1. Gagan ghaTa ghaharaani, saadho, gagan ghaTa ghaharaani.
Poorab disi se uThi badariya, rimjhim barasat paani.
Aapan-aapan menD samhaaro, bahyo jaat yah paani.
Man ke bail, turat harwaaha, jot khet nirbaani.
Dubidha doob chhol karu baahar, bov naam ko ghaanee.
Jog-jugut kari karu rakhawaari, char na jaay mrig ghaanee.
Baalee jhaari, kooTi ghar laawe, soi kusal kisaanee.
Panch sakhi mili keen rasoiyaa, ek-se-ek sayaani.
Doono dhaar barabar parase, jeve muni aur gyaani.
Kahat Kabir suno bhai saadho, yah pad hai nirabaanee.
Jo ya pad ko pariche paave, taako naam vigyaani.
(See the below pad as an analogy of Lord's grace working all the time and how we can harvest it and use it for our spiritual progress. May be a seer actually sees this happening)
The roaring dense clouds are spread in the sky, O Sadhu, those dense clouds are all over. These clouds are arisen from the east (Poorab refers to East and to Ancient also which denotes the origin) and it is drizzling out there. Make surroundings of your fields tight so the water doesn't flow out of it. Take control of your mind and use it as bull to plough your field and make your field ready for the plantation of Nirvana. Cut the grasses of doubts out from the field and saw the seeds of Naam. Remain alert and watchful in safeguarding it so the deers(wild animals-senses and enjoyments) don't eat it. That farmer is really smart who keeps his farm safe and secure and when the corp is ready, he reaps the corp, separates the chaff from the grain and brings it to home. Five friends (lust,anger,greed,attachment and egotism-it is said that when a person advances in spirituality, these tendencies turn into virtues and then help the practitioner because in reality energy is only one which takes many shapes) cook the meal ( the outcome is love and devotion-which is acceptable to sages, saints and Lord himself), they all are smart and wise. They offer it equally to all and sages and knowledgeable persons take the food.Kabir says-this pad is about the state of Nirvana. Whoever understands it by his own experience, he is a true mystic.
All above symbols refer to the mystic practice of Nam where the field is our body, the rain is the grace of the Lord, the seed it the Nam given by Satguru. We need to harvest the grace so the energy doesn't run out of us. We should keep watchful of our tendencies which lead to devastation. When our corp is ready, the outcome is Love which is available to all without any discrimination and which is the only thing acceptable to the Lord.
2. Ka sowo sumiran ki beriya.
Jin siraja tin ki sudhi naahi, jhakat phiro jhakjhalani jhalariya.
Guru updes sandes kahat hain, bhajan karo chaDhi gagan-aTariya.
Nit uThi paanch pachis ke jhagara, vyaakul meri surati sundariya.
Kahat Kabir suno bhai sadho, bhajan bina tori sooni nagariya.
Why do you sleep at the time of simaran and bhajan? You don't care about the Lord who made you and sleep carelessly in your beautiful colorful bed. Satguru gives you messages and advices that you should do the bhajan climbing high in the mension in the sky. You wake up and start doing the same fighting with five and twenty-five*(refer to the pad -piya unchi re aTariya tori dekhan chali) daily. Your maiden soul is restless among these activities. Kabir says your city(Body) will remain lifeless without Bhajan.
3. Bagon na ja re na ja, teri kaaya me gulajaar.
Karani kyaari boi ke, rahani karu rakhavar.
Duramati kaag uDaai ke, dekhe ajab bahaar.
Man maali parabodhiye, kari sanjam ki baar.
Daya paud sukhe nahi, chhama seench jal Dhaar.
Gul aur chaman ke beech me, phoola ajab gulaab.
Mukti kali satmaal ki, pahiru goonthi galhaar.
AshTkamal se upaje, leela agam apaar.
Kah Kabir chit chet ke, aavagaman nibaar.
Don't go to the garden if you want to see the beauty and glory of flowers, your body is the garden which contains all the flowers. All you have to do it to help it flourish. Make the bed of actions for the flowers and your behaviour as an alert guard. Drive away the crows of intellect (which justifies wrong deeds) and see the beauty of it. Make the mind good gardener and make the surrounding of temperance to keep it safe. Make sure that the plant of compassion doesn't dry up, always keep watering it with forgiveness. Among the flowers, in the middle of the garden a strange rose is blossomed. This is the bud of liberation, entwined in Truth(satmaal), I wear this like garland around my neck. His playfulness(Leela, game) arises from the eight-petaled lotus, it is inaccessible, unfathomable. Kabir says - Be aware in your heart and cross the phenomena of birth and death.
4. Mera tera manua, kaise ek hoi re.
Main kahata hu aankhin dekhi, t ukahata kaagad ki lekhi,
Mein kahata surajhavanhaari, tu rakhyo arujhaai re.
Main kahata tu jaagat rahiyo, tu rahata hai soi re.
Mein kahata nirmohi rahiyo, tu jata hai mohi re.
Jugan – jugan samjhaavat haara, kaha na maane koi re.
Tu to ranDi, phire bihanDi, sab dhan Daare khoi re.
Satguru dhara niramal bahati, wame kaaya dhoi re.
Kahe Kabir suno bhai sadho, tabhi waisa hoi re.
How can my mind(understanding) and yours be alike? I speak out of my own experience, things I have seen with my own eyes and you speak from the written books ( you have not known them). I speak to make it simpler and you make it more complicated and confusing(because you yourself are not clear about it). I tell you to keep awake(aware in your consciousness) and you go on sleeping(again and again in your consciousness). I tell you to remain detached and you get more allured. I keep trying to explain it for eons but no one listens to me. You have become like a prostitute( who gets attached to anyone providing money) and wander like a loafer, you have lost your treasure(spiritual wealth) in behaving this way. Kabir says - listen to me, the pure current of Satguru's grace flows all the time, wash your body(and mind) in it and you will also become pure like him.
5. Guru se kar mel ganvaara/ Ka sochat barambaara.
Jab paar utarana chahiye/ Tab kevaT se mil rahiye.
Jab utari jaay bhav paara/ Tab chhuTe yah sansaara.
Jab darasan dekha chahiye/ Tab darapan manjat rahiye.
Jab darapan laage kaai/ Tab darasan kiya na jaai.
Jab gaDh par baji badhaai/ Tab dekhi tamashe jaai.
Jab gaDh bich hot sakela/ Tab hansa chalat akela.
Kahe Kabir dekh man karani/ Wake antar beech katarani.
Katarani ke gaanTh na chhuTe/ Tab pakari-pakari jam looTe.
Make unison with Satguru O stupid people, why do you think over it again and again? When you want to cross the river, the best way is to make friends with the boatman(Guru is said to be a ship which ferried the souls across this illusory world), who will take you to the other shore. When you will cross this illusory world, then only you will be free from the birth and death. When someone wants to see his face clearly he must rub the mirror and keep it clean(in similar way, if you want to see your divine nature, you should keep rubbing your mind and heart by doing meditation). When the mirror gathers dust, you can't see your face in it(the way we can't see our divine being). When it is drumming on the top of the fort, go and see the whole show(drum-the vibratory sound, creative power, show- the visible worlds). When the sound ceases to be, the swan is all alone(the self is one without created worlds).
Kabir says - see the games of the(deceiving) mind, it keeps the scissors ( cunningness) in it. The knots of this cunningness are not undone, that is why the messenger of death comes and robs them.
6. Soch samajh abhimaani, chaadar bhayi hai puraani.
TukaDe-TukaDe jori jugut so, so ke ang lapaTaani.
Kar Daari maili papin so, lobh-moh me saani.
Na ehi lagyo gyan ke sabun, na dhoi mal paani.
Saari umar oDhate beeti, bhali-buri nahi jaani.
Sanka maan, jaan jiy apane, yah hai cheej biraani.
Kahe Kabir dhari raakhu jatan se, pheri haath nahi aani.
At least think over it now, O arrogant people, your shawl is old and torn(body). This is so much torn, you keep sewing the pieces of it here and there and keep yourself wrapped(the old body, kept with medical care and efforts). You made it dirty with sins, you soiled it with greed and lust. You never applied the soap of knowledge on it neither you washed it in water(satsang, naam). You spent your whole life being wrapped in this shawl, but still you didn't know what was right and what was wrong (for you). Still is some time, have doubt in your current understanding and know in your heart that this thing(shawl, body) is not yours. Kabir says - You still have some time, take good care of it, it won't come to you again.
Kabir warns those people who have spent most of their life in worldly pursuits that life is too short
now and says that still there is time to take care of your actions, make use of remaining life, your human body and seek the spiritual wealth within yourself.
7. Nainan aage khyaal ghanera.
Aradh-uradh bich lagan lagi hai, kya sandhaya, kya rain sabera.
Jehi kaaran jag bharamat Dole, so Sahib ghaT liya basera.
Poori rahyo asamaan-dharani me, jit dekho tit Sahib mera.
Tasabee* ek diya mere Sahib, kah Kabir dil hi bich phera.
Thoughts keep coming in front of the eyes, my attention is connected in the middle of the head(uradh- above, refers to the meditation spot) all the time, be it evening, night or morning. The whole world keeps wandering in search of him and he, the Sahib(Lord) himself has taken abode in my body. He is permeating in the sky and in the earth, wherever I see, I see my Lord only. Kabir says - He has given me such a rosary, that is being chanted over in my heart only.
8. Shabad ki choT lagi mere tan me/ Ghar nahi chein, chein nahi ban me.
DhunDhat phiron, peev nahi paavon/ Aushadh-mool khaay gujaraavon.
Tum se baid na hamase rogi/ Bin deedar kyu jiye biyogi.
Eke rang rangi sab naari/ Na jaano ko piy ki pyaari.
Kah Kabir koi gurumukh paave/ Bin nainan deedar dikhaave.
My body(and heart) is pierced by the shabad(Sound current), I can't find peace in home or in forest. I keep looking for him, but can't find my Beloved. I spend my days taking herbs and fruits(can't think over the food so what ever I get, I take it to keep alive). I have not seen a doctor like you and a patient like me. How can a lover stay alive who is separated from his Beloved and can't have glimpse of him? Here all women are colored alike, how can I know who is dear to her groom ( all souls are colored in Naam, who is dearer to the Lord)? Kabir says - It is only a Gurumukh(A devotee who is turned away from world and is forever attached to his Guru) who can show you your Beloved's face without using these eyes.
9. Chali mein khoj me piy ki/ MiTi nahi soch yah jiy ki.
Rahe nit paas hi mere/ Na paaun yaar ko here.
Bikal chahu aur ko aaun/ Tabahu nahi kant ko paaun.
Dharo kehi bhanti se dheera/ Gayo gir haath se heera.
KaTi jab nein ki jhaai/ Lakhyo tab gagan me sai.
Kabir shabd kahi bhasa/ Nayan me yaar ko baasa.
I went on looking for my Beloved, sorrow in my heart didn't go away. I knew that he was with me all the time, still I couldn't find him even when I kept searching for my Beloved. I ran all around, feeling restless still I couldn't find my Beloved. How can I have patience when I know that I have
lost the diamond(it was dropped from my hand). When the clouds over my eyes got cleared, then I was able to see my Lord in the high sky. Kabir sings this pad and says - your Beloved lives right within your own eyes.
10. Asamaan ka aasara chhoD pyaare, ulaTi dekho ghaT apana ji.
Tum aap me aap tahakik karo, tum chhoDo man ki kalpana ji.
Bin dekhe jo nij naam jape, so kahiye rein ka sapana ji.
Kabir deedar paragaT dekha, tab jaap kaun ka japana ji.
Kabir addresses those people who think that GOD lives high in the sky, sitting in some heaven. He says - Drop the hope of the Lord sitting in high sky and turn your attention towards and within your own body. You search within yourself and drop all fantasies and imaginations of your mind. If someone cites his name without seeing him, it is like dream thing in the night(it is not awareness of truth). Kabir says - if you really see him directly by yourself, then what is the use of citing his name? You got to know him by yourself.
11. GhaT-ghaT me raTana laagi rahi, paragaT hua alekh hai ji.
Kahu chor hua, kahu saah hua, kahu bamhan hai, kahu shekh hai ji.
Bahurangi pyaara sabse nyaara, sab hi me ek bhekh hai ji.
Kabbir mila murshid usame, ham-tum naahi, wah ek hai ji.
The same name(sound, shabad) is being reverberated in each and every being, the unknowable Lord himself has shown up(to me). At one place he has become a thief, at another place he himself is moneylender. He himself is a Brahman and he is a sheikh too. He is different from anything, he puts so many forms and faces still he is one in all of them. Kabir says - even my Guru is merged in Him, there is no you or me, he is one and only being.
12. Sadho ek aapu jag maanhi.
Dooja karam-bharam hai kirtim, jyu darapan me chhanhi.
Jal tarang jimi jal te upale, firi jal maanhi rahaai.
Kaaya jhaai paanch tatt ki, binase kahan samaai.
Ya bidhi sada dehgati sabaki, ya bidhi manahi bichaaro.
Aaya hoy nyav kari nyaaro, param tattva nirvaaro.
Sahaje rahe, samaay sahaj me, na kahu aay na jaave.
Dhare na dhyaan, kare nahi jap-tap, Raam-Raheem na paave.
Teerath-barat sakal parityaage, sunn dor nahi laave.
Yah dhokha jab samujhi pare tab, pooje, kah pujaave.
Jog-jugut me bharam na chhooTe, jab lag aap na soojhe.
Kah Kabir so Satguru poora, jo koi samajhe-boojhe.
O Sadhus, ( I discovered this truth) he is the only one in this entire universe(creation, existence).
Thought of any other or anything which seems to be, any activity or vision are all artificial, it is
like the shadow in the mirror.Like a wave arises from the ocean and again falls back into it so is the shadow of this body which is said to be made of five elements. When the body dies, where do these elements vanish? Bodies of all of us will vanish like this, understand it in this way.That which has come into it(in the body, that which is different from these elements) think of and find out that eternal element. It remains untouched and merges back to its source, it doesn't come or go anywhere. It doesn't meditate, it doesn't do simaran or perform austerities, it has nothing to do with Ram or Raheem(different religious paths). It abandons visiting holy places and doesn't do any rituals or fastings. It doesn't hold onto void(SUNN or thoughtless state where meditation is directed). When you come to know this illusion (and understand the True Nature of your self) then who is there to worship and who is to be worshipped? In all methods of yoga and other techniques, this illusion is not gone, till one sees his own true self. Kabir says - that Satguru is perfect, who has known this truth(of the Self).
13. Sadho, sahaje kaaya sodho.
Karata aap, aap me karata, lakh man ko parabodho.
Jaise BaT ka beej, taahi me,patra, fool, fal, chhaaya.
Kaaya madhye boond biraaje, boonde madhye kaaya.
Agni, pavan, paanee, pirathi, nabh, ta bin melaa naahi.
Kazi, pundit karo niberaa, kake maanhi na saai.
Saanche naam agam ki aasa, hai waahi me saacha.
Karata beej liye hai khete, trigun teen, tat pancha.
Jal bhari kumbh, jale bich dhariya, baahar-bheetar soi.
Unako naam kahan ko naahi, dooja dhokha hoi.
KaThin panth Satguru ko milata, khojat-khojat paaya.
Ek lag khoj, miTi jab dubidha, na kahu gaya na aaya.
Kahe Kabir suno bhai saadho, satt shabd nij saara.
Aapa maddhe aape bole, aape sirajanhaara.
O Sadhus, keep searching within your own body(dive deep within yourself, sahaj is the state of
relaxed, the more one is relaxed, the more he slips within his own being). The creator himself is(only in the existence), and within you is also he himself. See it by yourself and make your mind. It is like the seed of banyan tree contains all leaves, flowers, fruits and shadow within it, in the same way the body contains sperms which in turn contains the whole body in it. The fire, air, water, earth and sky - the real thing is not among them. I challenge the Kazi and the Pundit to resolve this -
where is the place or being in which the Lord doesn't reside? The Truth and True name is inaccessible,the True One resides there(the Lord resides in everything and everywhere but till one's consciousness reaches to that state, he is not able to view this truth).The creator has the seeds of the creation which he saws in the field(of the creation), the seeds are three Gunas and Five elements. This entire show is like a pot filled with water and kept inside the water - the same water remains inside and outside of the pot. Where is the place where his Name is not resounding(Sound)? The other is illusion, there in none except the One. The path of true Satguru is really a tough one, I found it after so much seeking. When I found the One, all doubts and conflicts vanished( I didn’t go anywhere or come from, it was within). Kabir says - the true sound is our real essence. He himself speaks within (his own self) and he himself creates everything(by this speaking, this sound).
14. Daras diwaana, baavara, almast fakeera.
Ek akela hwe raha, as mat ka dheera.
Hirade me mahboob hai, har dam ka pyaara.
Peeyega koi jauhari, gurumukh matawala.
Piyat piyaala prem ka, sudhare sab saathi.
AaTh pahar jhoomat rahe, jaise mengal haathi.
Bandhan kaaTe moh ke, baiTha nirsanka.
Wake najar na aawata, kya raaja ranka.
Dharati to aasan kiya, tamboo asamaana.
Chola pahira khaq ka, rah paak samaana.
Sewak ko Satguru mile, kachhu rahi na tabaahi.
Kah Kabir nij ghar chalo, janh kaal na jaahi.
I am crazy to see him. I have gone mad, forever intoxicated (in love), a faqir at heart. I am one(with him) and alone, my understanding is firm (in this knowledge). My Beloved is in my heart, dear to me, all the time. A Gurumukh(intoxicated in love), a true jeweller(someone who knows about gems) will know the value of this nectar and he will make every effort to drink it. When I drank from the cup of love, all friends became good(without love we do judgements, with love only goodness remains). I remain intoxicated 24 hours(eight pahars - One pahar is equal to three hours in Hindu calendar) like a mad elephant. I severed the threads of all lusts and attachments and sat doubtless, fearless.Now I can't differentiate between a King and a poor man. I made the earth my mat and the sky became tent over my head. My dress is made up of ashes (holy fire burns all impurities, attachments and desires, thus making the soul pure and pristine-dress refers to body) and I am merged in the pure one. This servant (Kabir refers to himself as servant) happened to meet a Satguru and was saved from betrayal.Kabir says - Let us go to our true home where Kal can't reach.
15. Jehi kul bhagat, bhaag baD hoi.
Abaran, baran na ganiy rank dhani, vimal vaas nij soi.
Brahman, chhatri, vaishya, soodra sab, bhagat samaan na koi.
Dhan wah gaav, Thanv,asthana, hwe puneet sang loi.
Hot puneet, jape satnaama, aapu tare, taare kul doi.
Jaise purain rah jal bheetar, kah Kabir jag me jan soi.
That family is really very lucky in which a Devotee is born. He doesn't consider caste(abaran-low
caste, baran-high caste), poor or rich, his presence is pure and spotless.Here we consider Barhman, Kshatriya, Vishya and Soodra as different states of human beings(Brahman being the highest and Soodra being the lowest-at the time of Kabir, the caste system was very much strict) but no one is as high as a devotee.Blessed is that village, place and spot (where he resides) they all become pure in his presence. He himself is pure, he recites True Name of the Lord(Satnaam), he crosses this illusory world and helps two families(kul doi - his family and his in-laws family) to cross it. Kabir says - like a lotus is rooted in water but it blossoms out of water(it remains untouched by the mud) so a true devotee lives in this world(he lives within the world but he remains out of the world, untouched, unpolluted).
Poorab disi se uThi badariya, rimjhim barasat paani.
Aapan-aapan menD samhaaro, bahyo jaat yah paani.
Man ke bail, turat harwaaha, jot khet nirbaani.
Dubidha doob chhol karu baahar, bov naam ko ghaanee.
Jog-jugut kari karu rakhawaari, char na jaay mrig ghaanee.
Baalee jhaari, kooTi ghar laawe, soi kusal kisaanee.
Panch sakhi mili keen rasoiyaa, ek-se-ek sayaani.
Doono dhaar barabar parase, jeve muni aur gyaani.
Kahat Kabir suno bhai saadho, yah pad hai nirabaanee.
Jo ya pad ko pariche paave, taako naam vigyaani.
गगन घटा घहरानी , साधो , गगन घटा घहरानी .
पूरब दिसि से उठी बदरिया , रिमझिम बरसत पानी .
आपन -आपन मेंड़ सम्हारो , बह्यो जात यह पानी .
मन के बैल , तुरत हरवाहा , जोत खेत निरबानी .
दुबिधा दूब छोल करु बाहर , बोव नाम को घानी .
जोग -जुगुत करि करु रखवारी , चर न जाय मृग घानी .
बाली झारि , कूटि घर लावे , सोई कुसल किसानी .
पाँच सखी मिलि कींन रसोइया , एक -से -एक सयानी .
दूनो धार बराबर परसे , जेवे मुनि और ग्यानी .
कहत कबीर सुनो भाई साधो , यह पद है निरबानी .
जो या पद को परिचे पावे , ताको नाम विज्ञानी . पूरब दिसि से उठी बदरिया , रिमझिम बरसत पानी .
आपन -आपन मेंड़ सम्हारो , बह्यो जात यह पानी .
मन के बैल , तुरत हरवाहा , जोत खेत निरबानी .
दुबिधा दूब छोल करु बाहर , बोव नाम को घानी .
जोग -जुगुत करि करु रखवारी , चर न जाय मृग घानी .
बाली झारि , कूटि घर लावे , सोई कुसल किसानी .
पाँच सखी मिलि कींन रसोइया , एक -से -एक सयानी .
दूनो धार बराबर परसे , जेवे मुनि और ग्यानी .
कहत कबीर सुनो भाई साधो , यह पद है निरबानी .
(See the below pad as an analogy of Lord's grace working all the time and how we can harvest it and use it for our spiritual progress. May be a seer actually sees this happening)
The roaring dense clouds are spread in the sky, O Sadhu, those dense clouds are all over. These clouds are arisen from the east (Poorab refers to East and to Ancient also which denotes the origin) and it is drizzling out there. Make surroundings of your fields tight so the water doesn't flow out of it. Take control of your mind and use it as bull to plough your field and make your field ready for the plantation of Nirvana. Cut the grasses of doubts out from the field and saw the seeds of Naam. Remain alert and watchful in safeguarding it so the deers(wild animals-senses and enjoyments) don't eat it. That farmer is really smart who keeps his farm safe and secure and when the corp is ready, he reaps the corp, separates the chaff from the grain and brings it to home. Five friends (lust,anger,greed,attachment and egotism-it is said that when a person advances in spirituality, these tendencies turn into virtues and then help the practitioner because in reality energy is only one which takes many shapes) cook the meal ( the outcome is love and devotion-which is acceptable to sages, saints and Lord himself), they all are smart and wise. They offer it equally to all and sages and knowledgeable persons take the food.Kabir says-this pad is about the state of Nirvana. Whoever understands it by his own experience, he is a true mystic.
All above symbols refer to the mystic practice of Nam where the field is our body, the rain is the grace of the Lord, the seed it the Nam given by Satguru. We need to harvest the grace so the energy doesn't run out of us. We should keep watchful of our tendencies which lead to devastation. When our corp is ready, the outcome is Love which is available to all without any discrimination and which is the only thing acceptable to the Lord.
2. Ka sowo sumiran ki beriya.
Jin siraja tin ki sudhi naahi, jhakat phiro jhakjhalani jhalariya.
Guru updes sandes kahat hain, bhajan karo chaDhi gagan-aTariya.
Nit uThi paanch pachis ke jhagara, vyaakul meri surati sundariya.
Kahat Kabir suno bhai sadho, bhajan bina tori sooni nagariya.
Why do you sleep at the time of simaran and bhajan? You don't care about the Lord who made you and sleep carelessly in your beautiful colorful bed. Satguru gives you messages and advices that you should do the bhajan climbing high in the mension in the sky. You wake up and start doing the same fighting with five and twenty-five*(refer to the pad -piya unchi re aTariya tori dekhan chali) daily. Your maiden soul is restless among these activities. Kabir says your city(Body) will remain lifeless without Bhajan.
3. Bagon na ja re na ja, teri kaaya me gulajaar.
Karani kyaari boi ke, rahani karu rakhavar.
Duramati kaag uDaai ke, dekhe ajab bahaar.
Man maali parabodhiye, kari sanjam ki baar.
Daya paud sukhe nahi, chhama seench jal Dhaar.
Gul aur chaman ke beech me, phoola ajab gulaab.
Mukti kali satmaal ki, pahiru goonthi galhaar.
AshTkamal se upaje, leela agam apaar.
Kah Kabir chit chet ke, aavagaman nibaar.
Don't go to the garden if you want to see the beauty and glory of flowers, your body is the garden which contains all the flowers. All you have to do it to help it flourish. Make the bed of actions for the flowers and your behaviour as an alert guard. Drive away the crows of intellect (which justifies wrong deeds) and see the beauty of it. Make the mind good gardener and make the surrounding of temperance to keep it safe. Make sure that the plant of compassion doesn't dry up, always keep watering it with forgiveness. Among the flowers, in the middle of the garden a strange rose is blossomed. This is the bud of liberation, entwined in Truth(satmaal), I wear this like garland around my neck. His playfulness(Leela, game) arises from the eight-petaled lotus, it is inaccessible, unfathomable. Kabir says - Be aware in your heart and cross the phenomena of birth and death.
4. Mera tera manua, kaise ek hoi re.
Main kahata hu aankhin dekhi, t ukahata kaagad ki lekhi,
Mein kahata surajhavanhaari, tu rakhyo arujhaai re.
Main kahata tu jaagat rahiyo, tu rahata hai soi re.
Mein kahata nirmohi rahiyo, tu jata hai mohi re.
Jugan – jugan samjhaavat haara, kaha na maane koi re.
Tu to ranDi, phire bihanDi, sab dhan Daare khoi re.
Satguru dhara niramal bahati, wame kaaya dhoi re.
Kahe Kabir suno bhai sadho, tabhi waisa hoi re.
How can my mind(understanding) and yours be alike? I speak out of my own experience, things I have seen with my own eyes and you speak from the written books ( you have not known them). I speak to make it simpler and you make it more complicated and confusing(because you yourself are not clear about it). I tell you to keep awake(aware in your consciousness) and you go on sleeping(again and again in your consciousness). I tell you to remain detached and you get more allured. I keep trying to explain it for eons but no one listens to me. You have become like a prostitute( who gets attached to anyone providing money) and wander like a loafer, you have lost your treasure(spiritual wealth) in behaving this way. Kabir says - listen to me, the pure current of Satguru's grace flows all the time, wash your body(and mind) in it and you will also become pure like him.
5. Guru se kar mel ganvaara/ Ka sochat barambaara.
Jab paar utarana chahiye/ Tab kevaT se mil rahiye.
Jab utari jaay bhav paara/ Tab chhuTe yah sansaara.
Jab darasan dekha chahiye/ Tab darapan manjat rahiye.
Jab darapan laage kaai/ Tab darasan kiya na jaai.
Jab gaDh par baji badhaai/ Tab dekhi tamashe jaai.
Jab gaDh bich hot sakela/ Tab hansa chalat akela.
Kahe Kabir dekh man karani/ Wake antar beech katarani.
Katarani ke gaanTh na chhuTe/ Tab pakari-pakari jam looTe.
Make unison with Satguru O stupid people, why do you think over it again and again? When you want to cross the river, the best way is to make friends with the boatman(Guru is said to be a ship which ferried the souls across this illusory world), who will take you to the other shore. When you will cross this illusory world, then only you will be free from the birth and death. When someone wants to see his face clearly he must rub the mirror and keep it clean(in similar way, if you want to see your divine nature, you should keep rubbing your mind and heart by doing meditation). When the mirror gathers dust, you can't see your face in it(the way we can't see our divine being). When it is drumming on the top of the fort, go and see the whole show(drum-the vibratory sound, creative power, show- the visible worlds). When the sound ceases to be, the swan is all alone(the self is one without created worlds).
Kabir says - see the games of the(deceiving) mind, it keeps the scissors ( cunningness) in it. The knots of this cunningness are not undone, that is why the messenger of death comes and robs them.
6. Soch samajh abhimaani, chaadar bhayi hai puraani.
TukaDe-TukaDe jori jugut so, so ke ang lapaTaani.
Kar Daari maili papin so, lobh-moh me saani.
Na ehi lagyo gyan ke sabun, na dhoi mal paani.
Saari umar oDhate beeti, bhali-buri nahi jaani.
Sanka maan, jaan jiy apane, yah hai cheej biraani.
Kahe Kabir dhari raakhu jatan se, pheri haath nahi aani.
At least think over it now, O arrogant people, your shawl is old and torn(body). This is so much torn, you keep sewing the pieces of it here and there and keep yourself wrapped(the old body, kept with medical care and efforts). You made it dirty with sins, you soiled it with greed and lust. You never applied the soap of knowledge on it neither you washed it in water(satsang, naam). You spent your whole life being wrapped in this shawl, but still you didn't know what was right and what was wrong (for you). Still is some time, have doubt in your current understanding and know in your heart that this thing(shawl, body) is not yours. Kabir says - You still have some time, take good care of it, it won't come to you again.
Kabir warns those people who have spent most of their life in worldly pursuits that life is too short
now and says that still there is time to take care of your actions, make use of remaining life, your human body and seek the spiritual wealth within yourself.
7. Nainan aage khyaal ghanera.
Aradh-uradh bich lagan lagi hai, kya sandhaya, kya rain sabera.
Jehi kaaran jag bharamat Dole, so Sahib ghaT liya basera.
Poori rahyo asamaan-dharani me, jit dekho tit Sahib mera.
Tasabee* ek diya mere Sahib, kah Kabir dil hi bich phera.
Thoughts keep coming in front of the eyes, my attention is connected in the middle of the head(uradh- above, refers to the meditation spot) all the time, be it evening, night or morning. The whole world keeps wandering in search of him and he, the Sahib(Lord) himself has taken abode in my body. He is permeating in the sky and in the earth, wherever I see, I see my Lord only. Kabir says - He has given me such a rosary, that is being chanted over in my heart only.
8. Shabad ki choT lagi mere tan me/ Ghar nahi chein, chein nahi ban me.
DhunDhat phiron, peev nahi paavon/ Aushadh-mool khaay gujaraavon.
Tum se baid na hamase rogi/ Bin deedar kyu jiye biyogi.
Eke rang rangi sab naari/ Na jaano ko piy ki pyaari.
Kah Kabir koi gurumukh paave/ Bin nainan deedar dikhaave.
My body(and heart) is pierced by the shabad(Sound current), I can't find peace in home or in forest. I keep looking for him, but can't find my Beloved. I spend my days taking herbs and fruits(can't think over the food so what ever I get, I take it to keep alive). I have not seen a doctor like you and a patient like me. How can a lover stay alive who is separated from his Beloved and can't have glimpse of him? Here all women are colored alike, how can I know who is dear to her groom ( all souls are colored in Naam, who is dearer to the Lord)? Kabir says - It is only a Gurumukh(A devotee who is turned away from world and is forever attached to his Guru) who can show you your Beloved's face without using these eyes.
9. Chali mein khoj me piy ki/ MiTi nahi soch yah jiy ki.
Rahe nit paas hi mere/ Na paaun yaar ko here.
Bikal chahu aur ko aaun/ Tabahu nahi kant ko paaun.
Dharo kehi bhanti se dheera/ Gayo gir haath se heera.
KaTi jab nein ki jhaai/ Lakhyo tab gagan me sai.
Kabir shabd kahi bhasa/ Nayan me yaar ko baasa.
I went on looking for my Beloved, sorrow in my heart didn't go away. I knew that he was with me all the time, still I couldn't find him even when I kept searching for my Beloved. I ran all around, feeling restless still I couldn't find my Beloved. How can I have patience when I know that I have
lost the diamond(it was dropped from my hand). When the clouds over my eyes got cleared, then I was able to see my Lord in the high sky. Kabir sings this pad and says - your Beloved lives right within your own eyes.
10. Asamaan ka aasara chhoD pyaare, ulaTi dekho ghaT apana ji.
Tum aap me aap tahakik karo, tum chhoDo man ki kalpana ji.
Bin dekhe jo nij naam jape, so kahiye rein ka sapana ji.
Kabir deedar paragaT dekha, tab jaap kaun ka japana ji.
Kabir addresses those people who think that GOD lives high in the sky, sitting in some heaven. He says - Drop the hope of the Lord sitting in high sky and turn your attention towards and within your own body. You search within yourself and drop all fantasies and imaginations of your mind. If someone cites his name without seeing him, it is like dream thing in the night(it is not awareness of truth). Kabir says - if you really see him directly by yourself, then what is the use of citing his name? You got to know him by yourself.
11. GhaT-ghaT me raTana laagi rahi, paragaT hua alekh hai ji.
Kahu chor hua, kahu saah hua, kahu bamhan hai, kahu shekh hai ji.
Bahurangi pyaara sabse nyaara, sab hi me ek bhekh hai ji.
Kabbir mila murshid usame, ham-tum naahi, wah ek hai ji.
The same name(sound, shabad) is being reverberated in each and every being, the unknowable Lord himself has shown up(to me). At one place he has become a thief, at another place he himself is moneylender. He himself is a Brahman and he is a sheikh too. He is different from anything, he puts so many forms and faces still he is one in all of them. Kabir says - even my Guru is merged in Him, there is no you or me, he is one and only being.
12. Sadho ek aapu jag maanhi.
Dooja karam-bharam hai kirtim, jyu darapan me chhanhi.
Jal tarang jimi jal te upale, firi jal maanhi rahaai.
Kaaya jhaai paanch tatt ki, binase kahan samaai.
Ya bidhi sada dehgati sabaki, ya bidhi manahi bichaaro.
Aaya hoy nyav kari nyaaro, param tattva nirvaaro.
Sahaje rahe, samaay sahaj me, na kahu aay na jaave.
Dhare na dhyaan, kare nahi jap-tap, Raam-Raheem na paave.
Teerath-barat sakal parityaage, sunn dor nahi laave.
Yah dhokha jab samujhi pare tab, pooje, kah pujaave.
Jog-jugut me bharam na chhooTe, jab lag aap na soojhe.
Kah Kabir so Satguru poora, jo koi samajhe-boojhe.
O Sadhus, ( I discovered this truth) he is the only one in this entire universe(creation, existence).
Thought of any other or anything which seems to be, any activity or vision are all artificial, it is
like the shadow in the mirror.Like a wave arises from the ocean and again falls back into it so is the shadow of this body which is said to be made of five elements. When the body dies, where do these elements vanish? Bodies of all of us will vanish like this, understand it in this way.That which has come into it(in the body, that which is different from these elements) think of and find out that eternal element. It remains untouched and merges back to its source, it doesn't come or go anywhere. It doesn't meditate, it doesn't do simaran or perform austerities, it has nothing to do with Ram or Raheem(different religious paths). It abandons visiting holy places and doesn't do any rituals or fastings. It doesn't hold onto void(SUNN or thoughtless state where meditation is directed). When you come to know this illusion (and understand the True Nature of your self) then who is there to worship and who is to be worshipped? In all methods of yoga and other techniques, this illusion is not gone, till one sees his own true self. Kabir says - that Satguru is perfect, who has known this truth(of the Self).
13. Sadho, sahaje kaaya sodho.
Karata aap, aap me karata, lakh man ko parabodho.
Jaise BaT ka beej, taahi me,patra, fool, fal, chhaaya.
Kaaya madhye boond biraaje, boonde madhye kaaya.
Agni, pavan, paanee, pirathi, nabh, ta bin melaa naahi.
Kazi, pundit karo niberaa, kake maanhi na saai.
Saanche naam agam ki aasa, hai waahi me saacha.
Karata beej liye hai khete, trigun teen, tat pancha.
Jal bhari kumbh, jale bich dhariya, baahar-bheetar soi.
Unako naam kahan ko naahi, dooja dhokha hoi.
KaThin panth Satguru ko milata, khojat-khojat paaya.
Ek lag khoj, miTi jab dubidha, na kahu gaya na aaya.
Kahe Kabir suno bhai saadho, satt shabd nij saara.
Aapa maddhe aape bole, aape sirajanhaara.
O Sadhus, keep searching within your own body(dive deep within yourself, sahaj is the state of
relaxed, the more one is relaxed, the more he slips within his own being). The creator himself is(only in the existence), and within you is also he himself. See it by yourself and make your mind. It is like the seed of banyan tree contains all leaves, flowers, fruits and shadow within it, in the same way the body contains sperms which in turn contains the whole body in it. The fire, air, water, earth and sky - the real thing is not among them. I challenge the Kazi and the Pundit to resolve this -
where is the place or being in which the Lord doesn't reside? The Truth and True name is inaccessible,the True One resides there(the Lord resides in everything and everywhere but till one's consciousness reaches to that state, he is not able to view this truth).The creator has the seeds of the creation which he saws in the field(of the creation), the seeds are three Gunas and Five elements. This entire show is like a pot filled with water and kept inside the water - the same water remains inside and outside of the pot. Where is the place where his Name is not resounding(Sound)? The other is illusion, there in none except the One. The path of true Satguru is really a tough one, I found it after so much seeking. When I found the One, all doubts and conflicts vanished( I didn’t go anywhere or come from, it was within). Kabir says - the true sound is our real essence. He himself speaks within (his own self) and he himself creates everything(by this speaking, this sound).
14. Daras diwaana, baavara, almast fakeera.
Ek akela hwe raha, as mat ka dheera.
Hirade me mahboob hai, har dam ka pyaara.
Peeyega koi jauhari, gurumukh matawala.
Piyat piyaala prem ka, sudhare sab saathi.
AaTh pahar jhoomat rahe, jaise mengal haathi.
Bandhan kaaTe moh ke, baiTha nirsanka.
Wake najar na aawata, kya raaja ranka.
Dharati to aasan kiya, tamboo asamaana.
Chola pahira khaq ka, rah paak samaana.
Sewak ko Satguru mile, kachhu rahi na tabaahi.
Kah Kabir nij ghar chalo, janh kaal na jaahi.
I am crazy to see him. I have gone mad, forever intoxicated (in love), a faqir at heart. I am one(with him) and alone, my understanding is firm (in this knowledge). My Beloved is in my heart, dear to me, all the time. A Gurumukh(intoxicated in love), a true jeweller(someone who knows about gems) will know the value of this nectar and he will make every effort to drink it. When I drank from the cup of love, all friends became good(without love we do judgements, with love only goodness remains). I remain intoxicated 24 hours(eight pahars - One pahar is equal to three hours in Hindu calendar) like a mad elephant. I severed the threads of all lusts and attachments and sat doubtless, fearless.Now I can't differentiate between a King and a poor man. I made the earth my mat and the sky became tent over my head. My dress is made up of ashes (holy fire burns all impurities, attachments and desires, thus making the soul pure and pristine-dress refers to body) and I am merged in the pure one. This servant (Kabir refers to himself as servant) happened to meet a Satguru and was saved from betrayal.Kabir says - Let us go to our true home where Kal can't reach.
15. Jehi kul bhagat, bhaag baD hoi.
Abaran, baran na ganiy rank dhani, vimal vaas nij soi.
Brahman, chhatri, vaishya, soodra sab, bhagat samaan na koi.
Dhan wah gaav, Thanv,asthana, hwe puneet sang loi.
Hot puneet, jape satnaama, aapu tare, taare kul doi.
Jaise purain rah jal bheetar, kah Kabir jag me jan soi.
That family is really very lucky in which a Devotee is born. He doesn't consider caste(abaran-low
caste, baran-high caste), poor or rich, his presence is pure and spotless.Here we consider Barhman, Kshatriya, Vishya and Soodra as different states of human beings(Brahman being the highest and Soodra being the lowest-at the time of Kabir, the caste system was very much strict) but no one is as high as a devotee.Blessed is that village, place and spot (where he resides) they all become pure in his presence. He himself is pure, he recites True Name of the Lord(Satnaam), he crosses this illusory world and helps two families(kul doi - his family and his in-laws family) to cross it. Kabir says - like a lotus is rooted in water but it blossoms out of water(it remains untouched by the mud) so a true devotee lives in this world(he lives within the world but he remains out of the world, untouched, unpolluted).
