Bulhe Shah's Mystic Verses


Bulhe Shah (1680-1758) was a mystic poet who firmly established Sufi tradition in Punjab. In his poetic creations the seeker of truth is a female who aspires for union with the lord. The pangs of separation purify the mind of all dross.
 

1. Bulhia Kee Janan Main Kaun
 

Neither am I a Momin in the mosque
Nor a believer in pagan rituals
Neither am I a purtian among sinners
Nor am I a Moses or a heathen ruler
    Bulha ! What do I know who I am ?
Neither am I a learned scholar
Nor am I addicted to narcotics
Neither am I seeking sensual pleasures
Nor am I awake or asleep
    Bulha ! What do I know who I am ?
Neither am I joyous nor sorrowful
Nor am I a sinner-saint
Neither am I of water or of earth
Nor am I of fire or of air
    Bulha ! What do I know who I am ?
Neither am I of Arabia or of Lahore
Nor am I Hindi of Nagaur
Neither am 1 a Hindu or a Turk of Peshaur
Nor am I the resident of Nadaun
    Bulha ! What do I know who I am ?
Neither am I conversant with theology
Nor am I the offspring of Adam and Eve
Neither am I known by any appellation
Nor am I a sitter or a roamer
    Bulha ! What do I know who I am ?
I am the beginning, I am the end
I know not any other self
No one is wiser (they say) than me
Who is over there, Bulha Shauh ?
    Bulha ! What do I know who I am ?


2. Ranjha Ranjha Kardi Nee
 

By repeating Ranjha Ranjha
I myself have become Ranjha
You call me Dheedo Ranjha
Heer I am no more
 

Ranjha is in me, I am in Ranjha
Nothing else crosses my mind
 It's not in me but in his ownself
He seeks fun and frolic
 

By repeating Ranjha Ranjha
I myself have become Ranjha
You call me Dheedo Ranjha
Heer I am no more
 

In my hands a long stick and a begging bowl
On my shoulder rests the brown rug Bulha !
Just see the transcendence
Heer Saleti has attained
 

By repeating Ranjha Ranjha
I myself have become Ranjha
 You call me Dheedo Ranjha
Heer I am no more

3. Nee Main Kamli Haan

Hajj pilgrims go to Mecca, my Ranjha is my Mecca
    Indeed I am insane
I am engaged to Ranjha, my father coerces me in vain
    Indeed I am insane
Hajj pilgrims go to Mecca, countless Meccas my house enfolds
    Indeed I am insane
Herein reside the Hajis and the crusaders and the like
    Indeed I am insane
Hajj pilgrims go to Mecca, I am bound for Takhat Hazara
    Indeed I am insane
Meeca is my love's abode, you may consult scriptures
    Indeed I am insane