning for them she sends message to her darlings.
3
How is it that you forgot your flock and set down quietly?
Why don't the sweet memories of your dear ones make you pensive?
4
Your flocks flew away yesterday, o crane,
How can you stay at the fount without your dear once?
5
The cranes fly in flocks they never break bonds of love,
Behold birds, they are more affectionate that humans.
6
Crane is accustomed to living with the flock, it pecks not with other,
Night went by as she called out again and again.
7
Fate has brought cranes their, otherwise their habitat is mountain,
It is no one's fault subsistence is in the hand of Allah.
8
Cry not crane, be quite don't reopen heart's wounds,
How would they stay home who are wounded be separation?
9
Cry not crane, be quiet, don't reopen heart's wounds,
See that tears don't streak down your cheeks at daybreak.
10
Warbling of crane yesterday reminded me of my beloved,
Without whom I am passing miserable days here.
11
Crane has been walling northwards since yesterday,
Having seen her beloved in dream she wails at dawn.
12
Cranes are warbling, perhaps they are departing,
Leaving their young once behind they go walling.
13
They flew down to the fountain believing it to be real,
It was hard ground, and it hurt their wings and feet.
14
Yesterday they were talking of you in the flock, o crane,
Your brothers and sisters at the fount miss you so,
You don't see the trap that is hunter's heart.
15
They flew down to the fountain as they used to, believing it to be
real alighted as they used to,
There were no footprints on the ground, darlings have left earlier.
16
The crane no inkling of the arrow that was in hunter heart,
Hunter's sudden targeting has separated many a flock.
17
O crane, you perceive not the straw with which the trap is covered,
Hunter's killing has scattered many a locks.
18
Hunter has gun in his armpit, and wears shabby clothes,
Having killed nobles, he climbs mountain passes.
19
May you die hunter, all your trapping device be destroyed,
For you separated lovers from each other yesterday.
20
Crane, watch out as you peck in Badamani land,
Do not let your sleep as hunting parties have entered the range.
21
Comrade, deliver my message carefully to herdsmen,
"The belle is passing lonely days at the outskirts of Kacho.
22
Who will ever vie with herdsmen, mother?
Who dole out milk every Thursday?
23
They drove to Kaachho, is it true that herdsmen have migrated,
They dealt me a body blow by distressing themselves.
24
There is a cry all over Kacho, is it true that the herdsmen migrated,
Mother, these noble souls left while it rained.
25
Kacho* and Kohyar*, mountain is their homeland,
Why did you not pack up and go with them?
26
May the herdsmen live long under whose protection whose protection I live,
May they take care of me during hard days.
27
Keeping herds and living separately is not the way of the herdsmen,
When would they bring their animals to the lonely place,
Even if you relatives be strong enough, do not stop being anxious for them.
28
I grieve mother, to see the abode of herdsmen,
They used to let passersby drink aplenty from their jars,
They departed from amongst the people while it rained.
29
The abodes are not resounding with their voices, nor do I see their herds there,
Mother, probably the herdsmen had set their mind on Chatano.
30
If you want to graze your cattle in rainy season,
migrate along with herdsmen,
You will never hear any groan.
31
May the curt is churned in jars and villagers be happy to
entertain passersby guests,
Herdsmen have enlivened the habitation of the miserable.
32
Water drips off the bodies of brownies*,
They enjoyed good rainy season in Kacho.
33
Jarejas made mistake by being cross with Rai, indeed made mistake,
How would they now frequent Kacho of fourteen pathways?
34
Wake up Jarejas, and wake up Sammas, sleep not calmly,
Behold, Lakho committing robberies towards your side.
35
Rai made a mistake that the he put his foot in stirrup to leave at Bujh,
Who would now stay in Kuchh where Lakho is committing depredation?
36
They are always scrubbing and saddling,
These are sign of Lakho's robberies,
Tightening the girth they will cause hue and cry in Kacho.
37
It is indeed blessing that Lakho and Lakhi both are dead,
Sisters, Almighty has freed Kachh from fear,
Maidens have it that now Rebarees are safe.
38
Rebari woman, conciliate Lakho with entreaties,
The brave might honor you and change his ways.
39
Rebari woman put away calves in pen weeping,
Lakho had taken away all the grown up animals.
40
Standing near the hedge the Rebari woman cries,
They took away many of her fine buffaloes.
41
Standing near the hedge the Rebari woman cries,
The horsemen whom I had heard much, are taking away the herd,
His name inspire fear on both sides Kacho and all around.
42
The Rabari woman cries puts away calves in pen,
The lass taunts and curses Khanghar*,
There is no grown up in pen, Lakho is busy in looting.
43
There are lakhs by the name of Lakho, Phulani is of singular kind,
Even Ranas and Rais shiver in their castles on hearing his name,
Jerejas have nightmares about him.
44
There were lakhs of Lakhos but Phulani is of singular kind,
The Oads freed of all fears after coming under protection.
45
Lakho mounted Lakhi, the mare was under him,
He took belles in his protection and girded his loin cloth,
He would have all of them know his wrath in the morning.
46
The hedge built by Oads, may not impair,
Sitting alongside which they settle account with Lakho.
47
Lakho had undertaken to protect honor of Oads woman,
He will not do otherwise, we are already vulnerable.
48
Though an ugly Oad woman, I am your honor, Lakho,
The huts that we built for shelter under you, I give all of them to your care.
49
While building the huts the Oads did not think of migrating,
And Lakho fell upon them suddenly.
50
The Oads built and built, and then left all places,
Their huts and luggage are lying on ground.
51
Worn out winnows in hand and spades on shoulders,
They get up early in the morning to go to work,
Lakha, these poor Oads too are migrating.
52
Al time a crimson bridegroom, at times a dead body in graveyard,
Can a castle of sand be built however much one may try?
vaayi
All are ready depart, no one will stay here, mates,
These pretty places will remain here,
Those, who had big kingdoms have all left,
'Every living being tastes death' comprehends these allusions,
The intercessor will intercede and get the sinners pardoned,
Abdul Lateef says, cover us there, o Coverer.
Melody Of Munificence
Chapter-I
1
Believe the word that the munificent has laid out a feast,
Rinse your mouth so that he may power down your throat.
2
Drive the gang of thieves out of your house, make peace with the king,
So that you may receive blessings from that door every day.
3
Do not drink holy wine, go beyond it,
All the hindrance in the union with the beloved are rewards,
One gets everything in audience with the Samo king.
4
O Sammo, the crown fits your head, otherwise
turbaned men are many,
O jewel, people crowd at your door,
Everyone gets alms according to his bowl.
5
Break the drums that are hollow inside,
Go not to any door other than that or Hashmi*.
6
Sammo calls them to him, who are in big trouble,
When he gets up by putting his foot in the stirrup, I will be free,
Who other than you will bear the burdens of refuge-seekers.
7
He bears the burdens of refuge-takers, he is the mainstay of the helpless,
The generous one wavers not seeing lakhs in front,
Where millions are dumfounded, there he smiles broadly.
8
Let us praise the one, who is not alarmed to see thousands of enemy soldiers,
He weakness not a bit says Lateef, even when there are millions,
He never steps back but always forges through,
The master of Haalaar instructs refuge-seeker with a call.
9
Do not stop at each landing, find a fullfount,
Reach Rahoo's domain, he will grant you lakhs,
He is the one who has enriched the destitute, watch his turban,
He wipes away rust from hearts by raising his head and talking.
10
Stirred, he rose and put armies to grief,
He, says Lateef, relieved the world of hardship,
All the, refuge-seekers, who came to the Abro's abode became happy.
11
Stirred he rose and put the armies to howl,
He steps up to refuge-seekers, smiling,
He raises his arm above his head in offering submission to the king.
12
Allauddin came and his elephant trumpeted,
Abro tied breast-plate, swords flashed on the battle field,
Cutlasses struck like lighting, no one could withstand,
Saying "My Lord, deliver my followers to me" the Jam mounted,
Samo gave sanctuary, making refuge- seekers happy.
13
Allauddin came with army and the nobles wearing feathered-caps,
No one dared, who will face his arrows?
Having given refuge to Soomro ladies and did not hesitate,
He, a valiant lord, was killed for ladies.
14
It was for their good that he gave them sanctuary,
No tax will be paid by Soomro ladies, who had come
under protection of Abro.
15
All others grave up (their refuge-seeking ladies) but the
lord of mountain did not,
He protect the unseen, how could he hand over the seen,
the noble brave heart bore lakhs of arrows.
16
Among all the lords Abro is a sure support,
He forgets his own comfort for the sale of supplicants,
The sheltering Jakhro will steer to safety all the needy,
He ask after those, who are feeble and helpless.
17
Among all the leaders Abro is like a big shady tree in a forest,
He traverses the lands which no one has ever trod,
Like a monsoon rain he deluges wastelands,
If any one comes to him even for a few moments, the lord of
dunes grants him a thoroughbred horse.
18
Abro, the high-minded, the large-hearted, magnificent, Sammo
of high virtues, is pride of all,
All come to his abode, the lord of Kutchh refuses any one.
19
Standing in the field he calls all his companions,
All these fine men will manage to cross difficult passes safely.
vaayi
I am full of faults, I seek you avidly,
Forgetful that I am, I wasted all my life knowingly,
O my Lord Coverer, you know my condition very well,
I did not obey divine decree, disobedience made me useless,
Whatever goes on in mind is known to you, O know all,
Khatnahars* have bloomed like rosses,
Sayyad says, I terribly miss Madina.
Chapter-II
1
Allah Himself shaped and created Jakhro,
Raising his head high like a lion, the brave twist his mustaches,
He funs like sea tide, overflows like flood,
Riding a horse, the groom puts strays back on track.
2
May you live long Jakhro, I may never ever hear ill of you,
You are the solace of my eyes and heart.
3
May you live long, Jakhro, I may never ever hear ill of you,
Your are solace of eyes and heart.
4
Jakhro indeed is praiseworthy, all others are just strong,
No one got to know of his union with the beloved ,
There was just that much clay which Jakharo was made of.
5
Jakhro indeed is praiseworthy; all other are Ani Rai*,
Where Jakhro was fashioned, no other was,
There was just that much clay at that site.
6
Having seen Jadam Jakhro, heart sets on no other,
Can wells be sunk when a full fount is found?
7
When it comes from Jadam Jakhro no gap occurs in between,
Whoso is beside this Hatim* he can drink to his fill,
Let no one live in this world without drinking pleasure.
8
When it come from Jadam Jakhro no gap occurs in between,
"Come, you are welcome" are the words always on lips of Samo.
9
Message of Rahu are ingrained in my being,
Having seen Jadam Jakharo's I forgot all other doors.
10
O Rahu, your way is well known is distant lands,
You provided horses to many travelers, whose only shelter was mosque,
You ask for no particulars, whoso comes is accepted.
11
I don't see any brave like Jakhro in the world,
He is at the head of all the apostles, his glory is greater,
"As close as two bows lengthwise," he was allowed to come,
It is indeed God's favor that I have got a guide like him.
12
Samo sawai is much ahead of others,
This is the talk in the court of the Wise,
His fine speech impressed all.
13
There is none like him now in the world, nor in India, Sindh, or Surat*,
O supplicant, beg at the door of the munificent, have no concern with others,
Keeping his doors open, he helps those who need it.
14
Hopes in him being boundless, he cannot be contained shores,
Jakhro rained on Lasbelo* and Girnar' like Ganges'* water.
15
Delve deep ton beg,
Where the citadel of the lord Ganges' water is,
Leaving all means of the world, get close to Jakhro,
Be near God and eat what He provides,
You will then get over your destitution and taste comforts.
16
Even when annoyed he gives, when pleased fills begging bowl,
In both cases benign Jakhro has only good will in mind.
vaayi
I have full trust in my friend Hoat,
I may ride my camels as close as possible,
Turn reins, come back, my love,
There is no doubt intercession by the Shafi*,
Lord Muhammad, the cause, would have convicts pardoned,
It is the Gracious, who has taken the dis abled across,
Lateef says, with his kindness he will unite the dumbfounded.
Chapter-III
1
The devious and accursed is bent upon mischief,
The blind is harassing a weakling like me,
Come, o Ali lord, attack the infidel,
Behead him the fire-worshipper.
2
Kill not the submissive, kill the fire-worshipper,
Forget not the big war, small ones are of no gain.
3
Small once are of no gain, forget not the big one.
After killing the fire-worshipper come for the big war.
4
Many are engaged in small ones, you come for the big one,
See that you do not stop challenging the fire-worshipper,
Fight under the command of Hider* so that you may kill the enemy.
5
There are hundreds of other chiefs, I don't equate any of them with the chief,
O generous one your generosity is like rain,
The cloud of your generosity has overcast eighteen thousand Hatims.
6
The cloud of your generosity has overcast thousands of Hatims,
Who would do things for the ugly except the perfect one.
7
If you have come hoping for something, go to Jakhro,
Don't degrade yourself by going to other doors,
As Samo came of age, bards were relieved of all worries.
8
If you were hoping for something, go to other threshold,
Fetch and hammer into ground do not there the bay-pegs,
There are Iraqi horses at his door aplenty, you can unite
and take away even a herd,
Sayyad's quilt is spacious enough for the begging to cover.
9
Samo asks about the wary of generosity,
Calling the penniless to his door, he gives them solace,
Each day the munificent bestows favors upon the destitute.
10
Why don't you pay homage to Jakhro, who
has given many lands to satiation,
They, who shivered in tatters, are in shawls,
The Samo has satiated all the supplicants.
11
O Allah, let the noble souls live long under whose protection I am living,
Let that well not go dry from which passersby drink;
O charmer, when ever I see you my eyes are comforted.
12
As I came here my thirst got quenched and foot-soothed,
You are like well in wilderness that helps the desert-travelers to cross.
13
You are the cover, the refuge, the shelter, the leader,
Here you are the mainstay, there you will be the support,
The hapless women, who have come under the protection of,
Abro will pay on levy.
14
Strongest among the beams, a film a support,
Samo forget not even for a moment the supplicants,
He enquires about the refuge-takers, about the weakest
among the weak.
15
The Karan* I had heart of with ears, I did sea him with eyes,
Seeing the Jam, o mother, my heart felt content.
16
Seeing Jakhro the bards were satisfied,
Then the bards had a sip of the holy wine,
Samo satisfied their longing, they achieved union.
17
If he enthused today, he will shower golden grains,
Many a braveheart, indeed, the whole world will be satisfied by Jakhro.
vaayi
Wherever he put his feet, whatever he saw,
Ali the lion came and smashed the forts of infidels,
As he came in the courtyard, all the path glittered,
Whatever places the Prophet touched with his feet,
Sorrows changed into joys, it was time of felicitations.
Chapter-IV
1
Wagand has come again, his efforts were of no avail,
His clothing, meals and dwelling are now Pir's concern.
2
Wagand came after beggars had left,
He was beaten good, his wife gave him nothing,
Now he keeps saying, I would not be away from the pair,"
3
Wagand is sitting expectantly for the dawn meal,
He will not move away as he smells spring here.
4
Wagand has much hope of dawn meal,
Frail though he is, he jumps to his feet for eating.
5
Wagand has come again, that uncouth has a horrible smell,
O Allah, bestow aroma on me so that I may become fragrant.
6
Wagand has come again, as dirty and ugly as ever,
He is not letting go to the chamois sock as he is in
love with the perfume seller.
7
Look, Wagand is sitting at the door of the munificent,
Reach the sickly, he suffers from disease.
8
Wagand sat at the door of the munificent,
Like Jetho at his stall beside his stock of onions,
He entered through the door where there is no ingratitude.
9
Poor Wagand is always at the door,
He hauls dung as he is fond of perfume.
10
Wagand has come again, he is one hell a fellow,
Sayyad's company makes fragrant all those who are dirty,
Use perfume regularly so that you are fragranced.
11
Wagand came again, the uncouth, benamaz,*
As falcon pounces on a partridge, he pounce on perfume.
12
Wagand has come again, an ill-mannered from Kotri,
Strike this hellish creature with a thorny caperbush.
13
The scoundrel has failed to be companion vara left today,
The glutton is on his way to the princely Sayyad.
vaayi
He will cover me, not leave me, the intercessor beloved,
He will take along all the blind, disabled and those gone stray,
He will pour medicine into mouth of the sick,
He will take all the sinners across defiles,
The light of God will not say no, He will grant his request,
Here and there he is the support, hereafter also he will be the mainstay,
The lord will offer holly wine,
In awareness of his own self, the perfect one will show kindness,
He will pitch tent for the sinners in the scorching sun on the Day of Judgment,
The generous one will have those marked for hell pardoned,
He will reach at the proper time and anoint all with musk,
The mercy for all worlds will help all in difficulty,
There the guide will hold Abdul Lateef by hand.