SHRI ASHU TOSH JI MAHARAJ PICS

kabir doha

Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein, Mange Sabki Khair
Na Kahu Se Dosti, Na Kahu Se Bair

Translation

Kabira in the market place, wishes welfare of all
Neither friendship nor enmity with anyone at all

My Understanding

Kabir, the professional weaver, visited the market place to sell his woven goods. Now selling is a competitive affair and all kinds of strategies are adopted by merchants to make the extra buck. Sometimes the strategy can even be a dirty trick or a scam.

In this doha, as is his style, Kabir without saying much, presents a balanced approach. He seems to affirm that while conducting one's business, one need not adopt tricky means and should not become emotional. An honest deal does not warrant the businessman to become either friendly with one's clientele nor develop any malice. This is one of the important maxims of Do's and Don'ts of any progressive business.

From spiritual and mystic point of view, Bazaar is a reference to the world itself where give and take, is the mechanism of dealings...i.e. all relationships at the physical level are conditional and based on business-like (not literally business) transactions. So Kabir is giving us an idea of how we experience ups and downs due to attachments - i.e. due to strong feelings towards or against things. And he says the best way to avoid that is by being in a state of acceptance and detachment

kabir doha

Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein, Mange Sabki Khair
Na Kahu Se Dosti, Na Kahu Se Bair

Translation

Kabira in the market place, wishes welfare of all
Neither friendship nor enmity with anyone at all

My Understanding

Kabir, the professional weaver, visited the market place to sell his woven goods. Now selling is a competitive affair and all kinds of strategies are adopted by merchants to make the extra buck. Sometimes the strategy can even be a dirty trick or a scam.

In this doha, as is his style, Kabir without saying much, presents a balanced approach. He seems to affirm that while conducting one's business, one need not adopt tricky means and should not become emotional. An honest deal does not warrant the businessman to become either friendly with one's clientele nor develop any malice. This is one of the important maxims of Do's and Don'ts of any progressive business.

From spiritual and mystic point of view, Bazaar is a reference to the world itself where give and take, is the mechanism of dealings...i.e. all relationships at the physical level are conditional and based on business-like (not literally business) transactions. So Kabir is giving us an idea of how we experience ups and downs due to attachments - i.e. due to strong feelings towards or against things. And he says the best way to avoid that is by being in a state of acceptance and detachment

kabir doha

Maya Mari Na Man Mara, Mar Mar Gaye Shareer
Asha Trishna Na Mari, Keh Gaye Das Kabir

Translation

Neither illusion nor the mind, only bodies attained death
Hope and delusion did not die, so Kabir said.

My Understanding

To understand this doha correctly, one must understand first the word 'Maya'. This word is like an unsolved riddle and hard to translate. For want of a proper word, it is loosely translated as illusion. In its depths, 'Maya' perhaps means, Nature on the go...ever changing...hence an illusion.

In this doha, Kabir says while the physical body that is born, lives and eventually dies, the world of Maya goes on as does the Mind (that intelligent governing Self). Hope and the deceptive greed or delusion does not die either. Even in his death bed, one continues to cling with the perishable - the body, with one's aspirations, desires - and the cravings, the urges, the yearnings (trishna) dies not. In fact, the play of the world "leela" goes on because of this.

In his typical mystic style, Kabir compels the reader to contemplate and realize the Truth.

Mangan Maran Saman Hai, Mat Koi Mange Beekh
Mangan Se Marna Bhala, Yeh Satguru Ki Seekh



TranslationBegging is like perishing, none should go imploring
It is better to die than beg, this is pure Guru's teaching

My UnderstandingIt is unfortunate but true that a vast number of people all over the world survive through begging.  In non-affluent countries the scenario is worst.  In affluent societies, this phenomenon can be seen in the guise of welfare plans.

The compassionate Guru knows that a person who sets out to beg (at least for the first time), literally kills his inner self and undergoes tremendous shame and humiliation. In this simple verse, Kabir boldly attempts to shake up the conscience of the people. Without using the words, he appeals the masses to work honestly and earn their livelihood. 

kabir doha

Mangan Maran Saman Hai, Mat Koi Mange Beekh
Mangan Se Marna Bhala, Yeh Satguru Ki Seekh



TranslationBegging is like perishing, none should go imploring
It is better to die than beg, this is pure Guru's teaching

My UnderstandingIt is unfortunate but true that a vast number of people all over the world survive through begging.  In non-affluent countries the scenario is worst.  In affluent societies, this phenomenon can be seen in the guise of welfare plans.

The compassionate Guru knows that a person who sets out to beg (at least for the first time), literally kills his inner self and undergoes tremendous shame and humiliation. In this simple verse, Kabir boldly attempts to shake up the conscience of the people. Without using the words, he appeals the masses to work honestly and earn their livelihood. 

Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag
Tera Sayeen Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag 



Translation
Like seed contains the oil,  fire in flint stone
Your temple seats the Divine, realize if you can

My UnderstandingWhat is real and how is it veiled?  

This yearning for the Truth is the basic search of everyone.  We all want to know what God really is.  Kabir in this doha reveals the secret.   He unfolds the mystery in a very simple way. He takes the example of the anti-seed which contains the oil. However, when we see the seed, we don't see the oil.  It is only seen when energy is used to extract the oil from the seed. Same way fire is not visible when we look at the flint stone. However, vigorous rubbing manifests fire which is already hidden in the flint.  Same way, Kabir asserts, that our body - the temple - seats the Divine.  This divinity is our true self.  However, due to our ignorance, we are unaware of this reality.  Kabir challenges us in this doha to shed the veils of ignorance and awaken to realize our true self.

This doha also reminds of Swami Vivekananda, who said, "Man is potentially divine and the sole purpose of this life is to discover that divinity. The time to do is here and now".  

Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor
Panthi Ko Chaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor 



TranslationIn vain is the eminence, just like a date tree
No shade for travelers, fruit is hard to reach
My Understanding
A date tree grows very tall, projecting eminence and a distinction of its own.  Yet, it does not provide shade to weary travelers. Besides, it's fruit grows so far that one cannot easily pluck it.
Using this simile, Kabir in this doha points out to us about our vain personalities. What good is our so called eminence, if it is neither compassionate nor helpful to others? Kabir emphasizes that we should shed our greed, selfishness and insecure tendencies and establish ourselves in such a way that we should be willing to give and share. Only then we will be blessed and become a blessing to others.

Sayeen Itna Deejiye, Ja Mein Kutumb Samaye
Main Bhi Bhookha Na Rahun, Sadhu Na Bhookha Jaye


TranslationGive so much O God, suffice to envelop my clan
I should not suffer cravings, nor the visitor goes unfed

My Understanding
Very simple in the native Hindi, but very difficult to translate. It is also true, that because of its simplicity, the reader can miss the point that Kabir wants to make.

This Doha deals with the concept of contentment, compassion and a very clear attitude of service. It is not greed when Kabir asks God for abundance. We have to remember that Kabir was a professional weaver, a house-holder with children.  Thus, being the primary provider, he reveals in this Doha his commitment to his clan.  At the same time, Kabir is content.  He is not greedy.  He prays to God to give him enough that would be suffice to take care of his needs. 

The next lines add another dimension.  It reveals the compassion Kabir has for others.  In India it is a tradition that if a sadhu visits, the household will make sure that they feed him.  Sadhu literally means a monk, a sanyasin, who has renounced the world.

I personally understand that Kabir implies here the 'sadhu' to be any visitor or as we call "Atithi" - a guest. Kabir wants to ensure that if someone visited his household, that guest should also go fulfilled.  

Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sub Kutch Hoye
Mali Seenche So Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye

Translation
Slowly slowly O mind, everything in own pace happens
Gardner may water a hundred buckets, fruit arrives only in its season
My understanding

Nature never works in haste. Picking up from this eternal law of Mother Nature, Kabir brings forward the state of our daily hurried lives. We are always in a rush to achieve, acquire and be victorious. It is like a mad race. This brings us under pressure causing ill-health, fatigue and frustration. More than that it breeds ill-discipline. We get forced into a habit pattern whereby we find ourselves either negligent or indulgent.

This all can be corrected if one understands the Doha. Kabir, addressing the doha to the mind which is chanchal or monkeying around, brings about the importance of a relaxed mind, a quiet mind. By relaxed mind, one should not imply lethargy. A very active mind can also be very relaxed. Relaxation comes through awareness and acceptance.

It is a known fact that a seed sprouts into a sapling only after some time and the sapling grows into a tree gradually. And the fruit arrives only in its own season. By the gardener pouring "a hundred buckets of water" (extensive irrigation) will not hasten the arrival of the fruit, rather will ruin the process.

Kabir thus makes us realize that one must do one's best and yet should have the patience for the results to manifest in their own appropriate time. For Nature does not work in haste.

Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sub Kutch Hoye
Mali Seenche So Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye

Translation
Slowly slowly O mind, everything in own pace happens
Gardner may water a hundred buckets, fruit arrives only in its season
My understanding

Nature never works in haste. Picking up from this eternal law of Mother Nature, Kabir brings forward the state of our daily hurried lives. We are always in a rush to achieve, acquire and be victorious. It is like a mad race. This brings us under pressure causing ill-health, fatigue and frustration. More than that it breeds ill-discipline. We get forced into a habit pattern whereby we find ourselves either negligent or indulgent.

This all can be corrected if one understands the Doha. Kabir, addressing the doha to the mind which is chanchal or monkeying around, brings about the importance of a relaxed mind, a quiet mind. By relaxed mind, one should not imply lethargy. A very active mind can also be very relaxed. Relaxation comes through awareness and acceptance.

It is a known fact that a seed sprouts into a sapling only after some time and the sapling grows into a tree gradually. And the fruit arrives only in its own season. By the gardener pouring "a hundred buckets of water" (extensive irrigation) will not hasten the arrival of the fruit, rather will ruin the process.

Kabir thus makes us realize that one must do one's best and yet should have the patience for the results to manifest in their own appropriate time. For Nature does not work in haste.

kabir doha

Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Ub
Pal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kub

Translation

Tomorrows work do today, today's work now
If the moment is lost, the work be done how

My Understanding

This doha is a little difficult to translate, particularly when the words "Pal mein Pralaya Hoyegi", have been translated by many scholars as the doomsday may come at any moment or in similar words. In my understanding Kabir, would not have meant this. He knew more than anyone else that if God is eternal, his creation is also eternal. Also being a Guru, Kabir would not like to talk about doomsday, as he himself was full of life.

In this Doha, Kabir has clearly tried to explain the human tendency of laziness and procrastination. It is a known fact that we all tend to postpone matters, we are indecisive and given a choice we would like others to be doing work and we simply enjoying a cool time. When it comes to us, we try to get away by saying, "Very busy, no time." Don't we?

This lethargy is what Kabir is condemning. Besides, according to me, his emphasis is on now, the present, the moment as it is. Now, that is Life, the moment. It is in the now, in the spontaneousness that one gets energized to do, to achieve, to realize. As they say, it is now or never.

Keeping this context in mind, this Kabir Doha clearly teaches us to shed all procrastination and lethargy. It motivates us to do whatever we have to do, and do it now. If we will keep postponing it, then the work will never be done.