The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali. Brief note about the raag (tune) by Aly Sunderji.

This Ginan highlights the esoteric dimension of our Tariqah with respect to the notion of a Perfect Man as a macrosm of creation in whose heart the entire creation is reflected and in whom the Divine fully manifests and hence expresses the Divine will par excellence. In this context it points out some of the salient features of an esoteric tradition – constant search for knowledge and wisdom, interiorization of the rituals and the necessity and complete trust in the Pir (Spiritual Guide).

Everyone knows that the drop merges into the ocean. Few people realise that the ocean also merges into the drop.
– Sufi Proverb

The learned think that microcosm is concealed in the creation of man and macrocosm is the outer space that surrounds us. For enlightened beings it is just the opposite.

The outer universe is microcosm and the macrocosm is hidden in them.

– Teachings of Shams i Tabrezi.

Ham dil khaalak Allah sohi vase ji

Transliteration, Translation & Commentary

Eji Ham dil Khaalak Allah sohi vase ji Jeñe kaayam kudrat chalaai, e-bi Allah….1

O momins! My heart is the creation and Allah resides in it, the one who sustains nature and creation endlessly. He himself is Allah.

Comment:This verse alludes to the macrocosmic aspect of man – that through spiritual elevation he can reflect the entire creation in his heart. There is a prophetic hadith which states: “God said: I could not be contained in the heavens and the earth, but can be contained in the heart of a true believer.” In connection to this aspect, Allah’s role as the sustainer of creation is also reflected in the Perfect Man (al-Insan al-Kameel).

Holy Qur’an:

“For Allah is He Who gives (all) Sustenance, – Lord of Power, – Steadfast (for ever).”(51:58)

Eji Soonbe mulla soonbe kaaji E shesht keñe rachaai, e-bi Allah….2

O momins! Listen O mullah ( religious scholar)! Listen O qaadi (judge)! Whose creation is this Universe. He himself is Allah.

Holy Qur’an:

“For to anything which We have willed, We but say the word, “Be”, and it is.”(16:40)

“For thy Lord is the (sure) accomplisher of what He planned.”(11:107)

“For Allah carries out all that He plans.” (22:14)

Eji Is re maati maa(n)he saari duniya nipaai Isme(n) koñ Hindu koñ Musalmaan, e-bi Allah….3

O momins! Out of this clay, He fashioned the entire universe; so who can be called a Hindu and who can be called a Muslim? He himself is Allah.

Comment: This verse points to the essential unity of mankind – that we are created out of the same stuff and hence there is no essential differentiation between the various religious denominations.

Holy Qur’an:

“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women.”(4:1)

Eji Hindu sohi je adsath teerath jaave Musalmaan masita, e-bi Allah….4

O momins! A Hindu is the one who goes to visit sixty eight places of worship. A Muslim is the one who goes to masjid (mosque). He himself is Allah.

Comment: This verse points to the plurality of worship resulting from essential unity.

Holy Qur’an:

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.”(49:13)

Eji Mere Shahku(n) Hindu na jaañe, Musalmaan na buje Shah betha niranjan hoi, e-bi Allah….5

O momins! A Hindu does not know my Shah (Imam), A Muslim does not know him. The Shah is seated as the one beyond comprehension. He himself is Allah.

Comment: This verse indicates that real recognition of God as manifested in the Imam is not attained through the performance of external rituals, but rather through search and inner purification.

Eji Man mera musalla Allah mera kaaji Kaaya hameri masita, e-bi Allah….6

O momins! My heart is my prayer-mat and Allah is my judge. My body is the mosque. He himself is Allah.

Comments: This verse points to the interiorization of worship. The real worship takes place within one’s own being. All the external rituals have their inner counterparts which must be given more attention in an esoteric tradition.

Eji Andar bayth me(n) nimaaj gujaaru(n) Murakh kiya jaane taayat hamaari, e-bi Allah….7

O momins ! Therein, I sit and perform my namaz . What would a fool know about the secrets of my worship? He himself is Allah.

Eji Aave to roji nahi to roja Esa esa dhyaan mere Sahebji-su(n) dharna, e-bi Allah….8

O momins ! If food comes my way, it is my sustenance; if not, then it is my fast. It is in this manner that I trust my Imam. He himself is Allah.

Comment: This verse alludes to the attitude of complete trust in Allah.

Holy Qur’an:

“And put thy trust in Allah, and enough is Allah as a disposer of affairs.” (33:3)

“Is not Allah enough for his Servant?” (39:36)

Eji Moman sohi jo sab maramaj jaañe Ilam raah sar chalña, e-bi Allah….9

O momins ! A momin (believer) is the one who knows all the mysteries of life. He proceeds along the path of knowledge and wisdom. He himself is Allah.

Comment: This verse points to a perfect momin being the one who becomes all-knowing and all-wise reflecting the nature of Allah as per Holy Qur’an:

“From Allah, verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens.” (3:5)

“For He knoweth what is manifest and what is hidden.” (87:7)

Eji Giyaan dhiyaan maa(n)he sarve sudh paai Khoj khoj kar milna, e-bi Allah….10

O momins ! All comprehension and awareness comes through study and contemplation/meditation. It is attained through constant search. He himself is Allah.

Holy Qur’an:

“He granteth wisdom to whom He pleaseth; and he to whom wisdom is granted receiveth indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of understanding.” (2:269)

Eji Boliya Pir Shams sooño mora bhai Pir bina paar kiyu(n) utarña, e-bi Allah….11

Pir Shams says: Listen O my brothers! How can you reach the other shore without a spiritual guide? He himself is Allah.

A brief note on the raag (tune) aspect of this Ginan

The ginan Ham Dil Khaalak Allah Sohi Vase is based in a mixture of raags, for the most part is it set in Raag Mishr Sindhura, traditionally sung during monsoon, this raag has an overall romantic feel. Based in Kaafi Thaat, the notes and overall ang is quite similar, yes very distinct at the same time. The notes used are – Aaroh: SRMPDS / Avroh: RNSnDPMgRS. The intended samay (time of day) for Raag Sindhoora is the fourth prahar of the day (3 PM – 6PM). Like most other ginans, the above ginan is a Mish (mixed / impure) raag, this being said, the tune varies from singer to singer, some ginan singers add a flavour of Mishr Khamaaj to this ginan.

 

Ginan Translation Series