Q. Critically evaluate the poem Ek Nukte Wich Gal Mukdi Ae by Bulleh Shah.
Stanza 1
Ek nukte vich gal mukdi ae
Phadd nukta, chodd hisaabaan nu
Kar door kufar diyaan baabaan nu
Laah dozakh gor azaabaan nu
Kar saaf dile diyaan khavaabaan nu
Translation
It’s all in one contained
Let go of the point, leave aside calculations.
Turn away from the kufr (disbelief) of the ancestors.
Curse the hell and its torments.
Purify the heart and its desires.
Explanation
This first stanza introduces the poem’s central theme: pursuing spiritual truth through direct experience and inner purification. It challenges traditional religious beliefs and encourages readers to seek the truth for themselves, free from fear and external motivations.
It’s all in one contained.
Tawhid refers to Allah’s oneness in Islam, emphasizing that all creation is within His infinite power and knowledge. Allah is the sole creator of everything, and all creation ultimately returns to Him.
The phrase “It’s all in One contained” reflects the belief that everything, from the cosmos to the smallest particles, is within Allah’s grasp. This includes both the physical universe and abstract concepts like time and space.
Let go of the point, leave aside calculations.
Here the reader is encouraged to seek spiritual truth beyond intellectual analysis and mathematical calculations. It suggests proper understanding comes from intuition and direct experience rather than relying on logical reasoning or external authorities.
Turn away from the kufr (disbelief) of the ancestors.
This line challenges traditional religious beliefs and practices, suggesting they may hinder one’s spiritual progress. It encourages the reader to question and challenge established norms and seek the truth for themselves.
Curse the hell and its torments.
The above line rejects the fear of hell and its punishments as a motivator for spiritual growth. It suggests true spirituality comes from love and devotion, not fear or compulsion.
Purify the heart and its desires.
This line emphasizes the importance of inner purification and the cultivation of pure desires in the spiritual journey. It suggests that true happiness and fulfillment come from within, not external sources.
Stanza 2
Gal aise ghar vich dhukkdi eh
Ek nukte vich gal mukdi ae
Aiven mattha zameen ghasaida
Lamma pa mahiraab dikhaida
Padh kalma lok hasaida
Translation
Truth is hidden in such a house.
It’s all in one contained.
They bow their heads to the ground in such a way.
They show their long beards towards the mihrab (prayer niche).
They recite the kalma (Islamic creed) to entertain the people.
Explanation
The second stanza introduces the theme of seeking truth through inner transformation. It criticizes superficial religious practices and emphasizes the importance of genuine understanding and heartfelt devotion.
Truth is hidden in such a house.
This line suggests that proper spiritual understanding is not readily accessible or easily attainable. It requires effort, dedication, and a willingness to venture beyond the confines of conventional thinking.
It’s all in one contained.
Tawhid also teaches that Allah possesses absolute knowledge and power. He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen.
Nothing can escape His knowledge or authority. The phrase “It’s all in One contained” highlights that everything is within Allah’s awareness and control.
They bow their heads to the ground in such a way.
This criticizes those who engage in superficial religious practices without genuine understanding or inner transformation. It suggests that outward rituals and displays of piety are meaningless without a corresponding inner transformation.
They show their long beards towards the mihrab (prayer niche).
This line further criticizes those who flaunt their religious devotion for external validation. It suggests that true spirituality is not about outward appearances but about cultivating inner qualities like love, compassion, and humility.
They recite the kalma (Islamic creed) to entertain the people.
This line highlights the hypocrisy of those who use religious practices for personal gain or self-promotion. True spirituality is not about impressing others but about sincere devotion and self-improvement.
Stanza 3
Kadi baat sacchi vi lukdi eh
Ik nukte vich gal mukdi eh
Kaee haaji ban ban aaye ji
Gal neele jaame paaye ji
Haj baich takey le khaaye ji
Translation
Sometimes the truth is hidden.
It’s all in one contained.
Many people have become Hajis (pilgrims to Mecca) and returned.
They have worn blue robes.
They sell Haj and earn their livelihood.
Explanation
This stanza continues to criticize superficial religious practices and the exploitation of religion for personal gain. It suggests that true spirituality is not about outward displays of piety or adherence to rituals but about a genuine connection with the divine.
Sometimes the truth is hidden.
Sophists believed truth was not absolute but a product of skillful argumentation and persuasion. Therefore, one could consider “hidden truth” as something someone has not yet effectively communicated or presented convincingly.
It’s all in one contained.
This repetition reinforces the simplicity and directness of truth, even when it is hidden. It suggests that proper spiritual understanding can pierce through the veil of illusions and reveal the underlying reality.
Many people have become Hajis (pilgrims to Mecca) and returned.
This line critiques religious authority and blind faith. Sophists such as Bulleh Shah often questioned the value of religious rituals and pilgrimages, arguing that true wisdom and understanding come from critical thinking and questioning established norms. The line suggests that simply performing a religious ritual like the Hajj does not guarantee spiritual enlightenment or access to truth.
They have worn blue robes.
This line suggests a commentary on the superficiality of religious appearances. Sophists were critical of those who relied on outward displays of piety and religious garb to establish their authority or claim to truth. External appearances do not determine knowledge and wisdom, but one’s ability to reason and argue effectively does.
They sell Haj and earn their livelihood.
This line further emphasizes the sophistic critique of religious exploitation and hypocrisy. It suggests that some religious figures use their position and authority to gain personal benefits rather than genuinely seeking truth or helping others. The line highlights the importance of questioning the motives of those in power and not blindly accepting their claims to truth.
Stanza 4
Kadey baat sacchi vi lukdi eh
Ik nukte vich gal mukdi eh
Ik jangal bahireen jaande ni
Ik daana roz le khaande ni
Besamajh vajood thakkaande ni
Translation
Sometimes the truth is also hidden.
It’s all in one contained.
Some people wander in the external jungle.
They consume a grain every day.
They tire their bodies without understanding.
Explanation
This stanza further criticizes the blind adherence to external rituals and practices. It highlights the importance of inner understanding and genuine spiritual seeking to attain enlightenment.
Sometimes the truth is also hidden.
The line suggests that external appearances do not determine actual knowledge and wisdom, but one’s ability to reason and argue effectively does. It indicates that the path to spiritual enlightenment requires sincere effort and dedication.
It’s all in one contained.
Tawhid emphasizes the unity of creation, pointing back to Allah as the source. The phrase “It’s all in One contained” reminds us of this unity, showing that everything is part of Allah’s divine plan.
Some people wander in the external jungle.
Those who seek spiritual fulfillment through external rituals and practices. It suggests that true enlightenment is absent in religious customs or external validation.
They consume a grain every day.
This line symbolizes the superficiality of external religious practices. It implies that those who rely on rituals and customs merely go through the motions without experiencing any natural spiritual nourishment.
They tire their bodies without understanding.
This line emphasizes the futility of blindly following religious practices without proper comprehension. It suggests that spiritual growth requires physical and mental effort, but these efforts are in vain without understanding.
Stanza 5
Aiven chilliyaan vich jind sukhdi eh
Ik nukte vich gal mukdi eh
Phadd murshad aabad khudai ho
Vich masti beparvaahi ho
Be khaahash be navaai ho
Translation
Life is wasted in these forty days.
It’s all in one contained.
Abandon the guide, and populate your own self with God.
Be intoxicated with divine love and carefree.
Be without desires and complaints.
Explanation
The final stanza offers guidance on how to attain actual spiritual realization. It encourages the abandonment of external rituals and authorities, cultivating inner devotion and detachment from worldly concerns, and embracing divine love and ecstasy.
The repeated phrase “Ik nuke vich gal mukdi eh” serves as a potent reminder that the essence of truth is simple and direct, accessible to all who seek it with a sincere heart.
Life is wasted in these forty days.
The first line refers to the Islamic practice of Chilla, forty days of seclusion and spiritual practice. Bulleh Shah argues that even the most dedicated practices can be ineffective without true understanding and devotion.
It’s all in one contained.
This repetition reminds us of the poem’s core message: Muslims are part of a larger whole, connected to Allah and all creation, and they foster humility and gratitude.
Abandon the guide, and populate your own self with God.
It challenges the reliance on external religious authorities and encourages individuals to seek a direct connection with the divine. It emphasizes the importance of personal spiritual experience and inner guidance.
Be intoxicated with divine love and carefree.
The fourth line advocates for spiritual ecstasy and detachment from worldly concerns. It suggests that true spiritual fulfillment comes from immersing oneself in divine love and abandoning all worries and anxieties.
Be without desires and without complaints.
The fifth line emphasizes the importance of detached from worldly desires and grievances. It suggests true happiness and contentment are present in inner peace and acceptance.
