Ghazal
Kabir 481-490
This selection from Kabir's verses critically examines the perils of misguided spiritual leadership. It warns that a blind guru and an equally blind or greedy disciple lead each other to spiritual ruin, likening their predicament to two blind individuals falling into a well or sailing in a stone boat. The verses underscore the importance of recognizing a true Satguru to escape the cycles of worldly existence, rather than following a mere physical guide.
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1
जाका गुरु है आँधरा , चेला खरा निरन्ध। अन्धे को अन्धा मिला , पड़ा काल के फन्द॥ 484॥
Whose teacher is darkness, the disciple is truly endless. The blind was given the blind, caught in the snare of time.
Whose teacher is darkness, the disciple is truly eternal. The blind was given the blind, and thus fell into the snare of time.
2
गुरु लोभ शिष लालची , दोनों खेले दाँव। दोनों बूड़े बापुरे , चढ़ि पाथर की नाँव॥ 485॥
The master and the greedy student, both played with the stakes,
Both aged men, who boarded the boat of stone (death).
The master and the greedy student both played with the stakes. Both aged men boarded the boat of stone.
3
आगे अंधा कूप में , दूजे लिया बुलाय। दोनों बूडछे बापुरे , निकसे कौन उपाय॥ 486॥
One plunges into the blind well, the other calls out to him. Both are in the deep pit, who can find a way out? (486)
One is in a blind well, and the other calls out to him. Both are in a deep pit; who can find a way out?
4
गुरु किया है देह का , सतगुरु चीन्हा नाहिं। भवसागर के जाल में , फिर फिर गोता खाहि॥ 487॥
The body has been given by the Guru, but the true Guru is not visible. In the net of worldly existence, again and again, one dives down.
The body was given by the Guru, but the true Guru is not discernible. In the net of worldly existence, one repeatedly dives down.
5
पूरा सतगुरु न मिला , सुनी अधूरी सीख। स्वाँग यती का पहिनि के , घर घर माँगी भीख॥ 488॥
The true Guru was not found, only incomplete teachings were heard. Wearing the robes of a renunciate, begging for alms in every house.
The complete True Guru was not found; only incomplete teachings were heard. Wearing the robes of a renunciate, alms were begged from every household.
6
कबीर गुरु है घाट का , हाँटू बैठा चेल। मूड़ मुड़ाया साँझ कूँ गुरु सबेरे ठेल॥ 489॥
The Ghat is the Guru, and the man sits on the bank. The Guru made him turn, and at dusk, he departed.
Kabir says that the Ghat (river bank) is the Guru, and the man sits on the bank. The Guru made him turn, and at dusk, he departed.
7
गुरु-गुरु में भेद है , गुरु-गुरु में भाव। सोइ गुरु नित बन्दिये , शब्द बतावे दाव॥ 490॥
Among the gurus, there is a difference; among the gurus, there is a feeling. Such a guru, O captive, who reveals the word, is always near.
There is a difference among the gurus, and there is also a feeling among the gurus. Such a guru, O captive, who reveals the word, is always near.
8
जो गुरु ते भ्रम न मिटे , भ्रान्ति न जिसका जाय। सो गुरु झूठा जानिये , त्यागत देर न लाय॥ 491॥
If the illusion does not dissipate from the Guru, or if the delusion does not vanish from him,
Then know that Guru to be false; delay will not bring release.
If the illusion does not dissipate from the Guru, or if the delusion does not vanish from him, then know that Guru to be false; delay will not bring release.
9
झूठे गुरु के पक्ष की , तजत न कीजै वार। द्वार न पावै शब्द का , भटके बारम्बार॥ 492॥
Do not surrender to the side of a false teacher.
For one who wanders repeatedly, never finds the word's door.
Do not take a side with a false teacher, because one who wanders repeatedly never finds the door of the word.
10
सद्गुरु ऐसा कीजिये , लोभ मोह भ्रम नाहिं। दरिया सो न्यारा रहे , दीसे दरिया माहि॥ 493॥
Oh true Guru, please do this: let there be no greed, attachment, or illusion. The river remains distinct, giving from the river itself.
The couplet is a plea to the true Guru to eliminate greed, attachment, and illusion. It uses the metaphor of the river (Dariya), which remains distinct and separate from itself while continuously giving to others.
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