Kundalini Splendor

poem by Amir Khusrow Dehlawi

I Asked

By Amir Khusrow Dehlawi

(1253 - 1325)

English version by Mahmood Jalal

I asked, 'What's bright as the Moon?'

'My beautiful face,' was the answer.

I said, 'What's sweet as sugar?'

'My speech,' was the answer.

'What is the way of Lovers?' I asked

'The way of loyalty,' was the answer.

I said, 'Don't be so cruel to me.'

'It's my job to behave thus,' was the answer.

'What is death for Lovers?'

'Separation from me,' was the answer.

'What is the cure for life's ills?'

'To gaze upon my face,' was the answer.

'What is spring, what autumn?'

'Only my changing beauty,' was the answer.

'Who is the envy of the gazelle?'

'My swift gait,' was the answer.

'Are you a fairy or a houri?'

'I am the Lord of Beauty,' was the answer.

'Khusrow is helpless,' I said.

'He is my devotee,' was the answer.

-- from Islamic Mystical Poetry: Sufi Verse from the Early Mystics to Rumi, Translated by Mahmood Jamal

And here are some words from one of his songs performed on youtube

You’ve taken away my looks, my identity, by just a glance.

By making me drink the wine of love-potion, You’ve intoxicated me by just a glance;

My fair, delicate wrists with green bangles in them, Have been held tightly by you with just a glance.

I give my life to you, Oh my cloth-dyer, You’ve dyed me in yourself, by just a glance.

I give my whole life to you Oh, Nijam, You’ve made me your bride, by just a glance.

You can hear other of his songs set to music on youtube at Niyaz (Nine Heaven).

Note: This poem and the references to youtube come from Ivan Granger's Poetry-Chaikhana.

Thanks, Ivan. Selection (both poem and music) is wonderful.

(Image from google)

# posted by Dorothy : 4/13/2011 03:11:00 PM