Saint Kabir

KABIR KE DOHE

Sant Kabir Dohe with Meanings

1 = Sant (Hindi: ) is an Indian term derived from a Sanskrit verb that means both "to be good"and"tobereal".Fromthefifteenthcenturythetermhasoftenreferredtothosewho sing the name of God and worship Him, particularly the bhakti poets of Marathi and Hindi speakingareas, 2=Kabr(alsoKabra)(Hindi:,Punjabi:,Urdu:)81510441()wasamysticpoet andsaintofIndia,whosewritingshavegreatlyinfluencedtheBhaktimovement. 3 = Dohe, is a Hindi word which means a stanza consisting of two successive linesofverse; usuallyrhymed,

*** 01 *** Aag Jo Lagi Samand Mein, Dhuan Na Pargat Hoye So Jane Jo Jarmua, Jaki Lagi Hoye Translation
The Ocean is on Fire, The Smoke is not Visible He Knows Who Has Been there and been Burnt

Meaning
Experience teaches, the one who has felt the fire knows it - when you know, you know.

*** 02 *** Aasa Jive Jag Marey, Log Marey Mar Jayee Soyee Sube Dhan Sanchate, So Ubrey Jey Khayee Translation
Hope yet lives, the world dies, people die and die again Perish yet hoarding wealth, spend and freedom attain

Meaning
Hope is that people will wake up, drop their attachments and hoardings and be free from the clutches of illusion.

*** 03 *** Aisee Vani Boliye, Mun Ka Aapa Khoye Apna Tan Sheetal Kare, Auran Ko Sukh Hoye Translation
Speak such words, you lose the minds Ego Body remains composed, Others Find Peace

Meaning
In speech use such words that your ego is eliminated. Don't brag, don't gloat, dont make yourself out to be big, important, rich or anything else that the ego attaches to. Building the Ego takes energy from the body, takes away the bodies composure. If ego is lost in ones speech, the listener finds peace from listening to it.

*** 04 *** Akath Kahani Prem Ki, Kutch Kahi Na Jaye Goonge Keri Sarkara, Baithe Muskae Translation
Inexpressible is the story of Love , It goes without Saying Like the dumb guy who eat sweet Sarkara, he only Smiles

Meaning
The story of love is to be experienced, it cannot be expressed, it can be known and felt - but not by the five senses.

*** 05 *** Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor Panthi Ko Chaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor Translation
If You are Big so what? Just like a date tree No shade for travelers, fruit is hard to reach

Meaning
Being bid, important, powerful, wealthy is of no consequence - Kabir likens this to a date tree that does not give shade to the traveler and its fruit is out reach.

*** 06 *** Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye Jo Munn Khoja Apnaa, To Mujhse Bura Naa Koye Translation
I went on the search for the Bad Guy, Bad Guy I couldn't find When I searched my mind, Non one is Nastier then Me

Meaning
This Doha is about observing ones own mind. Kabir says that he searched the world for the bad guy, the real evil person but he couldn't find the evil person no matter where he looked. Then he looked within at his own thinking process, his own mind. The he found the real evil person who lived in his mind, unchecked. When we accuse, condemn another, it is our mind that is doing the finger pointing, the other person is probably innocent or the victim of his circumstances. Were we to inhabit the condemned persons body, live his life, have his conditioning, then we too would behave and act the same.

*** 07 *** Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye Do Paatan Ke Beech Mein,Sabit Bacha Na Koye Translation
Watching the grinding stones, the Light Kabir Cries Inside the Two Stones, no one survives

Meaning
Kabir sees the grinding stones as the duality that we live in. Heaven and earth, Good and Bad, Male and Female, High and Low - all around is duality. This play of opposites, this Chalti Chakki (moving mill) gets everyone, no one is save from in it's powerful grip. Whoever enters this duality is crushed. No one survives. Kabir cries because rarely, if ever, does one see the oneness, the divinity, behind the duality.

*** 08 *** Chinta Aisee Dakini, Kat Kaleja Khaye Vaid Bichara Kya Kare, Kahan Tak Dawa Lagaye Translation
Worry is such a Thief, it eats one's heart What can the poor doctor do, How far will his medicine reach?

Meaning
Don't worry, be happy.

*** 09 *** Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sub Kutch Hoye Mali Seenche So Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye Translation
Slowly slowly stay my mind, Slowly everything happens Gardner may water garden a hundred times, When the Season comes, there is fruit

Meaning
Kabir tells his mind to slow down, everything in life happens slowly, in its own time. The fruit only comes when the season comes, so will the fruit of life come in its own time.

*** 10 *** Dukh Mein Simran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye Jo Sukh Mein Simran Kare, Tau Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye Translation
While Suffering everyone Prays and Remembers Him, in joy no one does If one prays and remembers Him in happiness, why would sorrow come?

Meaning
The suffering you experience in the world is designed to wake you up. You wake up when you realize God. If you did that during your happy times, then you will not experience suffering.

*** 11 *** Ek Kahun To Hai Nahin, Do Kahun To Gaari Hai Jaisa Taisa Rahe, Kahe Kabir Bichari Translation
If I say one, It is not; If I say two, it will be a violation Let 'It' be whatever 'It' is, so says Kabir contemplating

Meaning
There is a oneness behind the apparent diversity. But oneness is not seen. Yet if I accept duality, it would be a violation, a false acceptance. Let it be, whatever it is I'll drop the analyzing.

*** 12 *** Gur Dhobi Sikh Kapda, Saboo Sirjan Har Surti Sila Pur Dhoiye, Nikse Jyoti Apaar Translation
Guru is the wash man, Sikh is the cloth , God the soap Wash the mind thoroughly clean, Out Comes The Glow of Truth

Meaning
Life is process of cleansing - hence this site, which is about Mind and Body Cleansing.

*** 13 *** Jab Mein Tha Tab Hari Nahin Jab Hari Hai Mein Nahin Sab Andhiyara Mit Gaya Jab Deepak Dekhya Mahin Translation
When I was, then Hari (God) was not, Now Hari is and I am not All the darkness dissolved, When I saw the light within.

Meaning
Before duality, God was and I was not. Now I am, and God is not seen. Darkness dissolved when I saw God within me.

*** 14 *** Jab Tun Aaya Jagat Mein, Log Hanse Tu Roye Aise Karni Na Kari, Pache Hanse Sab Koye Translation
When you came in to this world , Everyone laughed while you cried Don't do such work, That they laugh when you are gone

Meaning
Do good work.

*** 15 *** Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag Tera Sayeen Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag Translation
Like the Oil is inside the Seed, Just as the Fire is Inside the Flint Stone Your God is Inside You, If you have the Power to Wake Up, then Wake Up

Meaning
God is within, like the oil in the seed - wake up if you have the power to.

*** 16 *** Jeevat Samjhe Jeevat Bujhe, Jeevat He Karo Aas Jeevat Karam Ki Fansi Na Kaati, Mue Mukti Ki Aas Translation
Alive one sees, alive one knows, find your liberation while alive If Alive you do not cut the noose of your attachments , how will there be liberation with death?

Meaning
You need to wake up while you are alive, it is your only chance. You need to drop the ties of attachments to illusory things that bind you in illusion. This can only be done while alive, death is not a liberator.

*** 17 *** Jyon Naino Mein Putli, Tyon Maalik Ghat Mahin Moorakh Log Na Janhin, Baahar Dhudhan Jahin Translation
Like the pupil is in the eyes , Your God lives inside you, The ignorant don't know this, they search Him on the outside

Meaning
God is within, the ignorant look for Him on the outside.

*** 18 *** Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Ub Pal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kub Translation
Tomorrows work do today, today's work now If the moment is lost, how will the work be done?

Meaning
Do the work that needs to be done now. There is no other time then now.

*** 19 *** Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein, Mange Sabki Khair Na Kahu Se Dosti, Na Kahu Se Bair Translation
Kabira Stands in the market place, Asks for everyones prosperity Neither special friendship nor enmity for anyone

Meaning
In the market place, Kabor wishes goodwill to all.

*** 20 *** Kabir Man Nirmal Bhaya, Jaise Ganga Neer Pache Pache Har Phire, Kahat Kabir Kabir Translation
Kabir Washed His Mind Clean, Like The Holy Ganges River Everyone follows behind, Saying Kabir, Kabir

Meaning
Kabir cleaned his own mind - for more on cleaning your mind see Mind-Detox Everyone now follows Kabir.

*** 21 *** Kabira Garv Na Keejiye, Uncha Dekh Aavaas Kaal Paron Punyah Letna, Ouper Jamsi Ghaas Translation
Kabir , Don't be so proud and vain, Looking at your high mansion Tomorow you'll lie under feet, On top will grow Grass

Meaning
Don't be proud and vain, tomorrow you'll be lying six foot under feet, on top will grow grass that goats and sheep will eat!

*** 22 *** Kabira Garv Na Keejiye, Kaal Gahe Kar Kes Na Jaane Kit Mare Hai, Kya Des Kya Pardesh Translation
Kabir , Don't be so proud and vain, The clutches of Time are dark Who knows where it will kill , Whether at home or abroad

Meaning
Again don't be proud and vain, who knows when or where time will kill.

*** 23 *** Kabira Kiya Kutch Na Hote Hai, Ankiya Sab Hoye Jo Kiya Kutch Hote Hai, Karta Aur Koye Translation
On Kabir's saying nothing happens, what I don't do does come to pass If anything happens as if my doing, It is done by someone else

Meaning
All things happen as per Gods wish, it just seems that we are doing them.

*** 24 *** Kabir So Dhan Sanchiye, Jo Aage Ko Hoye Sees Charaye Potli, Le Jaat Na Dekhya Koye Translation
Kabir, save the wealth that remains in this Moment Departing with a bag of material wealth, no one has yet been seen.

Meaning
Enjoy the present moment, Accumulating wealth for tomorrow is a waste because tomorrow you will die. This is a certainty. No one has been seen that managed to take his material wealth with him.

*** 25 *** Kabir Yeh Ghar Prem Ka, Khala Ka Ghar Nahin Sees Utaare Hath Kar, So Pasey Ghar Mahin Translation
Kabir, this is the House of Love , Not the house of your Aunt Who has dropped his barriers, He can pass in to the House

Meaning
You are born to Love, not sit around as if at your Aunts place. Love is not a process of seeking, but a process of dropping ones own mental barriers to love.

*** 26 *** Kabir Soota Kya Kare, Koore Kaaj Niwaar Jis Panthu Tu Chaalna, Soyee Panth Samwaar Translation
Kabir, why do you sleep? Leave the useless tasks Be focused on the path which you were meant to tread

Meaning
Focus on the thing that you really love to do, the path you were meant to follow.

*** 27 *** Kabira Teri Jhompri Gal Katiyan Ke Paas Jo Karenge So Bharenge Tu Kyon Bhayo Udaas Translation
Kabir, Your Hut Is Next to the Butchers Who does, he will face the consequences, Why are you sad?

Meaning
Don't concern yourself too much with other peoples actions - they will have to face the consequences, not for you to be sad.

*** 28 *** Kabir Soyee Soorma, Man Soon Maande Jhoojh Panch Pyada Paari Le, Door Kare Sab Dooj Translation
Kabir, He alone is the Warrior, who takes on the mind head-on Crushing the sensual five, all duality gone

Meaning
The real fighter, the real Warrior is the one who takes on his own mind. The Mind controls the 'sensual five', the five senses of sight, sound, touch, smell. These senses tell us lies, they tell us that duality exist, though we know that it does not.

*** 29 *** Kabir Maala Kaath Kee, Kahi Samjhave Tohi Man Na Firave Aapna, Kaha Firave Mohi Translation
Kabir, the rosary made of wooden beads, what can it teach you? If you don't control your minds motion, why control the beads motion?

Meaning
Control the mind, not the beads.

*** 30 *** 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, there grow unchecked countless poisonous thoughts

Meaning
Clean the Mind - for more, see Mind detox

*** 31 *** 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, the tongue twisting in the mouth, With the mind wandering everywhere, this isn't meditation (Counting the Rosary, Repeating Mantras, If the Mind is Traveling - this is not meditation)

Meaning
Control the mind, not the beads or the words.

*** 32 *** Mangan Maran Saman Hai, Mat Koi Mange Beekh Mangan Se Marna Bhala, Yeh Satguru Ki Seekh Translation
Begging is like dying, Let no one Beg It is better to die than beg, this is the SatGuru's Message

Meaning
Don't beg - give that you may receive. Give time, give some service, give friendship, give love - don't beg.

*** 33 *** Maya Mari Na Mun Mara, Mar Mar Gaye Shareer Asha Trishna Na Mari, Keh Gaye Das Kabir Translation
Neither Maya Died, Nor the Mind Died, Die and die again People/Bodies Hope and delusion have not died, so said Das Kabir and left

Meaning
One of Kabir most meaningful doha's for me. Kabir observes the world from within, and sees the world as Maya - illusion. It is projected by Mun, the mind, the collective mind. Shareer refers to the living body or living person. Shareer's die and die again. There is hope that this will end, that the Shareer will wake up and then Maya and Mun will die.

*** 34 *** Moond Munddavat Din Gaye Ajhun Na Miliya Raam Raam Naam Kahu Kya Karey Je Man Ke Aurey Kaam Translation
Shaving the head Ages have passed, yet no union with God Recitation of Gods Name is futile, when the mind is doing something else

Meaning
Control the mind - observe it.

*** 35 *** Pehle Agan Birha Ki, Pachhe Prem Ki Pyas Kahe Kabir Tub Janiye, Naam Milan Ki Aaas Translation
First the pain of separation, then the thirst for Love Says Kabir, only then will you know Joy of the Union.

Meaning
First the pain of separation, then love. Only from the pain of separation do we feel the pangs of love. There is then hope of union. This is the story of life - the lovers meeting, separating, the pangs of love and the urge for union and the eventual union. In Sufi tradition it is a reflection of man and God - realization of the separation from God, the pangs of love and urge for union with God, and the eventual joy of union.

*** 36 *** Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye Translation
Reading Books and Scriptures everyone died, No one became Pandit Two and Half Words of Love, Who ever reads, Pandit he becomes

Meaning
Forget about book learning, no matter how many books you read, you won't become wise, you won't became the Pundit. A few words of love and you'll become Pundit. Try it.

*** 37 *** Sayeen Itna Deejiye, Ja Mein Kutumb Samaye Main Bhi Bhookha Na Rahun, Sadhu Na Bhookha Jaye Translation
God, give me so, so much wealth, that my community is fed I don't remain hungry, the Sadhu does not go hungry

Meaning
Kabir asks God for wealth, abundance. He asks that his community is fed, he does not starve and the visiting Sadhu (holy man) does not go hungry. He does not ask for a mansion, a Mercedes or millions in a Swiss bank account!

******************************************************************* Compilernotes TheseDohasorcoupletsareeachcompleteinthemselvesandarethemostfamousofKabir's poetry,therearemanymoreandmanyofthemareoftenquotedinIndiaevennow.Thereis profoundwisdomhiddenineachcoupletandtheyreflectKabir'swayofexpressingthemost profoundthoughtsinthesimplestwords. Compiledby Ishaq SourceInternet...