Highlighting Renowned Regional Poetry

Kamli, a sufi poem by Baba Bulleh Shah

Padh Padh Ilm Hazaar Kitaaban,

Kade Apne Aap Nu Padheya Nahi.

Ja Ja Vadhde Mandir Maseeti,

Kade Mann Apne Ch Vaddeya Nahi.

Aiven Ladhda Hai Shaitaan De Nal Baneya,I’ll send you

Kade Nafs Apne Nal Laddeya Nahi.

Aakhe Peer Bulleh Shah,

Aasmani Phadna hai,

Jehra Mann Vich Disda,

Ohnu Phadeya Nahi.

Translation;

“Yes, yes You've Read Thousands Of Books, But Have You Tried To Read Your Own Self;

You Rush To Temples And Mosques, But Have You Tried To Enter The Shrine Of Your Own Heart;

Futile Are All Your Battles With The Devil; For Pride is a Battle You Have Not Won.

Says Seer, Bulleh Shah, “You Reach For A Star You Can Control, Yet Fail To Grasp The Light In Your Soul’.

Background;

This verse is taken from a Poem ‘Kamli,’ originally written in Punjabi by the famous Sufi Poet and a spiritual philosopher Syed Abdullah Shah Qadri, or as we fondly remember him as “Baba Bulleh Shah” of medieval times, from Lahore, Pakistan.

He reckons and prompts his disciples to “Stop looking elsewhere, and take a good look within your own self, For it is in One’s own heart where the Eternal Divinity resides”.

Some of his famous literary works like Mera Piya Ghar Aya, Dama Dam Mast Qalandar have successfully been translated into songs and Qawwalis, which continue to retain it’s charm in the art films even today.

The link to the full song is underneath;

Thank you so much for reading !

P:S This poem is published in Paper Poetry, a creative brainchild of the very talented and versatile Suntonu Bhadra. The venture seeks to bring the long lost art of sharing handwritten notes back to life.

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