Kabir Dohas with meaning

Kabir Dohas with meaning

 

Kabir Dohas are two-line verses.In just two lines, Kabir is able to reveal Love, Philosophy, Mysticism and his unbending love for the Supreme.

[Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye
Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein,Sabit Bacha Na Koye]

Translation
Looking at the grinding stones, Kabir laments
In the duel of wheels, nothing stays intact

Diya Kabira Roye) Kabir cries out, however, is what makes the reader to contemplate on this Doha and realize for oneself the hidden meaning behind this metaphor. Dui Patan here signifies earth (Prithvi) and sky (Akash) and within the ambit of these is all creation and life as also the manifestation of all natural phenomenon of dualities: day and night, life and death, joys and sorrows, thereby making life forever in motion (Chalti Chakki) and an ever changing process. Trapped in this duality, whatever we see is perishable. Nothing that we comprehend is eternal.

 [Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye

Jo Munn Khoja Apnaa, To Mujhse Bura Naa Koye]

Translation
I searched for the crooked, met not a single one
When searched myself, "I" found the crooked one

Kabir says that instead of finding fault and maligning others, dive deep into your own-self. Amazingly, an honest introspection will reveal that all fault lies with "me" and "my" own perceptions and attitudes. If there is any evil or crookedness, it is in "me". Correcting this and opting for a loving and compassionate attitude will change one's perceptions and the world will appear wonderful all over again.

Aisee Vani Boliye, Mun Ka Aapa Khoye

Apna Tan Sheetal Kare, Auran Ko Sukh Hoye

Translation
Speak such words, sans ego's ploy
Body remains composed, giving the listener joy

 Kabir, in this doha crystallizes the power of the spoken word. He teaches us to speak in such a manner that keeps us harmonious and composed thereby making the listener feel a sense of joy in the communication.
Experiment yourself and rediscover the power of the spoken word.

[Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor

Panthi Ko Chaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor ]

Translation
In vain is the eminence, just like a date tree
No shade for travelers, fruit is hard to reach




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.

[Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye

Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye]

Translation
Reading books everyone died, none became any wise
One who reads the word of Love, only becomes wise


Kabir in this doha shows the way, in his simple but dynamic style. He daringly says that despite all our readings, despite all our knowledge, we cannot become wise. Only if we 'read' Love, become loving and loveable, only then wisdom will dawn on us. Only then Life will be worth living.

[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
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 Sawari
Pahuncha 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 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

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. 

[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 

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.

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. 

 [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!).

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 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

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

[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


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. 

[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




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