To me, I am not known

Not a believer inside the mosque, am I,
Nor a pagan disciple of false rites,
Not the pure amongst the impure,
Neither Moses nor the Pharaoh.

Bulleh! To me, I am not known…

Not in the holy Vedas, am I,
Nor in opium, neither in wine,
Not in the drunkard’s craze,
Neither awake, nor in a sleeping daze.

Bulleh! To me, I am not known…

In happiness nor in sorrow, am I,
Neither clean, nor a filthy mire,
Not from water, nor from earth,
Neither fire, nor from air, is my birth.

Bulleh! To me, I am not known…

Not an Arab, nor Lahori,
Neither Hindi, nor Nagauri,
Hindu, Turk, nor Peshawri,
Nor do I live in Nadaun.

Bulleh! To me, I am not known…

Secrets of religion, I have not known,
From Adam and Eve, I am not born,
I am not the name I assume,
Not in stillness, nor on the move.

Bulleh! To me, I am not known…

I am the first, I am the last,
None other, have I ever known,
I am the wisest of them all,
Bulleh! Do I stand alone?

Bulleh! To me, I am not known…

---(Originally composed by) Baba Bulleh Shah [1680-1758]