Dohas (Couplets) I (with translation) by Kabir at Old Poetry

Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye
Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein,Sabit Bacha Na
[Looking at the grinding stones, Kabir laments
In the duel of wheels, nothing stays intact.]
**
Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye
Jo Munn Khoja Apnaa, To Mujhse Bura Naa Koye
[I searched for the crooked man, met not a single one
Then searched myself, "I" found the crooked one]
**
Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Ub
Pal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kub
[Tomorrow's work do today, today's work now
if the moment is lost, the work be done how]
**
Aisee Vani Boliye, Mun Ka Aapa Khoye
Apna Tan Sheetal Kare, Auran Ko Sukh Hoye
[Speak such words, sans ego's ploy
Body remains composed, giving the listener joy]
**
Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sub Kutch Hoye
Mali Seenche So Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye
[Slowly slowly O mind, everything in own pace happens
The gardiner may water with a hundred buckets, fruit arrives only in its season]
**
Sayeen Itna Deejiye, Ja Mein Kutumb Samaye
Main Bhi Bhookha Na Rahun, Sadhu Na Bhookha Jaye
[Give so much, O God, suffice to envelop my clan
I should not suffer cravings, nor the visitor go unfed]
**
Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor
Panthi Ko Chaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor
[In vain is the eminence, just like a date tree
No shade for travelers, fruit is hard to reach]
**
Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag
Tera Sayeen Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag
[Just as seed contains the oil, fire's in flint stone
Your temple seats the Divine, realize if you can]
**
Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein, Mange Sabki Khair
Na Kahu Se Dosti, Na Kahu Se Bair
[Kabira in the market place, wishes welfare of all
Neither friendship nor enmity with anyone at all]
**
Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye
Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye
[Reading books where everyone died, none became anymore wise
One who reads the word of Love, only becomes wise]
**
Dukh Mein Simran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye
Jo Sukh Mein Simran Kare, Tau Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye
[In anguish everyone prays to Him, in joy does none
To One who prays in happiness, how sorrow can come]

Notes

These Dohas or couplets are each complete in themselves and are the most famous of Kabir's poetry, there are many more and many of them are often quoted in India even now. There is profound wisdom hidden in each couplet and they reflect Kabir's way of expressing the most profound thoughts in the simplest words.

CLUELESS, NOT

In a boat, in the middle of the sea

Without a compass, without a key.

Night is dark, clouds are thick

Afraid of something, don’t know which.

Many clues tell me life is fake,

Just hope not, for my sanity’s sake.

She said she loved me

Until he got a BMer and ‘twas a new game

To the babe I was a hero, true and strong

Until he found true love, alas not for long.

For dad, I could do no wrong

Until picked up a guitar and did some bhang.

I worked so hard, aced all the tests

Valedictorian,  top of the class.

Couldn’t find a job

To even cover my ass.

Towed the company party line

Had it tattoed on my behind.

Until one day my mentor was fired

New party line I could not find.

Looked in the mirror 

What was bitter sweet.

That I couldn’t recognize self

If found in the street.

What is this place,

Whose are the faces

I think I know, clueless I am not.

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OLD HINDI FABLES

Shikari Ayega, Jal bithayega, Dana Dalega
Jaal men fusnan mutt.

(The trapper will come, lay down his net
will sprinkle some seeds.
O parrots, don't just sing these verses
But don't go near the net.)

Bhains ke age been bajaye
Bhains kare pagurai

(Play the sitar in front of the buffalo
she continues to chew the cud.)

Pothi padh padh padh jag mua
Pandit bhaiya na koi
Dhai akshar prem ka
padhe so pandit hoi. (Kabir)

(World studied the books well
but no one became a Pundit
One who really studied a
two and a half letter word "love"
did become the Pundit.)

Dukh men sumiran sub karei
Sukh men kare na koi
Jo sukh men sumiran karei
Dukh kahe ko hoi. (Kabir)

(When in trouble you recall God
In happy times no one does
One who recalls God in good times
Why would trouble fall on him?)

SEARCHING FOR LOVE

Walking tip toe on the grounds

Covered in egg shells

Running wildly around the track

Like streaming bats out of hell.

Something is missing

But no one is missing

Somehow is missing

But no where is missing.

The spark of the first touch

Euphoria of the rush

Smell of the flowers

Breeze through the gentle bush.

So, touch and feel harder

Run around faster

Visit bigger gardens

Drive on to woods larger.

Still there is no action

Nerves have deadened

Nothing seems new

Heart has hardened.

First love was easily defined

For there was nothing to compare

Love you was easier spoken

For there was nothing to fear.

Was it love or flesh

Can’t tell the difference

What it felt like was good

Even if it was utter nonsense.

Is there such a love

The answer alas is no, no and no

What one seeks is not of this world

All here will one day go.


(c) Copyright Protected by Author, 2010

WAKE UP

"WAKE UP (The scream I can not hear)"


Since time immemorial, I am trying to wake you up but you don’t.
Not complaining, for such is not my nature; mine is to wake you up.
Not frustrated for I can’t be, just know that I have to wake you up.


I put melody in bird’s chirping, coolness in the summer breeze,
Burning heat in midday sun and deafening noise in monsoon thunder
To just do one thing, wake you up.


Spark in your first kiss, comfort in mother’s embrace,
Rush in your home run and the musky flavor in lobster bisque,
I did it all to do just one thing, wake you up.


Desire to own, taste, destroy, love and hate,
I placed so you’d WANT to wake up.
Also put the fear in you
So you’d keep on desiring all and to wake up.
I made life beautiful,
So you can love the beauty and wake up.

I made it miserable
So you will hate the misery and wake up.
Now I think it is time you woke up.

Don’t argue about genetics, Darwin, evolution and creation.
I made them so, don’t ask me how and when,
All I know is why, and that is to wake you up.


You say, you can’t or you don’t know how?
For millions of years, in thousands of ways
As guru’s, gods, priests, friends and lovers,
I have been telling you how.


As Krishna, I told you to see me, see you
Not yours who you kill, to rid the world of evil.
As Buddha, I told you to pay attention
Be mindful of sufferings (good, great and bad).

As Shiva, the Tantric, I asked you to find me
In all ecstasies, from sex to breath of fresh air.
As Nisargdatta Maharaj, I told you,
You are That whom you look for.


Do ask me why I want to wake you up?
That is simple; you are asleep.


Do ask me, who am I?
That too is simple; I am you, asleep.




(c) Copyright Protected by Author, 2010

Bhakti Yoga

My thoughts are infinite, they range from the mundane to the entire universe including all known, imagined and unimagined. The only difference between what I immediately see, feel, touch or hear and all I can think about is that this feels “real” (although I am not sure what reality is, it has to be more than a convention) and the others are in my head, so to speak, although that too is conjecture. Someone told me or I read it somewhere that the thoughts are in my head, they could be in thin air but they are not material things.

If for the moment I dwell in my thoughts and assume that I am not what I can physically sense but all I can think of, then really there is no difference between You and I and Him. For I can think all You can and if I can’t You will tell me and then I can. So in other words, if we can make the world of thoughts real, we are all one. We can even extend this to all beings, all matter and everything in the cosmos.

I feel constrained and presumptuous in claiming that I am You, lord. Also, am afraid that the blasphemy will somehow hurt my mortal presence. The fear is of course nonsense for this mortal presence is by definition mortal and will one day be hurt terminally by I am told, You or me.

But there is a difference between us. Right! Let’s see the difference is that no one worships me but they You. You have been around for ever and I apparently for about 60 years. First of all they worship You because they don’t know You and fear You or want You. Some even love You but that w e will come to later. I am not sure if any of that makes us inherently different. If I could amass incredible wealth, power or skills, many will start to forget You and worship me. They do, when I seem to be the Godfather or the President.

As for You being here forever and I only for sixty years. Let us examine that carefully. I am TOLD that I have been here for only sixty years. My personal recollection is even shorter than that as I do not remember whether I was here or not when this body came to be. I am told by a couple of dear people, whom I loved and trusted that I was born as a flesh and bone body some sixty years ago. And they watched me grow into child, adult and now an old man. They somehow know that I am the same little baby grown into this body. They have called it my name and I have heard it since I can recall. But does that make it me?

Some other very dear people, whom I didn’t meet but millions have told me that they were reliable and honest souls, told me that I am actually the same as them. I am speaking of Jesus, Krishna and Buddha as well as many other going by many names in recorded history.  Who do I believe more? Or, should I believe them all? Am I both the little limited body my parents named and the being sages have told me about? How do I find out?

The only thing I have to go by to make this very critical decision is my own instincts or faith in someone else, either dear and trusted friends or reputably the best source of such information, God and their appointed agents. The only reason I trusted mom and dad because of my love for them. I am also told that if I loved Jesus enough I will see or become the truth.

So love appears to be the key in finding out. But it is this love that puts the conflict in me. My love for all things physical including my family and friends tells me every minute of the day until I fall asleep that I am but a feeble human being walking this planet. I suppose I do not love You enough to believe Your words that I am in fact You. I do know that love is key as true understanding always comes from love. Imagine a musician or an Olympic athlete or a great creative genius who did not truly love what he was doing. I do see the need for complete and utter love to find out who You are and who I am. Now I have to determine how to find out how to make this fake love into True Love or Bhakti.

(c) Copyright Protected by Author, 2010