Shivpreet Singh

[O my Lord]
by rabi'A

Translated by Jane hirshfield

O my Lord,
the stars glitter
and the eyes of men are closed.
Kings have locked their doors
and each lover is alone with his love.

Here, I am alone with You

When Rabia Came Over
-Shivpreet Singh

It was sometime after midnight—
the parrot had stopped practicing
his whistle from that Bollywood song,
and the dishwasher had entered
its contemplative rinse cycle.

Then Rabia knocked,
without knocking, really.
She just appeared,
as if my thoughts had gotten too noisy
and someone had to intervene.

She didn’t say much at first.
She looked around the room,
nodded at the moonlight
slipping in through the blinds,
then pulled her robe tighter and said,
“Kings have locked their doors.”

I offered her tea.
She declined, but the steam
rose between us like a small prayer.

Outside, the stars were holding
their breath.

She looked at me—
that look your grandmother gives
right before she tells you
you’ve forgotten God
but she still loves you anyway.

“I’m not alone,” I said,
thinking of my family,
my dog, the leftover curry
still warm in the fridge.

“No,” she said,
and the syllable floated
through the kitchen like a blessing—
or maybe a broom,
sweeping everything else aside.

And then she was gone.
And then she never left.

This poem reminds me of Guru Arjan's shabad, Bhinni Rainariye Chamkan Taare:

More on Rabi'a

Rabi'a al-Adawiyya (also known as Rabi'a al-Basri) was not primarily known as a poet but as a prominent Muslim mystic and saint. She was born in the 8th century CE in Basra, which is now present-day Iraq. Rabi'a is considered one of the early Sufi mystics and is revered for her profound spiritual insights and devotion to God.

While Rabi'a is primarily remembered for her teachings and spiritual practices, she did express her mystical experiences through poetry. Her poems often reflected her intense love and longing for union with the divine. Rabi'a's poetry is characterized by themes of divine love, the pursuit of spiritual closeness to God, and the renunciation of worldly attachments.

Although the exact corpus of Rabi'a's poetry is not widely known, her poems have been preserved and passed down through oral tradition and various Sufi texts. Rabi'a's spiritual teachings and poetry have had a significant influence on Sufism and Islamic spirituality. Her life and writings continue to inspire many seekers on the path of divine love and devotion.

More on Rabi'a's poem O My Lord

This poem by Rabi'a al-Adawiyya conveys her profound longing for a deep and intimate connection with God. Let's explore its meaning line by line:

"O my Lord,

the stars glitter

and the eyes of men are closed."

In these lines, Rabi'a addresses God, expressing her awareness of the beauty and radiance of the stars. The stars symbolize the magnificence and wonders of the universe. However, she contrasts this with the closed eyes of human beings, suggesting that despite the beauty around them, people are spiritually unaware or disconnected from the divine.

"Kings have locked their doors

and each lover is alone with his love."

Here, Rabi'a speaks metaphorically. The "kings" refer to those in power or positions of authority who have shut themselves away and isolated themselves. This can represent worldly distractions, ego, and attachments that prevent people from seeking a connection with God. The mention of "each lover" being alone with their love implies that everyone has their individual pursuit or object of affection, but Rabi'a acknowledges that true fulfillment and union lie in being alone with God.

"Here, I am alone with You."

In this final line, Rabi'a expresses her personal state of being. She emphasizes her spiritual solitude, highlighting the deep connection she feels with God. Rabi'a finds solace and fulfillment in her intimate relationship with the divine, recognizing that true union and companionship are found in her devotion to God.

Overall, this poem reflects Rabi'a's intense longing for divine connection and her belief that true fulfillment can only be achieved through a deep and personal relationship with God. It highlights her detachment from worldly distractions and her devotion to seeking spiritual closeness with the divine presence.

Sanson ki Maala was made famous by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahib. Although some have attributed this song to Mirabai and Khusro, this is a ghazal that was written by Tufail Hoshiarpuri. Even the wikipedia page says this is a bhajan, when it is actually a ghazal.

Selected Shers Sung by NFAK

These are the shers from the ghazal that Nusrat Sahib sings. For the complete ghazal please see below.

Sanson Ki Mala Pe

Simroon Main Pi Ka Naam

Prem Ke Raang Mein Aisi Doobi

Ban Gaya Ek Hi Roop

Prem Ki Mala Japte Japte

Aap Bani Main Shaam

Preetam Ka Kuch Dosh Nahi Hai

Woh To Hai Nirdosh

Aapne Aap Se Batein Karke

Ho Gayee Main Badnaam

Jeevan Ka Shingar Hai Preetam

Mang Pe Hai Sindoor

Preetam Ki Nazron Se Girr Karr

Jeena Hai Kis Kaam

Lyrics with Translation -

Sanson Ki Mala Pe

Simroon Main Pi Ka Naam

On the garland of my breaths

I have bejewelled my beloved’s name

Prem Ke Raang Mein Aisi Doobi

Ban Gaya Ek Hi Roop

Prem Ki Mala Japte Japte

Aap Bani Main Shaam

In the colours of love, I have become so absorbed

That everything appears to be of one reflection

Collecting garlands of love

I have become Shaam

Preetam Ka Kuch Dosh Nahi Hai

Woh To Hai Nirdosh

Aapne Aap Se Batein Karke

Ho Gayee Main Badnaam

It’s not the mistake of my beloved

And he is not to be blamed

Talking to myself like an insane

I have got a bad name

Jeevan Ka Shingar Hai Preetam

Mang Pe Hai Sindoor

Preetam Ki Nazron Se Girr Karr

Jeena Hai Kis Kaam

My beloved is the beautification of life

And also the vermilion in my hair

When fallen in my beloved’s eyes

What use is living?

Sanson Ki Mala Pe

Simroon Main Pi Ka Naam

On the garland of my breaths

I have bejewelled my beloved’s name

Sanson Ki Maala: Full Ghazal by Tufail Hoshiarpuri

sāñsoñ kī maalā par simrūñ nis-din pī kā naam

apne man kī maiñ jānūñ aur pī ke man kī raam

prem ke rañg meñ aise Duubī ban gayā ek hī ruup

shyām kī maalā japte-japte aap banī maiñ shyām

añg-añg meñ rachī huī hai yuuñ mohan kī priit

ek aañkh vrindāvan merī duujī gokul dhaam

prem pyāla jab se piyā hai jī kā hai ye haal

añgāroñ par niiñd aa jaaye kāñToñ par ārām

pītam kā kuchh dosh nahīñ hai vo to haiñ nirdos

apne aap se bāteñ kar ke ho ga.ī maiñ badnām

jaag uThtī hai jab hirday meñ prem kī sachchī jot

is nagrī meñ ho jaatā hai pītam kā vishrām

jī ne jab se jaan liyā hai dukh bhī hai un kī den

paap samajh rakkhā hai maiñ ne lenā sukh kā naam

jīvan kā siñgār hai pirītam maañg kā hai sindūr

pirītam kī nazroñ se gir kar jiinā hai kis kaam

darshan jal kī pyāsī āñkheñ ro ro kar ga.iiñ suukh

añdhiyāroñ meñ Duub ga.e birhan ke sub.h-o-shām

A story of faith from Sant Sipahi (April, 2003)

Meharban Singh is a prominent Sikh living in Singapore. In the decade of 1970′s, I was also living there and Meharban Singh narrated to me a very interesting incident. He said that he, along with his family, had gone to Pakistan for paying obeisance at the Gurdwaras over there. General Ayub Khan was the President of the country in those days. He invited us to his residence over a cup of tea. When we entered his drawing room, I was taken aback on seeing the front wall of his room. It was painted with the words Ik Onkaar Satgur Parsaad, with two frames hanging underneath. Mool Mantra from Ik Onkaar Satnaam till Gurparsaad was inscribed in Punjabi in one frame and in Urdu in the other.

As I felt curious to know the background of these frames with Mool Mantra, I did not take much time in exchanging the initial pleasantries and said, “General Sahib, if you kindly permit me, then I would like to know about these lines of Gurbani over there (pointing my finger towards the frame with the Mool Mantra)”. For a moment he became emotional and then poignantly replied, “It is indeed Guru Nanak Sahib’s Kalaam (verse) because of which I am able to reach this highest post of the President of Pakistan.”

General Sahib went on to narrate his childhood experience connected with the Mool Mantra, with the following words: “I was studying in a school in Abbotabad and was very weak in my studies. As a punishment, I invariably used to get bashed in the class. One day, I thought of bunking the school simply to save myself from the daily ordeal and instead went to the Gurdwara Sahib, falling in the vicinity, to take shelter.

The Baba Ji (head Granthi of the Gurdwara Sahib), who was known to me, noticed my actions and enquired, ‘Ayuba, where are you loitering, is it not the time for you to go to school?’ I said, ‘Baba Ji, I will not go to school today. The teachers beat me up daily, I am unable to take it anymore.’ He took me fondly into his arms and said, ‘Henceforth you will not get any bashing. Recite this Kalaam continually on your way to school.’ I did the same and went to school. It was the first day, I did not get any bashing and it so happened that I never got any punishment after that.

“I started feeling a lot of change in my life and became more serious towards my studies, work and duties. The final exams approached and I went to the same old man again to request him to pray for me so that I get through the exams. Baba Ji said, ‘Ayuba, Guru Nanak’s Kalaam of Mool Mantra is with you.

Understand it, meditate on daily basis and never leave it wherever you go. Whatever you wish for, you will get.’ Today, I have reached this highest post of the country by the grace of Baba Nanak’s Mool Mantra and shall ever remain thankful to him for his blessings.”

In the year 2000, I got an opportunity to visit Pakistan. I was taking a round of the market in Lahore when I suddenly recalled the above narrated incident of President Ayub Khan. I went to a book stall and asked for a biography of the General. The shopkeeper showed me a book titled Friends not Masters. I went through the pages of the book hurriedly and verified the incident narrated by Meharban Singh. Eminent historian Principal Satbir Singh has also referred to the above incident in one of his books.V.P. Menon, former Foreign Secretary and India’s Ambassador to Russia, in his autobiography, shares a memorable experience during a visit to England to appear for an exam: “I visited the Southall Gurdwara to spend a night.

The Head Granthi of Gurdwara Sahib welcomed me. In the morning, when I was leaving for the examination center, I requested the aged head Granthi to pray for me so that I am able to pass the exam with good marks. He gave me a piece of paper by writing Ik Onkaar Satgur Parsaad and advised me to remember these words of Guru Nanak Sahib in my heart all the time and recite the same in case of any problem during exam and said, ‘Go and Guru Nanak Sahib will help you out.’ I don’t know what magic was there in his saying. His words entered my body in such a way as if I had an electric shock. I felt electrified when I reached the examination hall to appear for the exam. On reading the question paper, I started sweating. Then I remembered the advice of the Granthi Sahib. I took out that piece of paper from my pocket, recited the name of Guru Nanak and read those words Ik Onkaar Satgur Parsaad and started writing the paper. The result was astonishing and beyond my expectation. I went to thank the Granthi Sahib and asked the old man ‘Baba Ji what magic is there in these words?’

Granthi Ji said, ‘Never part with this mantra and always remember and recite these words. You will never fail in your life and succeed in all your ventures.’ Till date, whenever I start any work, I start it with Ik Onkaar Satgur Parsaad.”

Source: Sant Sipahi, April, 2003

This is a story from the Shiv Purana as related by Sant Maskeen Singh:

Brahma was deeply driven to share his vast knowledge with those who sought understanding. His aspiration was to meticulously capture and articulate every aspect of existence within the Vedas. He desired to not just describe everything in the world, but everything that the world comes from. So he started discovering.

Arriving at a gathering of revered sages (devtaas), Brahma set forth a condition: he would impart his wisdom solely to those deemed ready to receive it. He sought earnest listeners, emphasizing that if none were present, he would remain silent.

On a particular day, Brahma expressed his reluctance to speak, citing the absence of receptive ears. He lamented that the assembly was engrossed in their individual desires, entangled in the conflicts of their own minds. Brahma voiced his frustration, noting only two attentive listeners amidst the congregation—Shiv and Vishnu. However, he hesitated to impart knowledge to them, as they already possessed profound understanding. They were acquainted with concepts of beauty, divinity, longing, love, purity, and knowledge, mirroring Brahma's own wisdom.

Seeking validation, Brahma yearned for assurance of his own knowledge. Vishnu bestowed upon him a blessing of success, acknowledging his endeavors. Yet, Shiv withheld his blessing, stipulating that he would grant it only when Brahma himself attained complete enlightenment. So Brahma continued discovering and describing.

After years of sharing his teachings, Brahma resolved to conclude his lectures, eschewing verbal communication. He uttered "Neti Neti," signifying "This is not, this is not," indicating the inadequacy of words to encapsulate the entirety of existence. In this acknowledgment of incompleteness, Shiv proclaimed Brahma's completeness, drawing a parallel to the ocean's inherent nature—it does not proclaim its identity; it simply is.

From More on Neti Neti see https://www.shivpreetsingh.com/2014/11/neti-neti-divine-is-not-this-not-that.html

[O my Lord]

More on Rabi'a

More on Rabi'a's poem O My Lord

Selected Shers Sung by NFAK

Lyrics with Translation -

Sanson Ki Maala: Full Ghazal by Tufail Hoshiarpuri

SHIVPREET SINGH

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