Divine Love in the Poetry of Bulleh Shah
Bulleh Shah (1680–1757), the great Punjabi Sufi poet, remains an eternal voice of love, devotion, and rebellion against societal norms. His poetry is deeply rooted in Ishq-e-Haqiqi (divine love), where he portrays love as the ultimate means to attain unity with the Divine. He saw love not just as an emotion but as the highest form of worship, beyond rituals, caste, and religious boundaries.
The Path of Love Over Rituals
Bulleh Shah fearlessly criticized the rigid religious structures of his time, advocating for a love that transcends formal worship. He believed that true seekers of God should not be bound by outward practices but should instead immerse themselves in the ocean of divine love.
One of his most famous verses reflects this philosophy:
“Masjid dhaa de, mandir dhaa de,
Dhaa de jo kujh dhainda,
Par kisay da dil na dhain,
Rab dilla wich rehnda.”
(Demolish the mosque, demolish the temple,
Demolish whatever you wish,
But never break a heart,
For that is where God resides.)
This couplet beautifully captures his belief that divine love is found within the human heart, not in places of worship. He urged people to move beyond religious divisions and recognize the presence of the Divine in every soul.
The Longing for the Beloved (God)
In Sufi thought, the relationship between a devotee and God is often expressed in the language of Ishq (intense love), where the seeker (lover) is in a constant state of yearning for the Beloved (God). Bulleh Shah’s poetry is filled with this longing:
“Ishq di navin navin bahar,
Pyar bin koi kamm na saar.”
(Love brings new springs every moment,
Without love, nothing can be accomplished.)
For Bulleh Shah, love was not just an abstract concept; it was a transformative force that purified the soul and brought one closer to the Divine.
Rebellion Against Orthodox Views
Bulleh Shah’s love for the Divine often placed him at odds with religious authorities. He rejected rigid theological interpretations and embraced the idea that love alone could break all barriers. This is evident in his famous lines:
“Bullah ki jaana main kaun?”
(Bulleh, who knows who I am?)
This verse represents the essence of spiritual awakening, where one loses the ego and becomes one with the Divine. His poetry reflects a journey of self-discovery where the soul dissolves into the infinite love of God.
