Bhala Hua Meri Matki by Abida Parveen

Bhala Hua Meri Matki Phoot Gayee
Mein to Paneeyan Bharan se Chhoot Gayee

Thank God, that this pitcher of mine is broken.
I no longer need to keep filling it with water.

Bura Jo Daikhan Mein Chala,
Bura na Mileya Koe
Jo Dil Khoja Apna,
To mujh sa Bura na Koe

When I went in search of evil ones,
I found none,
When I looked into my own heart,
No one was darker than me.

Yeh to Ghar Hai Prem ka,
Khala Ka Ghar Nae
Sees Utaarey bhuen Dharey,
Kat Baitthe Ghar Mahin

This is the abode of love
Not the house of an aunt
Only that one can enter here
Who has relinquished all pride

Haman hai Ishq Mastana
Haman ko Hosheyari kya
Rahay Azaad Ya Jag Se
Haman Duniya Se Yaari Kya

I am so bursting with love,
Why do I need to be careful?
Being free in the world,
Why would I seek the acceptance of the world

Kehna Tha so Keh Diya
Ab Kachhu Kaha Na Jaaye
Aik Gaya so Ja Raha
Darya Lehr Samae

What had to be said has been said
There is nothing left to say
If one leaves, so he may
As the wave blends into the river

Lali mere lal ki,
Jit Daikhan tit lal.
Lali Daikhan main gayi,
so Main bhi ho gayi lal

I see the Divine light inside,
outside, and everywhere.
Witnessing the divine light
even I have become Divine.

Hans hans kunt na paya
Jin paya tin roye
Haansi khaeley Peeya Mile
to Kaun Suhagan Hoe

No one can realize the Beloved while immersed in worldly pleasures
Those who realized God, did so by feeling pangs of separation
If one were able to realize God while involved in enjoyment
Then who will remain unfortunate?

Ja Ko raakhe Saayian
Maar sake na koi.
Baal na baanka kar sake
Jo Jag Bairi hoe

No one can ever slay a man
who is under God’s protection.
Not a hair on his head is disturbed
even if the whole world is against him

Prem na Baazi Upjey
Prem Na Haath Bitae
Raja Parja Jis Ruche,
Sees Deyi Lae Jae

Love is not grown in the field,
Nor is it sold in the market
But a king or a pauper can
Offer their head to acquire it.

Sukhiya sab sansar hai,
Khaye aur soye
Dukhiya das kabir hai,
Jaage aur roye

The people of world are lucky,
They eat and sleep in peace
Fated though is poor Kabir (the seeker)
Who stays awake and weeps

Jo Kachu Kiya so Tum Kiya
Mein Kuch Kiya Nahi.
Kaha Kahi Jo Mein Kiya,
Tum Hi Thae Mujh Mahi.

What I achieved was due to you, Oh Lord
For I did nothing on my own accord
Even if I were to claim credit for my deeds
It was all due to your guidance

Reflection

In a beautiful example of a cross border pollination, India's famous poet Gulzar stitches together some profound dohas of Kabir and invites Pakistani sufi Abida to lend her ethereal voice to sing this masterpiece of a tune.

Abida Parveen, the beloved Sufi singer from Pakistan has some beautiful thoughts on spirituality and music.

"God has given the gift of music to man and He is the one who makes all these things happen. Everything simply gels together – your voice, your mind, your heart and your body. It’s a trance like state when neither the singer nor the audience really know what they are doing except feeling that great divine existence within them. The singer then just becomes a medium for distributing God’s light to people. It’s a miraculous state when the God makes you come face to face with your inner self."

On giving, she reflects:
“Like a tree that extends its branches skyward, as if in prayer, that is the role of a slave of the Maula, giving shade to those who seek it, without asking anything in return,” she explains with a smile."

She negates any praise of herself, saying she is nothing, a "keera makora" ( a small insect) in the eyes of God. She eloquently states that what the world needs is a spiritual revolution.

“I am doing the work of the other world in this world. You can call spreading the word of the saints a jihad, it is so important in the world today, which is divided, which is angry. But we all come from one place and our Ruler is One. When humanity is divided, it is harmed. If the media gave exposure to the Sufi message, all the fighting would melt away. People running and chanting a slogan isn't the only kind of revolution, what the world needs is a spiritual revolution.”

Bhala Hua Meri Matki

Reflection

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