Kabir Dohas - 12 Kabir Man Nirmal Bhaya, Jaise Ganga Neer

Kabir Dohas - 12

Kabir Man Nirmal Bhaya, Jaise Ganga Neer
Pache Pache Har Phire, Kahat Kabir Kabir

kbaIr mana inama-la Bayaa‚ jaOsao gaMgaa naIr
PaaCo PaaCo hir ifro,‚ kht kbaIr kbaIr

Translation
Kabir's mind got cleansed like the holy Ganges water
Now everyone follows, saying Kabir Kabir

My Understanding
Everyone desires to be known, to belong. Yet due to the chaotic states of our minds, we find ourselves secluded and limited. The cause of this chaos is our attachments and bondages. For some reason we are unable to break these shackles and are therefore confined.

The desire to scale the heights of infinity can be achieved only when there is release from our attachments and feelings of insecurity that bind us. And, this is possible only when our mind is cleansed from the impurities of ego, illicit passions, anger, fear, greed and procrastination.

Once the mind is free then we find ourselves relaxed, loving and compassionate. Then everyone looks up to us and wants to associate with us with confidence. Only those with relaxed and loving mind find themselves in harmony with everyone.

Kabir Dohas - 8 Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag

Kabir Dohas - 8

Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag
Tera Sayeen Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag

jaOsao itla maoM tola hO, jyaaoM cakmak maoM Aaga
tora saaM[- tuJamao hO, tU jaaga sako tao jaaga

Translation
Like seed contains the oil, fire in flint stone
Your temple seats the Divine, realize if you can

My Understanding
What is real and how is it veiled?

This yearning for the Truth is the basic search of everyone. We all want to know what God really is. Kabir in this doha reveals the secret. He unfolds the mystery in a very simple way. He takes the example of the anti-seed which contains the oil. However, when we see the seed, we don't see the oil. It is only seen when energy is used to extract the oil from the seed. Same way fire is not visible when we look at the flint stone. However, vigorous rubbing manifests fire which is already hidden in the flint. Same way, Kabir asserts, that our body - the temple - seats the Divine. This divinity is our true self. However, due to our ignorance, we are unaware of this reality. Kabir challenges us in this doha to shed the veils of ignorance and awaken to realize our true self.

This doha also reminds of Swami Vivekananda, who said, "Man is potentially divine and the sole purpose of this life is to discover that divinity. The time to do is here and now".

Kabir Dohas - 7 Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor

Kabir Dohas - 7

Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor
Panthi Ko Chaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor

baZ,a huAa tao @yaa huAa‚ jaOsao poD, KjaUr
pMqaI kao Cayaa nahIM‚ fla laagao Ait dUr

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

My Understanding
A date tree grows very tall, projecting eminence and a distinction of its own. Yet, it does not provide shade to weary travelers. Besides, it's fruit grows so far that one cannot easily pluck it.

Using this simile, 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.