Songs of Kabîr

Songs of Kabîr

Translation by Rajender Krishan

1 Samajh Dekh Man Meet Piyarva, Aashiq Ho Kar Sona Kya Re? Paya Ho To Den Le Pyare, Paye Paye Fir Khona Kya Re? Rookha Sookha Gumka Tukra, Feeka Aur Salona Kya Re? Jab Ankhiyan Me Neend Ghaneri, Takiya Aur Bichona Kya Re? Kahet Kabir Prem Ka Marag, Sir Dena To Rona Kya Re? 2 Baalam Avo Humre Geh Re, Tum Bin Dukhiya Deh Re Sab Koi Kahet Tumhari Nari, Mo Ko Eehe Andeh Re Dil Se Nahin Dil Lagayo, Tub Laga Kaisa Sneh Re Ek mek Ve Sej Na Soyo, Tub Lug Kaisa Neh Re Anna Na Bhave Neend Na Aave, Ghar Bar Dhare Na Dheer Re Kamin Hai Balam Pyara, Jyon Pyase Ko Neer Re Hai Koi Aisa Upkari, Piv Se Kahun Sunaye Re Ab To Behal Kabir Bhayo Hai, Bin Dekhe Jiya Jaye Re 3 Sayeen Bin Darad Karejae Hoye Din Nahin Chain Raat Nahin Nindia, Kase Kahun Dukh Hoye! Aadhi Ratia Pichle Paharva, Sayeen Bin Taras Rahi Soye Kahat Kabir Suno Bhai Sadho, Sayeen Mile Sukh Hoye 4 Supne Mein Sayeen Mile Sovat Liya Lagaye Aankh Na Khoolun Darpatta, Mat Sapna Hai Jaye Sayeen Mera Bahut Gun, Likhe Jo Hirde Mahin Piyoon Na Pani Darpatta, Mat Veh Dhoye Jahin Naina Bheeter Aav Tu, Nain Jhaamp Tohe Layoon Na Mein Dekhun Aur Ko, Na Tehi Dekhan Deyoon 5 Aayee Na Sakun Tujhpe, Sakun Na Tujhe Bulai Jiyara Yonhi Lehunge, Birha Tapayee Tapayee Yeh Tan Jalun Rakh Karun, Jyon Dhuan Jayee Sarggi Matti Te Ram Daya Karen, Barsi Bujhave Aaggi Yeh Tan Jalun Massi Karun, Likhon Ram Ka Naam Likhni Karun Karank Ki, Likh Likh Ram Pathaon Is Tan Ka Deeva Karun, Baati Melun Jiv Lohi Seenche Tel Jyon, Kab Mukh Dekhun Pi Ke Birhan Kun Meech De, Ke Aap Dikhlayee Aath Paher Ka Dujhna, Mo Pe Sahya Na Jayee 6 Hey Baliyan Kab Dekhungi Tohi Aahnis Aatur Darsni Karni, Aaisa Vyape Mohi Nain Hamare Tumko Chahen, Ratti Na Mane Hari Birha Agini Tan Adhik Jarave, Aaisa Lehu Vichari Sunhun Hamari Daad Gusayeen, Aab Jan Marahun Vadheer Tum Dheeraj Mein Aatur Swami, Kanche Bhande Neer Bahut Dinun Ke Bichre Madho, Man Nahin Bandhe Dheer Deh Chaanta Tum Milhun Kirpa Kari, Aartibant Kabir 7 Naina Untari Aav Tun, Jyon Hon Nain Jhapeun Na Hon Dekhun Aur Kun, Na Tum Dekhan Deun Kabir Rekh Sindoor Ki, Kajar Diya Na Jayee Nainoo Ramayaa Rami Rahiya, Dooja Kahan Samayee Man Parteet Na Prem Rus, Na It Tan Mein Dhung Kya Jane Oos Peevsun, Kaise Rehsi Rung 8 Mein Ka Se Bujhon, Aapne Piya Ki Baat Ri Jaan Sujaan Pranpriya Priya Bin, Sabe Bataun Jaat Ri Aasa Nadi Agadh Kumati Bahe, Roki Kahu Pe Na Jaat Ri Kam Krodh Dou Bhaye Karare, Padhen Bisaye Rus Maat Ri Je Panche Aapmaan Ke Sungi, Sumiran Ko Alsaat Ri Kahe Kabir Bichuri Nahin Milihe, Jyon Taruvar Bin Paat Ri 9 Ankhiyan To Chhayee Pari, Panth Nihari Nihari Jihadiyan Chhaala Parya, Naam Pukari Pukari Birha Kamandal Kar Liye, Bairagi Do Nain Mange Daras Madhukari, Chhake Rahe Din Rain Sub Rung Tanti Rabaab Tan, Birha Bajave Nit Aur Na Koyee Sun Sake, Kea Sayeen Ke Chit 11 Naiharva Hum Ka Na Bhave Sai Ki Nagri Param Ati Sundar, Jahan Koi Jav Na Avey Chand Suraj Jahan, Pavan Na Pani, Ko Sundesh Pahunchave Dard Yeh Sai Ko Sunave Agey Chalo Panth Nahin Sujhe, Peeche Dosh Lagawe Kehi Bidhi Sasure Jau Mori Sajani, Virha Jor Jarawe Vishai Ras Nach Nachawe Bin Satguru Apno Nahin Koi, Jo Yeh Rah Batawe Kahat Kabira Suno Bhai Sadho, Supne Na Pitam Awey Tapan Yeh Jiya Ki Bujhawey 12 Tun Mun Dhan Baaji Laage Ho Chaupar Khel Peev Se Re Tun Mun Baaji Lagaya Haari To Piya Ki Bhayee Re Jeeti To Piya More Ho Mansa Vaacha Karmana Koyee Preeti Nibaho Aur Ho Chausariya Ke Khel Mein Re Jugam Milan Ki Aas Nurd Akeli Reh Gayee Re Nahin Jivan Ki Aas Ho Chari Baran Ghar Ek Hai Re Bhanti Bhanti Ke Log Lakh Chaurasi Bharmat Bharmat Pau Pe Atki Aaye Jo Aab Ke Pau Na Pari Re Fir Chaurasi Jaye Ho Kahen Kabir Dharmadaas Se Jeeti Baaji Mat Haar Aab Ke Surat Charaye De Re Suhagin Naar Ho 13 Meri Chunri Mein Parigayo Daag Piya Panch Tat Ki Bani Chunariya Sorah So Baid Laag Kiya Yeh Chunri Mere Maike Te Aayee Sasure Mein Manva Khoye Diya Mal Mal Dhoye Daag Na Chhute Gyan Ka Sabun Laye Piya Kahat Kabir Daag Tab Chhuti Hai Jab Sahib Apnaye Liya 14 Sahib Hai Rangrej Chunri Mori Rang Daari                             Syaahi Rang Churaye ke re Diyo Majitha Rang Dhoye Se Chhute Nahin Re Din Din Hote Surang Bhav Ke Kundi Neh Ke Jal Mein Prem Rang Dayee Bore Dukh Deh Mael Lutaye De Re Khoob Rangi JhakJhore Sahib Ne Chunri Rangi Re Preetam Chatur Sujaan Sab Kutch Un Par Vaar Dun Re Tan Man Dhan Aur Pran Kahat Kabir Rangrej Piyare Mujh Par Huye Dayal Seetal Chunri Orike Re Bhayee Haun Magan Nihaal

1 Understand perceive O beloved mind How can you slumber and be a Lover? Having received then share it all Or would you rather lose it possessing? If crumbs be all that you have to fare Does it matter if it is salt less or tasty? When eyes are loaded with deep sleep What is then the pillow and bedding? Says Kabir, such is the path of Love Why lose heart having committed yourself? 2 O my Love! come to my house My body is in intense pain While all say I am your spouse I have the very doubts So long your heart isn't immersed in mine What kind of love is that I don't relish food neither do I sleep I feel discontent in my own home Passionate is my Love Like the thirsty longs for water Will someone do me a favor And narrate my predicament to my beloved Kabir is now in total distress Without seeing the beloved, he is going to die 3 Without the beloved, the heart just aches Distraught during days, sleepless in nights To who shall I narrate my empty plight! In the middle of night, the hours of ambrosia I sleep but with a yearning heart Says Kabir - listen my friends I shall rejoice, meeting Love alone. 4 In dream came my consort, in sleep I made contact Scared I open not my eyes, lest the dream gets lost Wise is my consort, writes so in my heart Fearful, I drink not, lest the message gets washed Enter in my eyes, I may absorb you with eyelids dropped Neither shall I see anyone, nor let you see anyone else. 5 Unable to come to you, and helpless to invite The heart remains lonely, separation makes me burn Shall burn the body to ash, like smoke soar above May RAM bless the mind, His grace extinguish the flame Shall burn the body to make ink, I write the Name of RAM Write I shall with bones as pen, and send messages to Him Shall make the body a lamp, the wick being my life My blood fueling the lamp aglow, I shall see the face of Love Either destroy this loneliness, or show me your Self This unceasing separation, I cannot endure myself 6 When shall I see you again my Love? Anxious I am to behold you Distraught are my day and night My eyes only crave for you without admittance of any defeat With the pangs of separation my body is on fire Just perceive my predicament like that O Lord listen to my prayers Be not unkind to me anymore You are Composure I am anxious O Lord Akin to a pot that cannot contain water Madho*, since long we have been separated Now the mind is restless for reunion Beckon me so may I shall meet Kabir prays earnestly with this entreat. 7 O Love come but once within my sight, Instantly I shall capture by dropping the eyelids I shall not see anyone else anymore, Nor shall I let you behold another Says Kabir, in the parting line of a woman's hair, Kajal cannot be applied Same way, once the Lord occupies my eyes, How can another find abode there? My mind lacks faith and Love is not so deep, Nor my body knows the the creative ways I wonder when I do meet the beloved How he shall react to me ! 8 Whom shall I inquire, the riddle about my Love ? Life is lifeless without beloved, I go and tell this to all In the river of hope thrive crooked desires, None can stop this reckless flow Both Passion and anger, are battling their strength To plunge me in the vicious quagmire Defamation comes with the company of the Five Lethargy takes over and devotion is lost Says Kabir, once split do not unite Like a leaf fallen from the tree. 9 My eyes have developed black spots Watching the path whence you may come Blistered has become my tongue chanting away your name Separation pangs fill my begging bowl Void is all in the two eyes Anxious for only a glimpse delight Waiting patiently day and night All colors mitigate and moan Discontent is the painful song None else can hear this cry Unless you, my Love, will 10 O beloved, let us sing together the song of joy, for the night has gone and dawn has come once again. Everywhere, within and without, the beautiful gardens blossom with fragrant flowers. In every place my steadfast mind is taking care. There is no fear of the darkness, so lets sing the song of joy in the enchanting garden. The blissful showers of the true name sprinkle the fruitful trees. So bountiful are the fruits of nectar, yet only the fortunate few will taste this heavenly juice. Let us sing this song of joy together, beholding the Satguru Shabda. The eyes are stunned and the organ of speech is mute. Satguru Kabir Sahib says, only signs and gestures can feebly express the glory. Let us sing the song of joy together. 11 I Don't Like My Father's House The Town of the Lord Is Extremely Beautiful, Where Nobody Goes Nor Comes Where There is No Sun Or Moon, No Wind or Water, Who Will Take My Message And Tell the Lord of My Pain You Are Unable to Decide on How to Move Ahead, And You Blame the Past For It How Will My Bride Go To Her Lord's Place, Powerful Pangs of Separation Are Burning Dual Reality Is Fashioning A Dance To Its Tune There Is Nobody Other Than The True-Guru Who Can Tell The Way Says Kabir Listen Oh Sadhu, The Beloved Does Not Come In The Dreams And Satisfy The Fire of the Soul 12 Body, Mind, Wealth are all at sake To play the game of dice with my love I have staked my all My Love wins me if I lose If I win, He becomes mine Let others express their love By mind, word or deed! In the game of dice The hope of 'union' is always there Except when the last draught fails To enter the home square. All the four-sided squares have but one 'home' Only the players vary Passing through many squares Facing impediment at the critical stage If the dice is not played correctly Recurrence of moving from square to square Becomes inevitable. Says Kabir Use intelligence and diligence now Do not lose the prospective victory. 13 My Love, my Veil is stained Made from the elements five Absorbed in sixteen hundred sensory traps* The Veil that came from my parental home Lost its luster in my in-laws house I wash it over and over, yet the stain goes not My Love, bring the soap of knowledge Says Kabir: These stains will eventually leave When my Love will make me his own. 14 The Master is an expert Dyer, He has colored my veil Removing the dark stains, he gave that color of love By washing which fades not but becomes brighter by the day Using water of affection in the tub of feelings, He poured the color of love Rinsing away the bodily sorrows and dirt, the Expert dyed it deftly The Master who dyed the veil is expert, beloved and great I surrender everything to Him – Body, Mind, Wealth and Life Says Kabir, The Beloved Dyer is benevolent on me Covered with this cool veil, My being is blissfully fulfilled. Translation by Rajender Krishan