“Charh Channa Te Kar Rushnai” is a deeply symbolic Kalam by Hazrat Sultan Bahoo. It captures the longing of the soul for Divine light and the humble state of the seekers who wander like “merchants of rubies” in a world that does not recognize their value.
چڑھ چناں تے کر رشنائی
ذکر کریندے تارے ہُو
گلیاں دے وچ پھرن نمانے
لعلاں دے ونجارے ہُو
Charh channa te kar rushnai
Zikr kareende tarey hoo
Galiyan de vich phiran nimane
Laalan de vanjarey hoo
Rise, O Moon, and spread your light
Even the stars are engaged in the Zikr (remembrance)
The humble ones wander through the streets
Like merchants carrying precious rubies
شالا مسافر کوئی نہ تھیوے
ککھ جنہاں توں بھارے ہُو
تاڑی مار اڈاؤ نہ باہو
اساں آپے اُڈن ہارے ہُو
Shala musafir koi na theve
Kakh jinhan ton bharey hoo
Tari maar udao na Bahoo
Asaan aape uddan harey hoo
May no one ever become a homeless wanderer
Whom even a straw outweighs in worth
Do not clap your hands to scare us away, O Bahoo
For we are already poised to fly away on our own
Vocabulary: Charh Channa
- Rushnai: Light / Brightness.
- Nimane: Humble / Simple / Poor.
- Vanjarey: Merchants / Traders.
- Shala: A prayerful wish (May it be so).
- Uddan Harey: Ready to fly away (referring to the soul’s departure).