Woh Phool Na Ab Tak Chun Paya English Translation

Woh phool na ab tak chun paya, translates to English as, those flowers, until now, I could never choose... It is a Hindi song in the genre of bhajans, sung by Anup Jalota. It is a lovely simple song with clear and simple lyrics, sung extremely well. The song is in respect to Sai Baba, who was a highly respected and revered being in India. It highlights and expresses typical human behavioural patterns, and is designed to bring realization to the listener.

Unfortunately, it is usually the case that the wealthier a person gets, the more tight-fisted (lobhi) they become. When they go to the temple, they usually select the cheapest flowers for the offering, because they consider it a waste of their money. The first line of the song expresses this behaviour. However, the term ab tak (until now), gives away the storyline and is a clue to tell you that he is a reformed character who has seen the error of his ways.

Whilst Sai looks out for his people all the time, they usually do not even have time to visit his temple, because they are usually caught up in amassing wealth all day, and falling asleep exhausted at night. The only time they think of him is when some pain comes towards their way. In this case, he trips over a stone, and the pain causes him to think of god! In the lyrics, the person realises his mistakes, which creates a conflict within him, followed by regret. Consequently, he reaches the first step to becoming reformed.

Meaning and Context

Arpan, give, offer

Dosh, realisation, to realise a mistake

Sangram, conflict, war

Uljha, puzzled, confused

Besudh, unconsciousness, but exhausted is a better approximation

Takraya, collided/trip over

Bhiter, inside, as in inside the heart or the soul

English Translation

Woh phool, na ab tak, chun paya,

Those flowers, until now, I could never, choose,

jo phool, chadane hai tujh par.

if those flowers, were to put on you.

Mein tera dwar na dhoond saka, Sai,

I was unable to find your door, Sai,

bhatak raha hu, dagar-dagar.

(and I) wandered, street-to-street.

Mujh mein, hi dosh raha hoga,

Inside me, this realisation (of mistake) remained,

munn, tujh ko arpan kar na saka.

(that my) heart could not make this offering to you.

Tu mujh ko, dekh raha, kab se, mein,

You, always saw my way, when I,

tera darshan kar na saka.

could not (even) come to see you.

Har din, har pal, chalta rehta,

Every second (of) every day that went by,

sangram, yahi mun ke bhiter.

a war in my soul raged on.

Kya dukh, kya sukh, sab bhool meri,

What happiness?, what sadness?, all my mistakes...,

mein, uljha hu, in baaton mein.

I am confused, in such matters.

Din khoya, chandi, sone mein,

I lost days, in amassing silver, and gold,

soya mein, besudh, raaton mein.

(and) I slept, exhausted, at nights.

Tab dhyaan kiya, maine tera,

I only thought of you,

takraya pugg se, jab patthar.

when my foot hit a stone.