Parh perh shekh mashaikh khawein
Ultey masley gharoon bata dein
Bey ilmaan noon lut lut khawein
Jhotey Sachey karain aqrqr
— Bulleh Shah
Meaning
The scholars eat by studying and reciting, and reveal the household's secrets in reverse. The ignorant people eat by looting and plundering, and make lies and truths indistinguishable.
Explanation
Bulleh Shah delivers a sharp critique of superficial knowledge and blind adherence to dogma. He observes that sometimes, even learned scholars misrepresent truth, while the uninitiated easily accept falsehoods as gospel. The Shayar warns us against merely following doctrines. Instead, he urges us to seek genuine wisdom, to question what we are told, and to approach life with critical, honest thought. It is a timeless call for intellectual integrity.
