Kabir Dohas - 17 Akath Kahani Prem Ki, Kutch Kahi Na Jaye

Kabir Dohas - 17

Akath Kahani Prem Ki, Kutch Kahi Na Jaye
Goonge Keri Sarkara, Baithe Muskae

Akqa khanaI p`oma kI, kCu khI na jaaya
gaUMgao korI sarkra, baOzo mauskaya

Translation
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

My Understanding
In this Doha, Kabir refers to the situation of a person in Love, a person who has realized the Truth. This compassionate one does not brag, does not talk for the wise one knows that it would be as futile an effort as the mute smile of a dumb trying to express the sweetness of the sweet-meat.

In our daily life too, we find that silence projects our love expressions better than the hollow words we utter for another. Truly it has been said that Love does not need the crutches of a language to express the inexpressible state of being in Love.

Kabir Dohas - 16 Jeevat Samjhe Jeevat Bujhe, Jeevat He Karo Aas

Kabir Dohas - 16

Jeevat Samjhe Jeevat Bujhe, Jeevat He Karo Aas
Jeevat Karam Ki Fansi Na Kaati, Mue Mukti Ki Aas

jaIvat samaJao jaIvat baUJao, jaIvat hI krao Aasa
jaIvat krma faMsa na kaTI, maue maui@t kI Aasa

Translation
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!

My Understanding
In this Doha, Kabir is referring to the concept of salvation which all religions guarantee in one form or the other. When someone dies, we all tend to offer condolences by saying, "May God give peace to the departed soul".

However, liberation cannot come until one snaps all earthly bonds. Besides, what good is liberation or salvation, when one is dead, unable to recount, unable to narrate and unable to share?

Referring to the theory of Karma, Kabir clearly suggests in this Doha that while conducting our actions, we should be diligent. We should not get attached or enslaved by them and thereby get trapped in the quagmire of ego, greed, hatred, fear, procrastination, etc. Only when one is non-attached to the fruits of the action, only then one can be free from the bondage, only then one can be liberated while full of life.

Kabir Dohas - 15 Gur Dhobi Sikh Kapda, Saboo Sirjan Har

Kabir Dohas - 15

Gur Dhobi Sikh Kapda, Saboo Sirjan Har
Surti Sila Pur Dhoiye, Nikse Jyoti Apaar

gaur QaaobaI isaK kpD,a, saabaU isarjana har
saurit isalaa pr Qaao[yao, inaksao jyaaoit Apar

Translation
Guru the washer man, disciple is the cloth
The name of God liken to the soap
Wash the mind on foundation firm
To realize the glow of Truth

My Understanding
In this Doha, Kabir shows the quality of a good teacher, the Guru. Like only by following the technique of washing clothes, the washer man cleans the cloth, same way the preceptor or the teacher takes upon himself to cleanse the mind of his disciples and guide them to realize the Truth within.

Viewed in context of our day to day life, we can observe that only when we are totally involved in our actions, only then we can be assured of achieving results. Diligence, dedication and total intensity is required while performing any act, only then one finds the true joy, the fulfillment.

Kabir Dohas - 14 Dukh Mein Simran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye

Kabir Dohas - 14

Dukh Mein Simran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye
Jo Sukh Mein Simran Kare, Tau Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye

duK maoM isamarna saba kro, sauK maoM kro na kaoe
jaao sauK maoM isamarna kro, tao duK kaho kao haoe

Translation
In anguish everyone prays to Him, in joy does none
To One who prays in happiness, how sorrow can come

My Understanding
Let someone suddenly wave his hand in front of your eyes and you will see that the eyes blink. And if you are caught unawares, you may just say 'O my God'!

Such is the nature of mankind. When we are in distress, in a state of helplessness, we invariably then look up in the skies and communicate with Him in our own silent prayer. However, when things are going good, we forget Him. Kabir in this doha highlights this and gives a promise when he says that we shall not suffer if we pray to Him during our good times.

Kabir Dohas - 13 Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye

Kabir Dohas - 13

Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye
Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye

paoqaI pD, pD, jaga mauAa, pMiDt Bayaao na kaoe
Za[ AaKr p`oma ko, jaao pD,o saao pMiDt haoe

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

My Understanding
To understand this doha in its true perspective is important. We all read and now with tremendous media exposure, we are seemingly more informed. Everyone seems to know everything. Yet, the truth is that inspite of all this information, there is no awareness. We are not at peace. There is a lot of frustration all around. Our minds are not quiet and relaxed. We talk of Love but have no compassion. Selfishness, greed, fear, hatred and similar tendencies seem to grip us all the time. Why?

I have found myself in this quagmire a number of times.

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 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 - 11 Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein, Mange Sabki Khair

Kabir Dohas - 11

Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein, Mange Sabki Khair
Na Kahu Se Dosti, Na Kahu Se Bair

kbaIra KD,a baaj,aar maoM maaMgao sabakI KOr
naa kahU sao daostI naa kahU sao baOr

Translation
Kabira in the market place, wishes welfare of all
Neither friendship nor enmity with anyone at all

My Understanding
Kabir, the professional weaver, visited the market place to sell his woven goods. Now selling is a competitive affair and all kinds of strategies are adopted by merchants to make the extra buck. Sometimes the strategy can even be a dirty trick or a scam.

In this doha, as is his style, Kabir without saying much, presents a balanced approach. He seems to affirm that while conducting one's business, one need not adopt tricky means and should not become emotional. An honest deal does not warrant the businessman to become either friendly with one's clientele nor develop any malice. This is one of the important maxims of Do's and Don'ts of any progressive business.

From spiritual and mystic point of view, Bazaar is a reference to the world itself where give and take, is the mechanism of dealings...i.e. all relationships at the physical level are conditional and based on business-like (not literally business) transactions. So Kabir is giving us an idea of how we experience ups and downs due to attachments - i.e. due to strong feelings towards or against things. And he says the best way to avoid that is by being in a state of acceptance and detachment.