Going to Makkah

Going to Makkah is not the ultimate
Even if hundreds of prayers are offered

Going to River Ganges is not the ultimate
Even if hundreds of cleansing (Baptisms) are done

Going to Gaya is not the ultimate
Even if hundreds of worships are done

Bulleh Shah the ultimate is
When the “I” is removed from the heart!

- Bulleh Shah

O my Lord, pay heed to my appeal (Mori Araj Suno)

O my Lord, pay heed to my appeal
I am a faithful follower of my Creator
O my Lord, pay heed to my appeal
My true Lord, you had said
“Go man, you are master of the world
My bounties on earth are your treasure
You are the viceroy of your Creator”

After baiting me with these promises
Countless years have passed by
My Lord, did you ever enquire what transpired with your man
What your man has suffered in this world?

Somewhere, those in power and with the means intimidate, harass and terrorize
Elsewhere, draft and bribery are rampant
My soul is shaken down to my bone
Just like a bird flutters when caught in a trap

You made a fine king indeed, my sweet lord
All I have gotten are endless beatings
I don’t want kingship, my Lord
All I need is a morsel of respect

I have no desire to live in palaces
I just want a small nook to live my life
If you agree with me, I will agree with you
I won’t decline anything no matter how unreasonable

If you don’t look out for me God!
Then I should go and seek for myself another god
O my lord, pay heed to my appeal

With this grimace
Pleading
Sharing the pain
Rowing the boat
Asking for his blessings
Waiting expectantly
Countless centuries have passed by
Only now has it been revealed
The one who you had appealed to
The one who held your hand and guided you
Where your boat had docked
From whom you had asked for a panacea for your pain
The one who did not visit your temple
It was you only
It was you only