The Battle Field Poem by Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti

This piece of work is translation of Sur Kedaro which is one of the 32 chapters of Shah Jo Risalo, the great poetry book of renowned mystic poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhitaiform Sindh Pakistan.

Canto 1

1

The month of Muharram arrives, heart for the princes sinks

God knows better, as he does whatever he likes, thinks

2

The month of Muharram returns but the Imams did not,

I might meet the lords of Medina, God I pray thee a lot.

3

The stalwarts left madina and they did not come back

Am in Plight for those went away, dyer, dye clothes in black

4

Plight of martyrdom was nothing but blessing

Yazid knew not about their eternal love, passion

To sacrifice their lives for their ultimate love

And die for their word their way, their fashion

5

Plight of martyrdom is nothing but pride pure

Stalwarts to know the Karbala's tragedy obscure



Canto 2

1

The Imams leave Madina when the moon sets there

Equipped with swords, lances, axes and eagles along

To the battle field went the sons of Ali where

They will take the field with iron weapons strong

2

Settled in Karbala, the field of fierce battle

Faced Yazid's army with great vigour and whim

With stunning strikes and with their teeth rattle

Fierce battle couldn't make their passion dim

3

The Prophet's siblings came to the land of Karbala

Their fine swords downcast the enemies to slaughter

No doubt the unfearing and undaunted in the battle

Were the sons of the Prophet's beloved daughter

4

Stalwarts came to the land of Karbala

Brave, worthy of praise, undaunted

Earth jolted, and skies too shivered

With valour they their enemies enchanted

5

He gets friends slaughtered, beloved ones killed

And puts his closer ones into pain and plight

He does whatever wishes and whatever likes

Of course there lies some secret of deep insight



Canto 3

1

Is there any, saw gallants fighting in the field with valour great

Blood all around and death, feel the way fair, where life under threat

2

Gallants shine axes, swords and holding lances erect high

They relax them not, eager for martyrdom, ready to die

3

Charging and marching and fighting are the gallants' trends

They keep on assaulting and, too, take care of friends,

4

The warriors came across with deafening sword strikes

And the stalwarts one after the other came down dead

Bloodshed all around, bloodstained bodies scattered

All around is hue and cry, and the field is all red

5

Warriors in the war shout and charge

And here cried one there the other breath

Trumpets cry at high on either side

Heroes and horses embraced the death

6

Heroes and horses shorter lives lead

Either at home or in the battle field

7

Martyrs' bodies are brought back

In the battle field is hue and cry

Wives mourn for'em in the shack

With soiled hair on death of ally

8

Clad in wedding clothes, get ready and come along, groom

And fear not in spears strikes till you earn martyr's bloom

9

Say not the husband fled away the field,

Pleased if hear, killed with wounds in his face

But If he bears in the back, I would die

Of unbearable pain, plight and disgrace

10

With out-thrust neck, proud wive sing aloud

Whose husbands were in the field martyred

'Such brave and undaunted warriors' they say

'With their blood red they their clans honoured'

11

I'd love If you die fighting and I for you cry

But. dear husband flee not of the field

Life's nothing but a very short ally

Shame forever which carping taunts yield



Canto 4

1

Dew fell or the twisters made them reach a weald

There came night over Ali's children in the battle field

2

Yazid, put not Ali's children in the quarrel's plight

You will never avail whatever will be Hussein's delight

3

Cruel Kufains came to the tyrant's fold

Imam determined not to give up faith

Though under the impure people's hold

And gladly braced a martyr's death

4

Cruel Kufians sent word in the name of Lord

We your slaves, you the master of us all

Must you come once, we for your wait here

Be our saviour and listen to our eager call

5

Cruel Kofians allow not drink water in Karbala

There the children remember Ali, their father

And look around for Muhammad, the Prophet

Ask for aide from tyrants around that gather

6

Early in the morning there came a bird

At the Prophet's shrine cried with painful moan

From the land of Karbala with saddening word

Seen swords striking, aide the children own



Canto 5

1

Hassan not there to aide Hussein in plight

And he is far, far away from his natal sod

Where Yazid assaults over him day and night

With his well trained, equipped warrior squad

2

Hassan not there to help the brother in the battle

If were there would have helped and sacrificed

Now, no one else is there to offer some aide,

Who could for Hussein his enemies have sliced

3

Not all in the battle field remain bold and brave

But only who care not life and for death they crave

4

He yet loves life if he does take shield

Gallant waits for none but marches ahead

Among all the warriors in the battle field

Stalwart all aloan jumps to fight instead

5

Make doubt free heart, if want thee victory

Assault and wrestle and take not shield

Strike with spears with cries and shouts

Lumber cut enemies, take the battle field

6

Hur, the sturdy stout came straight and said,

Am but a slave to your grandfather, the Prophet nice

May I get his blessings as I am here to present

Myself, my soul and body for you sacrifice

7

Hur, though came from the other side to fight

He was with Hussien from the core of his heart

'My life is for you dear lord' said the true knight

Allah doesn't burden a soul more than his sort

And I will do whatever I can against the plight'

Then braced martyrdom and well played his part

8

Wearing combat hamlet, audacious stalwart proud and sure

Stood undaunted though turned red with his blood pure

9

Beard bloodstained, teeth too, read like pomegranate flowers

Turban in the battle field shone like the full fourteenth moon

His mother to feel proud in the company of Muhammad, the prophet

Praise is for the vigorous gallant, martyred on the tenth's afternoon

10

The mother cleansed the Karbala's dust, and Ali wounds of the martyr

The Lord Almighty pardoned for the gallant's brave blood's barter



Canto 6

1

O warrior lord! throw thee onto the spears till thy last breath

For such an adorable sight for the years waits the death

2

As the goats cover mount, the vultures on the battle field

The warriors charge and chase and follow and fight

Widows of martyrs to raise the price of blue in numbers

They are to wear the mourning clothes after the plight

3

Vigorous warriors can't stop fighting in the field

They battle in the name of Lord and sacrifice

Their lives before Imams, and warmly welcomed

With flowers' wreathes by virgins in Eden so nice

4

Heaven is the home to stalwarts where they go

To Eden they move then, and meet the Lord

Bless me with a chance great, O, dear God,

And show me their face with your kind accord

5

Hassan and Hussien mourned by three clans

Men and brutes and angels in skies

Birds, too, cried, the bloved ones depart

Oh lord, eternal honour for them apprise

6

Those heartily adore not, Hassan and Hussein

The Creator Lord will never forgive them