Have your heard a radio/stereo playing loud and the singer singing beautiful poetry in your town or city. Usually, this poetry is from Saint Kabir who continues to inspire the populace to date with his classic renditions on life, philosophy and spirituality.
Reading it in the text books
I remember, in my 9th-grade Hindi text book, we had a chapter especially on the poetry of Kabir. The poetry, without doubt, is so catching that you want to recite it almost all the time. I also did!
As a grown up man
And as a grown up man, when you start understanding the ways of life a bit and have the intellectual power to analyze, you begin to wonder what a simple but effective way Kabir chose to convey the messages. It is awesome and inspiring!
Illiterate yet full of wisdom
It's believed that Saint Kabir was illiterate but check his words--full of wisdom and replete with meaning of the highest order.
Let's regale ourselves
Let's regale ourselves with some of couplets that can quickly get on your mind and make you sing them in whatever tune you can manage! :)
Couplet 1
Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye, Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein,Sabit Bacha Na Koye. It means that looking at the grinding stones, Kabir laments; In the duel of wheels, nothing stays intact.
Couplet 2
Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye, Jo Munn Khoja Apnaa, To Mujhse Bura Naa Koye. It means that I searched for the crooked man, met not a single one; then searched myself, "I" found the crooked one.
Couplet 3
Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Ab, Pal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kab. It means that tomorrow's work do today, today's work now; if the moment is lost, how the work be done.
Couplet 4
Aisee Bani Boliye, Mun Ka Aapa Khoye, Apna Tan Sheetal Kare, Auran Ko Sukh Hoye. It means that speak such words, sans ego's ploy; body remains composed, giving the listener joy.
Couplet 5
Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sub Kutch Hoye, Mali Seenche So Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye. It means that slowly slowly O mind, everything in own pace happens; the gardener may water with a hundred buckets, fruit arrives only in its season.
Couplet 6
Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor, Panthi Ko Chaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor. It means that in vain is the eminence, just like a date tree; no shade for travelers, fruit is hard to reach.
Couplet 7
Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein, Mange Sabki Khair, Na Kahu Se Dosti, Na Kahu Se Bair. It means that Kabir in the market place, wishes welfare of all; neither friendship nor enmity with anyone at all.
Couplet 8
Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye, Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye. It means that reading books where everyone died, none became anymore wise; one who reads the word of Love, only becomes wise.
Couplet 9
Dukh Mein Simran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye, Jo Sukh Mein Simran Kare, Tau Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye. It means that in anguish everyone prays to Him, in joy does none; to One who prays in happiness, how can sorrow come.
Couplet 10
Chinta Aisee Dakini, Kat Kaleja Khaye, Vaid Bichara Kya Kare, Kahan Tak Dawa Lagaye. It means that worry is the bandit that eats into one's heart; what the doctor can do, what remedy to impart?
Which one are you crooning right now?
Have you memorized any of these couplets? What's your take on Kabir Vani and his beautiful poetry? Share your views.
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