Ecstatic poems

Ishq De Naween Naween Bahar | Bulleh Shah

Ishq dee naween naween bahar
Love is ever new and fresh

Jaan main sabq Ishq da parhya
Masjid kolon jeyorra darya
poch poch thakur dowrey warrya
Jithey wajdey naad hazaar

The day I learn the lesson of Love
I was scared of the mosque and dreaded fasts
I looked around and entered a temple
Where sounded many a drum-blast

-Ved, Quran parh parh thakey
Sajdey kardiyaan ghis gaye mathey
Na Rab Tayrath, na Rab Makkeh
Jis paya tas nur anwaar

Tired of reading the Vedas and Quran
Kneeling and prostrating my forehead shorn
At Mathura or Mecca He does not dwell
He who has found Him, only he can tell

Phok musaleh, bhun sat lota
Na parh tasbeh, aasa, sota
Ashiq kehndey dey dey hoka
“Tark hlaalon, kha murdar”

Burn the prayer mat, break the water pot
Quit the rosary, threw away the staff
Lovers say at the top of their voice
Leave the kosher and eat the shot

-Heer Ranjhey dey hogaye meeley
Bholi Heer dhondi beley
Ranjhan yaar baghal wich kheyley
Surt na rahya, surt sanbhaar

Heer and Ranjha have already met
In vain she looks for him in the orchard
Ranjha lies in the folds of her arms
Having her love, she has gained him hard

Translation:

by Kartar Singh Duggal