Chala Chali Ka Khela

It’s all a game of come-and-go! Nothing stays; everything slips away. Fleeting, transient, impermanent. And, therefore, beautiful! In this poignant yet delightful song, the saint-poet Brahmanand speaks directly of this truth. I learnt this song through Mooralala Marwada. You can listen to his version on Ajab Shahar here.

Sab chala chali ka khela
Do din ka hai jug maan mela
Sab chala chali ka khela

Koi chala gaya, koi jaave
Koi gathhdi baandh sidhaave
Koi khada taiyaar akela
Sab chala chali ka khela

Kar paap kapat jaal maaya
Dhan laakh karod kamaaya
Sang chale nahin ek dhela
Sab chala chali ka khela

Ghar maat pita sab bhaai
Tere ant suha ek naai
Ud jaayega hans akela
Sab chala chali ka khela

Yeh nashvar sab sansaara
Kar bhajan prabhu ka pyaara
Brahmanand kahe sun chela
Sab chala chali ka khela

It’s all a game of come-and-go

It’s all a game of come-and-go

Our meetings in the world are fleeting

It’s all a game of come-and-go

Someone’s going, someone’s gone

Someone’s packing their bags to go

Another stands alone, ready for the road

It’s all a game of come-and-go

Plotting, scheming in the web of life
You amassed a billion in wealth
Couldn’t take a penny when you went
It’s all a game of come-and-go

Mother, father, siblings and friends

No one comes along at the end

The swan flies away alone

It’s all a game of come-and-go

The world’s in the throes of death

Meditate on the master, my friend

Brahmanand says, listen seeker

It’s all a game of come-and-go

Translation: Vipul Rikhi and Shabnam Virmani