The Ginan Gist – By Karim Maherali. Brief note about the raag (tune) by Aly Sunderji.
This Ginan highlights the ultimate purpose of our existence: to enjoy the Vision of God (Deedar) continuously in all walks of life. It provides the physical and mental conditions by which one may attain this glorious gift of life. Regularity in attendance in Jamat Khana, unity, remembrance, fidelity to truth and carrying the light of faith at all times are particularly emphasized.
Hetesu(n) milo re munivaro
| Without music: Shamshu Bandali Haji (Alwaez) |
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Transliteration, Translation and Commentary
| Eji Hetesu(n) milo re munivaro Ane mukhe te saachi vaañi bolo Nit nit darsan kije Dev na Bhai sutak paatak kholo.. ..1 |
O momins! With love and affection meet, O the best of ascetics, and from your mouths speak only the truth. In this manner, enjoy the Vision of God (Deedar) everyday. O brother! Open up or confess your impurities and sins.
Comment: A truthful life yields the Vision of the Lord (Deedar) continuously. The Holy Qur’an (2:115) states:
“Unto Allah belong the East and the West, and whithersoever ye turn, there is Allah’s countenance. Lo! Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.”
| Eji Gur gat ganga teerath maa(n)he naahiye Ane nirmal kijiye man Paanch padaarath paamiye Jo purav hove poon.. ..2 |
O momins! Bathe in the place of pilgrimage comprising of the gur, gat, and gangaa; and thus purify your hearts (minds). The five essential virtues are attained if merits and deeds of the past are complete.
Comment: The gur gat gangaa refers to the Jamat Khana where in there is the presence of the gur (Guide – Mowlana Hazar Imam), gat (congregation) and gangaa (the River Ganges – the place of the pilgrimage for the Hindus, as a symbol of the purifying rites and ceremonies). The five essential virtues are: truth, patience, faith, remembrance and forgiveness.
| Eji Purav poon vina nav paamiye Ane saacho te satpanth saar Satpanth padaarath paamiye Bhai jo dil hove paak.. ..3 |
O momins! Without complete or perfection of the past merits or deeds one cannot attain the true essence of the satpanth (the Right Path). O brother! The mysteries of the satpanth are attained if the heart is pure.
| Eji Paak to Sahebji-nu(n) naam chhe Tene jampiye saas usaas Dur ma dekho dil maa(n)he vase Jem champa ful maa(n)he vaas.. ..4 |
O momins! The name of the Imam is pure, recite it upon every inhaling and exhaling of breath. Do not consider Him to be remote, for he is present in the heart like the presence of fragrance in the flower.
Holy Qur’an (50:16): “And indeed We have created man, and We know whatever thoughts his inner self develops, and We are closer to him than (his) jugular vein.”
| Eji Rome rome maaro Shah vase Ane antar nahi ek til Evo jaañine bhagtaai kijiye Shah partak betha dil.. ..5 |
O momins! Within every hair of my body, my Imam resides and He is not remote even by a distance of one grain of simsim. By regarding Him thus, perform your devotions; the Imam is present and seated in the heart.
| Eji Sat bolo ne sate chaaljo Ane sat samo nahi koi saar Sakal ved sate rachya Bhai sate utarsho paar.. ..6 |
O momins! Speak truth and proceed truthfully, for there is nothing in comparison to the truth. All the scriptures are based upon truth. O brother! Through the truth, you will attain the other shore (eternal life).
| Eji Sat ma chhodo maara munivaro Ane sat chhode pat jaay Imaan sarikho divdo Tene ajvaale Shah paay.. ..7 |
O momins! Do not forsake the truth, O my best ascetics, and those who forsake it lose all dignity and respect. Iman is compared to a Lamp, through the brightness of which, the Imam is attained.
| ji Reñi ajvaali chaandsu(n) Ane divas ajvaalo soor Tem ghat ajvaalo imaansu(n) Bhai chaudeeshe varse noor.. ..8 |
O momins! The brightness of the night comes from the moon and the brightness of the day comes from the sun. In the same manner, the brightness of the body comes from Iman (faith). It lights the four directions (everywhere).
| Eji Noor Naaraayañji-nu(n) tyaa(n) vase Ane jis ghat saacho imaan Tene dev lok prañaam kare Pachhi vaaso te vaikoonth thaam.. ..9 |
O momins! The Light of the Lord resides in the heart which has true faith. To such a soul, even the spirits of the heavens offer salutations and in the hereafter, an abode in paradise is awaiting it.
| Eji Bhañe Pir Imamshah sooño munivaro Ane dekho achambe saar Chheli te naav kaljoogni Bhai imaani utarshe paar.. ..10 |
O momins! Sayyed Imaamshaah teaches: listen believers. Consider this astonishing mystery. The last boat is of that of present life time (under the shelter of the Imam) . Brothers, the faithful ones will cross over the ocean of this material existence (by boarding it).
A Brief Note on the Raag (Tune) Aspect by Aly Sunderji
The ginan Hetesu(n) milore is classified as a folktune or “Lok Sangeet” it is not based in a raag not is it a blend of a few raags, the notes used are all over the map and after listening to different recordings by several reciters, I was able to hear all 12 swars in various recordings. This tune is however classified as a “Jodlio Ginan” there are several other ginans, especially by Sayyid Imamshah that use this same tune.
Ginan Translation Series
