Khud-Mukhtaria’n Lyrics English Translation – Satinder Sartaaj

Asi Chhadd ’Ta Ae Jittna Te Haarna !
I have let go of winning & losing !

Te Fizool Vich Sochna Vichaarna !
Likewise I left the unnecessary overthinking!

Mud Lai Liyan Ne Khud-Mukhtaariyan,
I have reclaimed myself- ; Sovereignty !

Jithe Chitt Karu Othe Dil Vaarna !
Now I will put my heart wherever it chooses.

Dehleez De Utte Vi Phull Tangne ।
Flowers are to be hung upon the threshold,

Te Tareeke Tittliyan Kolon Mangne ।
I will learn manners from the butterflies !

Asi Aasaan De Baraamde ’Ch Baithna ;
We shall sit in the veranda of hopes,

Ehsaasaan De Chaubaare Mud Rangne !
& repaint the balconies of feeling !

Ohi Sufne Da Mehal Vi Usaarnā ।
That same palace of dreams will be constructed!

Hun Dil Di Attaari Nu Shingaarna ।
Now I will adorn the attic of the heart !

Aah Umeedan Di Deuṛi Lishkauni Ae,
The gateway of hope must be refurbished ;

Asi Khwaahishaan Da Kamra Sawaarna ।
I will decorate my room of desires !

Deni Aasaan Nu Taan Chaabi Itbaar Di ।
Hope must be given the key of trust !

Zimmedaari Raunkāan Nu Ghar-Baar Di ।
& liveliness entrusted with the home !

Dilchaspi Na’ Dosti Banaun Lai,
to be friendly with the curiosity ;

Asi Lai Ae Himat Ji Bahaar Di ।
I have taken the help of spring !

Hun Kattna Ni Sama Jihā Ni Saarna ।
No more merely passing time or enduring it,

Suhni Zindagi Nu Edaan Ni Guzaarna ।
Life is not to be lived like that.

Sadde Khushiyan Nu Luk-Chhup Bhej Ke
Sending happiness secret invitations,

Aah Udaasiyan Nu Dekhin Kiddan Chaarna ।
Watch how sadness will be made to graze.

Ik Navi Jehi Sikhi Tarkeeb Hai ।
This is a newly learned method !

Ehi Jiun Di Asal Tehzeeb Hai ।
This alone is the true art of living !

Ehne Badiyan De Naalon Naata Todiya,
It has broken ties with all that is vile,

Eho Nekiyan De Bahut Hi Qareeb Hai ।
& drawn very close to virtue !

Kadein Dobiye Na Je Na Hove Taarna ।
You shouldn’t sink something if you aren’t able to salvage it !

Fer Saadna Vi Kyun Je Nahion Thaarna ।
Why burn anything if you cannot cool it down !

Je Chadhauna Ni Taan Kaas Ton Utaarna ।
If you cannot uplift, why pull down?

Je Salaahuna Ni Taan Kaahton Fitkaarna ।
If you cannot praise, why condemn?

Eho Aadtaan Ajab Te Avalliyan ।
These habits are extraordinary & rare !

Sikh Laiyan Fankaariyan Savalliyan ।
Subtle skills have been learned !

Shaayad Zindagi Nu Ese Di Udeek Si,
Perhaps life itself was waiting for this—

Hun Hoiyan Sartaaj Nu Tasalliyan ।
Now Sartaaj has found contentment !

Hun Lafzaan Nu Neejh La’ Nihaar­na ।
Now words are to be gazed at with patience,

Jazbe De Safyan Nu Ni Khilaarna ।
Not scattered across pages of emotion.

Ehne Ehi Ikhlaaq Apna Leya ;
This is the ethic he has chosen.

Chhaddo-Chhaddo Ji Zameer Kaahton Maarna ।
Let it be, let it be…why keep wounding the conscience?