Gal Ek Nukte Vich Mukdi Ae | Kalaam Bulleh Shah | Nusrat Fateh Ali (Lyrics & English Translation)
Gal Ek Nukte Vich Mukdi Ae
This Kalaam is fascinating because it’s riddled with symbolism and very prone to getting the meanings mixed up by novices. Let’s break things down one at a time:
Gal Ek Nukte Vich Mukdi Ae
Letter Alif:
In these Sufi verses, “Alif” isn’t just the first letter of the Arabic alphabet—it represents God’s oneness and the foundation of all spiritual insight. The poem keeps returning to “Alif” as the core of everything. The idea is that once you truly connect with “Alif,” you can move beyond life’s complications and experience the Divine directly. When the poet talks about the heart being “dyed” in Alif, it’s a reminder that embracing the Divine presence within us makes every other concern seem less important.
Letter Bei:
“Bei” stands in contrast to “Alif.” While “Alif” points to God’s unity, “Bei” refers to the countless other distractions—anything that pulls us away from that central truth. Bulleh Shah (ra) basically says he doesn’t need “Bei,” implying that if you know “Alif” (God), you have everything you need. By playing off these two letters, the poem shows how real spiritual understanding comes from letting go of unnecessary complexity and focusing on the One reality that truly matters.
Letter Aain & Ghain:
“Aain” and “Ghain” are mentioned to highlight how certain letters or concepts can look confusing when compared to the simplicity of “Alif.” The poem suggests you can’t grasp these letters fully on their own unless you understand “Alif,” which is the essence of all knowledge. “Aain” literally means “exact,” but the poet points out that if it claims to be as “exact” as Alif, why does it need to exist separately? “Ghain” is linked to “ghair,” meaning “other,” showing how it symbolizes something outside of that Divine Oneness. Essentially, they both remind us that any knowledge or identity claiming to stand apart from the Origin (Alif) is just a detour.
Dil Di Karan Safayi:
This phrase is all about purifying your heart—removing any negativity, desires, or attachments that cloud your connection to the Divine. Sufi Way emphasizes cleaning your inner self so you can truly experience God’s presence. The poem suggests that only when your heart is spotless can you see “Alif” clearly. In other words, outer rituals and knowledge won’t mean much if your heart isn’t in the right place.
Ek Nukte:
It means “a single point,” and the poet keeps insisting that everything boils down to this one point: the oneness of God. No matter how many letters, paths, or arguments there are, they all ultimately converge at the same Divine center. This line underlines a major Sufi idea that all differences are surface-level, and true seekers look beyond them to find that unifying truth, which is “Alif.”
Pardhna Gadd Kitaabañ:
Literally translating to “reading heaps of books,” this line questions the value of piling up knowledge if it doesn’t lead to any real inner change. In the Sufi view, studying religious texts or gaining scholarly insights can become empty if it doesn’t transform the heart. The poet suggests you could read a thousand books and still be nowhere near God if none of that knowledge turns into genuine awareness or devotion.
Hafiz Hifz Quran:
A “Hafiz” is someone who has memorized the entire Quran, and “Hifz” is the act of memorization. While this is a huge achievement, the poem warns that even memorizing scripture can be spiritually empty if it never touches your soul. It’s a reminder that true devotion isn’t about how much text you can recall but about how deeply you let the message shape your being. The goal is to draw closer to “Alif,” not just recite words perfectly.
Mattha Zameen Ghisayi:
This phrase paints the picture of someone rubbing their forehead on the ground in prolonged prostration, which can become a show of piety rather than a sincere act of devotion. Bulleh Shah (ra) is basically saying that no matter how long you bow your head, it won’t mean anything if your heart isn’t genuine. It’s a classic Sufi reminder that ritual without inner honesty is hollow.
Sachhi Baat:
Translated as “truth,” Sachhi Baat reminds us that even the clearest truths can remain hidden if our hearts aren’t open to them. The poem laments that people can overlook the plain and simple, letting pride or ignorance block their vision. Sufi teachings often stress that God’s truth is always around us, but seeing it takes sincerity and the willingness to look within. Otherwise, we stay blind to what’s been obvious all along.