Ghazal
Kabir 51-60
These couplets by Kabir critique a world blind to spiritual truth, where true devotion is rare. He asserts that people consumed by lust, anger, and greed cannot achieve devotion, which demands transcending social identities. Kabir advocates for a vigilant spiritual practice, maintaining an unbroken connection to the divine.
Loading songs…
00
1
वस्तु है ग्राहक नहीं , वस्तु सागर अनमोल। बिना करम का मानव , फिरैं डांवाडोल॥ 54॥
The object is not the customer, the object is the priceless ocean. A human without virtue wanders aimlessly.
The object is not the customer; it is as priceless as the ocean. A human being without virtue wanders aimlessly.
2
कली खोटा जग आंधरा , शब्द न माने कोय। चाहे कहँ सत आइना , जो जग बैरी होय॥ 55॥
The world is a deceitful, dark realm, where no one listens to words. Where should I speak the truth, if the world is my enemy?
The speaker says that the world is a false and dark realm, where no one accepts words. He questions where he should speak the truth if the world itself is his enemy.
3
कामी , क्रोधी , लालची , इनसे भक्ति न होय। भक्ति करे कोइ सूरमा , जाति वरन कुल खोय॥ 56॥
O one who is lustful, angry, greedy—from these things devotion does not arise. Only a true hero practices devotion, sacrificing caste, lineage, and all else.
Devotion does not arise from those who are lustful, angry, or greedy. Only a true hero practices devotion, even if it means sacrificing caste, lineage, and all else.
4
जागन में सोवन करे , साधन में लौ लाय। सूरत डोर लागी रहे , तार टूट नाहिं जाय॥ 57॥
Keep the lamps lit in the vigil, and the means ready to burn; keep the thread of life connected, lest it should break.
Keep the lamps lit during the vigil, and maintain the means (effort/energy) for burning; keep the thread of life connected, lest it should break.
5
साधु ऐसा चहिए , जैसा सूप सुभाय। सार-सार को गहि रहे , थोथ देइ उड़ाय॥ 58॥
Who picks up the essence and makes the rest fly away.
A saint should be like a winnowing basket (sieve). He should pick up the essence (the good) and let the rest fly away (the useless).
6
लगी लग्न छूटे नाहिं , जीभ चोंच जरि जाय। मीठा कहा अंगार में , जाहि चकोर चबाय॥ 59॥
The bond has been formed, and it cannot be broken; my tongue will surely burn in the flame. In the sweetness, there is coal; thus, the Chakora chews (on it).
The bond that has been formed cannot be broken; my tongue will certainly burn in the flame. In the sweetness, there is coal; thus, the Chakora chews on it.
7
भक्ति गेंद चौगान की , भावे कोई ले जाय। कह कबीर कुछ भेद नाहिं , कहां रंक कहां राय॥ 60॥
The ball of devotion, the grounds of Chowgan, who can carry it away? Kabir says there is no secret, neither beggar nor noble.
The ball of devotion, played on the grounds of Chowgan, who can take it away? Shayar Kabir says there is no secret, neither beggar nor noble.
8
घट का परदा खोलकर , सन्मुख दे दीदार। बाल सनेही सांइयाँ , आवा अन्त का यार॥ 61॥
Opening the curtain of the pot, He granted a sight. My playful darling, my friend of the heart.
By lifting the curtain of the pot, he granted a sight. O my playful darling, you are the friend of my heart.
9
अन्तर्यामी एक तुम , आत्मा के आधार। जो तुम छोड़ो हाथ तो , कौन उतारे पार॥ 62॥
You alone, the inner Self, are the foundation of the soul. If you abandon your hand, who will ferry across?
Telling that the Inner Self (Antaryami) is the foundation of the soul. It questions who will guide or save the person if they abandon this inner connection.
10
मैं अपराधी जन्म का , नख-सिख भरा विकार। तुम दाता दु:ख भंजना , मेरी करो सम्हार॥ 63॥
I am the sin of birth, flawed in every part. You are the giver of sorrow, please save me from this heart.
I am a sin of birth, flawed in every part. You are the giver of sorrow; please destroy my heart.
Comments
Read-only on web. Join the conversation in the Sukhan AI mobile app.
No comments yet.