kabir doha-kabira teri....................

Kabira Teri Jhompri Gal Katiyan Ke Paas
Jo Karenge So Bharenge Tu Kyon Bhayo Udaas


Translation

O Kabir! Your Hut Is Next to the Butchers' Bay
Why Do You Feel Down? For Their Conduct They Only Shall Pay  

My Understanding

At the time when Kabir lived there was a lot of importance attached, in religion, to ritualism. Religious heads and puritans aggressively promoted the ideas of purity and righteousness. Kabir was largely unimpressed and irreverent to these external rules and regulations. Through his life and teachings he emphasized the importance of internal purity.

Being a weaver of lower caste, Kabir lived in an area close to the butcher's shop. Kabir gave his religious teachings sitting in what the "pundits" (of higher caste) considered an "unholy" place; for which they criticized him. Kabir, while not countering the criticism directly, via this Doha, took the discussion on this matter to a totally different level. In his humble way, Kabir teaches us here the idea of detachment. In spiritual texts this concept is likened to the existence of the Lotus - a beautiful flower that grows in swampy and dirty ponds and rises above it.

Here Kabir tells us to live in the world and focus on our own journey and not worry about the good, bad or ugly going on around us. According to him the world and its ways will take care of itself, that's not our job - we should focus our attention only on the real reason of coming to the world, to find out who we truly are. All else does not matter. 
 

kabir doha-kabir soyee................

Kabir Soyee Soorma, Man Soon Maande Jhoojh
Panch Pyada Paari Le, Door Kare Sab Dooj


Translation

O Kabir, He alone the Warrior, who takes on the "mind" head-on
Crushing the shield of the sensual five, all duality is gone

My Understanding

In the time period Kabir lived there were lot of wars and fighting taking around. Instead of this fighting and killing outside, Kabir redirects our attention to waging a war inside of us via this verse. The mind is the root of all our troubles. This mind is what creates a myriad of thoughts that drive us everywhere and do not allow us to rest in peace. Thoughts are instigated, fed and driven by our five sensual desires - Lust, Anger, Intoxication with Pride, Attachment and Greed. He calls these as pawns because they are protecting the true enemy that lies behind - The Mind. Here the game is won only when we go beyond the sensual (pawn-like) pleasures and conquer the Mind who has been running the show. Kabir then tells us that removing the mind takes away the root of all misery which is the feeling of the "other". There is no "other" anymore as this distinction comes via a creation of our mind. Once the mind is gone there is nobody else except us ourselves. This feeling of oneness is captured in a verse from a poem:

Na Hai Koi Gadi Na Hai SawariPahuncha Wahan Jahan Mein Akela Hi Khiladi 


Neither is their a vehicle nor a rider,
I have reached a place where I alone am the Only Player.

Kabir urges us to duel the dual - the highest teaching from him summarized in such a beautiful way. Vintage Kabir!

 

kabir doha-kabir soota..............

Kabir Soota Kya Kare, Koore Kaaj Niwaar
Jis Panthu Tu Chaalna, Soyee Panth Samwaar


Translation

Arise from slumber O Kabir, divest yourself of the rubbish deeds
Be focused and illumine the path on which you were meant to tread

My Understanding

Here slumber refers to a state of daze and fixation on what is perceived by the senses. Sleep is no different from the normal waking state in that it engages our senses completely. Both are essentially of the same intrinsic nature where Mind is the central player. Kabir recognizes the futility of mental and physical worlds and categorizes everything in these domains as "rubbish". He then urges us to focus ourselves on finding our true spiritual root - putting an end to the cyclical realities that have kept us engaged thus far.

kabir doha-keson kaha...................

Keson Kaha Bigadia, Je Moonde Sau Baar
Man Ko Kahe Na Moondiye, Jaamein Vishey Vikaar


Translation

What harm have the hair done, you shave them hundred times 
Why not shave the mind, that's filled with poisonous thoughts 

My Understanding

In the Hindu culture there is a tradition among men to get their heads shaved off in the event of parental death. There seems to be no scientific reason for this tradition except what I believe is that in folklore it is symbolic of a person in grief who has lost an elder, particularly one of the parent, in the family. The recent example is when thousands of people got their heads shaved in Nepal when the King Birendra was assassinated - in this the King symbolized as the "Father" of the nation.  Besides, when men make vows seeking fulfillment of their desire, they will get their head shaved. Symbolically it means surrendering of one's ego (Head representing the center of Ego) to God.  Then we have cultists like Hare Krishna movement, where the followers also keep their head shaved all the time. Similarly the Hindu pundits and priestly class also keep their heads shaved in conformity of the latter explanation of the symbolic surrender of one's ego. Incidentally the tradition of shaving the heads is only among men and not among women. I wonder why!

Kabir, however, considered this also to be a mere ritual notwithstanding the symbolic meaning of shaving the head, as explained above. His criticism on the ritual of shaving heads highlights the fact that by mere shaving of the head (or merely being a ritualistic) one cannot attain self realization or discover the divinity within.

Continuing on the preceding doha, Kabir emphasizes that unless one cleanse one's mind from the quagmire of unhealthy, unclean and poisonous thoughts that are harmful individually and collectively, until then one is not free from delusion and self-deception. Mind being the source of all problems, it is in every individual's interest to keep it filled with healthy, harmonious and loving thoughts.
 

kabir doha- moond munddavat...................

Moond Munddavat Din Gaye, Ajhun Na Miliya Raam
Raam Naam Kahu Kya Karey, Je Man Ke Aurey Kaam

Translation

Ages have passed shaving the head,
yet union with Ram is not here
Recitation of Ram Naam is futile,
when mind is engaged elsewhere

My Understanding

In the earlier dohas (# 30, 31 and 32) Kabir explained the redundancy of the ritualistic 'fiddling' of the rosary. He now exposes those who are merely gripped in the rituals of shaving their heads periodically and reciting Ram Naam while their mind is busy wandering.

Kabir emphatically condemns these rituals and considers them a mere pretense.

If one is merely masked and engrossed in outwardly show-offs or trapped in sectarian and communal rituals, one is only leading a life of delusion and self-deception. Kabir emphasizes the importance and need of mastering one's mind to develop peace and poise, love and compassion as these are the essential ingredients towards leading a harmonious life and self-realization.

kabir doha- jab mein............

Jab Mein Tha Tab Hari Nahin, Jab Hari Hai Mein Nahin
Sab Andhiyara Mit Gaya, Jab Deepak Dekhya Mahin


Translation

When "I" was then Hari was not, Now Hari "is" and "I" am not
All the darkness (illusions) mitigated, When I saw the light (illumination) within.

My Understanding

From the root word "Har" (everything) is derived the word "Hari" which is used as yet another name or expression for God:  the most common being "Hari Om". 
In this doha, Kabir explains that till such time we are engrossed within the bounds of our (limited) ego - the mundane "I" -  we are not able to experience or realize the all-pervasive attribute of God. Resultantly we are in a state of conflict, chaos and a state of ignorance aptly expressed as darkness or illusion in the doha. This darkness - the state of ignorance - diminishes, rather eliminates, when the all-pervasive effulgence of God (the light within) is perceived, realized or experienced. With this conviction we are able to transcend the bondage enforced by our ego.

kabir doha-kabir maala.....................

Kabir Maala Kaath Kee, Kahi Samjhave Tohi
Man Na Firave Aapna, Kaha Firave Mohi


Translation

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

My Understanding

Having talked about the rosary in the earlier dohas (# 30 and # 31) Kabir now goes a step further in giving a new dimension to the purpose and usefulness of the rosary. In this doha, Kabir using a metaphor - where he equates the rosary to a teacher  - candidly advises the  aspirants to focus on directing the mind towards their spiritual goal. Kabir asserts that mere rotation of the rosary is useless and futile with a wandering mind.

kabir doha-maala pherat.....................

Maala Pherat Jug Bhaya, Mita Na Man Ka Pher
Kar Ka Manka Chhor De, Man Ka Manka Pher


Translation

Eons have passed whirling rosary, restless remains the mind 
Give up the beads of rosary and rotate the beads of mind

My Understanding

This doha is an extension of the previous one. Kabir in this doha explains that the purpose of using rosary is not the end but a medium which is helpful in meditation. The aim of all meditations is to calm the mind and become its master. The rosary is but a mere tool.

Having explained this Kabir proceeds to state that although many epochs have elapsed since the human civilization started using the rosary as a tool, yet we see that by and large our mind is restless and agitated while the tool appears to have become a symbol in itself. 

Addressing the spiritual aspirants, Kabir asserts that instead of concentrating on the rosary beads and its count of rotation, one should focus and become aware of  the wandering mind. For only by becoming aware shall we become alert and be able to guide ourselves towards poise and serenity. This is the ultimate aim of meditation - to become calm and experience the oneness between our individual self and the cosmic self.

 

kabir doha-maala to.....................

Maala To Kar Mein Phire, Jeebh Phire Mukh Mahin
Manua To Chahun Dish Phire, Yeh To Simran Nahin


Translation

The rosary rotating by the hand (or) the tongue twisting in the mouth,
With the mind wandering everywhere, this isn't meditation (Oh uncouth!).

My Understanding

Kabir in this doha strongly condemns those faking to be religious and spiritualists. How very often we see people belonging from almost every religion 'fiddling' with the rosary beads and reciting the name of God. Yet at the slightest provocation they swear and curse, without any hesitation, with the same 'twisting' tongue. Kabir, here categorically points out that such people have no control over their mind which is forever wandering. Such people are hypocrites and deluded, for their actions are only outwardly to show off or to keep up with the rituals out of sectarian and communal pressures. To be able to bring mind in control means to develop poise and serenity that in turn lead to love and compassion which are the prerequisites for meditation. An agitated mind cannot meditate!  Kabir emphatically states in this doha that all these superficial ritualistic actions are meaningless and unproductive.

The aim of true meditation, Kabir tries to emphasize, is to be able to master one's mind.

 

kabir doha-ek kahun................

Ek Kahun To Hai Nahin, Do Kahun To Gaari
Hai Jaisa Taisa Rahe, Kahe Kabir Bichari 


Translation

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

Explanation

This Doha is an illustration of Kabir mysticism that parallels the Zen Koans. 

Kabir here is alluding to the futility of describing the cosmic experience. In that vein, he underscores the limited vision of both the Advaitic (one God) and Dvaitic (God is separate from the devotee) schools of thought. He says that the final experience is what it is and cannot be cast into any thought, words or description. A first-hand direct experience is the only way of knowing. And when that happens all else becomes literally irrelevant.

Many people ask why did the tragedy of September 11 have to happen? Many spiritual leaders have given a variety of explanations. Could it be that the answer is not an explanation but a feeling, not discussion or analysis but silence, not extroversion but an introversive acceptance?

 

kabir doha-kabir yeh..................................

Kabir Yeh Ghar Prem Ka, Khala Ka Ghar Nahin
Sees Utaare Hath Kar, So Pasey Ghar Mahin


Translation

Kabir, this is the abode of love
Not the house of an aunt
Only that one can enter here
Who has relinquished all pride

My Understanding

Kabir in this doha attempts to explain valor and fearlessness in love and devotion. A person who is able to defeat the passions of Anger, Carnality, Attachment, Greed and Enmity - the enemies within - is the valiant one.  To be a lover or a true devotee is the job of a warrior and not of a coward. For love demands complete surrender of one's ego and a spirit full of compassion and poise. 

The abode of love is not like a visit to an aunt's house where the social rules of entertaining guests may be available. Instead in this abode of love one enters with the spirit of giving or complete surrender.

Is a genuine offering to the Lord possible without surrendering oneself? Similarly, is love possible between two people when it is based on conditions?

kabir doha-asa jive..........

Aasa Jive Jag Marey, Log Marey Mar Jayee
Soyee Sube Dhan Sanchate, So Ubrey Jey Khayee


Translation

Hope lives in a dying world, people die and die again
Perish yet hoarding wealth, spend and freedom attain

My Understanding

Having explained in the previous Doha that we should save the wealth that will be helpful now and beyond, Kabir now makes us take a step forward towards the principle of non-attachment through this Doha.

In this eternally changing and perishable world, Kabir explains that only those who distribute and share the wealth are the ones who attain liberation. Who are they that share? Those who have abundance. And, abundance comes to those who understand the doctrine of Karma and are non-attached to the results.

kabir doha-kabir so dhan.....................

Kabir So Dhan Sanchiye, Jo Aage Ko Hoye
Sees Charaye Potli, Le Jaat Na Dekhya Koye


Translation

Kabir, save the wealth that 'remains' in the moment ultimate
Departing with a crown of material wealth, none has crossed the gate

My Understanding
All our life we are busy saving. Saving, for the rainy days. Saving for the unforeseeable future, the old age, etc. Surely, it is advisable to save. However, there are also people who will save, at times, by depriving themselves of even basics that are essential for their individual growth and development. And, there are also people, who will save by NOT sharing, by amassing wealth with wrong means and corrupt practices like bribery and theft - victims of greed and insecurity.

Kabir, keeping these factors in mind, says that this amassed worldly wealth eventually does not accompany when we die. It simply stays behind. Therefore, Kabir suggests that we should save the wealth that will be helpful now and beyond, the strength of which shall become the path to liberation. The "true" wealth that one is able to take forward is the "Naam" and not the worldly wealth. The Naam is strung to one's inner self while the external wealth is limited to the physical body which we all know does not go with us after death.

Note:
The translation given above is 'inferred' and not literal. The literal translation would be: 

Kabir, save the wealth that remains in the imminent future
Departing with a bag of wealth, none has yet been seen.

I have purposely chosen to present the 'inferred' translation as it is closer to the true meaning understood from the original Kabir verse in Hindi.
 

kabir doha-aag jo.............

Aag Jo Lagi Samand Mein, Dhuan Na Pargat Hoye
So Jane Jo Jarmua, Jaki Lagi Hoye


Translation

With the ocean set ablaze
The smoke yet manifests not
Only the one who gets burnt
Envisions the heat of loving thought

My Understanding

The agony and turmoil in the heart of a lover, a devotee, is symbolically shown in this Doha as the flame that is burning the ocean. Yet none knows or can know about this pain because the "smoke" is not visible! Only the one who is suffering the separation from one's beloved can understand the force of such a fire.

Kabir, in this Doha depicts the agony that a devotee feels for his Lord or Ishta, or in our normal day to day life, a lover feels for the beloved. To others, the intensity, the pain of separation is not comprehensible for this too is precious for the lovers to reveal. It is but a private affair!  Don't they say, only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches!!

This Doha by Kabir is again a superb example of mystic poetry where in two lines, Kabir is able to project the agony and the ecstasy of true love and devotion.
 

kabir doha-pehle agan...............

Pehle Agan Birha Ki, Pachhe Prem Ki Pyas
Kahe Kabir Tub Janiye, Naam Milan Ki Aaas


Translation

First the pangs of separation
Next grows the thirst for Love
Says Kabir then only hope
The union to materialize

My Understanding

How does one merit Love? How does one become one with the One? How does one attain that ultimate unity? In this Doha, Kabir shows the way.

First, it is the longing of a person to be with one's beloved. It can be one's choicest person or one's Ishta or God.  Because, one feels the emotional pangs of separation the intensity or thirst to meet the other increases.  Like a flame, it kindles the very being of a person. Only when the desire becomes unshakeable and unbending, Kabir says, the seed of hope germinates to eventually sprout into a true union.

This phenomenon applies to almost every aspect of our life. Even in our vocation, studies, pursuits or daily chores, we find that only when our intent becomes clear, only then our hope and faith grows. Only then the work becomes a source of joy. Only then we realize fulfillment.

kabir doha-jab tun..................

Jab Tun Aaya Jagat Mein, Log Hanse Tu Roye
Aise Karni Na Kari, Pache Hanse Sab Koye


Translation

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

My Understanding

In this Doha, Kabir reflects on the fact that when a child is born, the entire family rejoices with glee.  And when a person passes away, those who are left behind mourn and cry.  However, true mourning is done for those who left a loving impression on their family, kith and kin, clan and society at large.  It has also been noted that when a cruel person passes away, people are more happy and relaxed rather than in a mourning state.

The impression of an individual, either as a compassionate one or a wicked one, is the outcome of one's actions conducted during one's lifetime.  Kabir, in this doha warns that if one will live one's life in an unbecoming manner, then no one will shed a tear on his death.

 

kabir doha-jyon naino.....................

Jyon Naino Mein Putli, Tyon Maalik Ghat Mahin
Moorakh Log Na Janhin, Baahar Dhudhan Jahin


Translation

Like the pupil in the eyes
The Lord resides inside
Ignorant do not know this fact
They search Him outside

My Understanding

In this Doha, Kabir using a very apt simile demonstrates the fact that God is within everyone.  The wise thus realize Him by introspection, while the ignorant search Him externally.

God is unseen and inexpressible.  Anything that is seen, can be counted or measured, automatically becomes mutable.  But God is not mutable.

We can see a bunch of flowers, count them, weigh them, but how can we see, count or weigh the fragrance? Same way, the Atman of the Hindu, the soul of the Christians is that representation of God that resides within everyone and is yet unseen, unknown, incomprehensible and inexpressible.

 

kabir doha-kabira kiya..................

Kabira Kiya Kutch Na Hote Hai, Ankiya Sab Hoye
Jo Kiya Kutch Hote Hai, Karta Aur Koye


Translation

Says Kabir
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

My Understanding

In this Doha, Kabir shows the supremacy of the divine will.  According to this Doha, Kabir implies that everything happens according to God's will.  Man is limited, both in his abilities and his resources.  One cannot do anything without being interdependent upon others.

If a successful person claims his success to be his singular achievement, then it would boil down to be an arrogant statement.  It is the contribution of others at various levels that makes any noteworthy action to be accomplished.

Take for example the simple aspect of life - our food.  We all eat food. However, the food that we eat passes through various stages.  First the farmer sows the seed, then he nurses the crop before harvesting it.  The food as raw material goes through the distribution channels.  Then it comes home.  Then it is cooked. And only then it is eaten.

Kabir, thus emphatically asserts that it is the will of God that all actions get accomplished.  And God here would be seen in his "Virat" form which is the entire universe.

In this doha, Kabir also implies that one should develop humility and shed the attitude of pride and boastfulness.

 

kabir doha-kabira garv............

Kabira Garv Na Keejiye, Uncha Dekh Aavaas
Kaal Paron Bhuin Letna, Ooper Jamsi Ghaas


Translation
Says Kabir
Don't be so proud and vain
Looking at your high mansion
Death makes one lie on bare land
And grass will grow thereon
My Understanding

Pride, arrogance and vanity are all related to our ego, our perishable belongings and things which are not eternal. In this Doha, Kabir gives a clear warning by explaining the eternal ultimate Truth i.e. Death.  We all know that we have to die, but are we willing to accept this fact?  Deep behind our psyche is the idea that everything else is going to perish, to die, but "I" will go on eternally.  Hence, we cling to our perishables and become possessive and selfish.  This causes us to become arrogant, greedy, proud and vain.

Kabir emphasizes the need to understand the cycle of Life and guides us to shed our pride.

kabir doha-jeevat samjhe............

Jeevat Samjhe Jeevat Bujhe, Jeevat He Karo Aas
Jeevat Karam Ki Fansi Na Kaati, Mue Mukti Ki Aas 

Translation

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!

My Understanding

In this Doha, Kabir is referring to the concept of salvation which all religions guarantee in one form or the other.  When someone dies, we all tend to offer condolences by saying, "May God give peace to the departed soul".

However, liberation cannot come until one snaps all earthly bonds.  Besides, what good is liberation or salvation, when one is dead, unable to recount, unable to narrate and unable to share?

Referring to the theory of Karma, Kabir clearly suggests in this Doha that while conducting our actions, we should be diligent. We should not get attached or enslaved by them and thereby get trapped in the quagmire of ego, greed, hatred, fear, procrastination, etc. Only when one is non-attached to the fruits of the action, only then one can be free from the bondage, only then one can be liberated while full of life.

kabir doha-chinta aisee......................

Chinta Aisee Dakini, Kat Kaleja Khaye
Vaid Bichara Kya Kare, Kahan Tak Dawa Lagaye


Translation

Worry is the bandit that eats into one's heart
What the doctor can do, what remedy to impart?

My Understanding

Discontentment causes worry and worry itself becomes the cause that creates chaos in the mind.  All peace is lost and the more one entertains the worry, the more armored 'she' becomes to destroy the very vitality of a man.  There is no doctor and no remedy for this cause. 

This is so true and can be observed by anyone in one's own affairs.

Guru Nanak in his Gurbani goes a step further:


Worry about that, that what is not inevitable
In the path of this world, Nanak, Nothing is stagnant
Whatever is born must die, be it today or tomorrow
Hence O Nanak, Sing praises of God and leave all concerns

My Understanding

Everything that comes to pass in our lives is but preordained.  This will be one school of thought which can however, make a person fatalist.  The alternative way of looking at this phenomenon will be on the basis of the laws of Karma i.e. cause and effect.  Regardless of how we look at it, the basic premise will be that Life goes on.  Hence Guru Nanak says that we should worry only about that aspect of life which is not inevitable.  Understanding the fundamental principle of the cosmos which is perpetually operating in motion, Guru Nanak makes it amply clear that in the path of this world; nothing is motionless.  All our concerns are related to our journey of life that begins with birth and ends with death. Since all that is born is mutable, hence must die, therefore, says Nanak sing praises of God and worry not.  Sing praises of God here will imply to accept and face all aspects of life.  Only by total acceptance of life as it is can one live without worries.
 

kabir doha-akath kahani

Akath Kahani Prem Ki, Kutch Kahi Na Jaye
Goonge Keri Sarkara, Baithe Muskae


Translation

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

My Understanding

In this Doha, Kabir refers to the situation of a person in Love, a person who has realized the Truth. This compassionate one does not brag, does not talk for the wise one knows that it would be as futile an effort as the mute smile of a dumb trying to express the sweetness of the sweet-meat.

In our daily life too, we find that silence projects our love expressions better than the hollow words we utter for another. Truly it has been said that Love does not need the crutches of a language to express the inexpressible state of being in Love.

kabir doha-guru dhobi..........................

Gur Dhobi Sikh Kapda, Saboo Sirjan Har
Surti Sila Pur Dhoiye, Nikse Jyoti Apaar


Translation

Guru the washer man, disciple is the cloth
The name of God liken to the soap
Wash the mind on foundation firm
To realize the glow of Truth

My Understanding

In this Doha, Kabir shows the quality of a good teacher, the Guru. Like only by following the technique of washing clothes, the washer man cleans the cloth, same way the preceptor or the teacher takes upon himself to cleanse the mind of his disciples and guide them to realize the Truth within.

Viewed in context of our day to day life, we can observe that only when we are totally involved in our actions, only then we can be assured of achieving results.  Diligence, dedication and total intensity is required while performing any act, only then one finds the true joy, the fulfillment.

 

kabir doha-dukh mein.......................

Dukh Mein Simran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye
Jo Sukh Mein Simran Kare, Tau Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye


Translation

In anguish everyone prays to Him,
in joy does none
To One who prays in happiness,
how can sorrow come

My Understanding

Let someone suddenly wave his hand in front of your eyes and you will see that the eyes blink.  And if you are caught unawares, you may just say 'O my God'!

Such is the nature of mankind.  When we are in distress, in a state of helplessness, we invariably then look up in the skies and communicate with Him in our own silent prayer.  However, when things are going good, we forget Him. Kabir in this doha highlights this and gives a promise when he says that we shall not suffer if we pray to Him during our good times.