Heer

Ranjha says, "Do not dwell on my thoughts or status,"

"What country or home does a snake, a lion, or a [Faqir: a Sufi ascetic who has renounced worldly life] belong to?"

"Like migratory cranes, we have abandoned our homeland,"

"What use have we for caste, attributes, or outward appearances?"

"The homeland lasts only as long as the breath, and our caste is 'Jogi',"

"What concern have we for kinsmen, tribes, or relatives?"

"He who keeps his mind fixed on homeland and caste,"

"Is a mere worldling; how can he be called a [Darvesh: a mystic/saintly person]?"

"I am a lonely soul and do not know the ways of the world,"

"While you two are sisters-in-law, bound by family ties,"

"You have adorned yourself like a noblewoman,"

"With eyes lined heavily with kohl and [Surma: traditional soot-based eyeliner],"

"Touch the feet of this [Faqir: Sufi ascetic] and step back,"

"Why do you persist with such stubbornness, [Kudiye: Ni/Nee: a gender-specific vocative used to address a woman directly]?"

"Keep your focus on God, O passionate one,"

"Daughters of noble families should not lose their temper,"

"You are fond of the three, O [Bhagbhariye: a term for a fortunate or blessed woman],"

"Those who grazed the female camels in the wild barrens,"

"[Waris Shah: Self-reference to the song's original poet] says they live forever,"

"Those who have earned the wealth of good deeds,"

"The heart is besieged by worry and has become heavy,"

"Ranjha's soul is drowning in a million depths,"

"He swept away the ash from the hearth and set out,"

"Setting a massive fire in the dark garden of his heart,"

"Closing his eyes, meditating upon the Divine,"

"He sits surrounded by the ritual fires of penance,"

"[Waris Shah: Self-reference to the poet] laments that moment,"

"The very moment he surrendered his eyes to love,"

"Heer bathed and dressed in fine silk garments,"

"Scented with oils and [Itar: traditional concentrated perfume oil],"

"Her eyes, drenched in kohl, have cast off all sin,"

"She tramples over the armies of beauty with her gaze,"

"Ranjha looks at her and thinks she is a celestial fairy,"

"Though she is [Heer Sial: Heer of the Sial clan],"

"Is she a [Hoor: a virgin of paradise] or the enchanting [Indrani: Queen of Gods]?"

"If she is Heer, she should be with her companions,"

"[Waris Shah: Poet's reference] says she clung to Ranjha,"

"Like a precious ruby tied around the neck of a donkey,"

"First she touched his feet with deep faith,"

"Then she pressed him close to her heart,"

"A new and wondrous sight was witnessed,"

"Behold, the moth has finally met the flame,"

"What a spark was lit, setting the world ablaze,"

"The news spread like a thunderclap through the land,"

"Friends, Heer [Jatti: a member of the land-owning agricultural community] is a swindler of hearts,"

"In the very act of meeting her lover, she stole his soul,"

"The smoke from the [Jogira: diminutive for Jogi/ascetic] was already smoldering,"

"But she set his entire hut on fire with her passion,"

"The lovers met in the secret garden,"

"And the tale became famous throughout the world,"

"Waris says God unites those who are broken,"

"Look how a celestial fairy has fallen for this 'madman',"

"Heer took her leave from her beloved Ranjha,"

"She says, 'O [Sehti: Heer's sister-in-law], let us devise a plan',"

"He has made such humble pleas for my sake,"

"How shall we fulfill the hopes of his heart?"

"Then the sharp-tongued Sehti spoke up,"

"She said, 'O sister-in-law, your face is glowing today',"

"Your eyes are playful and your complexion is radiant,"

"You’ve been stirring the deep well of some secret passion',"

"Your eyes are intoxicated and your cheeks have turned crimson,"

"As if someone has crumbled sweet [Choori: traditional crumbled bread with ghee and sugar] for you',"

"Someone has pressed their chest against yours,"

"Your body is marked with scratches from some bramble',"

"I see the marks of teeth on your cheeks,"

"It seems the master has 'disciplined' his disciple today',"

"This news hasn't stayed fresh or hidden,"

"The wolves have toyed with the lambs today',"

"I was affected by the presence of a stranger,"

"That is why my color has turned pale and yellow,"

"The rings on my fingers pressed into my cheeks,"

"That is why these red marks have appeared',"

"I ran to catch a stray calf,"

"That is why my bodice strings are loose and undone',"

"I cried and tears spilled over my face,"

"That is why the [Dandasa: walnut bark used as lip stain] has smudged',"

"I was leaning over the rooftop to look out,"

"That is why my midriff has turned red',"

"I sucked the pigment of my own lips in nervousness,"

"That is why the color has faded away',"

"I was squeezed tightly in a sudden embrace,"

"That is why these marks have appeared on my skin',"

"A calf kicked me in the stomach as I ran,"

"These are the bruises of its hooves on my flesh',"

"Ask [Waris: Poet's reference] more about this poor girl,"

"What do people say about these marks on my face?"