Text and Explanation
By LATE JEHANGIR A. MERCHANT
(1928-2018)

Composer of Ginan: Pir Sadardin

VERSE 1

Eji Shah Islamshah amne maliya
Ane didha te din-na raaj-ji,
Alakh rupe orakhiya,
Tene sariya amara kaaj

Explanation:

Listen to me, 0 brother!
I have recognised Imam Islamshah (as the Imam of the Age)
who has blessed me with religious wisdom.
I have recognised him as my Spiritual Master
who bears the Noor  (the Divine Light)
which is unseen to physical eyes.
(Indeed)! He has fulfilled all my desires.

VERSE 2

Eji Nari thaine ame vinaviya,
Ane orakhiya te saheb eh
Dasawandhi sirabandhi janjo
Jo pura hove sneh

Explanation:

Listen to me, 0 brother!
I have supplicated in a manner of a woman
and recognised him as my Spiritual Master.
They are the ones who sacrifice everything (in the way of religion),
who have complete (intense) love (for the Imam).

VERSE 3

Eji Prit jani – ne ginan jodiya,
Ane dil-ma rakhi sudhir,
Gurna ginan to mile,
Jo nirmal thai rahiye nir

Explanation:

Listen to me, 0 brother!
With the love kindled in my heart (for lmam-e-Zaman)
and with patience I have composed the Ginans.
True understanding (Ma’rifah, spiritual recognition) of
Imam can only be gained if one becomes as pure as water.

VERSE 4

Eji Nirmal man to rahe,
jo purav hove sneh,
Daya pragat upaje
Satgur thi amar deh

Explanation:

Listen to me, 0 brother! the mind would remain pure
through complete love (for Mowla).
(When purity of heart and mind is achieved),
the True Master (Imam-e-Zaman)
showers his Grace and leads one to eternal life.

VERSE 5

Eji Pir Sadardin boliya,
Tame Saheb jano hazur,
E amar padami to mile,
Jo antar bhetiya Noor

Explanation:

Listen to me, 0 brother! (I) Pir Sadardin, advise you:
‘Bear in mind that the Noor of Mowla is always present.
Eternal life can only be achieved
if one experiences the Noor within one’s heart.’

Last updated: April 22, 2019.

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Reading adapted from “Eji Shah Islamshah Amne Maliya”, Transliteration and Translation by Jehangir A. Merchant, Ilm, March 1984, published by Ismailia Association for the UK. Note: The English transliteration published above is missing the Gujarati accents which appear in the original article.

Please also see:  Literary Reading: The Ginanic Literature of the Ismailis

Articles by Jehangir Merchant on this website:

• Jehangir Merchant’s Thank You Letter to the Fatimid Ismaili Icon, Da’i Al-Mu’ayyad al-Shirazi
• Ghadir-Khumm and the Two Weighty Matters
• An Esoteric Interpretation of the Mi’raj and the Prophetic Tradition ‘I Have a Time with God’ (li ma’a Allah waqt)
• Great Moments in Ismaili History: The Establishment of the Fatimid Caliphate
• The Parable of Moses and Khidr in the Holy Qur’an: An Ismaili Interpretation
• Text and Explanation of “Eji Shah Islamshah Amne Maliya”
• A Translation and Brief Commentary of Pir Sadardin’s Ginan “Jem Jem Jugatsu Preet Kareva”
• The Frontispiece of the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Mashhad, Iran