Hola Mohalla through the Eyes of Bhai Nand Laal Ji
Translation of Giani Gurwinder Singh Ji’s Completed Commentary of Bhai Nand Laal Ji’s Collection of Poetry and also features translation of Saachee Preeth collection’s padh-arth [vocabulary]
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Please scroll down to see the original ghazal with word-by-word understanding
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Bhai Nand Lal Ji describe the time when the military processions of Hola Mohalla happen and when they witness Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj Ji’s Spiritual Beauty during this time:
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The Flowers of Holi have filled the garden of this world with fragrance...
The Lips which were closed like a flower bud have been made to blossom beautifully.
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Roses, Ambar Fragrance, Musk Fragrance, and red-dyed atta are all brought together into a fragrant colour...
[This combination] spreads in all directions as if it had rained.
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What can we say about the Saffron-filled hand pump?
When Guru Sahib sprays the colour then all the bad-coloured faces become delightful faces.
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When the colours drip from Guru Sahib’s Pure Hands then...
The Earth and the Sky become blushing red [in the colour of Divine Love].
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Through Guru Sahib’s Kirpa, both this life and the afterlife have become colourful...
My King, Guru Sahib has decorated my cheeks in colourful clothing
(meaning the Deep Rich Colours of Guru Sahib’s Beautiful Royal Robes are now like the Colours of Bhai Nand Lal Ji’s Cheeks)
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Whoever has had the Pure Sight of Guru Sahib’s Mahalla (military procession)...
Understand them to have completely attained their life-long desires.
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Seeing the Beautiful Sangat within the military procession, my mind desires to become a sacrifice to the dust upon the Paths they walk on...
Bhai Nand Lal’s Heart only has this desire.
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ਗੁਲਿ-ਹੋਲੀ ਬ-ਬਾਗਿ-ਦਹਰ ਬੂ ਕਰਦ*
Gul-i-Holee B-Baagh-i-Dhahir Boo Karadh*
*alt: Bi-Shagufthaa instead of Boo Karadh
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Gul = Flower | B-Baagh-i-Dhahar = within the garden of the world |
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The Flowers of Holi have filled the garden of this world with fragrance.
ਲਬਿ-ਚੂੰ ਗੁੰਚਾ ਰਾ ਫ਼ਰਖੰਦਾ ਖ਼ੂ ਕਰਦ ॥ ੩੩ ॥ ੧॥
Lab[i] Choo[n] Gu[n]chaa Raa Farkha[n]dhaa Khhoo Karadh
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Gunchaa = unblossomed flower, bud | Farkhandaa = blossomed | Khhoo Karadh = made beautiful [Khoob]
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The Lips which were closed like a flower bud have been made to blossom beautifully.
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ਗੁਲਾਬੋ ਅੰਬਰੋ ਮੁਸ਼ਕੋ ਅਬੀਰੇ
Gulaab-o-A[m]bar-o-Mushk-o-Abaeree
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Mushk = Kasthoori = Himalayan Deer Musk | Abeer = Althaa = atta dyed in red colour |
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Rose Fragrance, Ambar Fragrance, Musk Fragrance, and red-dyed atta are all brought together into a fragrant colour...
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ਚੂ ਬਾਰਾਂ ਬਾਰਿਸ਼ੇ ਅਜ਼ ਸੂ ਬ ਸੂ ਕਰਦ ॥ ੩੩ ॥ ੨ ॥
Choo Baaraan-i-Baarish-i-Az Ba-soo Karadh
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Chu = Like | Baaraa[n] = Rain | Soo Basoo = in all directions | O = And |
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It spreads in all directions as if it had rained.
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ਜ਼ਹੇ ਪਿਚਕਾਰੀਏ ਪੁਰ ਜ਼ਾਅਫ਼ਰਾਨੀ
Zahae Pichkaaree-ae Pur Zaafaraanee
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Zahae = Vaah Vaah! | Pur = Filled |Zaafaraanee = Water mixed with Kesar (Saffron)
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What can we say about the Saffron-filled pump?
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ਕਿ ਹਰ ਬੇਰੰਗੋ ਰਾ ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ ਰੰਗੋ ਰੂ* ਕਰਦ ॥ ੩੩ ॥੩॥
Ki Har Bae-ra[n]g Raa Khushra[n]g-o-Roo* Karadh
*alt: Boo Karadh instead of Roo Karadh
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When Guru Sahib sprays the colour then all the bad-coloured faces become delightful faces.
ਗੁਲਾਲ ਅਫ਼ਸ਼ਾਨੀ, ਅਜ਼ ਦਸਤਿ ਮੁਬਾਰਿਕ
Gulaal Afshaanee Dhasth-i-Mubaarik
*alt: Afshaanee-i- instead of Afsaanee
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Gulaal = Althaa | Afsaanee = To Fly | Dasth-i-Mubaarik = Pure Hand[s] |
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When the colours fly from Guru Sahib’s Pure Hands then...
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ਜ਼ਮੀਨੋ ਆਸਮਾਂ ਰਾ, ਸੁਰਖੁਰੂ ਕਰਦ ॥ ੩੩ ॥ ੪ ॥
Zameen-o-Aasmaa[n] Raa Surkhuroo Karadh
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Surkhuroo = a blushing red face
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The Earth and the Sky become blushing red [in the colour of Divine Love]
ਦੋ ਆਲਮ ਗਸ਼ਤ ਰੰਗੀਂ ਅਜ਼ ਤੁਫ਼ੈਲਸ਼
Dho Aalam Gashth Ra[n]gee[n] Az Thufailash
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Dho Aalam = Both worlds [this earthly realm and the afterlife] | Gashth = have become |Thufailash = Thufail + Sh = Through their medium, intermediator, middle-man |
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Through Guru Sahib’s Kirpa, both this life and the afterlife have become colourful
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ਚੁ ਸ਼ਾਹਮ ਜਾਮਾ ਰੰਗੀਂ ਦਰ ਗੁਲੂ ਕਰਦ ॥ ੩੩ ॥ ੫ ॥
Choo Shaaham Jaamaa Ra[n]geen Dhar Guloo Karadh
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Shaaham = my King | Guloo = cheek[s]
My King, Guru Sahib has decorated my cheeks in colourful clothing [meaning the Deep Rich Colours of Guru Sahib’s Beautiful Royal Robes are now like the Colours of Bhai Nand Lal Ji’s Cheeks)
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ਕਸੇ ਕੋ ਦੀਦ ਦੀਦਾਰਿ ਮੁਕੱਦਸ
Kasae Ku Dheedh Dheedhaar-i-Muk-adhas
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Kasae Ko = Whomever | Dheedh = Sight/Saw | Muk-adhas = Pure |
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Whoever has had the Pure Sight of Guru Sahib’s Mahalla [military procession]...
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ਮੁਰਾਦਿ ਉਮਰ ਰਾ ਹਾਸਿਲ ਨਿਕੋ ਕਰਦ ॥ ੩੩ ॥੬॥
Muraadh-i-Umar Raa Hasil niko Dharadh
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niko = Properly |
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Know them to have completely attained their life-long desires.
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ਸ਼ਵਦ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਖ਼ਾਕਿ ਰਾਹਿ ਸੰਗਤ
Shavadh Kurbaan Khaak-i-Raah-i-Sa[n]gath
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Shavadh = am/are |
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Seeing the Beautiful Sangat within the military procession, my mind desires to become a sacrifice to the dust upon the Paths they walk on.
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ਦਿਲਿ ਗੋਯਾ ਹਮੀਂ ਰਾ* ਆਰਜ਼ੂ ਕਰਦ ॥ ੩੩ ॥੭॥
Dhil-i-Goya Hamee[n] Raa Aarazoo Karadh
*alt: Raa Bas instead of Raa
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Hamee = Just | Aarazoo = Desire |
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Bhai Nand Laal’s Heart only has this desire.
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Bhai Nand Laal Ji paints this colourful picture of Hola Mohalla in order to show how Maharaj organized this martial festival in the physical world but at the same time organized this being drenched in the colours of Divine Love.
