Krishna's Cosmic Flute - Reflecting upon Bulleh Shah's Kafi, Bansi Kaanh Acharj Bajai

Krishna's Cosmic Flute Playing

Bulleh Shah in a kafi says, "You are playing a surprising, wondrous, flute O Krishna." Bulleh Shah delves into the metaphorical significance of Krishna's flute-playing. Bulleh Shah's Krishna has all-encompassing control and influence over the world. Bulleh Shah's analogy of the flute-playing as a cosmic symphony signifies that every occurrence and event in the world is a unique phrase in Krishna's flute playing.

Krishna, in this metaphor, becomes the cosmic conductor orchestrating the grand symphony of existence. Each aspect of life, from the tiniest occurrence to the most monumental event, is a manifestation of Krishna's divine play. Bulleh Shah's words shed light on the interconnectedness of all things, highlighting how the universe harmoniously moves to the rhythm set by Krishna's metaphorical flute.

Yet, despite Krishna's omnipresent influence, humans often remain oblivious to this cosmic melody. Bulleh Shah laments that humanity fails to recognize Krishna's presence in the tapestry of existence. This lack of recognition is likened to the flute's wondrous and unparalleled music playing in the background of our lives, captivating everything it touches, yet often going unnoticed by our distracted hearts and minds.

Bulleh Shah's thought encourages us to cultivate awareness and attunement to the underlying harmony of the universe. By recognizing Krishna's hand in every facet of existence, we can experience a profound shift in our perspective. Just as the intricacies of a musical composition can only be truly appreciated by attentive ears, acknowledging Krishna's presence allows us to perceive the hidden connections and purpose in the events of our lives.

This perspective echoes across spiritual traditions, urging us to look beyond the surface of life and uncover the deeper meanings and truths. The metaphor of Krishna's flute-playing aligns with Sufi teachings that emphasize seeking the divine in every experience and recognizing the oneness that underlies all things.

In essence, Bulleh Shah's reflection prompts us to attune ourselves to the cosmic symphony, the ever-present orchestration of Krishna's flute-playing. It invites us to shift our focus from the mundane distractions of life and attune our senses to the subtle notes of divinity reverberating throughout creation. Just as the notes of Krishna's flute are wondrous, surprising, and unparalleled, so too is the revelation of the interconnectedness and spiritual significance of all that occurs around us.

This Kafi reminds me of Bhagat Namdev shabad Sabhai Ghat Raam Bolai. It also reminds me of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's song, Tum ek gorakh dhanda ho. It also reminds me of Maulana Rumi's Har lehza ba shakl aan and Bhai Nandlal Goya's couplet Gaahe Sufi Gaahe Zahid.



 

Translation and Lyrics in English


(What a wondrous flute Lord Krishna is playing)
Bansī vāli'ā kāhana kahāvēṁ,
(Man with flute is called Krishna)
 saba dā nēka anūpa manāvēṁ, 
(All enjoy Him in different forms)
akhī'āṁ dē vica nazara nā āvēṁ, 
(Not visible to naked eyes)
kaisī bikhaṛī khēla racā'ī.
(What a wondrous play he has created)
 Bansī kāhana acaraja bajā'ī.


Bansī kāhana acaraja bajā'ī.
(What a wondrous flute Lord Krishna is playing)
 Bansī sabha kō'ī suṇē suṇāvē, 
(All of us can hear the flute)
aratha isa dā kō'ī viralā pāvē,
(But only few know the meaning)
 jō kō'ī anahada kī sura pāvē, 
(Whoever can understand the real meaning)
sō isa basī kā śaudā'ī. 
(He/She will get intoxicated in its love)
Bansī kāhana acaraja bajā'ī. 


Suṇī'āṁ basī dī'āṁ ghagōrāṁ, 
(Hear the beautiful rythemica ltunes of the flute)
kūkāṁ tana mana vāṅṅū mōrāṁ,
(Its like peacock singing and dancing)
 ḍiṭhī'āṁ isa dī'āṁ tōṛāṁ jōṛāṁ,
(The beast are bit difficult to play and undersatnd)
 ika sura dī sabha kalā uṭhā'ī. 
(This is the real art that Lord Krishna is giving)
Bansī kāhana acaraja bajā'ī. 


Isa bansī dā lamā lēkhā, 
(This flute has a long history)
jisa nē ḍhūḍā tisa nē dēkhā,
(Whoever find it he can understand true meaning)
 śādī isa basī dī rēkhā, 
(Simple yet very complicated to grasp )
ēsa vajūdōṁ siphata uṭhā'ī. 
(Because of this reason everyone has praises for it)
Bansī kāhana acaraja bajā'ī.


 Isa basī dē paja sata tārē, 
(This flute have 5 to 7 stars (holes))
āpa āpaṇī sura bharadē sārē,
(All these are expert in rendering their tunes)
 ika sura sabha dē vica dama mārē,
(But the player the Krishna is master)
 sāḍī isa nē hōśa bhulā'ī.
(I am completly intoxictaed)
 Bansī kāhana acaraja bajā'ī.

 Bul'hā puja pa'ē takarāra,
(Discussions have reached the lips)
 būhē āṇa khalōtē yāra,
(He finds the Lord/Friends Himself standing at his door)
 rakhīṁ kalamē nāla bi'ūpāra,
(Keep up the good work with your pen)
 tērī hazarata bharē gavāhī. 
(And Hazrat is your witness)
Bansī kāhana acaraja bajā'ī.



Lyrics in Hindi

बंसी काहन अचरज बजाई
(from )

Bansi Kaanh Acharj Bajaai

Bansi valeyaa chaaka raanjha, tera sur hai sab naal saanjha
teriyaan maujaan saada maanjaha, saadi sur tain aap milaai
Bansi Kaan Acharj Bajaai

बंसी वालिआ चाका रांझा, तेरा सुर है सभ नाल सांझा,
तेरियां मौजां साडा मांझा, साडी सुर तैं आप मिलाई ।
बंसी काहन अचरज बजाई ।

बंसी वालिआ काहन कहावें, सब दा नेक अनूप मनावें,
अक्खियां दे विच नज़र ना आवें, कैसी बिखड़ी खेल रचाई ।
बंसी काहन अचरज बजाई ।

बंसी सभ कोई सुने सुणावे, अरथ इस दा कोई विरला पावे,
जो कोई अनहद की सुर पावे, सो इस बंसी का शौदाई ।
बंसी काहन अचरज बजाई ।

सुणीआं बंसी दियां घंगोरां, कूकां तन मन वांङू मोरां,
डिठियां इस दियां तोड़ां जोड़ां, इक सुर दी सभ कला उठाई ।
बंसी काहन अचरज बजाई ।

इस बंसी दा लंमा लेखा, जिस ने ढूंडा तिस ने देखा,
शादी इस बंसी दी रेखा, एस वजूदों सिफत उठाई ।
बंसी काहन अचरज बजाई ।

इस बंसी दे पंज सत तारे, आप आपनी सुर भरदे सारे,
इक सुर सभ दे विच दम मारे, साडी इस ने होश भुलाई ।
बंसी काहन अचरज बजाई ।

बुल्ल्हा पुज्ज पए तकरार, बूहे आण खलोते यार,
रक्खीं कलमे नाल ब्योपार, तेरी हज़रत भरे गवाही ।
बंसी काहन अचरज बजाई ।

English Discourse: 
http://www.sikhmysticism.org/LiveDiscourses.aspx (Under Bulleh Shah, Page 2, Accessed July 30, 2020)

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