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, ,

Oneshouldnotabuseabladeofgrassunderone'sfeet.Ifthathappenstostrikeonone'seyethentherewillbeterrificpain , |

, || Effortscanaccomplisheverything.Nothingcanbeaccomplishedwithouttakingefforts.A

purifiedbutterthatisfrozencannotbetakenoutwithastraightfingerMana unmana na toliye, shabd ke mol na tol

Murakh log na jansi, aapa khoya bol , | , ||

When your mind is raged then you should not react to the words. One does not have any means for the valuation and weight of words. The fools do not understand this

and lose their balance while talking Pehle shabd pehchaniye, pichhe kije mol

Parkhi parkhe rattan ko, shabd ka mol na tol , |

, || First you should understand what has been said by others. Then you can make the

valuation of the words that you have listened. A goldsmith can test the purity of gold. One does not have any means for the valuation and weight of words.

Naari purush sab hi suno, yeh satguru ki saakh Vish phal phale anek hai, mat dekho koi chaakh

, | , ||

Listen everybody to the preaching of a good preacher. There are many ways of sensual enjoyment. But one should abstain from any such way

Shabd barabar dhan nahi, jo koi jaane bol Heera to damo mile, shabd mol na tol

, | , ||

He who is good at speaking understands that there is no wealth like words. A diamond can be purchased for a value. One do not just

have any means for valuation of word Padha suna seekha sabhi, miti na sanshay shool

Kahe kabir kaso kahu, ye sab dukh ka mool , | , ||

One may read, listen and learn everything. But after doing all this he has confusion. Kabir is at pains to explain that confusion is the root of sorrow

Vishaya tyag bairaya hai, samata kahiye gyan Sukhdayi sab jeev so, yahi bhakti parmaan

, ,

Being detached means renouncing the sensual pleasures. Knowledge means equanimity. Devotion means creating happiness

for all the beings.

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Parnaari ki rachnao, jo lehasun ki khani Khoone besir khaiy, pragat hoye deewani

, ,

A desire for other's wife is like a mine of garlic. A person can eat garlic hiding from all. But the fact of his having consumed garlic is clear to anyone who meets him

, , ,

Kabira darshan sadhu ke, karat na kije kani Jo udham se lakshmi, aalas man se hani

, ,

MEANING Dont shirk to meet a good person. An intoxicated or lethargic mind

causes loss of wealth Hari ras peeya jaaniye, kabahu na jaaye khumaar.

Maimanta ghoomat phire, naahee tan ke saar. , | , ||

MEANING How will you know who is a GOD-realized soul, who has tasted the great wine, the

nectar of GOD?? Kabir says you can see the symptoms the person who has attained thecommunity with GOD, looks like intoxicated all the time. This intoxication never comesdown, he looks like insane, wanders like the same, doesnt even bother about

his body or appearance. Ghat kaa pardaa kholkar, sanmukh de deedaar.

Baal sanehi saaiyaa, awe ant kaa yaar. , | , ||

MEANING He opens the veil within your being and shows himself in front of you!! HE only is our true friend. At the time of our birth (here it refers spiritual birth or the moment when this creation came in existence and we as separate being came into picture) he was the only friend and when the journey of the soul has come to an end, I see him

only as true friend. he has been our friend throughout our all lives, only it took whole journey from the origin to coming down this material world and going back to our

source to make us realize this truth!! Had mein chale so maanava, behad chale so saadh

Had behad dono taje, taako bata agaadh , | , ||

The one who is confined in limitations is human, the one who roams into unlimited, is a Sadhu. The one who has dropped both limited and unlimited, unfathomable is

his being and understanding. Jaap mare, ajapaa mare, anahad hu mari jaye

Ram snehi na mare, kahe Kabir samjhaye , , | , ||

MEANING

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The nector of love makes us immortal Jis marne se jag dare, mere man mein anand

Kab maru kab paon, puran parmanad , | , ||

The whole world fears death, but death will be full of bliss for me I am waiting for death which will merge me, into absolute bliss

Chali jo putli laun ki, thah sindhu ka len Aaphu gali paani bhai, ulti kahe ko bain

, | , ||

A piece of salt entered the ocean to find its depth It dissolved and turned into salty water, who will return to tell the depth

MEANING God is like an ocean. When seeker wants to find his depth and enters into the region

of god, he himself merges into god. Thus duality, which is necessay to give report, does not exist

Naino ki kari kothri, putli palang bichhai

Palko ki chik darike, piya ko liya rijhai , |

, || I made my eyes into a bridal room, and the pupils into a bridal bed

I pulled down curtains of the eyelids and pleased my beloved Neend nishani maut ki, uthh kabira jaag

Aur rasayan chhod ke, naam rasayan laag , | , ||

A state of being asleep is at par with the state of being dead. Therefore Kabir should get up. He should shun everything else and remember the God.

Loot sake to loot le, ram naam ki loot Paache pachhtayega, jab pran jayenge chhoot

, | , ||

You have the access to the name of Ram without any cost. Why dont you have access to it as much as you can. Otherwise at the last moment of your life you will feel sorry

Jaisi bhakti kare sabhi, vaise pooja hoye Bhay paras hai jeev ko, nirbhay hoy naa koye

, | , ||

Your mind should have devotion to come out of the loop of fear. Kabira yeh sansar hai, jaisa semal phool

Din das ke vyavahar mein, jhoote rang na bhool , | , ||

This world is like a flower that traps a bee. Dont get overwhelmed by what you experience for a while.

Bhakti mahal bahu oonch hai, door hi se darshay

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Jo koi jan bhakti kare, shobha barni naa jaaye , |

, || The palace of devotion has a very great height. This one can observe from a distance.

Whoever is engaged in devotion, words fall short for describing his beauty. Daas kahavan kathin hai, mein dasan ka daas

Ab to aisa hoye rahu, paav tale ki ghas , | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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 , | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, |

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, | 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 , | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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 gods love Sadhu shabd samunder hai, jaa mein ratan bharay

Mand bhag mutthi bhare, kankar haath lagaay , | , ||

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

, | , ||

A good person wants that you should have faith in what he says. He is not after your money. He who roams for money is not a good person.

Bhesh dekh na pujiye, puchh lijiye gyan Bina kasauti hot nahi, kanchan ki pehchan

, | , ||

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Dont go after the outward appearance. See whether he has the right knowledge. A goldsmith cannot verify the purity of gold without

putting it to test. Boond samani hai samunder mein, janat hai sab koi

Samunder samana boond mein, bujhe birla koi , | , ||

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 , |

, || 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 , | , ||

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 Gods 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 , | , ||

The street of love is very narrow, two cant 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 , | , ||

Love is not grown in the field, and it isnt 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.

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Jin dhundha tin payiya, gahire pani paith Mein bori duban dari, rahi kinare baith

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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 Gods 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

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Kabira garv na kijiye, kabahu na hasiye koy Ajhu naav samunder mein, na jaane kya hoy

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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 , | , ||

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 dont have to lament later Kali kaal tatkal hai, bura karo jini koi

An bove loha dahine, bove soo lunta hoi , | , ||

In this Iron age you get quick results. Dont 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

, | , ||

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

Kachi kaya man athir, thir thir kaam karat Jyon jyon nar nidhadak phire, tyon tyon kaal hasat

, | , ||

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

, |

Page9of23

, || 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 , | , ||

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 , | , ||

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 , | , ||

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

, | , ||

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 , | , ||

Kabir says the whole world is poor, no one is truly rich Who has the wealth of Gods name is truly rich

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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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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 , | , ||

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

, | , ||

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 Pakha pakhi ke karan, sab jag raha bhulan Nirpakh hoi ke hari bhaje, soi sant sujan

, | , ||

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

, |

Page11of23

, || 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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

MEANING Darkness disappears when the sun arises and ignorance goes away by the Gurus

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 ,

, 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 , |

, || 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

, | , ||

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

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Kabira maala kaath ki, kahi samjhave tohi Man na phirave aapna, kaha phirave mohi

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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 , | , ||

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

Ek kahu to hai nahi, do kahu to gari Hai jaisa taisa rahe, kahe Kabir vichari

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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 , | ||

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

Jab tu aaya jagat mein, log hanse tu roye Aise karni na kari, pachhe hanse sab koye

, |

Page13of23

, || 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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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 , |

, || Worry is the bandit that eats into one's heart

What the doctor can do, what remedy to impart? MEANING

Dont worry be happy Akath kahani prem ki, kuch kahi na jaye

Goonge keri sarkara, baithe muskaye , |

, || 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

, | , ||

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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

Kabir soyee surma, man soon maande jhoojh Panch pyada paadi le, door kare sab dooj

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

Says kabir, do not go there, where people are not frank

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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 , | , ||

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 , | , ||

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 ones 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

, | , ||

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 , | , ||

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

, | , ||

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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. Aavat gari ek hai, ooltat hot anek

Kahe Kabir na ooltiye, bani ek ko ek , | , ||

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

, | , ||

Why should Kabir be afraid for, god is above all On elephants 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. Elephants 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

, | , ||

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 flowers soft touch in return

Durbal ko na sataiye, jaki moti haay Mari khal ki saans se, loh bhasam ho jaaye

, | , ||

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

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Kabira man nirmal bhaya, jaise Ganga neer Pachhe laga hari phire, kehat Kabir, Kabir

, | , ", " ||

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

, | , ||

O Kabir ! your hut is next to the butchers bay Why do you feel down? For their conduct they only shall pay

MEANING One reaps what one sows

Mangan maran saman hai, mat mange koi bheekh

Mangan se marna bhala, yeh satguru ki seekh , | , ||

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 , | , ||

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 , | , ||

In vain is the eminence, just like a date tree

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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 , |

, || 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 , | , ||

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

Sab dharti kagaj karu, lekhni sab banray Saat samunder ki masi karu, gurugun likha na jaaye

, ,

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

Crow does not steal anything, koyal (cuckoo) does not make a gift For its sweet songs cuckoo wins love of all

It is by ones nature and habit that he be friends others. Ek din aisa hoyega, sab so pare bichhohu Raja rani rao rank, sawadh kyu nahi hohu

, | , ||

A day will come when you will be separated from everything Whether you are a king, landlord or pauper, why are you not awakening

MEANING On the last day there will be separation from everybody

Aaye hai to jayege, raja rank fakir

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Ek sihanshan chadi chale, ek bandhe janjir , |

, || 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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

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, | , ||

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

, | , ||

Nothing mine belongs to me, all that is yours To give all that to you, whats 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 ?

Bura jo dekhan mein chala, bura na milaya koye Jo man dekha aapna, mujhse bura na koye

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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

, | , ||

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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 keshNa jaane kit maare hai, kya gar kya pardesh

, | , ||

Kabir saysDont be so proud and vain, the clutches of time are dark

Who knows where shall it kill, whether at home or abroadEXPLANATION

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 , | , ||

Tomorrows work do today,today,s work nowIf the moment is lost, the work be done how.

EXPLAINATIONThe 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 paanyeBalihari guru aapne govind diyo bataye

, | , ||

guru and god both are here to whom should I first bestow all glory be unto the aisi vani boliye, man ka aapa khoye

auran ko sheetal kare, aaphu sheetal hoye , |

, ||Speak in words so sweet, that fill the heart with joy

Like a cool breeze in summer, for others and self to enjoyEXPLANATION

In speech use such words that your ego is eliminated. Don't boast, don't gloat, and dont 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

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santkabirdaspictures

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Kabir,whoprobablylivedinthefifteenthsixteenthcenturies,wasoneofthemostinfluentialsaints.HewasbroughtupinafamilyofMuslimjulahasorweaverssettledinornearthecityofBenares(Varanasi).Wehavelittlereliableinformationabouthislife.Wegettoknowofhisideasfromavastcollectionofversescalledsakhisandpadssaidtohavebeencomposedbyhimandsungbywanderingbhajansingers.SomeofthesewerelatercollectedandpreservedintheGuruGranthSahib,PanchVaniandBijak.Kabirsteachingswerebasedonacomplete,indeedvehement,rejectionofthemajorreligioustraditions.HisteachingsopenlyridiculedallformsofexternalworshipofbothBrahmanicalHinduismandIslam,thepreeminenceofthepriestlyclassesandthecastesystem.ThelanguageofhispoetrywasaformofspokenHindiwidelyunderstoodbyordinarypeople.Healsosometimesusedcrypticlanguage,whichisdifficulttofollow.KabirbelievedinaformlessSupremeGodandpreachedthattheonlypathtosalvationwasthroughbhaktiordevotion.KabirdrewhisfollowersfromamongbothHindusandMuslims.