February 24, 2006

Rang Ditta Basanti

In case you don’t skip the first track when you listen to Rang De Basanti.

Ik Onkar
Sat Naam Kartapurakh Nirbhau Nirvair
Akaal Moorat Ajooni Saibhang Gur Parsaad
(There is) one God, eternal- true his name, creative his personage, fearless, with malice towards none, form beyond time and death, unborn, self-emanated; (can be realized by) Guru's grace.

Aad Sach Jugaad Sach. Hai Bhi Sach Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach
Before time (started ticking), He was ‘The Truth’ (Everlasting); When (cycle of) Ages started, He was ‘The Truth’. Even now He is ‘The Truth’; True, O,Nanak, He Will Ever Be.

Sochai soch na hovai je sochi lakh var.
Chupai chup na hovai je lai raha livtaar.
(One) cannot achieve purity (and hence piety of mind, by simply) washing (body) clean, even hundred thousand times. By remaining mute (ever roving mind) stills not, (even if body seemingly) poses deep concentration.

Bukhia bhukh na utri je banna puria bhar.
Sahas sian,pa lakh hohe ta ik na chalai naal.
Hunger (lust and greed) of the hungry, ceases not even if loads of world's (choicest gifts) are tied up and piled (around him. Infact, with meeting demands of mind, its craving goes on increasing. One) may have a thousand, nay a hundred thousand worldly wisdoms, not even one will be of any avail (to him in the Divine Court).

Kiv sachiara hoiai, kiv kurai tutai paal.
Hukam rajai chalna Nanak likhia naal.
How then to become ‘Truthful’ and how veil of falsehood torn?(The answer is), by submitting O, Nanak, to the Pre-ordained Written Command Of The Lord Of Will- God.

Translation from here.

6 comments:

n said...

Ah, yes, many have told me that movie is wonderful.

The song is beautiful itself.

wendigo said...

very enlightening, literarily.

but, for me, the catchphrase doesn't live up to the build-up.

J. Alfred Prufrock said...

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in Allah Hoo sings "yeh zameen jab na thi aasmaan jab na tha / chand taare na they yeh jahaan jab na tha / jab na tha kuch yahaan, tha wahin tu hi tu / Allah hoo"

I'm told this echoes the Taittiriya Upanishad. And of course, the line you quote - Aad Sach Jugaad Sach. Hai Bhi Sach Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach

J.A.P.

Hyde said...

I wanted to write about Ik Onkar, but you beat me to it. :-)

kaaju katli said...

Thanks! Been looking for this everywhere. Beautiful!

Vj said...

thanks for the translation. beautiful verse