Shah jo Risalo in English (Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Poetry) by Elsa Kazi
Sur Sailing سر سريرאڳ
Suriraag-XII
(Sailing)
Chapter-I
1
O friend, I often did beseech
an old boat do not have;
With worn out sails, the heavy wave
2
Thy boat oil daily, mend its leaks,
and keep in mind, one day
The vessel has to sail away,
a voyage long to make!
3
With riggings furnish it, and then
take it to depth remote,
So that from every harm thy boat
secure and safe may be.
4
Acquire you such merchandise
which time corrupteth not,
That when you sell to far off lands
no loss may be thy lotIn goods deal only which allot
to thee mainstay secure.
5
Those who with merchandise of Truth
a lasting bargain made;
"You will get your reward", to them
these tidings are conveyedThose were they whom the Powers led
through mighty ocean's swell.
6
To ocean dedicate yourself
where endless waters flow;
Thousands of pearls and precious things
its current holds belowAn ounce of such wealth will bestow,
on you a fortune rare.
7
No wave the path of those can stay
who worship the sublime;
Effect of their repentance makes
them safely swim away;
Propped by 'Reliance absolute'
they pass wild current's sway,
By 'Perfect Sailor' met were they
in mid-current, as guide!
8
With precious ware of 'service great'
their vessels they did lade;
'Real Recognition' s' pearls they won
whose worth can never fade;
'Restraint from sin and evil', ohthat bargain too they made;
May with their blessing I evade
perils, when crossing sea!
9
So difficult it is to fare
on the path to 'Divine'.
So difficult, so very hard
the way, for those who dareAnd even those who know the land
confusion meets them there;
Its violent cross-current to bear
enter with love intense!-
Chapter-II
10
Goods there were heaps and manifold,
traders forgetful were;
Some came in good time and purchased
all that the stores did holdSome loitered, and all things were sold
when they had come to buy.
11
The water through the boat did seep,
and precious goods were spoiled;
With spots and smudges some were soiled
and some with rust got black.
12
You came and had at shores a peep,
that you had heard about.-
When everyone had gone to rest,
you also went to sleep;
And so you brought the boat headlong
to whirlpools wild and deepThe wreck that is too worn and old
may God from sinking keepThe wretched ones inside rely
on you, they fret and weep,
Arise and help! their praises reap
and bring them safe to port!
Suriraag-XII (Sailing) Shah-jo-Risalo
Translated In Verse By Elsa Kazi
13
Boatman, upon the raging sea
both ways you cannot have;
Whole nights you sleep, resting your back
on rudder carelessly
But there across at morn they'll be
and of your doings ask!
14
Sleep not O helmsman! shun your cot,
when danger lurks ahead;
The shore is foaming like the curd
that foams in churning pot...
O helmsman, sleep befits you not
in such an awful state!
15
The divers met the waves that foamed
with hidden treacheryThey battled with the eddies deep,
their fight was grim and dree;
Yet, 't was they who sought the sea,
and brought the lovely pearls.
Suriraag-XII (Sailing) Shah-jo-Risalo
Translated In Verse By Elsa Kazi
16
Where'er a pearl exists, behold!
the thieves their haunts will have,
And him awaits fortune untold
who guards the pearl from thieves.
Comments
Post a Comment