Kabir Ke Dohe: Wisdom in Verses
Kabir, a 15th-century Indian mystic poet and saint, left behind a treasure of spiritual wisdom in the form of dohe (couplets). These dohas are not only profound in meaning but also concise in their expression of truth, life, and spirituality. They resonate with people across generations and transcend religious boundaries, speaking about the essence of life, self-realization, and the relationship between man and God.
In this article, we will explore 20 famous Kabir ke Dohe, presented in their original Hindi, with English translations and a brief explanation of each to unravel the deep philosophy behind them.
1. Doha 1
Hindi:
बुरा जो देखन मैं चला, बुरा न मिलिया कोय। जो मन देखा आपना, मुझसे बुरा न कोय।
English:
“I went looking for the bad in others, but found none.
When I examined my own mind, I realized I was the worst of all.”
Explanation:
Kabir emphasizes self-reflection. We often criticize others for their flaws, but when we look within, we find our own faults. The doha encourages humility and self-awareness.
2. Doha 2
Hindi:
धीरे-धीरे रे मना, धीरे सब कुछ होय। माली सींचे सौ घड़ा, ऋतु आए फल होय।
English:
“O mind, everything happens slowly, in its own time.
A gardener may water with hundreds of pots, but fruit will ripen only in season.”
Explanation:
This doha advises patience. Just as fruits ripen with time, all things in life take their due course. Rushing through life will not speed up the natural process.
3. Doha 3
Hindi:
काल करे सो आज कर, आज करे सो अब। पल में परलय होएगी, बहुरि करेगा कब।
English:
“What you plan to do tomorrow, do it today; what you plan for today, do it now.
In a moment, life may end—when will you accomplish your tasks?”
Explanation:
Kabir warns against procrastination. Life is uncertain, and delays in action might lead to missed opportunities or unfinished goals.
4. Doha 4
Hindi:
साईं इतना दीजिए, जामे कुटुंब समाय। मैं भी भूखा न रहूँ, साधु न भूखा जाय।
English:
“O Lord, give me only what I need to sustain my family and myself,
So that neither I go hungry nor the saints who come to my door.”
Explanation:
Kabir promotes the idea of contentment and moderation. He asks for only as much as is needed, rejecting greed and excess.
5. Doha 5
Hindi:
पोथी पढ़-पढ़ जग मुआ, पंडित भया न कोय। ढाई आखर प्रेम का, पढ़े सो पंडित होय।
English:
“People die reading scriptures, but none become wise.
Only those who understand the two-and-a-half letters of love are truly learned.”
Explanation:
This doha emphasizes that true wisdom comes not from books, but from love and compassion. Spiritual understanding transcends intellectual knowledge.
6. Doha 6
Hindi:
माला फेरत जुग भया, गया न मन का फेर। कर का मनका छोड़ि कर, मन का मनका फेर।
English:
“Years passed by turning the rosary beads, but the mind remained unchanged.
Give up the beads in your hand, and turn the beads of your mind.”
Explanation:
Kabir criticizes empty rituals. True spiritual practice requires internal transformation, not external displays of devotion.
7. Doha 7
Hindi:
दुःख में सुमिरन सब करे, सुख में करे न कोय। जो सुख में सुमिरन करे, तो दुःख काहे होय।
English:
“In sorrow, everyone remembers God, but none do so in happiness.
If one remembers God in happiness, why would sorrow come?”
Explanation:
Kabir points out that people tend to seek God only in difficult times. However, if one remains connected to God in good times, they are better equipped to face hardship.
8. Doha 8
Hindi:
तिनका कबहुँ न निन्दिये, जो पाँवन तले होय। कबहुँ उड़ी आँखिन पड़े, तो पीर घनेरी होय।
English:
“Never insult even a small straw under your feet.
If it flies into your eye, it will cause great pain.”
Explanation:
Kabir teaches humility, suggesting that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant things can cause great harm if treated disrespectfully.
9. Doha 9
Hindi:
जिन खोजा तिन पाइया, गहरे पानी पैठ। मैं बपुरा बूडन डरा, रहा किनारे बैठ।
English:
“Those who searched deeply found what they sought.
I, a coward, was afraid of drowning, so I stayed on the shore.”
Explanation:
Kabir encourages taking risks in the pursuit of truth and self-realization. Those who dive deep into life’s experiences find meaning, while those who fear stay unfulfilled.
10. Doha 10
Hindi:
कबीरा खड़ा बजार में, मांगे सबकी खैर। ना काहू से दोस्ती, न काहू से बैर।
English:
“Kabir stands in the marketplace, wishing well for all.
He has no friendship with anyone, nor any enmity.”
Explanation:
Kabir advocates universal love and detachment. True spiritual beings rise above personal relationships, embracing all humanity equally.
11. Doha 11
Hindi:
निंदक नियरे राखिए, आंगन कुटी छवाय। बिन साबुन पानी बिना, निर्मल करे सुभाय।
English:
“Keep your critic close, give them a home in your yard.
Without soap and water, they cleanse your nature.”
Explanation:
Kabir advises embracing critics, as they help us recognize our faults and improve ourselves. Criticism, when accepted, refines our character.
12. Doha 12
Hindi:
संत न छाडे संतई, चाहे कोटिक मिले असंत। चंदन भुवंगा बैठिया, तासु सुगंध न छंत।
English:
“A saint does not abandon their saintliness, even if surrounded by evil.
Sandalwood remains fragrant, even with snakes coiled around it.”
Explanation:
Kabir highlights the unwavering nature of a true saint. No matter the external influences, their inherent goodness remains intact.
13. Doha 13
Hindi:
मोको कहाँ ढूंढे रे बंदे, मैं तो तेरे पास में। ना तीरथ में, ना मूरत में, ना एकांत निवास में।
English:
“Where are you searching for me, O devotee? I am right next to you.
Not in pilgrimages, idols, or solitary places.”
Explanation:
Kabir reminds us that God resides within us and in our everyday lives. External religious practices are not the only path to spiritual realization.
14. Doha 14
Hindi:
जब मैं था तब हरि नहीं, अब हरि है मैं नाहीं। सब अंधियारा मिट गया, दीपक देखा माहीं।
English:
“When I was, God was not; now that God is, I am not.
All the darkness has disappeared, and I see the light within.”
Explanation:
Kabir here speaks about the ego and the divine presence. When the ego (“I”) exists, it blocks the awareness of God. Once the ego is transcended, the divine truth shines through, leading to enlightenment.
15. Doha 15
Hindi:
माटी कहे कुम्हार से, तू क्या रोंदे मोहि। एक दिन ऐसा आएगा, मैं रोंदूंगी तोहि।
English:
“The clay says to the potter, ‘Why do you trample on me?
One day will come when I will trample on you.'”
Explanation:
This doha reflects the impermanence of life. The clay, symbolizing earth or death, reminds the potter (representing humans) that despite his current strength, he will eventually return to dust. It teaches humility and awareness of mortality.
16. Doha 16
Hindi:
अति का भला न बोलना, अति की भली न चुप। अति का भला न बरसना, अति की भली न धूप।
English:
“Neither excessive talking nor excessive silence is good,
Neither excessive rain nor excessive sun is good.”
Explanation:
Kabir advocates balance in all aspects of life. Extremes, whether in speech, weather, or behavior, lead to disharmony. Moderation is key to a peaceful and fulfilling life.
17. Doha 17
Hindi:
पानी बिच मीन पियासी, मोहे सुन-सुन आवै हांसी। जो उघरै सो जानै मिटी, जो न उघरै सो काची माटी।
English:
“The fish is thirsty in the water, it makes me laugh.
Those who realize the truth are free from ignorance; those who don’t remain unformed like raw clay.”
Explanation:
Kabir uses the metaphor of a fish thirsty in water to describe how people, despite being surrounded by spiritual opportunities, often fail to realize their own divine nature. Understanding the truth brings wisdom, while ignorance keeps one unfulfilled.
18. Doha 18
Hindi:
कस्तूरी कुंडल बसै, मृग ढूंढे बन माहि। ऐसे घट घट राम है, दुनिया देखे नाहि।
English:
“Musk is in the navel of the deer, but it searches for it in the forest.
Similarly, God resides in every heart, but the world searches outside.”
Explanation:
Kabir compares the search for God to a deer searching for musk outside when it is within. God is present within us, but we often look for divinity outside, in external rituals or places. The doha emphasizes introspection.
19. Doha 19
Hindi:
मन हीं मनोरथ छांड़ी दे, तेरा किया न होई। पानी में घीवा निकसे, तो रूखा खाए न कोई।
English:
“Give up the desires of your mind; they will not be fulfilled.
If ghee comes out of water, only then will someone eat dry bread.”
Explanation:
Kabir speaks against chasing unrealistic desires. Just as it is impossible to extract ghee (clarified butter) from water, some desires are unattainable. Acceptance and contentment with what we have lead to peace.
20. Doha 20
Hindi:
सुर सरिता की बूँद सम, सोई कंकर होय। कबिरा ऐसा तब भयो, लोग कहें संत कोय।
English:
“Like a drop of water from the Ganges becoming a stone,
Kabir has reached such a state that people call him a saint.”
Explanation:
Kabir humbly describes his own spiritual journey, comparing himself to a transformed soul. Once an ordinary being, through spiritual awakening, he has reached a stage of inner purity and saintliness.
These 20 dohas of Kabir present a timeless, spiritual message that resonates with everyone, irrespective of religious beliefs. They touch upon the themes of self-reflection, ego dissolution, patience, humility, and the eternal search for truth. Each doha is a small gem of wisdom, urging us to live a life of awareness, love, and compassion.