Faqirey-Ahad Zargar

I asked His Holiness,Swamiji,Is it possible that a saint can fall to temptation or desire? A true saint has reached a stage where desire and temptation stays away from him or her. It becomes his/her second nature to be bereft of desire so the question of falling to a temptation doesn’t arise. I am not very sure if I have written it as well as he explained it to me but I had got my answer.

For many days I was trying to comprehend the meaning of the verse,

Faqiriy beem ros tamahas karaan laar

Now that I had “understood” (or so I believe) the meaning, I am making an attempt to translate the poem from which the verse is.

This verse is from a poem titled Faqiri (The state of being a Mendicant or The Mendicant himself) by the great Kashmiri Saint poet Abdul Ahad Zargar. Ahad Zargar describes his preceptor or his qualities in this poem. I am drawn to conclude that he mentions Faqirey (The Mendicant) and not Faqiri (the state of being a mendicant) because he would often refer to his Murshid or Guru as Faqir.

Faqirey tabavun aftaab chumay,Faqirey Kabavuy mehraab chumay

Faqirey Jabajanh shah dhuthumay, Faqirey Kabavuy mehraab chumay

That mendicant, like blazing sun; is my guide to the house of God

Omniscient that King, I see; is my guide to the house of God

 

Faqirey misli gulshan aav folfol,Faqirey rang rang jaame vael vael

Faqirey vasle sheshan aaseluluy moy, Faqirey Kabavuy mehraab chumay

That mendicant, like a blossoming garden; in colorful attires

He, the wine of truth in the carafe of unity; is my guide to the house of God

 

Faqirey darde poshan mushqi ambaar;Faqirey girde goshan manz chu zevar

Faqirey karde roshan ssat samay; Faqirey Kabavuy mehraab chumay

That mendicant, like copious fragrance of flowers in pain (seeker); iridescent jewels in ears

Effulgent at all times; is my guide to the house of God

 

 

Faqirey Ailaman chum alime dafter;Faqirey Taleban chum taaj barsar

Faqirey Aemilan,aamale namay; Faqirey Kabavuy mehraab chumay

That mendicant, the repository of knowledge for learned; zenith of gnosis for the seeker

Song of piety for the virtuous; is my guide to the house of God

 

Faqirey peshwaye ganje asrar;Faqirey rehnumaye lole darbar

Faqirey badshahay lohe kalmey; Faqirey Kabavuy mehraab chumay

That mendicant, the keeper of the secret treasure, leader in the court of love

The king who writes our destiny; is my guide to the house of God

 

Faqirey Sahibay asrare abrar;Faqirey beem ros tamahas karaan laar

Faqirey Meeman don manz chum kalimay; Faqirey Kabavuy mehraab chumay

That mendicant, possessor of secrets and devout; who effortlessly keeps desire away

Kalima(Faith) between two Meem’s(Nastaliq alphabets); is my guide to the house of God

 

Faqirey “hu” vuchum azha naebar draav;Faqirey rooh baneth myanes mares chaav

Faqirey Noah nabee yaeth naavee chumay; Faqirey Kabavuy mehraab chumay

That mendicant, as “hu” I saw exhale; entered my mortal body as soul

He, the Noah of my boat; is my guide to the house of God

 

Faqirey os faqirey roze baaki;Faqirey chum divan mas hamche saqi

Faqirey name maula jaame jaamay, Faqirey Kabavuy mehraab chumay

 

That mendicant, eternal, will and shall remain; he who intoxicates me and the wine

Whose name is the wine of the mystic, is my guide to the house of God

 

Faqirey Ahad Zargar chuy che darbar;Faqirey jalwe maaran andere naebar

Faqirey Lalenavantan rumay rumay; Faqirey Kabavuy mehraab chumay

That mendicant, who is resplendent in both worlds’; resides in my every breath,

Outside whose door I(Ahad Zargar) await, is my guide to the house of God