BABA BULLEH SHAH

 Baba Bulleh Shah’s popularity can be traced back to 18^th century. He is seen as one of the greatest Sufi Saints in Punjab. His popularity is now on a rise especially; among youngsters both in India and Pakistan. He gained popularity among all communities due to his secular approach towards life. His unconditional love and firm devotion to God and his Master inspires us even today......

I have always been inspired by the secular saints. Likes of Baba Bulleh Shah, Saint Kabir, Guru Nanak Devji, Gandhiji have always been my favorite people throughout the history. Whenever one reads Indian history, one can see that it is full of such glorious people, who can be rightly called as ‘Allah Ke Bande’. These are surely ‘the blessed ones’. They stood firmly by their beliefs. They stood firm even when people around them especially orthodox and fanatic ones opposed and even insulted them. Most of them faced resistance throughout their lives but accepted it gracefully. It seems they never got shaken by anyone’s opinion as they completely trusted themselves and had absoulute faith in humanity. They never gave up on people who couldn’t understand their beliefs. These are the people who stayed by ‘TRUTH’ when people around them got away with cheating and lying. 

The most common strains in their teachings have been Love, Truth and Tolerance, which are the three most difficult yet easiest things in life to practice. If practiced sincerely these three alone can bring all the happiness of the world at our feet. They do create short term obstacles but bring long term Joy and Contentment.

It brings satisfaction to me when I see many youngsters being inspired by such great people and trying to understand as well as follow their teachings. It doesn’t require a great effort to understand these people as all of them were straightforward, truthful and simple in their conduct and teachings. It just requires an open mind on the part of the reader to decipher obvious as well as underlying meanings in their teachings.

Baba Bulleh Shah is the one who lived his life in an exemplary way. He was criticized severely by his contemporaries but he stood up for himself and his convictions. He didn’t bow down under the pressure. Rather he lived boldly, and maintained his love for God and his Master. This is the attitude each one of us aspire to achieve but most of us give up too soon. 

In a diverse country like India only a secular way of life can lead to an inclusive growth and foster universal brotherhood among all, hence providing equal opportunities for growth to all. Whatever fanatics may say or propagate, it is for us to realize that at the end of the day, it is the common man who becomes a victim of the irrational hatred and cynical violence. I hope youngsters of the country will keep getting inspired by secular ways of life and lead this world to a safer, happier and confident future…

 Lately, many songs have been composed on poems written by Baba Bulleh Shah. For example 'Bullah Ki Jana Main Kaun' by 'Rabbi Shergill' and 'Bandeya Ho' from a Pakistani movie 'Khuda ke Liye'. It is interesting to see that in a world where on one hand religious fanaticism is on a rise, many youngsters are adopting a secular approach towards life by reading Sufism.

Here I have translated the song Bandeya Ho which is a great success these days.May God bless everyone....

BANDEYA HO FROM KHUDA KE LIYE –

(A translation from the Book Bulleh Shah from Radha Soami Satsang Beas)

Bullay Nu Samjhawan Ayaa

(To admonish Bullah,)

Bheynaan Tay Bharjaiyaan

(came his sisters and sisters-in-law)
Man Lay Bulleya Sada Kena

(Abide by our advice,)

Chad Day Palla Raaiyan

( And leave the hem of the Arain’s skirt)

Aal Nabi Ullad nabi
Nu Tu Kyun Lee-kaan Laiyaan

(Why have you brought disgrace to the Prophet and to the progeny of Ali?)
Jehra Saanoun Syed Saday
Doz-khu Milay Sazaiyaan

(Let anyone who calls me a Sayyiad,

be punished with tortures of hell)

Bandeya hoo Bandeya
Raayin, Saayin, Sabhin Thaayin

(Arain ,the Lord pervades everyone
Rab Deyaan Bay Parwaaiyaan

(And He is all powerful l)

Sohniyaan Paray Hatayaan Tay

(He casts away the fair ones,)
Khojeyaan Lay Gall Laiyaan

(And clasps to His heart the meritless ones)
Jay To Lorain Baagh Baharaan

(If you seek the pleasures of the spring!)
Chaakar Ho Ja Raiyaan

(Become ye a slave of the Arain)
Bulley Shah Dee Zaat Kee Puchni

(Wherefore do you ask the caste of Bullaah?)
Shakar Ho Razayaan

(Be contended in His will)