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Government Degree college lundkhwar Mardan

Department of English

Name => Muhammad Osama

Roll no => 06

Semester => 7th Fall 2k23

Reg no => 20-AU-LKM-06

Gmail => m.osama.sgr@gmail.com

Contact info => +923434749671

Submitted to => prof Nazir Ahmad sb

Subject=> Pakistani literature

Assignment & presentation topic => Sachal sarmast’ s Two poems ( 1. Friend,this is the only way) (2.
We are, what are we ? )

Dated => Friday 24th November 2k24

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Contents in Topic .

1.introduction to poet Sachal sarmast .

2. introduction to his two poems ( Friend ,this is the way ) and ( we are, what are we ?)

3.Both poems in text forms ( Friend,this is the way ) and ( we are , what are we ? )

4.line-by- line Explanation of both the poems

5. SUMMARY OF BOTH the poems .

6.SOAPS of the two poems

7. Themes discussed in these two poems

8.structures and forms of the poems .

9. Literary devices in these poems .

10. Short questions in these poems

1. Introduction to Sachal sarmast poet .

Born: 1739, Daraza Sharif Sindh,

Daraza, Kalhora Sindh (present-day Sindh, Pakistan).

Died: April 11, 1827, Daraza Sharif 1825 (aged 85–86)

Daraza, Talpur Sindh (present-day Sindh, Pakistan)

Real name :: Abdul Wahab Farooqi

Other names.

Sacho Sarmast, Shah Daraz, Ishq jo Otar, Sultan ul-Arifeen

Religion. Islam

School: Sufism

Books: Fareed to Fareed: Translations Bouquet : Baaba Fareed Ganjshakar, Shah Husayn, Sultaan
Baahu, Bulleh Shah, Sachal Sarmast, Khawaja Ghulaam Fareed.

Main interests: lyric poetry

lyric poetry ::it is formal type of poetry which expresses personal emotions or feelings.

Parents: Mian Salahuddin

Influenced by: Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Rumi, Mansur Al-Hallaj, Shah Inayat Shaheed

Sufism, ? also known as Tasawwuf

Sufism may be best described as Islamic spiritual which through belief and practice helps Muslims
attain nearness to Allah by way of direct personal experience of God
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From Daraza (present-day Sindh, Pakistan), regarded as an important figure in the Sindhi-language
literature. He is famous in throughout Pakistan.

Sachal Sarmast was a Sufi poet from Sindh, Pakistan, who lived in the 18th century. His real name was
Abdul Wahab, but he is commonly known by his pen name, Sachal Sarmast, which means “truth-seeking
mystic.” He is renowned for his poetry that explores themes of love, spirituality, and the divine. Sachal
Sarmast work is highly regarded in Sufi literature and has left a lasting impact on the cultural and literary
heritage of the region.

2. Intro to poem ( Friend ,this is way ) .

This poem says: don’t copy others, not even saints.( Holy men, religious person )find your own
way, be real, and uncover life’s secrets without following anyone else. Sachal Sarmast,
emphasizing the importance of finding one’s own path and not simply following the ways of
others. It encourages a unique journey and self-discovery.

3. Poem ( friend , this is the way ) in text form .

Friend, this is the only way

By Sachal Sarmast

(English version by Ivan M. Granger)

(Original Language Arabic, Sindhi, Saraiki, Punjabi, Urdu, Persian and Balochi)

Friend, this is the only way

To learn the secret way:

Ignore the paths of others,

Even the saints’ steep trails.

Don’t follow.

Don’t journey at all.

Rip the veil from your face..

4. Line- by – line explanation of the poem ( friend ,this is the only way )

1. Friend ,this is the only way .

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Exp. Sachal Sarmast is addressing a friend,( readers) he is telling the readers that friend here is
the only one method or way to explore your inner self or there’s a specific path to discover a
secret in your self
2. to learn the secret way:
Exp .Poet is telling about a specific, individual path. Hidden way suggesting that there is a
unique journey each person must undertake to access this hidden knowledge or understanding
in yourself.

3.Ignore the paths of others ,

Exp. Sachal focus on the individualism and saying that don’t follow other people Ignore the paths
of others” in the poem advises not to be influenced by the choices, journeys, or ways of other people. It
encourages individuality and the pursuit of one’s unique path instead of following the footsteps of
others.

4.even the saints steep trail .

Exp. Poet suggests that one should not blindly follow even the challenging and difficult paths taken
by highly respected individuals (saints). It emphasizes the idea that personal discovery requires forging a
unique journey rather than imitating even the most famous figures. (Steep trails ) means hard ways
routes .

5.Dont follow .

Exp. Poet is telling that straightforward or , advising that don’t imitating or copying others .

6.dont journey at all .

Exp. Poet advising not to follow any established paths or conventional routes. The poet encourage
unique and personal journey rather than conforming to pre-existing ways of living or other people
journey.

7. Rip the veil from your face

Exp. Metaphorically, remove the barrier that obscures your true vision or understanding.

Rip mean tear ,and veil clothes which hide the face of female( Burqa ) .

Poet says that remove the abstractions from your path and go ahead in life .

5 . Summary of the poem ( Friend ,is the only way ) .

The poem says the best way to discover the true path in life is to ignore what others are doing, even if
they are considered saints. Instead of following established routes, the poet advises not to follow any
path at all. The key is to break away from the crowd and find your own unique way. The poet suggests
that the real secret is revealed when you stop imitating others and uncover your own journey, free
from external influences.

6.SOAPS of poem ( Friend ,this is the only way )

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Poem . Friend, this is the only way

Subject . The subject of the poem is simply self- discovery

Occasion: The occasion for the poem could be a moment own deeper thinking and personal growth.

Audience: The audience for this poem is likely individuals seeking a deeper understanding of life’s
journey rather than saints .

Purpose: The purpose of the poem is to convey a message of individuality and the importance of making
own path .

Speaker: The speaker in the poem could be interpreted as the poet, Sachal Sarmast, sharing his wisdom
and insights on the profound journey of self-discovery. The speaker serves as a guide, telling the
audience to abandon established paths and find their unique way to enlightenment.

7. Themes discussed in the poem ( Friend ,this is the only way )

1.Individuality and Self-Discovery:

The poem encourages embracing one’s unique path and discovering personal truths by avoiding the
routes of others, even those followed by saints.

2.Rejection of Conventional Paths

The speaker advises against blindly following established trails, emphasizing the importance of not
adhering to societal expectations and instead journeying independently toward self-realization.

3.Unveiling the True Self.

The tearing of the veil symbolizes the revelation of one’s authentic identity, suggesting that by deviating
from societal expectations, individuals can uncover their genuine selves.

4.Embracing Solitude:

The call to “Don’t follow. Don’t journey at all.” Hints at the importance of solitude in the context for self-
discovery, emphasizing the value of introspection and personal exploration.

8. Structure and form of poem ( Friend, this is the only way)

1.Free verse .

The poem “Friend, this is the only way” by Sachal Sarmast follows a free verse structure, characterized
by its lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter.

2.Use of imperatives .The use of imperatives, such as “Ignore,” “Don’t follow,” and “Rip,” adds a direct
and commanding tone to the poem. The lines are concise, contributing to a sense of clarity and
emphasis on the poet’s message .

3. Stanzas .

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The poem “Friend, this is the only way” by Sachal Sarmast doesn’t have traditional stanzas with clear
breaks. Instead, it is presented as a continuous block of text.

9. Literary devices the poem ( Friends ,this is the only way )

1.Metaphor: The “secret way” in the poem is likely a metaphor for a deeper, more personal
understanding of life or spirituality. It suggests a unique path that each individual must discover
independently.

2.imagery .The poet uses vivid imagery in the lines “Ignore the paths of others, even the saints’ steep
trails.” This creates a mental picture of diverging paths and challenging trails, emphasizing the idea of
making own paths.

3.Repetition .The repetition of the imperative phrases “Don’t follow” and “Don’t journey at all” serves to
reinforce the poet’s message of independence and individuality it adds a rhythmic quality to the poem,

4 Symbolism. The veil mentioned in the last line symbolizes barriers or illusions that might obstruct one’s
understanding. “Ripping the veil” suggests an act of revelation or uncovering, encouraging the reader to
seek truth beyond superficial layers.

10. Short questions in the poem .

1.What is the Friends, this is the only way about ?

Sachal Sarmast ‘Friend, this is the only way’” appears to convey a message of individuality and self-
discovery.

2.what is the message of the poem ?

The central message is about finding one’s own way, free from imitation and discovering the truth by
unveiling one’s authentic self

3.What is the purpose of the poem ?

The purpose of poem is encourages you to find your own way in life, not just following what others have
done, even if they are considered great or wise. It suggests that true understanding comes from your
own experiences and being true to yourself rather than imitating other

4.Major themes of the poem ?

Major themes of the poem Individualism ,Self-Discovery, Personal awareness.

2nd poem ( we are ,what are we ? )

1. Intro to poet sachal sarmast Done .

2. Intro to poem ( we are, what are we ? )

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The poem (we are ,what are we ? ) Explains the duality of human means that sometimes human feel
good ,happy ,and sometimes humans are in hardships .moreover sometime we think who are we,
sometimes we don’t exist but sometimes exist .

It focus on the double nature , paradoxical, position. Of human .

3 .poem ( we are ,what are we ,? ) In text form

We are, what are we?

By Sachal Sarmast

Original Language Arabic, Sindhi, Saraiki, Punjabi, Urdu, Persian and Balochi

We are, what are we?

We know not, what we are!

For a moment we are blessed

For a moment we are accursed

Some moment we pray and fast

Some moment we are free spirits

Now we declare, ‘Only we exist’

Now we declare, ‘We don’t exist’

For a bit, our heart is calm

In a bit, we weep rivers

Now we say, ‘We are self-realized’

Now we ask, ‘Who are we?’

‘Sachal’ we are only That eternally

What other contracts can we make here?

3.Line- by line explanation of poem( we are ,what are we ?)

1.We are, what are we?

We know not, what we are!

Exp. The Sufi poet asking or express a sense of confusion about our identity. The speaker acknowledges a
lack of understanding regarding who we are, emphasizing the uncertainty and mystery surrounding
human existence. Sachal focused on the unawareness of human identity.
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2.For a moment we are blessed

For a moment we are accursed

Exp . These lines convey the changing nature of human experiences. At times, we feel fortunate and
blessed, while at other moments, we may feel cursed or bad .the poet captures the ever-changing and
unpredictable aspects of life’s ups and downs. That what life is .

3.Some moment we pray and fast

Some moment we are free spirits

Exp. The poet talk about the variability in human behavior and emotions. At times, individuals engage in
prayer and fasting, indicating moments of spiritual dedication or discipline. Conversely, there are also
moments when people feel liberated and free-spirited, emphasizing the diverse range of experiences
and expressions in life. Refers to Eid UL fitr .in Eid human Muslims feel free and enjoy .

4 .Now we declare, ‘Only we exist’

Now we declare, ‘We don’t exist’

Exp. The poet telling us about our uncertainty of life in these lines or These lines express the paradoxical
nature of human declarations about existence. There are moments when individuals saying t their
presence with confidence, proclaiming “Only we exist.” Yet, in other instances, there is a contradictory
declaration, stating “We don’t exist.” This highlights the human philosophy. Or At times, we confidently
say we exist. Then, surprisingly, we might also claim that we don’t exist. It shows the uncertainty in how
we perceive .

5.For a bit, our heart is calm

In a bit, we weep rivers .

Exp poet says that sometimes, our hearts are peaceful for a short while. But soon after, we might find
ourselves crying intensely, as if we are fulling rivers of tears. It illustrates the emotional ups and downs in
life. We weep rivers mean we weep a lot out tears is like rivers during death or at another sad moments.
Metaphorical weep rivers ( tears a lot ) tears compare to rivers ..

6.Now we say, ‘We are self-realized’

Now we ask, ‘Who are we?’

Exp .poet saying that .First, we say we know ourselves. Then, paradoxically or oppositely we question
and wonder, asking, “Who are we?” It shows uncertainty about understanding ourselves. Human beings .

7.Sachal’ we are only That eternally

What other contracts can we make here?

Exp The poet used his name here as( sachal ) which means here truth . the poet is saying that our true
existence is forever linked to something divine or greater, symbolized by “Sachal.” Which means true .
We are forever connected to divine or GOD The question at the end wonders about the importance of
other agreements or commitments in comparison to this eternal connection. In simpler terms, the poet
is asking, “What other important things can we focus on in this life if we are totally connected to the
Divine Or God . Nothing other contracts are important rather than connected to divine wholly .

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5. Summary of the poem ( We are , what are we ? )

Poem talks about how we’re not sure who we really are. Sometimes we feel blessed, other times
cursed. We go through moments of prayer and freedom, declaring our existence or denying it. At
the end sachal focused on the contracts that we make here with the GOD among these contacts
important one is of we are wholly connected to the God . Sachal was deeply interested in the
human contractions of life . We exist or we not are key lines there in a poem which shows our
uncertainty in the world .

6.SOAPS of The poem ( We are , what are we ? )

Subject. The subject of the poem is life’ journey.

Occasion. The occasion is of this poem of sachal sarmast is Human life isn’t aware of the his/ her life
.

Audience. All general audience and Readers who are interested in life ‘ reality and philosophy.

Purpose. The purpose of the poem is to tell the readers and audience about life ups and downs .

Speaker. The speaker of the poem is sachal sarmast himself asking questions about life ups and
downs.

7.Thrnes discussed in the poem ( We are ,what are we )

1. Uncertainty and ambiguity.

Highlighting the ambiguity and lack of clarity regarding what it means to be human. By sachal
sarmast. He says in his poem that is totally uncertain . unpredictable.

2.Fleeting ( impermanent) nature of human experience.

He highlighted that human life is composed of fleeting experience which can be ended soon
.impermanence run throughout the poem, as moments of blessing and curse, calmness and
weeping, come and go. Away .

3.Paradoxes of Life:

The poet explores contradictions in human declarations, such as saying about existence and denying
it, capturing the paradoxical nature of human perception and understanding.

We exist or we don’t exist .

4.Fluidity of Emotions .

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The poem touches upon the dynamic nature of human emotions, portraying moments of prayer and
fasting juxtaposed with those of free-spiritedness. i.e Eid emotional impacts has on human life
during fasting and Eid .

5.The Complexity of Human Heart:

The poet talks about the complexity of human emotions, portraying the heart as a place that can be
calm one moment and weeping rivers the next.

6 Narrative of Self-Discovery:

The poem can be seen as a narrative of self-discovery, with the speaker moving through different phases
of realization and questioning, illustrating the ongoing journey of understanding oneself. And human .

8. Structure and form of the poem ( we are, what are we ? )

1.Verse Structure:: The poem is written in free verse, meaning it lacks a consistent rhyme scheme or
strict metrical pattern. Free verse allows the poet more flexibility and freedom in expressing ideas
without conforming to traditional poetic features

2.Metrical pattern : As mentioned earlier, the poem does not fixes to a specific metrical pattern. It relies
on the natural rhythm of language and the poet’s expressive choices rather than a predetermined
structure. This lack of strict meter contributes to the poem’s natural tone .

3. Lines . Composed of 14 lines . And 2,2, lines have given the Sense truly as we have explained in line by
line explanation

9. Literary devices in the poem ( we are, what are we ? )

1.Paradox:: The poem is rich in paradoxical statements, such as “For a moment we are blessed, For a
moment we are accursed.” These contradictions highlight the complexity and uncertainty of human
existence.

2.Symbolism: The use of terms like “heart” and “rivers” symbolizes emotional experiences, and the
concept of being “self-realized” shows deeper philosophical and spiritual aspects.

3.Repetition: The repetition of phrases like “For a moment” and “Now we declare” creates a rhythmic
pattern, emphasizing the transient nature of the experiences described.

4. Metaphor: The line “In a bit, we weep rivers” uses metaphor to convey intense emotional pain,
turning tears into metaphorical rivers.

5.Enjambment: The poet uses enjambment, where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the
next without a syntactic break. An example is “Some moment we pray and fast / Some moment we are
free spirits.” This technique creates a flowing affect

6.Anaphora: There is a use of anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of
successive clauses. For instance, the repetition of “Now we” in the lines “Now we declare, ‘Only we exist’
/ Now we declare, ‘We don’t exist’” emphasizes the changing perspectives and declarations.

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10. Short questions in the poem ( we are , what are we ? )

1. What is poem about ( we are , what are we ? )

The poem is about over -changing nature of human experience, exploring moments of joy, sorrow, self-
realization,.

2.What is the message of the poem ( we are,what are we ?)

The poem conveys the message that life is filled with fleeting ( impermanent) moments of joy and
sorrow, means message of the poem is ups and downs of the life .

3.what is the purpose of the poem ( we are ,what are we ?)

The purpose of the poem is to highlight the uncertainties and complexities of human nature and
existence

4.what are the major themes of the poem?

Impermanence, Self-Discovery, Contradiction, etc

The end

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