Lai Re Naam

Remember the Name, take the Name – the Name is what saves! This ‘Name’ is the breath, the inner sound, the energy, which keeps us alive! Why not remember it, stay connected with it, and find in it the ground of our being, as this song gently suggests?

I learnt this song through Velagana Bhil from Kutch. You can listen to his raw, powerful version here.

Lai re naam, lai re naam, naam se tire
Naam bhooli aatma, bhamti phire ji

Baahare ubho mrigalo khetar mein chare
Dhani aave dhore ubho bhajto phire ji
Lai re naam…

Aandhade ne maala deeni, phenkto phire
Moorakh haathde heero deeno, dharti dhare
Lai re naam…

Nugura na neema deeno, kehto phire
Pehere kastoori kapda, tel mein tare
Lai re naam…

Saadhuda na sang jaaye, sudharo phire
Dev Dungarpuri bolya, naam se tire
Lai re naam…

Remember the Name

Remember the Name
Chant the Name
The Name is what saves
One who forgets the Name
Wanders aimlessly

The deer grazes the crops in the field
When the keeper arrives, it turns and flees
 Remember the Name…

Pearls in a blind man’s hand don’t stay
A fool fritters his diamonds away
Remember the Name…

The fool thinks his inner cloth is for show
Smears with perfumes his musk-scented robe
Remember the Name…

Seek good company if you want to re-form
Dev Dungarpuri says, the Name transforms
Remember the Name…

Translation: Vipul Rikhi

Lena Hue So

In this song, the Sufi-Bhakti poet Royal Fakir urges us to receive - and the moment to receive is always now. This moment, this birth, is extremely precious, like a jewel or a diamond that may not come our way so easily again.

We learnt this song from a recording of Om Prakash Naik ji made by Gopal Singh Chouhan of Lokayan, who has worked with several folk singers and artists in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

Lena hue so leeje mhaara bhaaida re

Ab aayi levan ke bela, re saadho

Maanako janam heero haath nahin aave re

Phir bhatkat chauraasi ra phera, re saadho

Edo ratan heero haath nahin aave re

Shyaam jata sir shvet bhayi hai re

Tane aje yun na aave re laaja

Tirya jake nar karni su tir gaya re

Ab sariya jaka ra kaaja

Maanako janam...

Gyaan kathe nar rehni nahin rehta re

Ab bin toh rehni kaisa gyaana

Man parmod sake nahin apno re

Phir auraan su poochhe re myaana

Maanako janam...

Hansa hue so hans gati haale re

Phir chheelar paanv na mele

Saadh hue mhaara ghat ujiyaara re

Ve toh akel kala maahin khele

Maanako janam...

Kirpa bhayi jad sauda rachiya re

Ab bhaavbhagat kaisi aasi

Royal ratan amolak paayo re

Ve toh sir saate avinaashi

Maanako janam... 

If You Want to Receive

If you want to receive, do so now
Now is the hour for receiving, seeker!
This human birth is hard to come by
Stumbling through endless cycles of being
You may not find this priceless gem again

The dark hair of your youth has turned grey
But has that made you mend your ways?
Kind acts, not grand words, bring grace
One who turns around does not again stray
This human birth...

You blabber fine words – do you live them?

What good is such wisdom, unlived?

Will it quench a thirsty heart’s seeking?

Won’t you wander again, lost, unhinged? 
This human birth…

Swan, walk with the gait of a swan

No stepping in shallow puddles anymore!

Radiance floods the seeker’s whole being

Alone, with art, she plays, she sports 
This human birth…

When grace was felt, the deal was struck

And Royal secured the priceless jewel

Now what thirst for respect or fame?

He cuts off his head, and becomes immortal

This human birth…

Translation by Vipul Rikhi