Peace, one and all…
Chasm-e-Maste is a beautiful qawwal, written by Hazret Amir Khusrau and sung by the inimitable Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I have given the basic text of the poem below, alongside an English translation (by Regula Burckhardt Qureshi). Enjoy, and may all who pass by be blessed with goodness.
Part 1
Part 2
Text
Chashm-e-Maste `ajabe, zulf taraze `ajabe
O wondrous ecstatic eyes, O wondrous long locks
Maiparaste `ajabe, fitna taraze `ajabe
O wondrous wine worshipper, O wondrous mischievous sweetheart,
Bahr-e-qatlam chu kashad tegh neham sar basujud
As he draws the sword, I bow my head in prostration so as to be killed
U banaze `ajabe man banyaze `ajabe
O wondrous is his beneficence, O wondrous my submission
Waqt-e-bismil shudanam chashm baryush baz ast
In the spasm of being killed my eyes beheld your face;
Mehrbane `ajabe bandanawaze `ajabe
O wondrous benevolence, O wondrous guidance and protection
Turk taze `ajabe shoba babaze `ajabe
O wondrous amorous teasing, O wondrous beguiling
Kajkulahe `ajabe `arbada saze `ajabe
O wondrous tilted cap, O wondrous tormentor
Haq mago kalma-e-kufr ast dar in ja Khusrau
Do not reveal the Truth; in this world blasphemy prevails Khusrau
Razdane `ajabe sahib-e-raz-e-`ajabe
O wondrous source of mystery, O wondrous knower of secrets.
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
