Here’s another poem from Bulleh Shah, written in the 18th century, and my attempt at translating it in English.
First the original Punjabi version:
Bulla ki jaana main kaun
Bulla ki jaana main kaun
Na main moman vich maseetan
Na main vich kufar dian reetan
Na main pakan vich paleetan
Na main andar bed kitaban
Na main rehnda phaang sharaban
Na main rehnda mast kharaban
Na main shadi na ghamnaki
Na main vich paleetan pakeen
Na main aaabi na main khaki
Na main aatish na main paun
Bulla ki jana main kaun
Na main arabi na lahori
Na main hindi shehar Nagaori
Na hindu na turk pashauri
Na main bhet mazhab de paya
Na main aadam hawwa jaya
Na koi apna naam dharaya
Avval aakhar aap nu jana
Na koi dooja hor pacchana
Mai ton na koi hor syana
Bulle shah kharha hai kaun
Bulla ki jaana main kaun
Na main moosa na pharoah
Na main jagan na vich saun
Na main aatish na main paun
Na main rahnda vich Nadaun
Na main baitthan na vich bhaun
Bulle shah kharha hai kaun
Bulla Ki jaana main kaun
Now the translation:
I know not what I am (but I know what I am not)
I am not the pious in the mosque
Nor pursuing rituals of the lost
Nor the impure among the rocks
I am not in many books that remained
Nor do I live wrecked and ruined
Neither elated, nor stained
I know no pleasure, nor any fear
Among the surreal, I am not real
Neither aquatic, nor terrestrial
I am neither made of fire, nor of air knot
I know not what I am (but I know what I am not)
I am not an Arab, nor from Lahore
Neither from the city called Nagour
Nor Indian or a Turk from Peshour
I didn’t deny any spiritual upheave
Unlike many coming from Adam and Eve
My name was among the first to leave
Besides my own self, I don’t know much
But can’t comprehend myself, or anyone as such
And I am the one with a wisdom touch
So who am I standing in the jam?
I know not what I am
I am not Moses, and Pharaoh I am not
Neither fully awake, nor among the rot
Neither made of fire, nor of air knot
Don’t even live in a simpleton slot
Neither sitting idle, nor in a trot
I know not what I am (but I know what I am not)
