Songs of Kabīr

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

 



Thanks & credits to Rajender Krishan



volker doormann