Bura jo dekhan mein chala, bura na milaya koye

Jo man dekha aapna, mujhse bura na koye

बबबब बब बबबब बबब बबब, बबबब बब बबबबब
बबब |
बब बब बबबब बबबब, बबबबब बबबब बब बबब ||
I searched for the crooked, met not a single one
When searched myself, “I” found the crooked one

Maya mari na man mara, mar mar gaye sarir

Asha trishna na mari, keh gaye das kabir
बबबब बबब बब बब बबबब, बब बब बब बबबब |
बबब बबबबबब बब बबब, बब बब बबब बबबब ||
Neither illusion nor the mind, only body attained death
Hope and delusion did not die, so said Kabir

Pothi padh padh jag muya, pandit bhaya na koye

Dhai akshar prem ka, padhe so pandit hoye
बबबब बबब बबब बब बबब, बबबबब बबब ब बबब |
बबब बबबबब बबबबब बब, बबबब बब बबबबब बबब
||
Reading books everyone died, no one became any wise
One who reads the words of love, only became wise

Kabira khada baazar mein, sabki mange khair

Na kahu se dosti, na kahu se bair
बबबबब बबबब बबबबबब बबब, बबबब बबबबब
बबब |
बब बबबब बब बबबबबब, बब बबबब बब बबब ||
Kabira in the market place, wishes welfare for all
Neither friendship nor enmity with anyone at all

MEANING
Kabir was impartial. He was neither attached to, nor detached from, any religious
group. He went neither to the temple nor to the mosque. If he had used temples to
preach, the Muslims would have been left out because they could not go into the
temple. And if he had chosen to preach in the mosque, the Hindus would have had to
remain outside. He chose the market place to preach, because people of all religions
go there. Kabir preached the truth and wanted the welfare of all equally

Mala fherat jug bhaya, fira na man ka fher

Kar ka manka dar de, man ka manka fher
बबबब बबबब बबब बबब, बबबब बब बब बब बबब |
बब बब बबबब बबब बब, बब बब बबबब बबब ||
Eons have passed whirling rosary, restless remains the mind
Give up the beads of rosary, and rotate the beads of mind

Kabira garv na kijiye, kaal gaye kar kesh

Na jaane kit maare hai, kya gar kya pardesh
बबबबब बबबब बब बबबबबब, बबब बबब बब बबब |
बब बबबब बबब बबबब बब, बबबब बब बबबब
बबबबब ||
Kabir says
Don’t be so proud and vain, the clutches of time are dark
Who knows where shall it kill, whether at home or abroad

EXPLANATION
Don't be proud and vain, who knows when or where time will kill.

Kaal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so ab

Pal mein pralaya hoyegi, bahuri karega kab
बबब बबब बब बब बब, बब बबब बब बब |
बब बबब बबबबब बबबबब, बबबबब बबबबब बब ||
Tomorrows work do today,today,s work now
If the moment is lost, the work be done how.

EXPLAINATION
The person who puts off tills tomorrow what he should do today will, never really be
successful in life. Laziness and delay cause loss of opportunities and failures. They destroy
valuable life, and cause regrets instead. Promptness is a great virtue

Guru govind dohu khade, kake lagu paanye

Balihari guru aapne govind diyo bataye
बबबब बबबबबबब बबबब बबबब, बबबब बबबबब
बबबब |
बबबबबबब बबबब बबबब, बबबबबबब बबबब बबबबब
||
guru and god both are here to whom should I first bestow
all glory be unto the guru path to god who did bestow

aisi vani boliye, man ka aapa khoye

auran ko sheetal kare, aaphu sheetal hoye
बबब बबबब बबबबब, बब बब बबब बबब |
 बबब बब बबबब बबब, बबबब बबबब बबब ||
Speak in words so sweet, that fill the heart with joy
Like a cool breeze in summer, for others and self to enjoy

EXPLANATION
In speech use such words that your ego is eliminated. Don't boast, don't gloat, don't
make yourself out to be big, important, rich or anything else that the ego attaches to.
Building the Ego takes energy from the body, takes away the bodies composure. If
ego is lost in ones speech, the listener finds peace from listening to it

Sab dharti kagaj karu, lekhni sab banray

Saat samunder ki masi karu, gurugun likha na jaaye
बब बबबब बबबब बबबब, बबबबब बब बबबबब
बबब बबबबबब बब बबब बबबब, बबबबबबब बबबब
ब बबब
Even if the whole earth is transformed into paper with all the big trees made into
pens and if the entire water in the seven oceans are transformed into writing ink,
even then the glories of the Guru cannot be written. So much is the greatness of the
Guru

Kabir so dhan sanchiye, jo aage ko hoye

Sees chadaye potli, le jaat na dekhya koye
बबबब बब बब बबबबबब, बब बबब बबब बबब |
बबब बबबबबब बबबबब, बब बबब ब बबबबबब बबब
||
Kabir, save the wealth that 'remains' in the moment ultimate
Departing with a crown of material wealth, none has crossed the gate

Kaga kako dhan hare, koyal kako det

Meethe sabd sunaiyke, jag apno kar let
बबबब बबबब बब बबब, बबबब बबबब बबब |
बबबब बबबब बबबबबबब, बब बबबबब बब बबब ||
Crow does not steal anything, koyal (cuckoo) does not make a gift
For its sweet songs cuckoo wins love of all
It is by one’s nature and habit that he be friends others.

Ek din aisa hoyega, sab so pare bichhohu

Raja rani rao rank, sawadh kyu nahi hohu
बब बबब बबब बबबबबब, बब बब बबब बबबबबब |
 बबबब बबबब बबब बबब, बबबब बबबबब बबबब
बबबब ||
A day will come when you will be separated from everything
Whether you are a king, landlord or pauper, why are you not awakening

Aaye hai to jayege, raja rank fakir

Ek sihanshan chadi chale, ek bandhe janjir
बबब बब बब बबबबबबब, बबबब बबब बबबब |
बब बबबबबबब बबबब बबब, बब बबबबब बबबबब ||
Who has come will go, wheather he is a king or fakir(pauper)
One goes sitting on a throne and another goes tied in chains
MEANING
Who is born in this world will certainly die, even if he spends huge amounts of wealth
to save his life. We must therefore do good deeds so that our departure will be
peaceful.

Durlabh manus janam hai, deh na barambar

Taruvar jo patti jhade, bahuri na lage dar
बबबबबब बबबबब बबब बब, बबबब ब बबबबबबबब |
बबबबब बब बबबबब बबब, बबबबब बब बबबब बबब
||
Human birth is difficult to obtain, you will not get it again and again
Just as a ripened fallen fruit, does not reattach to the branch
MEANING
In this world human life is the best in which you have the opportunity to do good. It
is difficult to get the same type of opportunity again and again. If you will not
perform proper actions your deeds will prevent you from getting this chance again.

Guru bin gyan na upje, guru bin mile na moksha

Guru bin likhe na satya ko, guru bin mite na dosh
बबबब बबब बबबबब ब बबबब, बबबब बबब बबबब ब
बबबबब |
बबबब बबब बबबब ब बबबब बब, बबबब बबब बबबब
ब बबब ||
MEANING
Without the Guru no one obtains spiritual knowledge or achieves salvation.
Without the Guru no one can see Truth or have his doubts removed.

Jab mein tha tab hari nahi, ab hari hai mein naahi
Sab andhiyara mit gaya, jab deepak dekhya maahi
 बब बबब बब बब बबब बबबब, बब बबब बब बबब
बबबब |
बब बबबबबबबब बबब बबब, बब बबबब बबबबब
बबबब ||
When "I" was then Hari was not, Now Hari "is" and "I" am not
All the darkness (illusions) dissolved, When I saw the light (illumination) within.

Chalti chakki dekh kar, diya kabira roye

Do paatan ke bich mein, sabut bacha na koye
बबबब बबबबब बबब बब, बबबब बबबबब बबबब |
बब बबबब बब बबब बबब, बबबबब बबब बब बबब ||
Looking at the grinding stones, Kabir laments
In the duel of wheels, nothing stays intact

EXPLANATION
Kabir sees the grinding stones as the duality that we live in. Heaven and earth, Good
and Bad, Male and Female, High and Low - all around is duality. This play of
opposites, this Chalti Chakki (moving mill) gets everyone, no one is save from in it's
powerful grip.
Whoever enters this duality is crushed. No one survives. Kabir cries because rarely, if
ever, does one see the oneness, the divinity, behind the duality.el of wheels, nothing
stays intact

Khod khad dharti sahe, kaatkoot banraye

Kutil vachan sadhu sahe, aur se saha na jaaye
बबबबबबब बबबब बबब, बबबबबब बबबबब |
बबबबब बबब बबबब बबब, बब बब बबब ब बबब ||
The earth bears the digging. The forest bears the axe. The noble bears the harsh words.
Others cannot bear the odds

Mera mujh mein kuch nahi, jo kachu hai so toh

Tera tujhko saupate, kya lagat hai moh
बबबब बबब बबब बबब बबबब, बब बबब बब बब बबब |
बबबब बबबबब बबबबब, बबबब बबबब बब बबब ||
Nothing mine belongs to me, all that is yours
To give all that to you, what’s there for my remorse ?
EXPLANATION
Kabir affirms that all things of man belong to the Almighty Father as his grant of grace to
man. As such, why should there be any hesitation on the part of man to give all that to the
God, the giver ?
Aavat gari ek hai, ooltat hot anek
Kahe Kabir na ooltiye, bani ek ko ek
 बबब बबबब बब बब, बबबब बबब बबबब |
बबब बबबब ब बबबबब, बबब बब बब बब ||
A verbal abuse is one, but responding to it will make many;
Kabir says: "Do not respond to the abuse and it will remain one.
MEANING
When someone speaks abusive words to any person, and that person responds, the
quarrel will grow more and more. If you want to prevent a quarrel, do not respond to
words of abuse. Keep calm. Don't indulge your tongue in uttering bad words.

Kabira kahe ko dare, sir par sirjan har

Hasti chadhi na dariye, kutiya bhoonke hazar
बबबबब बबब बबबब बब बबब, बब बब बबबबब बबब
|
बबबबब बबबब ब बबबबब, बबबबबब बबबबब
बबबबब ||
Why should Kabir be afraid for, god is above all
On elephant’s back is any afraid, if dogs howl from below
MEANING
If man takes true shelter of the Almighty Father he need not fear any assault on him
causing serious damage. God will help him in all circumstances. Elephant’s back has
been figuratively used for shelter of God.

Jo toko kanta buve, tahi tu buve fool

To ko fool ko fool hai, kanta ko tirsul
बब बबबब बबबबब बबबब, बबबब बब बबबब बबब |
बब बब बबब बब बबब बब , बबबबब बब बबबबबब ||
who pricks you with nail, you prick him with flower
you will get back flower for flower, he a trident for nail, be sure.
MEANING
Every action has got its reaction in equal measure. If you prick another by nail you
will get prick by trident, but if for nail you prick by flower, you will get a flower’s soft
touch in return

Durbal ko na sataiye, jaki moti haay

Mari khal ki saans se, loh bhasam ho jaaye
बबबबबब बब ब बबबबबब, बबबब बबबब बबब |
बबब बबब बब बबबब बब, बबब बबब बब बबब ||
Do not oppress the poor and weak, think not they are helpless
Remember, the breath of the lifeless blower can burn steel to ashes
MEANING
Sant Kabir warns saying that the poor and weak man should not be oppressed
thinking that he is not capable to protect himself or repulse the oppression. He cites
the example of the blower made of lifeless hide causing by its breath to burn strong
iron to ash

Kabira man nirmal bhaya, jaise Ganga neer

Pachhe laga hari phire, kehat “Kabir, Kabir”
बबबबब बब बबबबबब बबब, बबबब बबबब बबब |
बबबब बबबब बबब बबबब, बबब "बबबब, बबबब" ||
Says Kabir, I have made my mind pure like holy Ganges water
Now God running after me calling “Kabir Kabir”

Kabira teri jhopdi, gal katiyan ke paas

Jaisi karni waisi bharni, tu kyu bhaya udas
बबबबब बबबब बबबबब, बब बबबबब बब बबब |
बबबब बबबब बबबब बबबब, बब बबबबब बबब
बबबब ||
O Kabir ! your hut is next to the butcher’s bay
Why do you feel down? For their conduct they only shall pay

Mangan maran saman hai, mat mange koi bheekh

Mangan se marna bhala, yeh satguru ki seekh
बबबबब बबब बबबबब बब, बब बबबबब बबब बबब |
बबबबब बब बबबब बबब, बब बबबबबब बब बबब ||
Begging is like dying, Let no one Beg
It is better to die than beg, this is the SatGuru's message
MEANING
Begging is as good as death, for you leave your profession and become dependent on
others. This is reprehensible conduct on the part of an active living man

Dukh mein sumiran sab kare, sukh mein kare na koye

Jo sukh mein sumiran kare, to dukh kahe ko hoye
बबब बबब बबबबबब बब बबब, बबब बबब बबब बब
बबब |
बब बबब बबब बबबबबब बबब, बब बबब बबब बब
बबब ||
In anguish everyone prays to Him, in joy does none
To one who prays in happiness, how can sorrow come

Bada hua to kya hua, jaise ped khajoor

Panthi ko chhaya nahi, phal laage ati door
बबबब बबब बब बबबब बबब, बबबब बबबब बबबब |
 बबबब बब बबबब बबबब, बब बबबब बबब बबब ||
In vain is the eminence, just like a date tree
No shade for travelers, fruit is hard to reach

Dheere dheere re mana, dheere sab kuch hoye

Mali seenche soo ghara, ritu aaye phal hoye
बबबब बबबब बब बबब, बबबब बब बबब बबब |
बबबब बबबब बबब बबबब, बबब बबब बब बबब ||
Slowly slowly O mind, everything in own pace happens
Gardner may water a hundred buckets, fruit arrives only in its season

Sai itna deejiye, ja mein kutumb samaye

mein bhi bhookha na rahu, sadhu na bhookha jaye
बबबब बबबब बबबबबब, बब बबब बबबबब बबबब |
बबब बब बबबब बब बबब, बबबब ब बबबब बबब ||
Give so much O God, suffice to envelop my clan
I should not suffer cravings, nor the visitor goes unfed
MEANING
In reality, there is no peace without satisfaction and satisfaction does not come with
material wealth because the more we get the more we want. We require only enough
for our daily needs. That is why the devotee is asking only for enough to maintain
himself and his family, and to help others, and he remains peaceful

Kabir soyee surma, man soon maande jhoojh

Panch pyada paadi le, door kare sab dooj
बबबब बबब बबबबब, बब बबब बबबबब बबब |
बबब बबबबब बबबब बब, बबब बबब बब बबब ||
O Kabir, he alone the warrior, who takes on the “mind” head on
Crushing the shield of the sensual five, all duality is gone
MEANING
The real fighter, the real Warrior is the one who takes on his own mind. The Mind
controls the 'sensual five', the five senses of sight, sound, touch, smell. These senses
tell us lies, they tell us that duality exist, though we know that it does not.

Kabir soota kya kare, koode kaaj niwaar

Jis panth tu chalna, soy panth sawar
बबबब बबबब बबबब बबब, बबबबब बबब बबबबब |
बबब बबब बब बबबब, बबब बबब बबबब ||
Arise from stagnation O Kabir, divert yourself of the rubbish deeds
Be focused and illumine the path on which you were meant to tread
MEANING
Focus on the thing that you really love to do, the path you were meant to follow.
 Guru dhobi sikh kapda, saboo sirjan har
Surti sila par dhoiye, nikse jyoti apaar
बबबब बबबब बबब बबबब, बबबब बबबबब बबब |
बबबबब बबबब बब बबबब, बबबबब बबबबबब
बबबब ||
Guru the washerman disciple is the cloth, God himself is the soap
Wash the mind on foundation firm, to realize the glow of Truth

Jaise til mein tel hai, jyon chakmak mein aag

Tera sai tujh mein hai, tu jaag sake to jaag
बबबब बबब बबब बबब बब, बबबबब बबबब बबब बब
|
बबबब बबबब बबब बबब बब, बब बबब बबब बब
बबब ||
Like seed contains the oil, fire in flint stone
Your temple seats the Divine, realize if you can
MEANING
God is within, like the oil in the seed - wake up if you have the power to.

Boli to anmol hai, jo koi jane bol

Hridya taraju tol ke, tab much bahar khol
बबबब बब बबबबब बब, बब बबब बबबब बबब |
बबबब बबबबब बबब बब, बब बबब बबबब बबब ||
Words are indeed priceless, if one knows what to say
Says kabir, weigh inside all that you wish to convey
MEANING
All relations between human beings are formed by their words of mouth. In order to
keep the relation good and sweet, each should carefully weigh what he is saying to
the other. Then their relationship remain cordial

Kabira tahan na jaiye, jaha kapat ka het

Jaalu kali anar ki, tan rito man set
बबबबब बबबब ब बबबबब, बबब बबब बब बबब |
बबबब बबब बबबब बब, बब बबबब बब बबब ||
Says kabir, do not go there, where people are not frank
Like the pomegranate bud, colourful but inside dark
MEANING
Kabir implies here that it is difficult to know the unknown cunning people and so no
intimacy should be built with such a man. Kabir implies of whom man should be
aware and from whom keep away
 Laghuta mein prabhuta base, prabhuta te prabhu door
Chinti le sakkar chali, haathi ke sir dhoor
बबबबब बबब बबबबबबब बबब,बबबबबबब बब
बबबबब बबब |
बबबबब बब बबबबब बबब, बबबब बब बब बबब ||
You gain in power by becoming humble
Little ants move with sugar in mouth, mighty elephants in dust bath foul
MEANING
Sant Kabir give example of the little creature ant and the mighty animal elephant. He
observes that the ant because of its humility collects sugar to carry home whereas the
proud elephant showers on his head dust from road sucked by its trunk

Anmanga uttam kaha, madyam mangi jo ley

Kahe Kabir nikrisht so par dharna dey
बबबबबबब बबबबब बबब, बबबबब बबबबब बब
बबब |
बबब बबबब बबबबबबब, बब बब बबबब बबब ||
The best is not to beg at all, middling who collects his needs
Says Kabir, the worst is he who demands and tight sits
MEANING
Sant kabir has held clearly that begging is same as death and as such the best is not
to beg at all. The medium type is to beg and collect one’s need and not more. The
worst is to demand alms and sit till the demand is fulfilled

Sajjan jan wahi jo, dhal sarikha hoye

Dukh mein aage rahe, sukh mein piche hoye
बबबबब बब बबब बब बब, बबब बबबबब बबब |
बबबब बबब बबब बबब, बबब बबब बबबब बबब ||
Noble man is like the shield, comes forward in distress
Remains quite far behind in peace and happiness
MEANING
The noble man acts like the shield by coming forward to help the neighbour in times
of disaster and distress, but remains quietly at home in times of peace.

Kabira jab hum paida huye, jag hanse hum roye

Aisi karni kar chalo, hum hanse jag roye
बबबबब बब बब बबबब बबब, बब बबबब बब बबबब |
बबब बबबब बब बबब, बब बबबब बब बबबब ||
Says Kabir, “when I was born( I cried ) all laughed in happiness
Let me do such deeds that when I will die, I will laugh and others cry in distress
MEANING
When a son is born all laugh in happiness on the birth of the son. Kabir says that he
should do such deeds on earth that all will praise and be happy. And, when he
departs on death others will be sorry to have lost such a good and helpful soul but he
will be happy as he did not harm anybody

Aachhe din paachhe gaye, hari se kiya na het

Ab pachhtaye hot kya, chidiya chug gayi khet
बबे बबब बबबब बब, बबब बब बबबब बबब |
बब बबबबब बबब बबबब, बबबबबबब बबब बबब
बबब ||
O dear soul ! your good days are passed away when you had energy and time to do
love and devotion to God
you didn't do it at that time, what is the use of regretting now
MEANING
We have to try to make the best use of our opportunity. If we are lazy, we will lose it
and
then have only regrets.

Ek kahu to hai nahi, do kahu to gari

Hai jaisa taisa rahe, kahe Kabir vichari
बब बबबब बब बब बबबब, बब बबबब बब बबबब |
बब बबबब बबबब बबब, बबब बबबब बबबबबब ||
If I say one, It is not, if I say two, it will be a violation
Let 'It' be what 'It' is, says Kabir upon contemplation
MEANING
There is a oneness behind the apparent diversity. But oneness is not seen. Yet if I accept
duality, it would be a violation, a false acceptance. Let it be, whatever it is - I'll drop the
analyzing.

Aasha jive jag mare, log mare mar jayee

Soyee sube dhan sanchate, so ubrey je khayee
बबब बबबब बब बबब, बबब बबब बबब बबब |
बबब बबबब बब बबबबब, बब बबबब बब बबब ||
Hope lives in a dying world, people die and die again
Perish yet hoarding wealth, spend and freedom attain

MEANING
Hope is that people will wake up, drop their attachments and hoardings and be free
from the clutches of illusion.

Aag jo lagi samunder mein, dhuan na pargat hoye

So jane jo jarmua, jaki lagi hoye
बब बब बबब बबबबबब बबब, बबबब ब बबबब बबब |
बब बबबब बब बबबबब बबबब बबब बबब ||
With the ocean set ablaze, the smoke yet manifests not
 Only the one who gets burnt, envisions the heat of loving thought

Pehle agan birha ki, pachhe prem ki pyas

Kahe Kabir tab janiye, naam milan ki aas
बबबब बबब बबबबब बब, बबबब बबबबब बब
बबबबब |
बब बबबब बब बबबबबब, बबब बबबब बब बब ||
First the pangs of separation, next grows the thirst for Love
Says Kabir then only hope, the union to materialize
MEANING
First the pain of separation, then love. Only from the pain of separation do we feel
the pangs of love. There is then hope of union. This is the story of life - the lovers
meeting, separating, the pangs of love and the urge for union and the eventual
union.

Jab tu aaya jagat mein, log hanse tu roye

Aise karni na kari, pachhe hanse sab koye
बब बब बबब बबब बबब, बबब बबबब बब बबब |
बबब बबबब बब बबब, बबबब बबबब बब बबब ||
When you were born in this world, Everyone laughed while you cried
Did not conduct yourself in manner such that they laugh when you are gone

Jyon naino mein putli, tyon malik ghat mahin

Moorakh log na janhin, bahar dhudhan jahin
बबबबब बबबबब बबब बबबबब, बबबबब बबबबब
बब बबबबब |
बबबब बबब ब बबबबबब, बबबबब बबबबब बबबबब
||
Like the pupil in the eyes, the Lord resides inside
Ignorant do not know this fact, they search Him outside
MEANING
God is within, the ignorant look for Him on the outside.

Kabira kiya kuch na hot hai, ankiya sab hoye

Jo kiya kuch hot hai, karta aur koye
बबबबब बबबब बबब बब बबब बब, बबबबबब बब
बबब |
बब बबबब बबब बबब बब, बबबब बब बबब ||
Kabir says “By my doing nothing happens, what I don't does come to pass”
If anything happens as if my doing, then truly it is done by someone else
MEANING
 All things happen as per Gods wish, it just seems that we are doing them.

Kabira garv na kijiye, ooncha dekh aavas

Kaal pado bhu letna, ooper jamsi ghaas
बबबबब बबबब बब बबबबबब, बबबब बबब बबबब |
बबब बबबब बब बबबबब, बबब बबबब बबब ||
Kabir says “Don't be so proud and vain, looking at your high mansion”
Death makes one lie on bare land, and grass will grow thereon
MEANING
Don't be proud and vain, tomorrow you'll be lying six foot under feet, on top will
grow grass that goats and sheep will eat!

Chinta aisi dakini, kaat kaleja khaye

Vaid bechara kya kare, kaha tak dawa lagaye
बबबबब बबब बबबबबब, बबब बबबबब बबब |
बबब बबबबबब बबबब बबब, बबब बब बबब बबबब ||
Worry is the bandit that eats into one's heart
What the doctor can do, what remedy to impart?
MEANING
Don’t worry be happy

Akath kahani prem ki, kuch kahi na jaye

Goonge keri sarkara, baithe muskaye
बबब बबबबब बबबबब बब, बबब बबब ब बबब |
बबबबब बबबब बबबबबब, बबबब बबबबबबब ||
Inexpressible is the story of Love, It cannot be revealed by words
Like the dumb eating sweet-meat,Only smiles, the sweetness he cannot tell
MEANING
The story of love is to be experienced, it can not be expressed, it can be known and
felt - but not by the five senses.

Jeevat samjhe jeevat bujhe, jeevat hi karo aas

Jeevat karam ki fansi na kate, mue mukti ki aas
बबबब बबबब बबबब बबबब, बबबब बब बबब बब |
बबबब बबब बब बबबबब ब बबब, बबब बबबबबब बब
बब ||
Alive one sees, alive one knows, thus crave for salvation when full of life
Alive you did not cut the noose of binding actions, hoping liberation with death

Pakha pakhi ke karan, sab jag raha bhulan

Nirpakh hoi ke hari bhaje, soi sant sujan
 बबब बबबब बब बबबबब, बब बब बबब बबबबब |
बबबबब बबबबब बबब बबब, बबब बबब बबबबब ||
MEANING
People are divided into various religions and thus the whole world is misguided,
being impartial to the worldly groups (religions), one who performs the devotion to
Almighty God is the true saint. A saint understands that all souls are the same, and
that God is dwelling in every heart. The saint recognises God in all, and remains
impartial to the various religions.

Ek shabd gurudev ka, taka anant vichar

Thake muni jan pandita, veda na pave paar
बब बबबब बबबबबबब बब, बबबब बबबब बबबबब |
बबब बबबब बब बबबबबब, बबब ब बबबब बबब ||
The one word of Sat Guru gives limitless meanings.only a humble devotee can get
it, Munis and pandits (full of ego of their knowledge) became exhausted trying to
find its meaning. Vedas cannot fathom its depth.

Guru bichara kya kare sikkhahi mahin chuk

Bhave tyon parbodhiye, baans bajaye phunk
बबबब बबबबबब बबबब बबब, बबबबबबब बबबबब
बबब |
बबबब बबबबब बबबबबबबब, बबबब बबबबब बबबब
||
MEANING
What can the poor Guru does if the disciple has faults. The Guru can only guide, but
the disciple has to walk. Guru gives knowledge but it becomes useless, just as a
broken flute does not produce music. The disciple must have

Hari kripa tab janiye, de manav avtar

Guru kripa tab janiye, mukt kare sansar
बबब बबबब बब बबबबब, बब बबबब बबबबब |
बबबब बबबब बब बबबबब, बबबबब बबब बबबबब ||
MEANING
We must thank God for giving us human life, but it is the grace of the Guru which
liberates us from the cycle of birth and death.

Timir gaya ravi dekhte, kumati gayi guru gyan

Sumati gayi ati lobhate, bhakti gayi abhiman
बबबबब बबब बबब बबबबब, बबबबब बबब बबबब
बबबबब |
 बबबबब बबब बबब बबबबबब, बबबबब बबब
बबबबबब ||
MEANING
Darkness disappears when the sun arises and ignorance goes away by the Guru’s
wisdom (gyan). wisdom is lost because of greed, and devotion is lost because of ego.

Keson kaha bigadia, je moonde soo bar

Man ko kahe na moondiye, jaa mein vishey vikaar
बबबबब बबब बबबबबबब, बब बबबबब बब बबब
बब बब बबबब ब बबबबबबब, बब बबब बबबब
बबबबब
What harm have the hair done, you shave them hundred times
Why not shave the mind, there grow unchecked countless poisonous thoughts

Guru ko kije bandagi , koti koti paranam

Kit na jane bhring ko , guru karle aap saman
बबबब बब बबबब बबबबब, बबबब बबबब बबबबब |
बबब ब बबबब बबबब बब , बबबब बबबब बब
बबबबब ||
MEANING
One has to offer salutations and obeisances to Guru who takes the disciple on the
path to God, and helps him in every way even though the disciple does not know it,
just as a wasp takes a worm into its nest and another wasp emerges. The Guru
imparts wisdom to him and makes the ordinary disciple as himself

Moond mundavat din gaye, ajhun na miliya Ram

Ram naam kahu kya kare, je man ke aurey kaam
बबबब बबबबबबब बबब बब, बबबबब ब बबबबब
बबब |
बबब बबब बबब बबबब बबब, बब बब बब बबब बबब
||
Ages have passed shaving the head, yet union with Ram is not here
Recitation of Ram Naam is futile, when mind is engaged elsewhere

Kabira maala kaath ki, kahi samjhave tohi

Man na phirave aapna, kaha phirave mohi
बबबबब बबबब बबब बब, बबब बबबबबब बबबब |
बब ब बबबबबब बबबब, बबब बबबबबब बबबब ||
Kabir, the rosary made of wooden beads explicitly proceeds to educate
(If) you set not your mind in (a focused) motion, (then) to what end you rotate
 Maala to kar mein phire, jibh phire mukh maahi
Manua to chahun dish phire, yeh to sumiran naahi
बबबब बब बब बबब बबबब, बबब बबबब बबब बबबब
|
बबबब बब बबबब बबब बबबब, बब बब बबबबबब
बबबब ||
The rosary rotating by the hand (or) the tongue twisting in the mouth,
With the mind wandering everywhere, this isn't meditation (Oh uncouth!).
MEANING
Counting the Rosary, Repeating Mantras, If the Mind is Traveling - this is not
meditation. So control the mind, not the beads or the words.

Kabir yeh ghar prem ka, khala ka ghar naahi

Sis utare hathi kari, so paise ghar maahi
बबबब बब बब बबबबब बब, बबबब बब बब बबबब |
बबब बबबबब बबबब बबब, बब बबबब बब बबबब ||
Kabir, this is the abode of love, Not the house of an aunt
Only that one can enter here who has relinquished all pride

Kachi kaya man athir, thir thir kaam karat

Jyon jyon nar nidhadak phire, tyon tyon kaal hasat
बबबब बबबब बब बबबब, बबब बबब बबब बबब |
बबबबब बबबबब बब बबबबबब बबबब, बबबबब
बबबबब बबब बबब ||
The body is perishable like an unbaked clay pot, and the mind is restless
Still, man delays in worldly actions unmindful of fear, death looks at him and laughs

Bin rakhware bahira, chidiyo khaya khet

Ardha pardha ubre, cheti sake to chet
बबब बबबबबब बबबबबब, बबबबबबबब बबबब बबब
|
बबबब बबबब बबबब, बबबब बबब बब बबब ||
Without protection the grain of the farm is being eaten up by the birds
Still, a little bit is remaining. Protect it if you can
MEANING
Without protection from lust, anger, greed, desires etc our devotion to God is being
plundered. What little remains we must protect it, otherwise our life will be wasted
in vain
 Aaj kahe hari kal bhajuga, kaal kahe phir kaal
Aaj kaalke karat hi, avsar jaasi chaal
बब बबब बबब बब बबबबबब, बबब बबब बबब बबब |
बब बबबबब बबब बब, बबबब बबबब बबब ||
Today you say that you will do devotion to God tomarrow, and tomarrow you will
again say tomarrow
Saying tomarrow and tomarrow you lose the opportunity in this life

Meetha sabse boliye, sukh upje chahu aur

Vasikaran yeh mantra hai, tajiye vachan kathor
बबबब बबबब बबबबब, बबब बबबब बबबब बब |
बबबबबब बब बबबबब बब, बबबबब बबब बबबब ||
Speak sweetly and politely, you will make all happy
This is just like a charm, give up harsh words
MEANING
When you speak sweetly and politely you make many people happy, they attract
people towards you. Harsh words are improper, they hurt people and can turn
against you. Sweet words win hearts

Madhur vachan hai aushadhi, kutil vachan hai tir

Sravan dwar hai sanchre, sale sakal sarir
बबबब बबब बब बबबब, बबबबब बबब बब बबब |
बबबबब बबबबब बब बबबबब, बबबब बबब बबबब ||
Sweet words are like medicine, harsh words are like arrows
Which enter through the doors of the ears, give distress to the whole body
MEANING
We have to speak truth but also politely, many problems are created by misuse of
words. So we must use sweet, polite and proper words suitable to the occasion. Our
words also reveal our personality

Kathni mithi khand si, karni vish ki loi

Kathni chhodi karni kare, vish ka amrit hoi
बबबब बबबब बबबब बब, बबबब बबब बब बबब |
बबबब बबबबब बबबब बबब, बबब बब बबबब बबब ||
Speech is sweet like sugar, deeds are like poison
Instead of merly speaking sweet we must do must do good deeds, the poison will turn
into nector
MEANING
Actions are more important than words

Kabir sab jag nirdhana, dhanwanta naahi koye

Dhanwanta soi janiye, ram nam dhan hoye
बबबब बब बब बबबबबब, बबबबबब बबबब बबब |
 बबबबबब बबब बबबबब, बबब बबब बब बबब ||
Kabir says “the whole world is poor, no one is truly rich”
Who has the wealth of God’s name is truly rich
MEANING
People having material wealth are not prosperous, material things are perishable.
True wealth is the name of God which is immortal

Rukha sukha khai ke, thanda pani pee

Dekh parai chupadi, mat lalchao jee
बबबब बबबब बबब बब, बबबब बबबब बब |
बबब बबबब बबबबबब, बब बबबबब बब ||
Eat simple food and drink cold water
Do not look at the buttered bread of others and long for it.
MEANING
You have to try to live simply and be satisfied. If you try to pursue the luxurious lives
of others, you will not have peace in your life. Materialism does not bring peace in
life. The more a person gets the more he wants. There is no end to greed.

Nindak nihare rakhiye, aangan kuti chhaway

Bin pani bin sabun, nirmal kare subhav
बबबबब बबबबब बबबबबब, बबबब बबबब बबबब |
बबब बबबब बबब बबबबब, बबबबबब बबब बबबबब
||
MEANING
Keep your critic close, you get to know your faults if someone criticizes you, and you
have a chance to correct them. Give your critics shelter in your courtyard and listen
to the criticism without annoyance, because critic is not your enemy, he is helping
you to clean the rubbish from your life without soap and water.

Aapa taje hari bhaje, nakh sikh taje vikar

Sab jiwan se nirbair rahe, sadhu mta hai saar
बबब बबब बबब बबब, बब बबब बबब बबबबब |
बब बबबब बब बबबबबबब बबब, बबबब बबब बब
बबब ||
Give up the pride of caste and clan and do devotion to the God. Give up your faults
like lust, anger, greed. Don't be an enemy to anyone. This is the basic principle of the
saints.

Silvant sabse bada, sab ratno ki khan

Tin lok ki sampada, rahi sil mein aan
बबबबबब बबबब बबबब, बब बबबब बब बबब |
 बबब बबब बब बबबबबब, बबब बबब बबब बब ||
MEANING
Whoever has good character is the greatest of all. He is mine of all jewels. The wealth
of the three worlds is merged in good character

Prem na badi upje, prem na haat bikai

Raja prja jis ruche, sis dey le jai
बबबबब ब बबबबब बबबब, बबबबब ब बबब बबबबब
|
बबबब बबबबब बबब बबबब, बबब बबब बब बबब ||
Love is not grown in the field, and it isn’t sold in the market
But a king or a pauper who likes it, offers his head to obtain it
MEANING
In the region of love there is no difference between king or pauper. Who wants to get
love has to give up his ego, all other wealth has no value in love. Love is a spiritual
and not a material thing.

Jin dhundha tin payiya, gahire pani paith

Mein bori duban dari, rahi kinare baith
बबब बबबबब बबब बबबबब, बबबब बबबब बबब |
बबब बबबब बबबब बबब, बबब बबबबबब बबब ||
Those who searched by diving into the deep water found
I foolishly feared drowning and remained seated on the shore
MEANING
One who wants to get some pearls has to dive deeply into the ocean. The person who
will fear drowning will not get anything. In the same way, he who wants God
realization has to dive deeply in meditation, and merge completely into God's love.

Laali meri laal ki, jit dekhu tit laal

Laali dekhan mein gayi, mein bhi ho gayi laal
बबबब बबबब बबब बब, बबब बबबब बबब बबब |
बबबब बबबब बबब बबब, बबब बब बब बबब बबब ||
The redness (illumination)of my beloved is everywhere
When I went to see the redness I also became illuminated
MEANING
When a devotee realizes God, he sees illumination of God all over the world. He also
merges into God's love in such a way that all the differences between him and God
disappears. He realizes
(sees) only God and nothing else.

Pavak roopi saiyan, sab ghat raha samay

Chit chakmak laage naahi, tate bujhi bujhi jay
बबबब बबबब बबबबबबब, बब बब बबब बबबब |
 बबब बबबब बबबब बबबब, बबबब बबबब बबबब
बबब ||
God is like fire dwelling in each and every heart
But because the flint stone does not spark in the heart, it does not give light

Sahib teri sahibi, sab ghat rahi samay

Jyon mehandi ke pat mein, laali lakhi na jay
बबबबब बबबब बबबबबब, बब बब बबब बबबब |
बबबबब बबबबबब बब बबब बबब, बबबब बबब ब
बबब ||
Power of Almighty dwells in every heart but is invisible
Just as the red colour resides in the green mehandi leaves and is invisible
MEANING
To get the red colour from the mehendi leaves one has to grind them into a fine paste
and apply it on the hands. When the paste dries and the hands are washed, the red
colour appears. In the same way one has to grind (cleanse) his mind by meditation to
realize God.

Ghat ghat mera saiyan, suni sej na koy

Balihari ghat tasu ki, jag hat pargat hoy
बब बब बबबबबबब, बबबब बबब ब बबब |
बबबबबबब बब बबबब बब, बब बब बबबब बबब ||
My Lord is dwelling in each and every heart, not a single place is empty
But that heart is great where God manifests his qualities
MEANING
Though the bliss of God’s love is in the human heart, because of ignorance, people do
not know it, and they search for happiness in wordly things. Instead of bliss they get
disappointment. One should realize that God is dwelling in evry heart. And service to
humanity is service to God

Kabira garv na kijiye, kabahu na hasiye koy

Ajhu naav samunder mein, na jaane kya hoy
बबबबब बबबब ब बबबबबब, बबबब ब बबबबबब
बबब |
बबबब बबब बबबबबब बबब, ब बबबब बबबब बबब ||
Dont feel proud, dont mock at anybody.
Your life is like a boat in the sea, who can say what may happen at any time.
MEANING
It is foolish to be proud or to laugh at the less fortunate.

Maati kahe kumhar se, tu kya rondhe mohe

Ek din aisa aayega, mein rondhugi tohe
 बबबब बबब बबबबबबब बब, बब बबबब बबबबब
बबबब |
बब बबब बबब बबबबब, बबब बबबबबबब बबबब ||
The earth says to the potter, “why are you trampling on me now?”
One day will come when I will trample on you
MEANING
We must be humble and kind, and try to learn from everything. What you do to
others will return to you.

Malin aavat dekh ke, kaliyan kare pukar

Phoole phoole chun liye, kaal humari baar
बबबब बबब बबब बब, बबबबब बबब बबबबब |
बबबब बबबब बबब बबब, बबब बबबबब बबब ||
Seeing the gardner coming, the flower buds started to lament
Today he plucks the blossoms and tomarrow it will be our turn
MEANING
Every mature person knows that sooner or later everyone has to leave this world. So
you must do good deeds so that you don’t have to lament later

Kali kaal tatkal hai, bura karo jini koi

An bove loha dahine, bove soo lunta hoi
बबब बबब बबबबब बब, बबबब बबब बबबब बबब |
बब बबबब बबबब बबबबबब, बबबब बब बबबबब
बबब ||
In this Iron age you get quick results. Don’t do anything wrong
Whatever you sow, the same will reap
MEANING
Every action has a equal and opposite reaction

Paw palak ki sudhi naahi, kare kaal ko saaj

Kaal achanak marsi, jyon titar ko baaz
बबब बबब बब बबबब बबबब, बबब बबब बब बबब |
बबब बबबबब बबबबब, बबबबब बबबब बब बबबब ||
We do not know what will happen in the next moment, but still we prepare for the
distant future
Death will come suddenly just as hawks pounce upon birds

Naina antar aaw tu, nain jhaapi tohi leu

Na mein dekhu aur ko, na tohi dekhan deu
बबबब बबबब बब बब, बबब बबबब बबबब बबब |
ब बबब बबबब बब बब, ब बबबब बबबब बबब ||
 O my beloved! Come into my eyes, I will take you in and close them
Then, neither will I see anyone else, nor will I allow anyone to see you
MEANING
Eyes are like doors, and images enter through them to the heart. The lover of god
wants to realize his beauty in his heart. Devotee is waiting for the Darshan of god.

Premi dundat mein phiru, premi miliya na koy

Premi ko premi mile, tab sab vish amrit hoy
बबबबबब बबबबब बबब बबबब, बबबबबब बबबबबब
ब बबब |
बबबबबब बब बबबबबब बबबब, बब बबब बबबब
बबब ||
I wondered in search of true lover but did not find any
When a lover meets another, then all all poison turns into nector
MEANING
True lover of god rarely found but when they come together they rejoice, and the
nector of love over flows, and everybody enjoys it

Ram rasayan prem ras, pivat adhik rasal

Kabir pivan durlabh hai, mange sis kalal
बबब बबबबब बबबबब बब, बबबब बबबब बबबब |
बबबब बबबब बबबबबब बब, बबबबब बबब बबबब ||
The very powerful drug of god is love, which is very sweet
But it is difficult to obtain, because the seller asks for your head as its price
MEANING
No one can enter the region of god with his head on his shoulder i.e. with his ego.
Only the humble devotee can drink the nector of god’s love

Sadhu shabd samunder hai, jaa mein ratan bharay

Mand bhag mutthi bhare, kankar haath lagaay
बबबब बबबब बबबबबब बब, बब बबब बबब बबबब |
बबब बबब बबबबबब बबब, बबबब बबब बबबब ||
A good person is an ocean of pearls
Those who are not intelligent end with handful of sand after meeting a good person

Sadhu bhukha bhav ka, dhan ka bhukha nahi

Dhan ka bhukha jo phire, so to sadhu nahi
बबबब बबबब बबब बब, बब बब बबबब बबबब |
बब बब बबबब बब बबबब, बब बब बबबब बबबब ||

Bhesh dekh na pujiye, puchh lijiye gyan

 Bina kasauti hot nahi, kanchan ki pehchan

बबब बबब बब बबबबबब, बबब बबबबबब बबबबब |

बबबब बबबबब बबबब बबबब, बबबब बब बबबबब ||

Boond samani hai samunder mein, janat hai sab koi

Samunder samana boond mein, bujhe birla koi
बबबब बबबबब बब बबबबबब बबब, बबबब बब बब
बबब |
बबबबबब बबबबब बबबब बबब, बबबब बबबबब
बबब ||
When a drop merges into the ocean, everyone understands it
But when the ocean merges into the drop, seldom does one understand it
MEANING
It is very simple to understand that a devotee merges into God, but it is difficult to
accept that God merges into a devotee.reality is the union of God and devotee and all
differences are lost. This is a state rarely found. God dwells in the heart of a devotee
as an ocean merged into the drop.

Herat herat hey sakhi, raha kabir heray

Boond samani samunder mein, so kat heri jay
बबबब बबबब बब बबब, बबब बबबब बबबबब |
बबबब बबबबब बबबबबब बबब, बब बब बबबब बबब
||
Kabir says- searching over and over, O my friend! I lost myself in Him(god)
As the drop mixes with the ocean, where can one search for it

Tu tu karta tu bhaya, mujhme rahi nah hun

Baari pheri bali gai, jit dekhu tit tu
बब बब बबबब बब बबब, बबबबबब बबब ब बबब |
बबबब बबबब बबब बब, बबब बबबब बबब बब ||
Oh God ! by reciting your name all the time I merged in you and my ego disappeared
My troubles of transmigration disappeared. Now, wherever I look I see you.
MEANING
The recitation of God’s name leads the devotee to God. He reaches the state of union
with God, and his cycle of rebirths disappears, just as a drop of water mixes with the
ocean and its separation disappers

Prem gali ati sankari, tamein dou na samai

Jab mein tha tab hari nahi, ab hari hai mein naahi
बबबबब बबब बबब बबबबब, बबबबब बबब ब बबबब
|
बब बबब बब बब बबब बबबब, बब बबब बब बबब
बबबबब ||
The street of love is very narrow, two can’t pass through it at the same time
When I was, there was no God(hari), now there is God but I am not
MEANING
To attain true love, one has to give up his ego. When the ego disappears, God
appears. So the devotee must give up his ego to realize God

Prem na badi upje, prem na haat bikai

Raja prja jis ruche, sis dey le jai
बबबबब ब बबबबब बबबब, बबबबब ब बबब बबबबब
|
बबबब बबबबब बबब बबबब, बबब बबब बब बबब ||
Love is not grown in the field, and it isn’t sold in the market
But a king or a pauper who likes it, offers his head to obtain it
MEANING
In the region of love there is no difference between king or pauper. Who wants to get
love has to give up his ego, all other wealth has no value in love. Love is a spiritual
and not a material thing.

Daas kahavan kathin hai, mein dasan ka daas

Ab to aisa hoye rahu, paav tale ki ghas
बबब बबबबब बबबब बब, बबब बबबब बब बबब |
बब बब बबब बबब बबब, बबबब बबब बब बबब ||
It is difficult to serve others. I am serving those who are serving others. Now I long to
become like a grass under the feet of people.

Kehta hu kahi jaat hu, kahat bajaye dhol

Swasa khali jaat hai, teen lok ka mol
बबबब बबब बबब बबब बबब, बबब बबबबब बबब |
बबबबब बबबबब बबब बब, बबब बबब बब बबब ||
Dont say that you belong to a very prominent caste. This is nothing for which you
should beat drums. You are wasting your breaths and standing separated from the
eternal spirit.

Satguru mila to sab mile, naa to mila na koy

Maat pita sut bandhva, yeh to ghar ghar hoy
 बबबबबब बबबब बब बब बबबब, बब बब बबबब ब
बबब |
बबब बबबब बबब बबबबबबब, बब बब बब बब बबब
||
If someone is able to have a privilege of being in the company of a good preceptor
then he has the privilege of being in the company of all. Otherwise he does not
understand any relation. The relatives like mother, father, son and brother are there
in all families.

Kabira seep samunder ki, khara jal nahi le

Paani piye swati ka, shobha sagar de
बबबबब बबब बबबबबब बब, बबब बब बबबब बब |
बबबब बबब बबबबबब बब, बबबब बबबब बब ||
A shell in the ocean does not take any salty water from the ocean. It drinks the
raindrops falling during the period of Swati Constellation and adds to the beauty of
the ocean

Karta raha so kyo raha, ab kari kyo pachhataye

Boye ped babul ka, so amua kaha se paaye
बबबब बबब बब बबबबब बबब, बब बबब बबबबब
बबबबब |
बबबब बबबब बबबब बब, बबबब बबब बब बबब ||
why were u doing what you were doing, now what the use of repenting
you have sown seeds of Babool tree, don't expect mangoes from that

Koyla bhi ho ujla, jari pari jo sek

Murakh hoy na ujla, jo kaala ka khet
बबबबब बब बब बबबब, बबब बबबब बब बबब |
बबबबब बबब बब बबबब, बब बबबब बब बबब ||
A coal becomes white when put on fire. A fool does not shun his foolishness after any
treatment.

Kasturi kundal base, mrag dhundhat ban mahi

Jyo ghat ghat ram hai, duniya dekhe nahi
बबबबबबब बबबबब बबब, बबब बबबबब बब बबबब |
बबबब बब बब बबब बब, बबबबबब बबबब बबबब |
A deer has the fragrance in itself and runs throughout the forest for finding it.
Similarly Ram is everywhere but the world does not see.

Naina antar aaw tu, nain jhaapi tohi leu

 Na mein dekhu aur ko, na tohi dekhan deu
बबबब बबबब बब बब, बबब बबबब बबबब बबब |
ब बबब बबबब बब बब, ब बबबब बबबब बबब ||
O my beloved! Come into my eyes, I will take you in and close them
Then, neither will I see anyone else, nor will I allow anyone to see you
MEANING
Eyes are like doors, and images enter through them to the heart. The lover of god
wants to realize his beauty in his heart. Devotee is waiting for the Darshan of god.

Premi dundat mein phiru, premi miliya na koy

Premi ko premi mile, tab sab vish amrit hoy
बबबबबब बबबबब बबब बबबब, बबबबबब बबबबबब
ब बबब |
बबबबबब बब बबबबबब बबबब, बब बबब बबबब
बबब ||
I wondered in search of true lover but did not find any
When a lover meets another, then all all poison turns into nector
MEANING
True lover of god rarely found but when they come together they rejoice, and the
nector of love over flows, and everybody enjoys it

Ram rasayan prem ras, pivat adhik rasal

Kabir pivan durlabh hai, mange sis kalal
बबब बबबबब बबबबब बब, बबबब बबबब बबबब |
बबबब बबबब बबबबबब बब, बबबबब बबब बबबब ||
The very powerful drug of god is love, which is very sweet
But it is difficult to obtain, because the seller asks for your head as its price
MEANING
No one can enter the region of god with his head on his shoulder i.e. with his ego.
Only the humble devotee can drink the nector of god’s love

Sadhu shabd samunder hai, jaa mein ratan bharay

Mand bhag mutthi bhare, kankar haath lagaay
बबबब बबबब बबबबबब बब, बब बबब बबब बबबब |
बबब बबब बबबबबब बबब, बबबब बबब बबबब ||
A good person is an ocean of pearls
Those who are not intelligent end with handful of sand after meeting a good person