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THE
BIJAK OF KABIR
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH
by
THE REV. AHMAD SHAH
ACCORDING TO HIS EDITED HINDI TEXT PUBLISHED IN 1911.
Published by the Author at Hamirpur, UP.
1917 •
^11 rights reserved
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THE PRICE OF THIS BOOK IS R». 4
POST FREE Rs. 4-4
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Printed bj' Apurra Krishna Bose» at tlie Indian Press, Allahabad.
PREFACE.
The Bijak of Kabir is written mostly in the Hindi of the
Mirzapuri dialect, though some of the hymns show traces
also of the Gorakhpuri dialect, which is due, perhaps, to the
fact tliat Kabir spent his last days in Maghdr in the Gorakh-
pur district.
I have seen several manuscripts of the Bijak, all written
in the Kaithi character with the words not separated.
Amon" these manuscripts, some were quite complete,
agreeing with the arrangement of the Raja of Rewah^s edi-
tion, but without any commentary ; some had only a portion
of the Bijak.
The oldest printed edition of the Bijak is dated 1868, and
was printed at Benares, but it contains only the following
portions of the book : —
Ad Mangal, 84 Ramainis, 12Kahras, 12 Basants,Ohauntisi,
2 Belis, 2 Ohancharis, 3 Hindolas, Birhuli, 383 Sakhis. To these
hymns a commentary is added which is said to have been
dictated by Kabir Sahib to the Raja of Bhagel Bansha. In
the frontispiece the Raja and Kabir are seated face to face :
Kabir is explaining the Bijak and the Raja is listening
attentively. The commentary in this edition is on the basis
of what is called sngun upasna, the belief in the incarnate
Guru.
The second printed edition of the Bijak, which was printed
in Calcutta in 1890, was edited by Rev. Prem Ohand, of the
Baptist Mission of Monghyr. This is a neat little pocket
edition ; the words are separated, but in some places wrongly.
The onler of the hymns in this edition is peculiar and does
not agree with any of the editions published by Kabir
Pan til is themselvcR, It has 55 more sahhifi than other
editions ; but their arrangement is so confused that it is
diflQcult to compare it with others. There are some valuable
foot-notes. Its contents are as follows :—
84 Ramainis, 113 Shabdas, Ohauntisi, Bipramatisi, 2 Ohan-
charis, Birhuli, 2 Belis, 3 Hindolas, 12 Kahras, 12 Basants, 364
Sakhis, 60 supplementary Sakhis.
II PREFACE.
The third edition of the Bijak is that printed by the
Newal Kishore Press, at Lucknow, in 1898. It is a complete
Bijak with commentary by Raja Visliu Nath Singh of
Rewah.
The fourth printed edition was issued at Allahabad in
1905. It is called the Bijak, with commentary of Puran
Dass of Burhaupur. In this the words are separated, but in
places the separation is marked by mistakes and in many
places the editor has tried to polish and shape the words
into their modern forms, which from a literary standpoint is
very unwise. The commentary is what is called nirguu
upasna. It has 115 Shahclcis, while'other editions have only
113. But these two extra shahdas do not convey any fresh
idea, but only what is embodied in the Ad MangaL It has a
few saldiis which are not found in the edition of the Raja, but
there are some missing in tliis which are found in the Raja's.
It contains as follows :
Pritham Anusar, 84 Ramainis, 115 Siiabdas, Chauntisi,
Bipramatisi, 12 Kahras, 12 Basants, 2 Ohancharis, 2 Belis,
Birhuli, 3 Hindolas, 353 Sakhis.
The last printed edition is tliat from Bombay printed in
Samhat 1961 (1906 A. D.). This is the Raja of Rewah's edition,
similar to that of the Newal Kishore Press, Lucknow, but it
has a life of Kabir in verse and at the end Sayar Pad Bijolc
and a genealogy and history of the Bhagel Bansha, and Mul
RamainL It has some fresh sahhis and contains an imaginary
picture of Kabir and also a likeness of the Raja of Bhagel
Bansha. In this edition many mistakes have crept in and in
some places the text is spoiled, but it has preserved the
original beauty of the language.
After going through all these printed editions as well as
some of the available manuscripts, particularly one which I
saw in Chunar with Pundit Bhan Partap Tiwari, I tried my
best to present the public with a text as accurate as pos-
sible in my Hindi Text published in 1911. It is a pity that
no ancient MSS. can be consulted. I have separated the
words in their proper form and have added foot-notes to show
where a foreign word is used. I left the form of the foreign
word as it is in the text, but have given a correct form of it
in the foot-note ; for instance, in the text you will find i9??i,
PREFACE. ill
while in the foot-note with reference to this word you will
(Ind Axu— . In my text I followed the Raja*s order, adding at
the end all those sakhis which are peculiar to the various
editions, thus bringing the total number of sakhis up to 442.
The Raja's Ad Maiigal and Sayar Pad Bijak are also added
to my text, though they are clearly later additions to the
Bijak ; but they are a kind of key to its theology;
While in 1910 my Hindi Text was passing through the
Press, I was engaged in putting the same into English,
and tlie Reverend B. H. P. Fisher very kindly helped
in revising and correcting the same and a few pages
also passed through the Press. But for various reasons the
printing of the translation had to be abandoned.
For about five years the translation remained in suspense
During this period fresh light was thrown upon the text
of the Bijak, and it was strongly felt necessary that a fresh
translation should be made. Early in 191C I started the
translation and finished it by the end of February 1916. This
time I asked the Reverend E. W. Ormerod, of the Oawnpore
Brotherhood, to revise and correct my translation. To this
request of mine he readily responded and spent many
weary hours daily with me in correcting the translation.
I am indebted to him for having made the translation
intelligible for English readers to which I can make no
pretension. But in no way should he be held responsible
if the rendering into English does not agree with the
original. I trust he will permit me to avail myself of this
opportunity of tendering my warmest acknowledgement of
iiis invaluable labours.
I also have to thank Mahashai Shew Barat ^11 of
Mirzapore for rendering valuable help.
I am once more indebted to the Reverend Canon B. H. P.
Fisher, the Head of the Cawnpore Brotherhood, for kindly
seeing these pages through the Press.
Thanks are also due to the IJ. P. Government, who have
contributed towards the cost of the production of this trans-
lation.
Just a word about the existing conimentarios of the
Bijak. If any one wishes to study the text in original, it is
much better to secure a copy without any commentary. I
iV PREFACE.
myself, during many years of study, have found it quite
liopeless to get any real help from the commentaries. They
do not attempt to explain the text of the Bijak so much as
the theology of the modern Panth.
S. P. G. Mission,
Hamirpur, U. p., AHMAD SHAH.
May 1917.
0'
CONTENTS
Page
Lifo of Kabir
I
The Bijak
...
20
The Teaching of Bijak
.15
Short Account of Myth
41
Commandments o(
Kabir Panth
44
Ad Mangal
...
47
Ramainis
...
51
Shabdas
...
OS
Chauntisi
151
Ripramatifii
...
157
Rahras ...
150
Hasan ts ...
168
Chancharift
174
BcllR
178
Hirhnii ...
.
181
Flindolas ...
...
182
Sakhis ...
...
184
Sayar Bijak Pad
...
228
Proper Names mentioned in the Bijak ..
280
ILLUSTRATIONS
Kabir, in Qnrn Arjnn Dev's Onrdwara
Kabir, in Kabir Cbaara, Benares ...
Niranjan
Frontispiece
to face p. 19
to face p. 48
LIFE OF KABIR JN LEGEND
There is a peculiar degree of uncertainty as to all the data
for the personal history of Kabir. Legends abound, but reliable
historical evidence is almost entirely wanting: and the
conflicting voices of tradition leave us io doubt on such
primary points as the place and dat^ of his birth, the religion
or caste into which he was born, whetiier he married, and
where he spent the greater part of his life. It is hardly an
exaggeration to say tliat two facts only can be asserted
with absolute confidence: he lived for some time at Kashi
(Benares), and he died at Maghar.
Most baffling of all is the obscurity which surrounds the
question of his parentage. That Kabir was in any case
brought up in tiie family of a Mohammedan weaver (Julaha)
is admitted by all lines of tradition. The point at issue between
bis Hindu and Moslem followers is wiieiher or not this indi-
cates his actual parentage. Kabir himself does not help
towards a decision. For him no one is born Hindu or Moslem
{Ram. I), or again:—
1. Now I have come from the unconditioned.
Maya has led the world astray : she did not find my
secret.
2. I did not take l>irth, nor did I dwell in tlie womb. As
a child I appeared. In the city of Kashi I made my abode
in the forest, there a w*eaver found me.
3. I am not contained in heaven or eartl), tut I :im
manifest as boundless wisdom. The form of spirit inamrrst
in the world, that is my name.
4. I have no bones, no blood, no skin : I am inanif.stor of
the word. I am beyond all body, tho Innnilc luid Perfect
One : this says tho immortal Kabir.
2 LIFE OP KABIR IN LEGEND
The most commonly accepted tradition of his birth is that
given in the Kabir Kasauti. This is quite a recent compila-
tion, written from the point of view which identifies Kabir
with the deity.
"The appearance of the Chief of Sages, the compassionate,
Kabir, the Lord Kabir, in Kashi, and his coming from the
Lahar tdnk to the house of Ali, called Niru, the weaver.
From the vault of heaven he descended, the Sat Guru,
Purusha, Kabir : lying in the midst of the waters, the Pir of
ail Pirs.
When countless lotus buds bloomed, there the compassion-
ate Creator was found.
Midst all the buds the bees wearied themselves with
humming : peacock, duck, cliakor, gathered about the tank.
In the year 1455, on the first day of the full moon : in
the light half of Jeth, in the full moon of the rains, he
appeared.
Mid peals of thunder, flashing lightning, torrents of rain :
in Lahar tank the lotus blossomed : there Kabir was manifest-
ed.
Niru was bringing home his newly-wedded wife : thirsty
she went to drink of the water, saw the babe, and was
amazed.
How came this babe here? Who has exposed it? Some
widow or maiden. Said Niru, Listen, Nima ; children I have
had, but they died ; my house is empty, beloved. Haridas
found a diamond, wiiich became a splendid diadem for his head.
Said Nima, Listen, my master; my mind is full of sore
misgivings : the honour of our house is lost, i! this be noised
abroad in all Kashi.
But he is very fair to look on, great his beauty, his eyes
are like the lotus: was ever seen in all the world the mother
who should bear so fair a son ?
With joy in their hearts, they took the child, and man
and wife came home : all the women of their kin began to
sing with great delight of heart.
When they saw the child in the house, many were the
questions : How did you get this child ? began all the women
to ask.
LIFE OF KABIR IN LEGEND 3
Without conception, we obtained this child and brought
bim home: he is dear to Haridas. So all were over-
joyed.
Another version of the legend makes him the son of a
Brahman widow born miraculously from the palm of her
hand, as the result of the prayer of the ascetic Ramanand,
who was ignorant of her widowhood. To avoid disgrace,
she exposed him in the tank. Witli this story is connect-
ed the fanciful derivation of the name from the Hindi words
kar (hand) bir (hero).
The name Kabir is, however, palpably of Mohammedan
origin : and the tradition in Uie Kabir Kasauti adds the
following details. According to Muslim custom a Qazi was
summoned to give a name to the child. On his opening the
Quran four names were found, Kabir, Akbar, Kubra, Kibriya.
But Kabir is a title of God and the others are allied words.
More Qazis came and fresh attempts were made to And
a suitable name, resulting in Zinda, Khinjar (Kliizar),
Pir, and Haqqa. Here again the first and last are names
of God the others too exalted for the child of a Julaha.
The Qazi insisted that the child must be killed forthwith:
and Niru was about to obey the order, when the infant
miraculously spoke : —
1. Now have I come from the unconditioned. I was
bodiless: I took body and I came : in this body I am called
Kabir.
2. The Swan which has been 'separated from birth to
birth, I came to raise him up. I was called the Unseen
Purush, Maker, Immortal and Looser of Bonds.
3. With all my body I belong to the Sat-Iok. I dwell
in every heart. Kabir says. Hear, O brothe^ sadhus : I have
manifested the true name.
With regard to this legend it may be noted that of the
eight names given only four, Kabir, Kibriya, Akbar and
Haqqa, are to be found in the Quran, five if Khinjar be consi-
dered a corruption of Khizar, a saint associated in the Quran
with Moses,
On the Mohammedan side we have the assertion of the
Dabistan that Kabir was a Mohammedan weaver, and this
4 LIFK OF KAIUK IN LKGKND
is confirmed by Abul Fazal. Both, however, describe liim
as a Muwaliid, i.e., a theist, but not necessarily a Moslem.
It becomes then a matter of balancing probabilities or
improbabilities on either side. However confidently Kabir
may assert that none is born Hindu or Muslim, yet in common
parlance he must have been of either Hindu or Muslim
descent. Where tradition on both sides is thus unanimous^
we may safely assume that he was brought up in the family
of a Julaha. But apart from this we can find in him na
trace of Moslem influence, unless it were contact with
Sufi-ism. The study of the Bijak certainly leaves a fixed
impression that the basis of his mental equipment was Hindu.
His apparent acquaintance with Mohammedan belief, customs
and phraseology might easily be purely external and acquired.
But with his Hinduism the case is entirely different. His
mind is steeped in Hindu thought and mythology, and his
mother tongue is Hindi.
The real difficulty lies here. How did one, who to all
appearance belonged to a low class Moliammedan family,
acquire a knowledge of the Hindu scriptures and philosophy,
only to be gained from a close association with Brahman
pandits ? The evidence available suggests a solution on some
such lines as these : —
One of the legends represents Kabir as the son of a
Brahman virgin widow, born miraculously as a result of words
spoken by Ramanand. , Another speaks of his being first
seen in the lotus-covered tank by Swami Ashtanand, a
disciple of Ramanand, to wliom he described what he had
seen. Ramanand answered : "The boundless ligiit which thou
hast seen, in a few days' space its fame will spread.''
Was Kabir the son of Ashtanand by a mother whom Hindu
custom forbade his acknowledging as his wife ? If this be so,
the place of Niru or Nur Ali and his wife Nima in the story
becomes clear. Nurbaf is a recognised name for a Moham-
medan weaver in the Punjab. Neiman is a common name
among Mohammedan women of the lower class. These
would be his adopted not his real parents. Living, as there
seems no doubt he did, as the son of a Julaha in the weavers'
quarter of Benares, then as now a museum of religious sects.
UFB OF KABIR IN LBGBND 5
Kabir would often see and mix with the wandering Moslem
fakirs and imbibe the doctrines of the Sufis; wiiile lie was at
the same time by the influence of his real father brought
secretly but surely under the Hindu influences which from
early childhood governed his thought and life. One would
like to imagine that Ashtanand by this means trained his
son as a reformer of the abuses in his own faith which he
himself realised but found himself powerless to amend. But
perhaps this is goin^too far.
According to the tradition of his followers Kabir was
born in the year A. D. 1398 (Sarabat 1455) and died at the
age of 120. This latter tradition suggests at least that he
lived to a great age : more than this is not required to make
it possible for him to have been the disciple of Ramanand
and the Guru of Nanak. The latter was born in 1469 and
the former is known to have lived well into the 15th
century.
The Kabir Kasauti goes on to describe how even in his
childhood he offended Hindus and Mohammedans alike, refus-
ing to be bound by the limitations of either religion. When
playing with other children he would cry "Ram, Ram "or
** Hari, Hari.'* To the Mohammedan who rebuked him with the
warning, " Thou wilt be a great Kafir (infidel)," he answered —
**He who uses wicked violence or robs the world by deceit,
who drinks or eats intoxicants, or seizes the goods of others,
he is the Kafir ; the bandit is the true Kafir." Again he had
put the tilak on his forehead and the jaueo (sacred thread)
about his neck. The Brahmans expostulated— "This is not
thy religion : thou hast made thyself a Vaishnavite and
callest on Vishnu, Narayan, Gobind and Mukand ; this ia
our religion." He answered one of their leaders :
On my tongue Vishnu, in ray eyes Narayan, and in my
heart Gobind dwells.
When at the door of Yama they question thee, what wilt
thou say, O mad Mukand.
In my house is thread ; I weave continually.
The janeo is only about thy neck, thou readest ever the
Oita and Gayatri ; but Gobind is In my heart.
I the cow, thou the cowherd, the master.
O LIFE OF KABIR IN LK'>BND
Warned from birth to birth, thou hast failed to bring me to
the further shore.
What manner of lord art thou to me ?
Thou the Brahmau, I the weaver of Kashi : learn my
wisdom.
Ever thou seekest after kings and the wealthy : my medi-
tation is with Hari.— (Zabtr Kasautu)
9
When the time came, all Nur All's neighbours agreed that
he must be circumcised according to Mohammedan custom.
Kabir resisted.
You act with force and violence. Never will I endure iU
brother.
If 'tis God makes thee Turk, why came not this cutting of
itself ?
If by circumcision one becomes Turk, what then will be
said of your women ?
Half the body, so the wife is styled. Then you still remain
Hindu.
By putting on the sacred thread one becomes Brahman.
What hast thou given women to wear ?
She from her birth is Sudra ; when she sets food before
thee why dost thou eat, O Pande ?
Hindu and Moslem are on one road. This the Satguru
has told me.
.Kabir says, Hear O Saints ! cry Ram, cry Khuda," it is
one.— {Kahir KX
This is taken from the fuller version of the Bijak,
Shabda,Si:~
O Qazi, what book do you discourse on ?
You are jangling and wrangling always : nothing of
wisdom do you know.
Vain glorious of authority you make me to be circumcised.
Never will I endure it, brother.
If 'tis God that makes thee circumcised, why came not
this cutting of itself ?
If by circumcision one becomes Turk, what then will be^
said of yniir women ?
LIFB OF KABIR IN LROBND «;
Half the body, so tlie wife is styled. Then you still remain
Hindu.
By putting on the sacred thread one becomes Brahman.
What hast thou given women to wear ?
She from birth is Sudra : why dost tliou eat, O Pande ?
Hindu and Turk, whence have they (i. e. those names)
come? who started this path ?
Search in your heart, search well in your heart. Where is
paradise ? who won it?
Leave these distractions (the delusion of the extended
universe) ; meditate on Ram, O foolish mind. You do wicked
violence.
O Kabir, he who grasped not Rama's protection, at the
last grieved sore.
Thereupon the Brahmans returned to the attack— and
their challenge led directly to the best known incident of
Kabir's life. This Moslem Julaha repeats the name of Ram
and Hari, but none according to Hindu belief can enter
heaven unless he puts himself under the guidance of a guru,
Kabir, they say, is fiirf;jir and all his devotion therefore con-
temptible. Let him become the disciple of Ramanand — an
obvious impossibility, for Ramanand will have nothing to do
with such a postulant. Ramanand was disciple of Ramanuja,
the father of all modern Vaishnavite sects, who lived and
taught in Southern India. Dissenting from his master's rigid
adherence to caste rules, Ramanand migrated to the plain of
the Ganges, and the ninety million worsliippers of the Rama
incarnation at the present day may all more or less be account-
ed his spiritual descendants. Kabir, realising the obstacle
that his re|)Uted birth in a Julaha household must present to
his acceptance, had resort to diplomacy to gain entry into the
brotherhood. Knowing Ramanand's habit of going down to
the Ganges to bathe before dawn, Kabir went and lay full
length upon the steps of the Dasasumeda Ghat. In the dark-
ness Ramanand stP|)ped heavily with his wooden sandals upon
the boy, who cried out in pain clasping the feet of the master.
As Kabir had anticipated, the first words of Ramanand thus
surprised in the darkness were the words that formed the
mantra of his sect, " Ram, Ram " Armnl with those Knbir
8 LIFE OP KABIR IN LEGEND
proclaimed himself the accepted chela of the great guru. The
Dews of this acceptance of the Moliammedan weaver spread
through the city. Ramanand when questioned denied all
knowledge of it, but ordered tlie pretender to be brought to
him. Kabir was brought, and hearing from Iiis lips the words of
the initiation Ramanand forthwitli acknowledged the claim
and accepted him as a ciiela. Thenceforward Kabir remained
among the number of Ramanand's most famous disciples, and
it was said to be the influence of Kabir upon his master that
induced Ramanand to include among his disciples members of
all castes, Rui Das the Ohamar, Sadna a butcher, Dhanna the
Jat and many others, including Ganga the prostitute. Various
occasions are recorded on which the disciple himself gave
instruction to the master. For instance, once in the month
of Kuar Ramanand, wishing to perform a Sraddha ceremony
for his guru, Raghawanand, sent his chelas to procure tiie
necessary milk. The rest went to the milksellers, but Kabir
to the place where the bones of dead cows lay, and there
demanded milk. His fellow chelas reported this extraordinary
conduct to the master, to whose questions Kabir replied : " I
thought the milk of dead cows most suited to the dead guru.'*
But another, Mohammedan tradition makes him the dis-
ciple of one Siiaikh Taqi, whom he met when about thirty
years old, and adopted as his Pir. On his return from a
journey to far off Balakii and Bokhara (a journey apparently
undertaken in imagination only, for there seems no evidence
that Kabir ever went there), Kabir visited his master at
Jhusi, and in response to a request for food was provided with
vegetables, cooked rice and spiced milk. Kabir felt aggrieved
at this somewhat meagre fare and exclaimed :~
Sag, bhat, jirawni matha ;
Hamare Pirke yehi hata.
Greens, rice, and this spiced whey;
In my Pir's house no more than they.
To which the Siiaikh retaliated-—
Yih chhor aur kya kha hai, mati ?
Tohi upar pare chhe mas ki tati.
**01od, what more would your stomach get ?
Before you six months' plague I set."
UFB OF KABIR IN LKGKNI) V
Tile two watercourses, in which Kabir spent six months
of misery from constant attacks of dysentery, still bear the
name of Kabir Nala and Lotan Nala.
Tins Shaikh Taqi figures also in the Hindu stories, where
however he appears as the rival and traducer of Kabir. It
would appear that he was the son of Shabau-ul-Millat and
belonged to the Soharwardia order of Sufl ; he died at Jhusi
near Prayag in 1428.
In spite of his growing fame Kabir continued to follow the
profession of his foster father and to live among the weavers
and butchers of Benares. To a sadhu who urged him to give
up his mean employment, he replied in the following hymn,
found as Shobda 64 of the Bijak, while many of his hymns are
based upon the weaver's work.
Weave, weave the name of Hari, on which gods, men and
munis are meditating.
He stretched the warp and took the shuttle. The four
Vedas are the wheel.
One beam is Ram Narayan, fulfilling the purposed work.
He made the ocean of the world a trough : therein he
kneads the starch.
The body of sttirch is stiffened : few knew it as starch.
Moon and sun— the two are the treadle: in mid ocean
(light) the warp is made.
As the Lord of the three worlds brushed on the starch,
Shyam joined the broken ends.
He set the pegs ; and when be took the reed, then Rama
was bound.
As the reed beat up the warp, the three loks were bound
—none he left free.
The three loks were made one loom : the warp worked up
and down.
The eternal purush bade me to sit beside him: Kabir
entered into light. — (f^/jV/Zc, Shnhdn 64)
He sold the cloth he wove himself in the market. On one
occasion no one would pay the price of five takas (2} annaa)
that he asked. A passing broker offered his services and by
demanding six annas sold it for 5] ; he paid Kabir his original
10 LIFE OF KABIR IN LEGEND
price retaining the balance, and Kabir pointed the moral
thus :—
" I speak the truth and no one heeds ; but lies the world
believes.
Witness this cloth, worth takas five ; eleven he receives."
Another cold day Kabir, sitting in the market to sell his
goods, saw a shivering sadhu who asked his help. At once
he gave him half of his cloth, which the sadhu pronounced
insufficient. Kabir handed him the remainder and returned
home, where his mother demanded the price of the cloth.
Kabir replied "Isold it for a high price; and I could not
bring the price home myself, for it was too heavy to carry.'*^
To avoid the indignation of his parents Kabir retired to the
jungle : and in his absence an unknown merchant brought
large supplies of food and left them at his house. On his
return Kabir, after thanking his Lord who had thus supplied
his parents' needs, proceeded to distribute all that remained
in alms. Some envious neighbours asked him why, and he
answered :—
By giving wealth does not decrease, as water in the run-
ning stream decreases not. Open your eyes and see. This is
the word of Kabir. What you have in store,*give. There is no
seller hereafter : take now what is yours to take. Thou
hast obtained this body ; its quality is to giye and give and
give. Kabir says. Give, as long as you keep this body. When
this decays, none will bid thee give. Be sure, 'tis good to
give ; this body is given thee for good deeds. If the boat be
filled with water or the house with wealth, 'tis wise with
both hands to empty it.
Once again his surroundings in the weavers' mohalla
proved too strong for Kabir's peace of mind. His father
joined his neighbours in contributing for the purchase of a
cow, to be sacrificed according to custom on the Id-day. This
reached the ears of Kabir, who hurried to the spot, but before
he could prevent the sacrifice, the deed was done. Again
he left his home and parents and took refuge in the jungle^,
whence he was prevailed upon to return only after long
persuasion. The Brahmans tried to induce him to renew
LIFB OF KABIK IN LEGEND 11'
bis protest against the slaughter of^the sacred cow, but
gained little by his reply :—
1. O Sants ! I have seen the way of both.
Hindus and Turks heed no warning; to ail the taste of
their desires is sweet.
2. Hindus keep fast on Ekadasi, they eat only Singhara
and milk.
They abstain from grain but do not check the mind*8
desire ; next day they eat the flesh of beasts.
3. Turks keep fast and hours of prayer : they cry alood
on the name of God.
How will they enter into Paradise? When evening comes
they slaughter fowls.
4. The Hindu his pity, the Turk his mercy, each has
vanished from his heart.
One kills by halal, one kills by jhatka ; but fire is kindled
in both their houses.
5. The way of Hindu and of Turk is one : this the Sat-
guru has shown me.
Kabir says, Hear, O Sants : cry Rama, cry Khuda, it is
one.— (/3ijV//c, Shahda 10.)
Ramanand's disciples also, who objected to the coupling
of Brahmans with Moslems in this fashion, fared even worse
at his hands: —
1- O Sants, the Pandes are skilful butchers.
They kill a goat, and rusii upon a buffalo; they have no
compassion in their hearts.
2. Bathed, and with the tilak set on their foreheads, they
sit; and with varied rites make men pay worship to the goddess.
They kill a soul, destroy it in an instant: they make a
river of blood to flow.
3. They style themselves most pious and of high lineage,
and in the assembly demand reverence.
Of them all seek to bo initiated: it moves mo to trroat
laughter, brothers.
4. They lecture long about remission of sins: they make
men do shameful deeds.
Both alike I saw drowned in sin : Yama has dragged
them by their hands.
12
ilFB OF KABIR IN LEGEND
5. They who slaughter cows are called Turks: are these
of any less account than they?
Kabirsays, Hear, O Sants: the Brahmans of this Kaliyug
are base.— XC/ja/r, Shabdn 11.)
The record of Kabir's own family-life raises again the
vexed question of his birth and origin. Mohammedan
tradition implies that Kabir like other Sufis was a married
man, but in the Hindu stories considerable pains are taken to
guard against this misconception. Nowhere are we told that
Kabir was married to Loi, but Nima is represented as protest-
ing against her presence on the ground that she and Kabir
did not live together as husband and wife. Loi is always the
cheli of Kabir ; Kamal and Kamali are his spiritual issue.
When thirty years of age Kabir in his wandering reached
the hut of a sadhu in the jungle and restM there at mid-day.
He found no one except a girl of some twenty years, who
asked :— Who are you ? "Kabir." What is your caste ?
*' Kabir." What is your order ? "Kabir." What is your
name? "Kabir." The girl, astonished, exclaimed "I have
here seen many sadiius, but never one who answered in this
fashion." Kabir replied: "All others have name and caste
and order, but Kabir has none." Meanwhile six other sadhus
arrived and the girl brought seven cups of milk and set one
before each. The sadhus noticed that Kabir did not drink
his milk, and asked the reason. He replied that there was yet
another sadhu on his way from the further bank of the
Ganges, for whom he kept the milk. The girl exclaimed " My
Lord, drink your portion ; I have more for the coming sadhu."
Kabir answered : "I live on the Sliabda." And in answer to
her question added "The Shabda is mine, I am of the Shabda,
the Shabda is a well of Brahm. If you desire the vision, test
the form of the Shabda." The sadhu arrived as Kabir had said
and to him he gave his cup of milk. The new arrival ques-
tioned the girl as to her name and parents and the saint who
had formerly lived in the hut. To this she replied, "Hear, O
Lord ; I know not who or whence I am nor the manner of my
birth. In this hut there lived a Bankhandi Baba, and many
strangers inquired from him of me. His answer was that one
day going to bathe in the river he saw in the midstream of
LIFE OF KABIK IN LBGKN1> 1^
the Ganges something wrapped in a woollen cloth, borne along
by the current. On opening the bundle he found me, brought
me to the hut and reared me with milk. Because he found
me wrapped in the dark woollen cloth (loi) he named me Loi,
and til! his death he called me by this name. Dying he told
me that one day a saint would come and he would be my
guide. In obedience to his words I serve the sadhus and all
who pass this way.*' Tiiereupon the girl turned to Kabir and
said, '*0 my lord, do thou instruct me." He answered,
** Serve the sadhus, repeat Sat Nam and remain in the com-
pany of the guru."
0 Kabir, the sadhu is my atma, and I the body of the sadhu ;
1 live within the sadhu, as rain is in the cloud.
0 Kabir, the sadhu is my atma, and I the life of the sadhu ;
1 live within the sadhu, as butter is in the milk.
O Kabir, the sadhu is my atma. and I the breath of tha
sadhu;
[ live within the sadhu, as perfume is in the flowers.
{Kahir Kasauti.)
Thereupon Loi distributed all she had to the needy and
came to live in Kabir's household.
Somewhat similar is the account given of the origin of
Kamal, Kabir*s reputed son. Kabir and Shaikh Taqi when
walking along the bank of the Ganges saw the corpse of a three
months' old child washed down by the current. Kabir, in re-
sponse to a challenge of the Shaikh wiio declared the life to
be extinct, drew the corpse to land and spoke some words into
the child's ear, who forthwith began to weep. Kabir carried
the child to Loi who reared it. The name Kamal (wonder)
was given from the exclamation of the Shaikh when he saw
the miracle, which Kabir himself expressly disclaimed,
Kabir*s household was further increased by the addition of a
daughter called Kamali. The story as recorded in the Kabir
Kasauti runs as follows :— A girl died in the house of a neigh-
bour (said by some to be this same Shaikh Taqi). At his own
request the cliild was sent to Kabir who restored her to life
and entrusted her also to the care of Loi. The children
followed the trade of the weaver ; and all three, T^ol, Kamal,
and Kamali, regarded Kabir as their swami or spiritual guide.
14 LIFB OP KABIR IN LEGEND
When Kamali, now twenty years of age, was drawing water
from the well, a Brahman parched with thirst asked her foi*
water, which she gave him. After quenching his thirst the
Brahman asked who she was and learned with horror that she
was the daughter of a weaver. Kamali could do nothing, but
suggested he should take counsel of Kabir to whom the
Pandit complained bitterly of his broken caste. Kabir sang
the following hymn ; —
1. O Pandit, think when thou drinkest water.
In the mud dwelling wherein thou sittest, therein the
universe is contained.
2. Where fifty -six kots of Yadavas perished, eighty-eight
thousand munis and men ;
At every step prophets are buried, they decayed to dust
therein.
3. Fish, tortoise, crocodile there gave birth : the water is
filled with blood.
The water of the river flows i.a through its channels; men
and cattle were dissolved in it.
4. The bones are dissolved, the marrow melted : how else
comes the milk ?
That, O Pandit, thou didst sit down to drink : yet the
earthen pot thou accountest defiled.
5. Renounce the Vedas and the Book, O Pandit : all these
are fictions of the mind.
Kabir says, Hear, O Pande : these are your pious deeds
(dliarm). — {Bijalc^ Shahda 47,)
All his doubts dispelled, the Pandit fell at Kabir's feet
begging him to receive him as his disciple. Kabir accepted
him and ultimately gave him Kamali in marriage.
Kabir's life was always of the simplest. As his fame and
the number of his disciples grew, one of these urged the
necessity of some outward pomp and dignity as more
suitable to his position, reminding him of his own early
experience in the cloth-market. Failing to convince this
enthusiast by less direct means, Kabir took him with him to
a neighbouring palace then occupied by Raja Bir Singh.
The porter at the main gate opposed their entrance and to
Kabir's request that the two pilgrims should pass the night
UFB OF KABIR IN LEGEND 15
at this inn, rejoined that this was no inn but the Raja's
palace. Kabir insisted that the building was an inn and the
noise of the dispute attracted the attention of the Raja.
From him Kabir continued to demand one by one the names
of the Rajas wlio had lived tliere before him, until the
reluctant Raja admitted the truth of his description. Kabir
and his disciple lay down to sleep in separate courtyards
of the palace. At night the servants roused the disciple and
asked him who he was. He replied ** A sadhu"; whereupon
they beat him soundly and turned him out. They next went
to Kabir but lie gave no answer at all. In the morning guru
and chela met outside the palace, and the chela detailed
his woes. Kabir replied ** You posed as a sadhu and were
none ; therefore you were beaten. No sadhu ever seeks to
sleep in a king's palace."
Bir Singh built a beautiful palace at Jaunpur and invited
many friends to a great feast on its completion. All were
loud in praises of the work, when the IJaja noticed among
them a single sadhu who stood in silence, and asked him his
opinion of the new palace. The sadhu replied that but for two
defects it should have had his praises too. Bir Singh insisted
that he sliould name them. After a while, said the sadhu,
this building cannot but fall : that is the first ; and tiie second,
the master of this house will pass away before tlie palace falls.
The Raja burst out in anger, when suddenly he recognis-
ed Kabir in the unknown sadhu and fell at his master's feet.
** You built a spacious palace and called many together
to make it famous. You crowned it with a dome of gold, but
in a moment's space you will go and leave it all, O Kabir.
Though a house be built and decked with emerald and dia-
monds worth millions, it cannot be seen but for four short
days ; death will come and destroy it. The houses where seven
Shabdas sounded and rejoicing was made from door to door
are empty and crows abide there. O Kabir, for ten days
only may your drum be heard -thereafter tiiis city, <|uarter
and street you will see no riiore. O Kabir, after death
none will remember your name; all will run to the inhabi-
tated city. Mad man ! thou hast forgotten death. This body
will be mingled with the earth, as the salt in the flour."
16 LIFE OF KABIR IN LBGBND
But Raja Bir Singh, as a disciple, failed to satisfy Kabir,
and he thought to test and at the same time to strengthen his
devotion. Supported on the one side by Rui Das, theChamar,
and on the other by Ganga, the prostitute, botli approved
Sants but a sore scandal to the orthodox, carrying a bottle
of liquor in- his hand, Kabir presented himself at the court of
Bir Singh. The Raja, disgusted and affronted, ignored him;
but when he saw Kabir deliberately pour the contents of the
liquor bottle, which was really (illed with water, upon his
foot, drenching the palace carpet, loudly demanded an explan-
ation of this behaviour. Kabir replied, ** At Jagaunath a
Brahman has burnt his foot while cooking— I have poured
this out to ease him." At the request of his favourite, Bir
Singh, Sikandar Lodi despatched a messenger mounted on a
swift camel who returned with the news tliat it was as
Kabir had said. There is at Jagannath a temple called after
Kabir and pilgrims to the place visit this shrine and receive
Kabir's tarauei.
In Gujarat, which Kabir visited in his wanderings, there
lived a Solankhi Raja, who on Kabir's arrival went with his
Rani to salute the saint and beg the blessing of a son. Kabir
replied in the hymn : —
"The world is so mad that no one knows ought of devo-
tion. One comes and begs for a son : My master, grant me
this boon. Another is vexed with pain and asks relief from
this. Some come and pray wealth, proffering money. Some
come and ask a beauteous bride. Not one comes to buy the
truth. All the world believes a lie. Kabir says. Hear, O
Saints: what can one make of the blind ?'*
The royal pair continued to plead their childlessness and
begged for an heir, until Kabir gave them a promise that a
lion-faced child should be born of his essence, by whom the
Solankhi race should be continued. Nine months later the
queen bore such a child and exposed it in the jungle, where
Kabir found it. Carrying the child he appeared before the
Raja and demanded an explanation, warning him that unless
he kept the child his race would become extinct. The father
implored the saint's forgiveness and promised obedience.
Kabir blessed the child, whom he named Dayaghar Deva, and
LIFE OF KABIR IN LBOEND 17
promised that his race should rule for forty-two generations ;
but his descendants are called Bha^el Bansi and not Solankhi.
A prince of this line was established by Kabir at Bandhoghar
in the fortress of Lakshman ; and the Raja of Rewa is a des-
cendant of this family.
Dharam Das, the chief disciple and successor of Kabir,
was the son of a wealthy baniya. A man of great devotion
and accustomed to distribute a large portion of his wealth
in alms, he was present on the occasion of a discussion bet-
ween the pandits and Kabir. Kabir^s simplicity and the
directness of his language, which ail could understand, im-
pressed him strongly in their contrast with the pandits*
quotations from Vedas, Puranas and theological but unintelli-
gible authorities. He begged Kabir to initiate him as his
chela, but was bidden to wait. Again at Mathura, when en-
gaged in cooking his food, he noticed that the wood for his
fire was full of ants, and grieved that one meal must mean
the destruction of so many lives ; a stranger approached and
he recognised Kabir, who sang this sakhi : —
Life cannot be sustained but at the cost of life ; life preys
on life; how can mercy be shown to all living? O man,
consider.
Again he begged to be initiated, but again was told to
wait. A third time Kabir met him in Bandhogarh and again
solved another of his difficulties. Now he was told to sell his
possessions and keeping only a blanket for his covering to
follow Kabir. His wife Aman protested at this faith which
separated the husband from his wife : she too received and
obeyed the same command ; and many women following her
example became obedient to Kabir.
Another account tells of the visit of Loi to Dharm Das,
then a rich and unconverted baniya, and ascribes his conver-
sion to the action of Kabir on that occasion.
Among the hymns of Dharm Das is the following brief life
of his master:—
In Kashi he was manifested, was called a man, came io
the house of Niru.
In this dread world he made his religion known. In Kashi
he suffered the mocking of fools, by consorting with Qanga^ *
18 LIFE OF EABIR IN LBGBND
The Pandit of Jagannath he saved from the fire, pouring
water on his foot.
King Sikandar cast him bound into the water, into the
flames, at the feet of a maddened elephant.
He appeared as a raging lion. He discoursed of Nirgun
and sang the song that banishes fear.
He warned and instructed jivas (souls). He defeated the
qazis and the pandits. None could overcome him. All jiva&
that sought his protection found bliss.
Kabir, my master, giver of salvation, has sped the swans
on the path of heaven.
Another of his hj^mns tells of the famous visit of Gorakh-
nath to Ramanand, and of his receiving instruction from
Kabir. (See K. K., p. 41.)
My Lord Kabir spread the warp.
One peg he set in earth and one on heaven.
The thread became loose and was entangled: Brahma^
Vishnu and Mahesh were misled.
After spreading the loom the Satgur, came home : he
instructed Gorakh in his room.
Dharm Das says. Hear, brother Sadhus : by making and
remaking the treasure was sold.
At the outset of this discussion between Kabir and
Gorakhnath, the latter, impressed by Kabir's wisdom, asked
his age; and Kabir sang {Kabir Kasauti, p. 42.):—
Who asks of my age, is mad.
I am always and will remain for ever.
A million Vishnus have passed, many million Kanhaiyas.
Countless million Shambhus have been, Mohammed and
his caliphs :
Gods that cannot be numbered.
I am neither aged nor a ciiild. I rest not on this world.
Hear, O Gorakh ; such is my age.
And the two following hymns are said to have been chant-
ed by Kabir, as the two disputed on the nature of Maya :—
Hymn No. L
1. I have known Maya as a great deceiver. She roams
bearing a three-fold noose in her hand ; she speaks honeyed
words.
LIFE OF KABIR IN LEGEND 19
2. As iCainaia she settled in the bouee of Keshava, in
the house of Shiva as Bhawani.
In the house of Panda she abode as an idol, in the Tirathas
she became water.
3. In the house of the yogi as yogrini, in the raja's house
as rani.
In the house of one she settled as a diamond, in another's
as a paltry shell.
4. In the bhakta's house as bhaktiii, in the Brahman's
house as a Brahmani.
Kabir says, Hear, O Sants : this is a tale that none can
tell.--(Bi>fc, Shabda 59.)
Hymn No. 2.
1. ** O robberess ! Why do you wink with glad eyes ?
Kabir will never fall into your clutches. You cut the pumpkin
and made your drum, and slicing lemon made cymbals (sun
and moon).
2. Five Tui*ai (senses) sing, and Balamkhira dances.
Buffalo is Padmani and mouse (mind) lover. A frog beats
out the time, a she-ass sings the bridal song ; a camel sings a
song of Vishnu.
3. With necklace of tulsi on neck bedecked with silver,
she displays her beauties ; and with golden ornaments
beguiles.
4. She misleads three worlds. A fish climbs a mango tree
and plucks fruit ; a tortoise picks it up. Kabir says. Hear, O
Gorakh : only few can explain its meaning."
With this visit of Gorakhnath may be compared the
story of Sarva Jit, who came to Benares to dispute with
Bamanand. The aged Ramanand deputed Kabir to meet
him ; and on the pandit's objecting to this weaver antagonist
Kabir replied with the song Hanuiini 28 :—
1. No one knew the mystery of that weaver who camo
into this world and spread the warp.
2. The earth and sky are the two beams ; and moon and
sun are two filled shuttles.
3. Taking a thousand threads, be spreads it lengthways:
to-day he weaves still, but hard to reach is the far off end.
20 LIFE OF KABIR IN LEGEND
4. Kabir says, Joioiiig karm with karm, broken with
uubroken thread, splendidly the weaver weaves. -(Bijak,
Romahii 28.)
Sarva Jit was deeply impressed and sought to become
Kabir's disciple, but was directed to go to Ramauand. An-
other tradition explains the name of his opponent thus.
Sarvanaud having defeated all the pandits of his time in his
exposition of the Shastras had changed his name to Sarva .lit,
when his mother declared that there was one Kabir in
Benares whom he had not defeated and could not. With a
number of carts laden with books he started for Benares to
find Kabir. On his arrival Kabir asked him the reason of.
this challenge and he answered that until he had overcome
Kabir his mother would not acknowledge his greatness.
** If that is all," said Kabir, " I admit my defeat.'' The pandit
for the more complete satisfaction of his mother asked Kabir
to write this admission on paper and Kabir gave him leave
to write whatever he wished. Armed with this document on
which he had written "Sarva Jit defeated Kabir ''he re-
turned home and showed the paper to his mother, but the
words had rearranged themselves and now ran " Sarva Jit
was defeated by Kabir."
There are numerous stories which illustrate the some-
what unusual manner in which Kabir's disciples were attract-
ed to him. A Brahman named Bam Das met Kabir on the
bank of the Narbada and asked for a vision of Vishnu. On
being told that every visible form was Vishnu's, he maintain-
ed that he desired to see Vishnu with his natural eyes.
Kabir promised that his request should be granted and
to-morrow at raid-day Vishnu would appear to him in his own
house. Ram Das cleansed his house and prepared a great feast
for his expected guest. At mid-day there appeared a huge
and dirty buffalo which ate the food and fouled the house ;
Ram Das drove it off with blows and, having waited till
evening for his guest without result, set out to find Kabir.
Kabir met him with the words '* O Ram Das, Vishnu visited
your house at mid-day in the form of the buffalo. He ate the
iood you had prepared, but you seized a stick and drove him
out."
LIFK OF KABIR IN LEGEND 21
In Gujarat on tlie bank of the Narbada there lived twa
Brahman brothers, Tatta and Jiva, who had vowed that he
alone siiould be their guru, the water from whose feet should
cause a certain dried banyan stump to blossom. Kabir
in his wanderings came to their house, where the brothers
received him as a sadhu, washed his feet and sprinkled
the water upon the stump, which blossomed. They
accepted him as their guru, and, in spite of their kinsfolk*s
abhorrence for the Moslem weaver, refused to renounce
him. No one of their caste as a result would ally themselves
with the family of either, and by Kabir's advice they prepared
to marry the son of the one brother with the daughter of the
other. Kabir, now at Benares, was appealed to by all the
members of the caste to prevent such a precedent, but
pointed out that they themselves had left no alternative;
whereupon their kinsmen consented to reinstate the brothers,
and many more became disciples of Kabir. The banyan, now
become a mighty tree, is still shown.
In a land where custom, caste and tradition reigned, his
consistent rejection of the orthodox expressions of devotion
could not fail to be marked in the traditional stories of his
life. From his childhood he is represented as scandalizing
all the prejudices of Hindu and Moslem alike. On the banks
of the (Janges he sees the Brahman engaged in devotions and
discoursing on the mysterious power of the Ganges' water
that can wash away all sin ; he fills his wooden cup from the
river and offers it to the Brahman teacher who shrinks in
horror from the pollution caused by the Moslem weaver's
vessel. Kabir replies, 'M thought the water of the Ganges
could purify the weaver's cup. Now I see, the teaching you
give to others, you yourself do not believe":—
Song.
What profit bathing if the mind Is full of filth ? A fish
lives ever in the water, yet never loses its smell. The world
perished in visiting the tiraths, fasting and bathing in cold
water. Through each knowledge of the True Name death
has drowned all the ages. Two go to the tirath : the mind
is restless and the heart covetous. Not one sin was blotted
22 LIFE OF KABIR IN LEGEND
out, but ten maunds burden more was loaded. MillionB of
tiraths visited, millions of temples built. But so long as a
Saut goes unserved, all works are fruitless.
Again, the Nirbhai Gyan tells of a Muslim saint called
Jalian Gasht (the Pilgrim of the World) who came to India
and hearing of Kabir set out to visit liiui. When Kabir
heard of his arrival, he explained to Dharra Das that this
man was a true saint but still believed in the distinction
between Hindu and Muslim. Now God has sent Jiim to
me that I may complete his wisdom. Accordingly Kabir
ordered his disciple to bring a pig and tie it near his door.
Jahan Gasht arriving at Kabir's house and seeing tlie pig
was departing in disgust when Kabir called to him from the
upper room, O Jahan Gasht, why do you go without seeing
Kabir? and compelled him to enter. After the customary
salutations the pilgrim asked his host why he kept ti)e unlaw-
ful thing at his door. Kabir replied " O Jahan Gasht, I liave
kept the unlawful thing without my house, but you within
your heart. Had it not been in your heart, your eyes would
not have seen it. Whatever you keep within your heart is
made manifest. There is nothing lawful or unlawful. Tiiere
are but creeds which men have made. God has created
nothing that we should call unlawful or unclean. I look
on nothing as lower or as higher." Then at Jahan Gasht's
request he sang this song of instruction :—
1. Brother, whence came two divine masters of the
world ? who has led you astray ?
Allah, Rama, Karim, Keshava, Hari, Hazrat, are but
names given.
2. Jewels and jewels are made of one gold bar ; but in it
is one nature only.
In speech and hearing only, two are made : one Namaz
another Puja,
3. He is Mahadeo, he Mohammad : Brahma is called Adam.
One is called Hindu, one Turk : both live on the one earth.
4. One reads the Vedas, another Khutbas : one is Maulvi,
one is Pande.
Each is called by a separate name ; both are pots of the
one clay.
1
LIFB OF. KABIR IN LEGEND J8
5. Kabir says, both alike have gone astray : none has
found Rama.
One sacrificed a goat, and one a cow: in argument tliey
have lost their life.— (B/ja/r, Shabda 30.)
And in many other places in the Bijak there are hymns
containing allusions to the frequent controversies which
took place between the Moslem doctors and Kabir, as for
instance -Raraaini, 48 : -
1. Through Manikpur Kabir passed : there he heard
Shaikii Taqi's fame.
2. At the place that is called Jaunpur I heard, at Jhusi
I heard tlie names of many Pirs.
3. There are written twenty-one pirs ; they gave dis-
courses (Khutba) in honour of the prophet.
4. Hearing I could not refrain myself : ''Seeing these
graves ye are gone astray."
5. The works of the Friend of God and of his Prophet,
followed by you in act alone, are become unlawful.
6. Snkhi: O Shaikh Akardi, Shaikli Sakardi, give heed
to my words.
See the l)eginning and the end from age to age with
open eyes.
There remains for consideration the appearance of Kabir
before the Emperor Sikandar Lodi, referred to in the verses
of Dharm Das quoted above and many other legends of
Kabir. One might hope to find oneself on firmer historical
ground here but the trail of the legendary serpent is obvious
over all this incident too.
The Firishta describes Sikandar Lodi as himself a poet
and keenly appreciative of literary merit. He was as remark-
able for his fear of God as for his benevolence towards his
people. He encouraged charity of all kinds and maintained
a large number of holy men, and was firmly attached to the
Mohammedan religion which he sought to purge of many
imported superstitious practices. The same work counts
it to him for righteousness that he made a jwint of destroying
all Hindu temples and at Mathra made great efforts to
prevent the Hindu bathing ceremonies from being carried
out. In 1490 a Brahman of Kataen near Lucknow named
24 LIFE OP KABIR IN LEGEND
Boodhan created a considerable stir by maintaiDing witli
great ingenuity and publicity the thesis "That the religions
both of the Moslems and Hindus if acted on with sincerity
were equally accei)table to God." Two prominent Lucknow
doctors, Qazi Peela and Shaikh Bude, held contrary views ;
and ultimately the Governor Azim Humayun thought fit ta
send all the disputants to Sambhal, where the king, who was
fond of hearing religious disputations, directed the learned
of his empire to assemble and confute the Brahman. The
doctors finally gave their opinion that unless the infidel who
had maintained the Hindu worship to be of equal value in the
sight of God with that of the believer, should renounce his
error and adopt Islam, he ought to suffer death. The Hindu
refused to apostatize and was accordingly executed.
Before this sovereign Kabir, the legends say, was twice
arraigned. His enemies, Hindu and Moslem, carrying his
mother with them, went in full day-light with burning
torches to prefer their complaints against the weaver who
outraged the ears of the faithful Moslems with his cries of
Ram, Ram in every street and had desecrated the sacred
janeo and tilak of the Hindu by his unlawful assumption of
these symbols of the twice born. Shaikh Taqi also, jealous
of his fame, supported the complaints. Kabir was brought
before the king, to whom he refused obeisance: "I have never
learnt to make obeisance, save to One Who is above all."
The king demanded the reason of his delay in obeying the
royal command. Kabir replied that he had been absorbed in
watching a play. " I saw a passage smaller than a needle's
eye. Therein I saw thousands of camels and elephants pass-
ing on their way." The king declared this an impossibility
and Kabir a liar ; he replied :
O Kabir, speak not untruth.
None knows what may be in the fourth part of a
second.
O Kabir, a drop has entered into the sea : all know it.
But the sea has entered into a drop: few can understand.
The outward eyes are perished : the mind's eyes perished.
O Kabir, he who has lost all four (eyes) ; what can one
find in him ?
UFB OF KABIR IN LEGEND 25
And at the king's command explained— "O Sikandar,
bear ; heaven, earth, the sun and moon are far away one from
the other. In the vast interspaces elephants and camels, men
and other beings pass to and fro. All these you see in the
pupil of the eye. Is not the pupil of the eye as the eye of a
needle ? In one drop of water the sea appears, in one grain
of sand a million suns and moons are shining. If one sees it
not, his eyes are faulty.
Tiie king was satisfied and let him go. But Kabir's
enemies again approached Shaikh Taqi, who urged the king
to deal with Kabir as an infidel, hateful to Hindu and Moslem
alike, and a political danger ; the Hindus further insisting
that Kabir was a person of notoriously loose character,
associating habitually with low caste reprobates and women
of bad character.
The king sent for Kabir again, who answered/this second
charge thus : -
That I know all to he one, what cause of grief is that to
others?
If 1 am dishonoured, I have lost my own honour : others
Deed pay no heed.
Mean I am and with the mean I would be numbered : I
have no hire with others.
For honour and dishonour I care not: he whose eyes are
opened, he will understand.
Kabir says, honour is based on this. Renounce all else,
sing only Kam.
Till now I have fared well : this one case alone remains.
When this jiva is seized by Yama, will this honour stand
or vanish ?
The qazis demanded with threats that he should live as a
true Muslim. Kabir answered : I know not what a Moslem,
what a Hindu can be. In all hearts is but One Master : there
is not a heart without Him. I sacrifice myself to that form
wherein He appears. The qazis challenged his name Kabir,
a name of Qod. He answered. If you know this to be a name
of God, why do you call me so? And in reply to the king's
demand for his real name, he sang :—
My name is Kabir : all the world knows this.
m LJFB OF KABIR IN LEGEND
Id the three worlds is my name ; and iiappiness is my abode.
Water, air, the seasons, thus I created the world.
The unstruck wave thunders in the heaven, and Sohang
keeps time.
I made manifest the seed of Brahma. From the bands of
Yama I gave release and made the body clean.
Gods, men and munis do not find the end. Kabir's saints
alone can find it~(Kahir Kasauti, 37.)
By Vedas and the Book none will reacli the shore. So
deep is the mysterious knowledge : hear, O SiUandar : I am a
pir of both religions.
This was blasphemy; another saying of Kabir, "Into hell
fall Turk and Hindu ; Qazi, Brahman both deserve it," did
not mend matters. And Kabir by the king's order was bound
with chains and cast into the Ganges ; but the bonds could
not hold him nor the water drown. "The world is bound
with a twisted rope" of "mine and thine." Kabir cannot
be bound ; he has the Name as his support. He was thrown
into a fiery pit, but emerged unscathed. Then the king cast him
tooundhand and foot at the feet of an infuriated elephant;
the elephant refused to go near him, and the driver cried out
that he saw before him a raging lion and could not make
his beast go near it. The king having mounted the elephant
and nimself seen the marvel, hastened to prostrate himself
at the saint's feet. Kabir answered him :—
For him who sows thorns for thee, do thou sow flowers:
For thee the harvest will be flowers, but for him sharp
pains.
Tradition says that Kabir grew old in Kashi and assigns
him a life of 120 years. To the last his mind was set on
combating the superstitions and the belief in ceremonial
which many of his Hindu followers were still unable to
discard. When he felt death drawing near, he determined
to leave the sacred city for Maghar, which is some six
marches distant from Benares. The popular belief main-
tained that all who died at Maghar must return to earth
in the form of asses, and his disciples cried out at this deter-
mination of their master, which however they were powerless
to alter.
LIFE OP KABIR IN LEGEND 27
**Men say Kablr has gone far off. But few, the steadfast,
know the truth.
The three worlds know the sou of Dasrath ; tlie secret
essence of Rama's name is not tliis.
By his own knowledge each interprets; lie styles a rope
the snake he sees.
Though knowing virtue's fruit the best, yet leaving Hari
the mind finds not salvation.
Hari sustains all, as the water bears up the fish. Kabir
proclaims another, better, way."— (Bi/o/r, Shabda 100.)
His disciples begged him to relent. Lord, thou art dying ;
let us take thee to Benares.
**The world will die, but I shall not die. 1 have got one
giver of life. Infidels will die, saints will live. They will fill
and drink the immortal juice. If Hari die, then I will
die ; if he does not die, then now why should I die ? Kabir says,
I fixed the mind in the mind ; I became immortal and obtain-
ed the ocean of happiness.''
After this Kabir stretched himself upon the earth and
covered himself with a sheet. His disciples broke out in
lamentations and were rebuked for this :
O people, you are simple of understanding.
1. As water mingles with water, so Kabir will mingle
with the dust.
2. If Maithul is your real abode, then your death will be
at Maghar.
3 One who dies at Maghar, will not see death (be free
from the bondage of death).
If he dies elsewhere he will bring shame on Kama.
4. **One who dies at Maghar becomes an ass*'; a fine
thing, you have lost your confidence in Rama.
5. What is Kashi, what the waste land of Maghar, if
Rama dwells in ray heart ?
If Kabir leaves his body in Kashi, what credit will it be
to Rama ?
And there at Maghar he sang his last song, as the con-
summation of his union with the beloved drew near.
^ Sing, O Bride, the bridal song of blessing : to my house
faas come Raja Ram, my husband.
28 LIFE OP EABTR IN LEGEND
My body, my soul, are transported with delight. The five
tattwas form his bridal company.
Rama Deva has come to be my guest : I am inebriated
with the joy of youth.
My body delights in the lake of the Vedas: Brahma
himself chants the Vedas.
With Ram Deva I tread tlie sacred circle. Blessed, blessed
is my lot.
The three and thirty millions of the gods are come ; eighty-
six thousand men and munis,
Kabir says, I go hence, wedded with the Purusha, the
One, the Immortal."
The news of his death was rapidly carried to Benares
and his disciples flocked to Maghar, where a dispute arose
between two rival parties, headed by Raja Bir Singh and
Bejli Khan Pathan, as to the disposal of his body. Just when
an appeal to arms seemed imminent, there appeared an aged
man who bade the disputants raise the sheet tliat shrouded
Kabir's body. They did so, and found beneath it a heap of
flowers only. These they divided; Bejli Khan buried his
portion at Maghar, while Bir Singh cremated the remainder
at Kashi and buried the ashes at Kabir Ohowra.
THE BIJAK
This collection of hymns in various metres contains the
most authoritative record of Kabir's teaching. The word
itself has three distinct meanings — (1) an invoice, (2) essence
or seed, (3) a document by which a hidden treasure can be
located. The title given to this collection seems to be
derived from the third of these uses of the word. In early
<|ay6 near the Benares State there lived a race called Baroh :
the district they inhabited is still called Badohi, a corruption
of the original Barohi. An aboriginal race of India, when
conquered by the Rajputs and forced to do menial work,
they buried tlieir treasures out of sight, carefully marking
the places of concealment by secret signs on a carefully
preserved chart This chart they called a Bijak or key.
When in need of money, they recovered their treasure by
means of this Bijak, taking care never to disclose its secret
signs to any but their heirs. Kabir himself spoke the dialect
of the Mirzapur and Qorakhpur district, and no doubt was
familiar with this use of the word, to which he directly
refers in the Sakhi of the 37th Ramaini.
**The Bijak tells the secret of the treasure which is
hidden: the Shabda tells of Jiva; there are but few who
understand it."
The language of the Bijak is that spoken in the neighbour-
hood of Benares, Mirzapur and Gorakhpur, and the writing
is in the Kaithi character. Both style and language make it
exceedingly difficult to understand. The colloquialisms, idio-
matic and elliptical structure of sentences, and frequent play
on words, increase the difficulty. There is hardly a sentence
for which strict grammatical accuracy could be claimed.
Most of the words which were in common use in the time of
Kabir have by now become obsolete, while even at the time
when Kabir lived, his sayings were by no means always
30 THE BIJAK
understood. Kabir himself seems to be answering a charge
of obscurity in the 194th Sakhi. " My speech is of the East,
no one can understand. He only can understand me who is of
the Bast.'' Moreover this Purbia-boli was the dialect of the
villager : and the Brahmans and literate generally resented
being addressed in this fashion.
In the Bijak are found some 235 words of Persian, Arabic
or Turkish origin, generally in a more or less distort«^d form.
These words occur again and again. They had found their
way into the language of the country as a result of the
constant intercourse between the Hindu and the conquering
Moslems, who first entered the country in the early part of
the 8th century. All these conquering hordes that poured
in from beyond the Indus or from the north of the Himalayas
spoke some form of Persian ; hence the use of Persian words
and phrases made its way into the ordinary dialect of the
country. From the Prithvi Raj Rasa, composed by Ohand
Baroot sliortly after the defeat of Prithvi Raj by Shahab-ud-
Din Gori in 1193 A.D., we find that Persian and Arabic words
were in common use. Such words as Mahal, Parwardigar,
Paigam, Karim, Sultan, Badshah, Diwan, Khalq, Alam, Hazrat,
Mulk, Parman, found in this Rasa, as early as the beginning
of the 13th century are also words commonly used in the
Bijak. But the language of the Prithvi Raj Rasa can by no
means be regarded as typical of the everyday speech of the
13th century ; it consists mainly of Sanskrit words and
phrases and cannot be understood without a good working
knowledge of Sanskrit.
It is probable that in the Bijak we have the only exact
specimen of the language commonly spoken in the middle of
the fourteenth century : and earlier than this there are
no records of the spoken language, the Prithvi Raj Rasa
already referred to being in the main literary Sanskrit. Kabir
is said to have lived 120 years, and this if true would make
him the contemporary of the following Moslem rulers!:—
Muhammad Tuglaq ... ... ... 1394-1414. A. D.
Syed Khizar Khan ... ... ... 1414-1421. „
Mubarak Shah ... ... ... 1421-1435. „
THE BIJAK n
Mohammed 8hah .. .. ... 1435-1445 A. D.
Ala-ud-Din ... .. 1445-1450.
SikandarLodI ... ... ... 1488-1517.
Ibrahim Lodi ... ... ... 1517-162C.
There 'is an oral tradition tliat the contents of the Bijak
were originally dictated by Kabir to one Bhaggo Ji ; who is
identical with Bhagwan Das. When the Bijak was com-
pleted Bhaggo Ji took it to Dhanaoti, where it long remained
in tlie keeping of Dhanaoti Maliants, and was published in
manuscript form by the wandering disciples of Kabir. The
royal family of Rewa claim that it was given to them
by Kabir himself : and the manuscript of the Bijak in
the possession of the royal house of Rewa is said to be
that which was written out by Dharm Das in Sambat 1521
Bikrami.
The hymns of the Bijak comprise Ramainis, Shabdas,
Kaliarwas, Hindolas, Sakhis. In the absence of any earlier
work composed in these metres the claim of Kabir to be
regarded as the inventor of the metres and musical modes
thus used cannot easily be disputed.
But apart from purely literary or philosopiiical considera-
tions the real importance of Kabir rests on the enormous in-
fluence he exercised upon subsequent religious thinking. He
himself realised that in order to reach the mass of the popula-
tion it was essential that he should deliver his message in the
best known of the popular dialects— Hindi, Sanskrit, the lang-
uage ef the learned would have secured for him at best the
attention of a few educated pandits, and these would have
despised him as the son of a Moslem weaver. "Sanskrit/'
he himself says, " is like the water of a well, while the Bhasha
is like the flowing water of a river.'*. Perhaps this abandon-
ment of the language of the learned in favour of the diHlect
of the common people has proved the most powerful and
lasting of all the many religious reforms he set himself to
bring about. His teaching and that of his disciples has
resulted in the existence of additional Panths and sects in
many districts, more or less mutually exclusive. But the
Bijak was the precarsor of the countless hymns still sung
by wandering sadhuB in every village of Northern India.
32 THB BIJAK
Two-thirds of the Grantli is Kabir's, and his work leads
directly to the hymns of Tulsi Das and the Hindi Ramayan.
It seems strange tliat the great teacher Ramanand, the
father of the modern Vaishnavite sects, has left no work
in Bhasha: all his writings are in Sanskrit ; one solitary
Hindi hymn of his is preserved in the Granth. The story of
Kabir's initiation has been told elsewhere, but there is every
reason to suppose that Ramanand was largely influenced by
Kabir. Strictly orthodox in his observance of caste rules, he
is said never to have spoken to a non-Brahman except
through rfn intervening screen. But after his acceptance of
Kabir we find a Rajput, a Ohanmr, a butcher, a prostitute,
admitted to the status of disciple. The Ramanand Gash t gives
many instances, not all necessarily historical, of the strong
influence exercised by Kabir over his master Ramanand.
Kabir had twelve distinguished disciples, almost all
of low caste origin, and each of the twelve instituted an
independent order. An examination of tlieir scriptures and
their hymns reveals little of real originality : all alike show
a close following of Kabir, and the thoughts expressed are
those that have been more forcibly emphasised by Kabir.
Thus Jivan Das, himself a disciple of Kabir, founded an order
named the Sat Nami. Gyani, also a disciple, orginated several
mendicant orders. All these sing Shabdas, Sakhis, and other
hymns of Kabir; in the case of the latter the name of Gyani
being substituted for that of Kabir. Another disciple, Saiiib
Das, was the founder of the Mul Panthis. They do not ack-
nowledge Kabir as their religious guide, but their scriptures
contain nothing that is not to be found in the original
master. The Dadu Panth in Rajputana, the Sadhs of Parru-
khabad, the Baba Lali of Malwa, the Shiv Narainis of
Ghazipur, the Maluk Dasis of Kara Manikpur, the followers
of the Darya Sahibs of Behar and Rajputana, Oharan Das
and Paltu Sahib, are all direct descendants of Kabir and
sing his hymns, while the Pran Nathi, Nirmala, and Udasi are
but reflections of the same religious teaching. Again, the
Radha Swami Panth of modern days has recently compiled
three books to give authoritative expression to their doc-
trines of the Panth. Again the teaching given is Kabir's.
THE BIJAK 33
More honest than many of the sects already named, they
have acknowledged their debt and the name of Kabir is
retained at the end of each hymn. For the last fifteen years
a monthly periodical called The Sadhu has been published
at Lahore, and recently at Delhi, for the purpose of expound-
ing the teaching of Sadluis belonging to the different orders.
Again and again, whenever the doctrines or principles of an
order are to be illustrated, the hymns of Kabir are used to
make the doctrine clear. Acknowledgement of a debt to the
reputed son of a humble Moslem weaver perhaps proved
distasteful, but his inspiration was none the less indispens-
ible ; and his influence is patent.
To return to the more famous teachers, Nanak. Sur Das,
and Tuisi Das. A well-known tradition tells how Nanak s
father supplied his son with money and sent him out with
the object of establishing a lucrative business. In the
course of his journey lie fell in with tliree sadhus, upon
whom he spent the sum intended to serve as his capital.
History makes no niention of any attempt to spread teaching
by means of wandering disciples before that of Kabir.
Thus it is by no means improbable that these three sadhus
were emissaries of Kabir. There is a further record of
Nanak's meeting with Shaik Kamal, the son of Kabir.
Nanak is said to have been 27 years old when he met Kabir
in Benares, Kabir to have been 70 years of age when Nanak
was bom. But tradition assigns to Kabir a life of 120 years.
The story of the dispute over Kabir's remains and its settle-
ment reappears in the traditional life of Nanak. In the
family of Nanak Kabir is still held in great veneration and
the two sects Nirmala and Udasi, professed followers of
Nanak, regard Kabir as his Guru. Nanak himself mentions
Kabir with great reverence and says that he alone beside
himself reached heaven. In the Janam Sakhi of Nanak we
read that, when brought before Baber, Nanak told the
Bmperor that Kabir was a great saint and one with God ;
and there are numerous other allusions to the greatness of
Kabir in the same Jattam Sakhi, To these may be added
the following quotations, the first from a hymn of Dulam Das,
a follower of Nanak :
8
34 THE HIJAK
Nanak nam Kabir mata hai : so Guru praghat sunai.
Dhruve Prahlad ye hi ras mate : Shive rahe tari lai.
Nanak is the name of the religion of Kabir : the Guru has
told me so openly.
Dhruva Prahlad was intoxicated in that juice : and Siva
remained in samadhi.
The second from Gobind Singh : "Kabir Panth ab bhayo
Khalsa. The religion of Kabir has become Khalsa." Khalsa
means * pure ' and is the name of the Sikh religion.
The traditions may be regarded as untrustworthy and the
quotations capable of other interpretations or at least insuf-
ficient evidence on which to base so large a claim. There
remains a further consideration. Nanak and his successor
were all natives of thePanjab. But the hymns of theGranth
in Panjabi are comparatively few : nearly seventy per cent.
are in Hindi, and many hymns contain words of Gujarati,
Marathi and other southern dialects. The 15 Bhagats of the
Granth have borrowed largely from Kabir, and his influence
is strong throughout the whole of the Adi Granth.
Sur Das is said to have declared his intention of composing
1,25,000 hymns: he had composed seventy-five thousand
when death prevented the completion of his vow. His seventy-
five thousaind hymns were collected and edited by Abdul
Rahira Khan Khanan, the Oommander-in-chief of Akbar. Sur
Das was himself personally known to Akbar. Throughout
these hymns, in which for the most part he celebrates the
praises of Sri Krishna, there are considerable traces of Kabir's
influence. The more famous Tulsi Das in his autobiography
called Wane Patr writes —
Sarwasto Kabir ne kaha— Kabir sang the real thing.
Shesh bacha so Sur da laha— Whatever little remained was held by
Sur Das.
Tulsi Ram nam pad gaha. — Tulsi sang the praises of the name of Ram.
From this statement it would appear that Tulsi Das attri-
buted the larger part of the sacred hymns in Hindi existing
in his day to Kabir, ascribing the remainder to Sur Das. He
mentions no other bhagats in this connexion, and the
inference is obvious that he knew of little or no other original
work of this kind except that of the two writers he names.
THE TEACHING OF THE BIJAK.
A close study of the Bijak and the other works attributed
to Kabir forbids his dismissal as an abusive religious revolu-
tionary or even as an unsystematic and eclectic thinker.
His teaching is neither Vedanta nor Sankhya, neither Nyaya
nor Mimansa, but is based on original thinking of his own.
While it cannot be denied that thoughts resembling his are
to be found in the writings of Hindu philosophers, and
especially in the Moslem Sufis of all ages, yet the presentation
of them is peculiarly his own. His influence was consider-
able and his work valuable in its constructive as well
as in its critical and destructive effects ; and may yet play a
large part in the development of Indian religious thinking.
His criticisms of tl)e Hindu pandits and the Moslem divines
were certainly vigorous and incisive ; yet they seem to have
carried frequent conviction; while the religious sincerity
and the humour of his verse precluded bitterness and over-
readiness to take offence. The directness of his style and his
use of the vernacular are at once proof of his originality and
the key to his rapid success throughout Northern India.
In any attempt to estimate his rank as a poet it is neces-
sary to keep In mind three considerations. He is the pioneer
of Hindi literature, the father of all Hindi hymns ; for there
are none before him and the famous Granth is largely his. He
stands as far from modern Hindi as Ohaucer from the poetry
published in the Spectator of today. He was concerned
first ()! all with the delivery of his message. To the
modorn reador, and imrticularly to the Rur(>|>ean,*thi8 renders
him often obscure, not infrequently unintelligible. We hav6
lost the key to muoh of what he has written, and his
commentators, and even the Mahants that trace their origlD
to him, do not always seem to have retained it.
Finally it must be remembered that "These very difficul-
ties constitute its peculiar value to the student who wishes
36 THE TEACHING OF THE KIJAK
to learn the language of the people. It disciplines the mind
into recognising words which have been distorted and twisted,
and teaches one that a sentence can be turned upside down
and inside out and yet remain intelligible"* ,
^ /6,eligious toleration and the brotherhood of mankind—/
""^lese were among the chief lessons he set himself to inculcate,
and at a time when they were by no means the common-
; places of platform oratory.^ The duty of avoiding unneces-
^ sary contention and all persecution/is enshrined in a maxim
given by him to his disciples and still committed to memory
by almost all of them to tliis day :--
ffsft 5t^ 53^ ^ ^ft^ ^^ ^HT^ 'T^ "
Be friends with all and mix with all— talk, as Rome does,
at Rome :
'Of course, of course' agree with all— but— keep your life
and home.
By "taking the name of air' he meant using indifferently
the Hindu or Mohammedan names for God, Khuda, Allah,
Rahim, Rama, Kartar, Ishwar : by " of course, of course," he
meant the toleration of others' teaching without its approval
or acceptance.
In the second Ramaini he insists that " all men are of
one blood, one woman has given birth to all : what then
is this knowledge that keeps us separate ? " And again "I
have wept for the world, but no one has wept with me. He
alone will weep with me, who has understood the word." At
bottom his religion is love : he believes that God is love. His
form love, and His purpose that all should love Him. Kabir
teaches that once man begins to love God, he will count all
else but loss, see its nothingness, and will have union with God/
For Kabir God is still the Absolute, beyond all being, the
one, Atit, Satya Purush. Gods, men, and munis engaged
in the search for Him, but all alike failed to find Him
(Uam. III). Maya leads the whole world astray in error, and
salvation from the ocean of existence, the endless cycle of
' birth and rebirth, is impossible except by the knowledge of
the One and devotion to Him alone., But " What is truth?"
* Greaves' Grammar of the Ramayan.
/.
THK TEACHING OP THE BTJAK 37
" How can 1 describe the conditions of the Unconditioned,
who has neither village nor resting-place. He who must
be seen without qualities, by what name shall I call Him?"
Ram. VII. And again, ** When I was, there was none else ;
all were within me." Ram. XLII. And similarly Ramaini
VI, VII, VIII and many other passages expound the mystery
of the One, whom all have failed to find and all the systems
and doctrines and rituals serve only to obscure. Kabir
himself frequently uses the name Rama for God, but by
Rama he never means the son of Dasarath. *' The son of
Dasarath is known in the three worlds* but the secret name
of Rama is other than this.'*
Knowledge of the One and His bhakti are thus the essence ^
of all religion, the sole way of deliverance ; and these can
only be attained by the direction of the true Guni/or spiritual
guide, of whom Kabir speaks again and again, for "He is
false who renounces the son (i.e., the Sants) : by the mercy
of the Guru one learns Rama's service." LXVI.
Bhahti is tlie true searching after God the Paramatma.
It begins, remains and ends in the love of God. The BhaktaAr-
performs this Bhakti, not for the sake of gaining heaven
or for any reward, but for the love of God from whom he has
been separated by Kal and Maya. Kabir, Nanak, Tulsi Das,
Sur Das, all preached this bhakti : there is in it no thought of
reward ; trust in God, love of God, with no thought of any-
one or anything besides : this is all. /
Bhakti is of two kinds %• lower and w hi
is attained by Karmas. but these must be performed without
motive, otherwise they are useless. After passing through
the stages of Karma, the higher stage of devotion ^v 'ffii is
reached. /Thus Bhakti generally begins with Karmas, worship
and other rituals; but as the devotee passes from (1) Karma
Kand (law) and (2) Upasana Kand (Ritual) through (3) Gyan
Kand (knowledge or understanding of rituality) he then
gains the vision of God which is called Vigan Kand. But
the practice in all these stages must be without hope of
reward. Similarly the Snfls have also four stages of Ibadat;
(1) Shariat (Law), (2) Tariqat (Rituals), (3) Haqiqat (Reality),
(4) M'arifat (Knowledge).
gher. The first
38 THE TEACHING OF THE BIJAK
But throughout Kal Purush strives to mislead the Bhaktas.
He fascinates souls with honeyed words and darkens their
understanding. He increases in them the power of desire.
He entangles them in the things of the world, so that they
cannot leave it, making them think much of men and little
of God. He directs their minds to material progress, so that
the spiritual is more and more ignored.
In the Bijak he deals with each system of religion, criticis-
ing and pointing out their errors to the adherents of each.
Beginning with the Vedas he takes one by one the Hindu sys-
tems of philosophy and tiie Moslem faith, insisting that all
these beliefs and their accompanying rituals are powerless to
save a man because unable to bring him into union with God.
-^/At every step he seeks to show that the service of God and
tlie service of the world are utterly incompatible. Religion
for Kabir is love and devotion to God alone. In this world
we see love and hatred, light and darkness, body and soul,
sunshine and shadow. Where the Lord alone is, there are
love, light and sunshine. There is the Real alone. Those
who really love God, live and think on that plane, and not
oh that of the material world : just as the true lover will think
of nothing but his beloved, seeking always to attain a full
knowledge of his beloved and cherishing no other aim.
The Creation :—
Kabir teaches in many passages of the Bijak that God
is not the Creator of the universe. This is the creation
of Niranjan, and Niranjan was created by God. Again,
nothing in the universe is true and real : all is entirely illusory
and visionary. Maya is the mother as well as the wife of
Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha. Many allusions are made in the
Bijak to her deceits and it is she who, binding the soul to this
world, thereby becomes the author of all sins. Much of the
teaching on creation is to be found in the earlier Ramainis.
Thus in the first Ramaini — In the beginning one form Jiva
existed. Brahma makes the world, Vishnu provides for its
needs, and Mahesha decorates it. As these work in the
world, they also work in the body of each being. Raj, Sat, Tam,
the three Gunas, are their instruments, and by these they
work in the body, Brahma as chief of Rajo-gunr, Vishnu of
THE TEACHING OF THB BIJAK 39
Sato-gunr and Mahesha of Tamo-gunr. These three gave birth
to an innumerable progeny, male and female : the government
of the uni verge was divided by the three original powers
among themselves, and they are the sources of all powers and
actions in this material universe; but always beyond them
and unknown to them is the One, of whom the first line of
each of the earlier Ramainis speaks.
" Brahma built a house which he roofed in fourteen places.
Hari, Hara, Brahma are the names of the head men : who
founded for themselves three villages." This refers to the
government of the material universe and its fourteen divi-
sions Bho, Bhu, Suh, Tapa, Jana, Mah, Satyam, Atal, Vital,
Talatal, Rasatal, Mahatal, Satal, Fatal. In the third Ramaini
sometiiing like an order of creation is given : first an illusory
world was made, and next a place for it : then air, water,
trees and Maya extended in many forms : then the egg {and)^
body ipind) and the Brahmand : and last of all the gods, men,
and munis. These accounts of the creation can perhaps best
bo understood in the light of the myth which is given below
p. 41), while in the 84th Ramaini may be found an epitome
of the main thought of Kabir.
Karma and transmigration play as large a part in the sys-
tem of Kabir as in the rest of Hindu thinking. For to him as
to others they are the principles by which the |)hen()menal
universe is directed and to be explained. Of Karma he speaks
most plainly in Shabda 110 : and both underlie all his teach-
ing with regard to iiumau existence. Escape from the realm
of Niranjan, wheu those hold sway and all things are the
prey of Kal, is possible only.througli the union with God
which is the end of Bhakti. But to Kabir all the regulationsQ"
of caste, the rituals of religions, the systems of philosophy (the
six Darshanas) are no more than pretentious and misleading
follies, which serve only to confuse men^s miods, foster in
them an utterly mischievous self-importance, and blind them
to the one road to deliverance. Throughout the Bijak, as in
all the records of his life, he wages a truceless war with these ;
and is in constant conflict with the orthodox, whether Hindu
or Moslem.
An examination of the Bijak makes it clear beyond question
^^ THE TfiACHlNO OF THE BIJAK
that Kabir had a thorough and intimate knowledge of Hindu-
isra. He can and dors meet Hindus certainly on their own
ground. But his attitude is such that no Hindu would dream
of owning him as Hindu. He condemns unsparingly their
gods, their rituals, their sanyasis and their sadhus and all
their practices of piety. By the time in which Kabir lived
Moslem rule was well-established in Nortiiern India. The
devout Moslem held these practiceslin abhorrence, and Kabir's
attacks upon them convinced the Hindus that he spoke as a
Moslem. When he passed the same strictures on Moslem
practice also, the pandits sought the aid of the Qazis against
the common foe : hence the frequent allusions to unholy
alliances of Hindu and Moslem to silence the blasphemer, and
the records of discussions with Shaikh Tdqi and others. The
Moslems no doubt classed him with the Sufis, to whom much
latitude was always allowed. The contrast of Kabir's inti-
mate acquaintance with Hindu thought, writings and ritual
with the purely superficial knowledge of Moslem beliefs re-
vealed in the Bijak is too striking to be ignored. The Moslem
words and references are no more than might be expected in
an ordinary and even illiterate Julaha. But in order to
account for his detailed and extensive knowledge of Hindu
traditions and belief, we can only assume that he must have
spent a considerable time in the company of Ramanand or
other teachers, learned their lore, and from his criticism of
the systems practised in his time developed the belief which
he puts forth in the Bijak and his disciples spread.
In modern India organised attempts, such as that of the
Brahma Samaj, to correct the abuses in Hinduism tend to be
branded as disguised Ohristianity. It may be noted that an
interesting, if unconvincing, attempt to connect the Kabir
Panth with the teaching of the Jesuits has been made by Pt.
Walji Bhai of the Irish Presbyterian Ohurch. It seems pro-
bable that a similar tendency caused Kabir in his own day ta
be called a Moslem ; while the Moslems on the whole wel-
come his efforts, as a help in combating the idol worship^
of India, and acknowledged him as a Pir for his self-denying-
and pious life. ,
A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE MYTH WHICH
UNDERLIES THE COSMOLOGY
OF THE BIJAK.
In the beginning there was One Essential Being, Sat
Purush, " the True Porson," who exists alone, without
passions.
Of his own will he created the universe out of nothing.
To rule the universe he created six Brahmas, his ** holy sons,"
Onkar, Sahaj, Ichchha, Sohang, Achint and Achchhar. To
each was given a world and souls to populate it.
Sat Purush found that the six Brahmas failed to preserve
discipline in the universe. He therefore proceeded to create
a seventh son, whose origin was as follows :--
AchcHhar was sitting where all was water, when Sat
Purush brought deep sleep upon him. When Achchhar awoke,
he saw an egf^ floating on the waters, and began to meditate
upon it. Suddenly with a loud noise the egg burst in two
and there came forth a being of furious aspect, whom Ach-
chhar named Niranjan, (called also Kal and Kal Purush).
This being, though naturally of an ungoverned temper, en-
gaged in devotion (bhakti) so meritorious, that he was able to
ask of Sat Purush the boon of the sovereignty of the three
worlds (loks). The boon was granted with the condition that
he should make a polite request for the necessary materials
to the Tortoise (Kumarji) in whose keeping they were.
Niranjan however was far from conciliatory and the result
was a fight with the Tortoise, in the course of which Niranjan
cut off three of the sixteen heads of the Tortoise and thence
there poured forth the necessary materials, the Sun, Moon«
Earth, etc.
The Tortoise thereupon complained to Sat Purush, who
decreed that Niranjan should never enter his lok or see hi»
face.
42 THE COSMOLOGY OF THE BIJAK
Niranjan though now possessed of the material elements,
could not make man. He therefore swallowed the three
heads of Kumarjiand began again to perform Samadhi (trance
or meditation), at the end of which he asked for bij-khet (a
field to sow in). Sat Purush created for him a woman;
but she kept her eyes fixed on Sat Purush rather than on
Niranjan and only with great diflBculty was persuaded
to become Niranjan's wife. There was here a kind of
testing : so long as she concentrated her mind on Purush,
Niranjan had no power over her; but gradually Niran-
jan's fascination overcame her and she became entangled
in the world and separated from God. The issue of the
union was Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. After their birth
Niranjan became invisible : the woman remained. She is
Maya.
Brahma then asked his mother " Who is my father ?" She
answered " You have no father." Brahma, unconvinced, set
out in search of him. Brahma, however, was destined to be
the creator of this universe ; the woman accordingly formed
a girl and sent her after him to persuade him to retj^rn. He
told the woman that he had seen his father, and received
the answer, " That is untrue ; therefore you shall beg from
door to door."
Vishnu was then asked whether he had seen his father,
and answering "No" received as his reward the sovereignty
of the three loks.
Mahesh, asked in his turn, returned no answer and was
told he would be an ascetic.
The woman then created three daughters to be wives to
her sons : Niranjan at the same time created the four Vedas :
but all were drowned in the ocean. The three sons therefore
churned the ocean and recovered both women and Vedas.
The latter were absorbed in Saraswati, who was assigned to
Brahma, while the other two women were given to his
brothers.
Brahma then created the present world, and men began
to worship the three brother-gods. It is said that, of the four
kinds of created beings, Andaj-Kliand (oviparous) were made
by the woman, Pindaj-Khand (mammals) by Brahma, Ukmaj-
THE COSMOLOGY OF THE BIJAK 43
Khand (insects) by Vishnu, and Stliawar (vegetable and
minerals) by Mahesh.
Gradually the woman realised that her three sons were
shutting her out from the attention of mankind. She there-
fore created three more daughters, who originated thirty-
six kinds of music and sixty-three tunes and so fascinated
the world that all began to believe in the mother (Devi).
The souls of men were thus distraught and they cried to
the Sat Purush, who in answer sent Kabir into the world to
teach men to look beyond Niranjan and his progeny to the
One, the Sat Purush himself.
This messenger of the Sat Purush is known by different
names in the four ages ; thus in the Satyug he is Sat Sukrit :
in the Tretayug, Munindarji : in the Dwaparyug, Karunamai
Rishi ; and in the Kalyug, Kabir Sahib.
The Root of the true Religion of Kabir.
Ishwar (Ood)
Achariya (Manifester)
Guru (Guide)
Shastar (Scriptures)
Marg (Way or path)
Cbal (Mode of life)
Maktidwar (Gate of salvation)
Lok (Abode)
Satya Purush.
Kabir Sahib.
Parakh.
Swansan Ved.
Nirvan.
Satoguni.
Sar Shabd.
Satya Lok.
PRINCIPLES OR COMMANDMENTS OF
THE KABIR PANTH.
1. To believe in One Avagat, Atit, Brahm, Satya Purush.
His bhakti sliould be practised.
2. Satya Purush and Kabir Sahib are one. Satya Purush
manifests himself in Kabir.
3. Faith ia the Guru and in his teaching.
4. True Sadhus should be served.
5. Show mercy and love towards all Jivas.
6. To abstain from all kinds of meats.
7. To abstain from all kinds of intoxicating things.
8. To abstain from adultery.
9. No visible object in this world should be worshipped.
10. Anything offered to images should not be eaten. Every-
thing you get to eat, offer it first to the true God, then eat it.
11. Do not tell lies.
12. Do not steal.
13. Do not gamblco
14. Mark your body in 12 places (Tilak).
15. Use clean clothes.
16. Wear Tulsi necklace.
17. Repeat Satya Nam.
18. Practise bhakti of Satya Purush and preach him,
19. Do not believe in charms, amulets and other supersti-
tious things (Jantr, Mantr, and Tantras).
20. The way of salvation cannot be found in any other
books but in Swansan Ved.
21. Besides Satya Kabir and his Hans no one will be able
to save.
22. Without True Guru no one will get salvation.
23. Apart from bhakti of Satya Purush all other bhaktis
will drown in the world and will not save any one.
24. Tirath, Barat, etc., are all bands of Yama and people
are tied with them.
25. Nine kinds of bhakti and four kinds of Muktis are bands
only.
PRINCIPLES OR COMMANDMENTS OF TUB KABIR PANTH 45
26. Those who worship NirgunrorSurgunr they are always
bound down.
27. Hindu, Moslem and any other sect can join Kabir's
religion.
28. Heaven and hell and other Loks have no existence
except for the ignorant.
29. Without the knowledge of Sar Shabd no one can attain
salvation.
30. Abuse, deceit and jealousy are enemies of salvation.
31. Humility is a great virtue.
32. The way of salvation is very narrow.
33. Whatever troubles you have to face do not ask help
from another god, but from God.
34. Whoever accepts Sat Guru should serve him with all
his heart and power.
35. Kabir is bodiless. His body never suffers.
36. Give thanks for the gift of Sat Guru.
37. The fear of God is the sign of salvation.
38* Without true love of God the practice of bhakti is
fruitless.
39. Blessed are those who renounce the covetousness of
this body and remain in devotion.
40. Without thinking of others' good no one can attain sal-
vation.
41. To speak moderately is a great virtue.
42. To read Sat Guru's words is a great virtue.
43. Kabir Sahib has established his religion through a cer-
tain family : only that should be honoured.
44. Do not curse any one.
45. t>ne should know the supreme Spirit.
46. Proud persons cannot know the supreme Spirit.
47. To follow the Guru's instructions is great worship.
48. So long as one thinks much of his body and nourishes
it he cannot know God
49. The ignorant and unwise and without undorstaoding
will never know how to attain salvation.
50. So long as one is proud of his body and considers it a
real thing, he will oever be able to be called bod i loss while
having body.
THE BIJAK
AD-MANQAL.
1. In the beginning was the Almighty alone : there was
none other :
How came the second to be ? O Guru, I ask tliee this.
2. Then the Sat-Gpru spoke with his lips and said. Listen,
O good and wise man :
I will relate to thee the secret of the beginning and the
end.
3. In tlie beginning the Almiglity let Sruti' slowly be
manifest within Himself.
And let it grow and expand into seven*.
4. Secondly within Him desire sprang and the seven fol-
lowed with all their heart and mind :
Seven forms were created, hut none recognised the Un-
conditioned.
5. Then in the ear of the Almiglity the root of Sruti was
manifested :
The organ of sound came and thence five Brahmas* ap-
peared.
6. Bach of the five laid an egf^ and put them one within
another :
Two desires are hidden there ; O good man, understand it
well.
7. Yog Maya, for the sake of principles, produced the
letter :
This was made by the Infinite, the Almighty ; and He kept
it bidden.
8. The breath So/urn* sprang, which bound all :
' Thought or ioteUigeno«.
' Ooe became nuuij.
* FiTe yital breaths :— Udana, Prana, Apana, Qamana. Vyana.
' That I am.
4 AD-MANGAL
Eight' essences were made ; O wise sant, understand it.
9. The light of the inanimate egg he diffused everywhere :
Sitting on the top of the egg he laid the foundation of the
lower half of the sphere.
10. From the love of that inanimate sprang the mi'ghty
letters :
Four essences' were made, four Vedas were diffused.
11. Then to these letters were given sleep, attachment
and weariness :
This was done by the Almighty, the Infinite ; none under-
stood the secret.
12. When the sleep of the letters was over and^the un-
consciousness of the Sruti was decreased :
There was one egg of dark colour floating in the waters.
13. Within the heart of the letters there arose a pang of
restless doubt :
Who created this egg ? Whence is its origin ?
14. Upon the face of this egg was the impress of the
Word ;
From the front of the letters there broke forth the father
of the ten doors.
15. Thence was manifested the light of Niranjan* , and
all kinds of forms :
And Kal,* of boundless power and strength, became the
governor of the three worlds.
16. From him sprang three deities, Brahma, Vishnu, Ma-
hesha :
These made the four corners by tlie instructing of Maya.
17. Four Vedas, six Shastras and eighteen Puranas :
Bound down the world in hope and made all three worlds
to go astray.
18. In the stream ol eighty-four millions' Jiva was given
abode :
' Five elements : — Earth, air, fire, water and ether ; three qaali-
ties '.—Goodness, foulness, and darkness.
* Akar, Okar, Makar, and Bindu.
■ Unborn.
* The angel of death.
* This means 8,400,000 re-birtlKs.
1 ^Imar Lok. Abode of
Immortalily.
2 Ci/oni Vuruth. Wi»e
Beinv. i.e.. the
True Guide. Kabir.
3. /ap. medilalion.
4. SaratwaH. the god-
dcM ot learning.
5. Jioa ShakU. life
energy.
6. Mahadeo.
7. Vi.hnu.
8. Brahma.
9. Ganetha.
10. MaJa. pride.
11. AfoAa. infatuation.
12. Kama, detire.
13. M altera, tnvy.
14. Lobha, covetotttnett.
1 5. KroJha. anger.
16. Nagc, Serpent.
17. ACurma. TortotM.
AD-MANGAL 49
Fourteen Yamas' were made and faith was in four Vedas.
19. All in searcti of their own happiness wander within
one egg :
In birth and destruction, weal and woe, they come and go.
20. After this came I for the sake of the true Word :
The origin of the beginning and the end I now proclaim
to you.
21. The seven Srutis are the root of all, and destruction
also is within them :
All has sprung from them, and all will be absorbed in them
again.
22. The Almighty, considering all this, Himself remained
concealed :
I have come to bring this message, to wake the world from
its sleep.
23. Without the seven Srutis and beyond the sixteen
Sankhyas (of Jivas) :
There is the seat of the Almighty, that causes the salva-
tion of Swans.
24. Prom house to house I have proclaimed this ; none
listens to my word :
They will be drowned in the ocean of existence and the
stream of the eighty-four millions.
25. The message of the first creation hear, O wise sant:
Thus says Kabir, the awakened Guru, by the orders of the
Almighty.
^ Fourteen loks. See Ramaini 2.
RAMAINIS.
1
1. In the beginning one form Jiva existed:
In the beginning the light had its manifestation.
2. Desire was made in the form of woman :
To her was given the name of Gayatri.'
3. To that woman were born three sons :
Brahma. Vishnn, Mahesha were the names given.
4. Then Brahma asked the mother:"
Who is thy iiusband and whose wife art thou ?
5. I am thou, thou art I ; there is no one beside:
Thou art my husband and I thy wife.
6. Salchi :— Father and son liave the same wife* ; one
mother' gave birth to both :
Never have I seen a son so worthy that he sought out his
father.*
2
1 In the bftginnins:' was light, Shabd/ One and Woman :
From her are Hari. Brahma, Tripurari.
2. From these three came numberless males and females :
None of them knew their own beginning and their end.
3. Bidhata (Brahma) built a iiouse :
Wiiich he roofed in fourteen places^.
* A raost8a*)red verso <.f tho Riff Veda : overy Brahman ;niist repeat
it in his morning and eveninfi; devotions. It is also called Savitri and
she is the wife of Hrahma and mother of the four Vedas.
" Adi-Maya.
> Maya.
* The real essence-Qod.
* Vnmuni staf^e.
* The Hhabd means soand or speech : it bM four stages :— \1) the
first stirriofc of breath. (2) the whisper of the breath, (8. the middle
staf^o. (4) articiilite atteranco.
'7 HoaTens:— eicth. space, heaven, abode dt Rants, abode of
Brahma'A sons, abrido of VairaglR, abode of Brahma. 7 Hells : Atal, Vital,
PuUl, Mahatal, Itiisatal, Talatal. Fatal.
52 RAMAINIS
4. Hari, Hara and Brahma are the names of the
head-men ;
Who founded for themselves three villages ^
5. They also roade the Khand and Brahmand* :
Six Darshanas' and ninety-six Pakhandas*.
6. No one has been made to read the Veda in the womb;
The Turk is not born circumcised.
7. All that desire woman pass througli the womb :
Disguised in various garbs they play their part.
8. Then thou and I were of one blood :
One life pervades us all.
9. One woman gave birth to tlie whole world :
By what knowledge come you to be separate ?
10. When one comes out from the door of the womb he is
called child :
When he enjoys woman he is called man.
11. No one knows the conditions of the unconditioned :
With but one tongue how can I explain it?
12. If one had ten million tongues in his mouth ;
Then, O Mahants, he might be able to speak.
13. Sakhi :— Kabir cried aloud and said : This bargaining
has an end :
For lack of knowledge of the name of Rama the world is
drowned and dead.
3
1. In the first beginning there was thought :
The second that appeared was a resting-place therefor.
2. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti* then appeared :
From the first moment the soul sought to find the
method of devotion^.
3. Then appeared the And, Find, Brahmand*" :
Then the earth appeared and was divided into nine parts.
' Heaven, earth, Hell.
» Brahma's egg.
« Utar Mimansa, Purab Mimansa, Sankh, Yog, Niyaya, Vashishak.
• Jogi 12, Jangam 18, Sevra 24, Sanyasi 10, Darvesh 14, Brnhman 18.
• Female Deities.
• For these deities.
' Four kinds of animal kingdoms :— Fiom a placenta ; from eggs ;
from seeds ; from minerals.
RAMAINIS 53
4. Then appeared air, water aud shade* :
Maya appeared, diffused in many forms.
5^ Then appeared Sidh,* Sadhak' aud Sanyasi* :
They all engaged in the quest of the Immortal.
6. Then appeared gods, men and munis and all else :
They all failed in the search.
7. Sakhi :— Gods and souls appeared ; the gods were
Lords, the rest their slaves :
Kabir knows nothing more,* his hope is in the name of
Rama alone.
1. At the first step the Guru took thought :
They* praise the Maker as Creator.
2. By directing it to action he' has led the world astray :
Maya bound the world in devotion to Shakti.
3. He showed them wondrous forms, taught many kinds
of speech :
So love sprang up, he sang Raraainis*.
4. The worshipi^ers of Sugun and Nirgun did not under-
stand its meaning :
Many did not recognise it.
5. Whoso understands, liis bo«iy is free from impurity :
Without understanding, men became like moths.
6. Sakhi : -Understand, and sing with understanding :
O fool, you did not understand the song :
** Beginning and end, creation and destruction ;** 'He
himdelf has clearly spoken it.
' Trees.
' Ad accomplished Ksnt.
' An sdept, an aooomplisher.
* One who abandons or resigns.
* i.4^, Kabir oares nothing for gods and sonls.
* Jivius.
' Brahma.
* It means that the Guru showed himself in many wondrous forms, and
taught in many kinds of speech, and love sprang in him for Jivas and he
gave teaching in Ramainis.
' The Guru.
54
RAMAINIS
5
1. For how lonof shall I explain the subject of the a^es :
Brahma went astray and did not recognise the Saviour.
2. It ^ave pleasure to Hari^ Hara' and Brahma :
They took two letters and made a system.
3. These two letters' they united :
The Heavenly Sound and Light appeared as proof.
4. They read the letters and being enlightened founded
the way :
That gave delight to Sanaka and Sanandan.
5. Veda and the Book were diffused :
And thus expanded were beyond all comprehension of
the mind.
6. In all four ages the Bhaktas* founded their different
ways :
No one understood and the bundle (of Karma) was torn.
7. , The earth^ through delusion strays on all sides :
restless it finds no remedy.
8. If the mind wavers not*', it will find heaven :
leaving the Husband'^ it will fall into hell.
9. The Swan that keeps its first direction* finds salvation :
the tryst** is close : let one but understand.
10. The Bhaktas decked themselves with Bhakti'" :
but all are drowned in midstream.
11. Sakhi :— Without the teaching of the Guru, here
is mere confusion :
The Husband * ' met me and told me.
For the preacher*^ preaches it in all ages, but no* one
pays any heed.
^ *' One who removes " the sins of men ; a name of Vishun.
» A name of Shiva.
^ Light and darkness, heaven and hell, heat and cold, pain and
pleasure, etc.
• Devotees.
» This world and its people.
• One who is firm in God.
^ J'tunning after other gods.
■ Towards God.
• Meeting with God.
^^ Bhakti here means Maya. Relied upon their own righteousness.
" Guru.
RAMAINIS 55
1. How can I explain His form or outline :
there is no second who has seen Him.
2. He is neither Onkar\ nor Veda' :
what can I say of the secret of his family ?
3. He is neither stars, nor sun, nor moon :
He is not born of any father's seed.
4. He is neither waters, nor dry land, nor stillness, nor
wind :
Who can name or lay commands on Him ?
5. There is no day, no night :
Who can say what is His family and caste.
6. Sakhi : — In the void consciousness arose : then a light
^ was manifested.
I sacrifice myself to the Purusha*, who is self -existent.
V
1. When there was no air, and no water,
then who created the universe ?
2. Then was no bud, no flower,
then no womb and no generation.
3. Then was no learning, no Veda,
then no word, no taste.
4. Then was no body, no dweller,
no regions below, no earth, no sky, no heaven.
5. Then was no Gum, no chela,
no fatliomable no unfathomable, no worship of Sugun
and Nirgun, no two paths.
6. Sahhi :— How can I describe the condition of the un-
conditioned, who lias neither village nor resting-
place ?
He who must bo seen without qualities, by what name
shall I call Him ?
» Tho mystic syllable Om.
' Adi Ved.
• The eternftl Person.
56
RAMAINIS
8
1. Tatvamasi' is Mie preaching of tlie Upanishads' :
that is their message.
2. Great is their reliance upon this^ :
but how can they, however mighty, describe Him?
3. The Eternal essence is His own proof :
Sanaka's company and Narad were delighted to know.
4. Yajnavalkya and Janaka discoursed thereon :
Battatriya enjoyed the same sweetness.
5. The same Vashishta and Rama sang together :
the same Krishna expounded to Udho.
6. The same Janaka firmly grasped :
and having body was called bodiless.
7. Sakhi :~Who gives up all pride of family : living, he
does not die.
He sees what is not seen, and himself is called unseen.
9
1. Some bound themselves with eight* painful woes and
nine ropes',
Yama has bound the son of Anjani.
2. Yama's servants bound continually :
they bound the whole universe.
3. The three millions of gods are tied :
by meditating (upon whom) men think their iron bands
are loosened.
4. A Raja, if he meditate, will reach the Turiya' state :
if the religious meditate, he will advance yet further.
5. Some meditate on the meaningless woman^ :
the common folk when they meditate do but sweep
away flowers*.
» Thou art he.
* The theological and argumentative parts of the Vedas.
• Upon tliis message of Upanishad.
* Ashtangh Yogi suffering pain in two hands, two thighs, breast,
two eyes and forehead. ' » «>♦ wxoaow.
«,^^ Ji^® "'''® u?'"'^^ ""^ worship --hearing ; celebrating praise ;
meditation ; worshipping the feet of the Guru ; image worship rsaluting ;
attendance ; friendship ; and communion. ^ *
• Transcendental or death-like state. ' Maya. • After flower fruit
will remain.
RAMAINIS 87
6. Safc/ii:— Those who choose bondage get the fruit thereof :
it was their god that bound them :
Kabir says, They only will be saved, who repeat the
Name every moment.
lO
1. The religious were washed away in the pipal forest' :
none warned tiiem of the coming flood.
2. When the flood came they were confounded :
Yama from birth to birth is clothed in power.
3. Olothed in power Yama Htarts forth :
and enters the three worlds alike,
4. He has bound Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha :
And Parvati's son Ganeslia.
5. He has bound air, fire, sky, water :
has bound the two heroes, sun and moon.
(J. All who recited true Mantras' he bound :
the woman' knows nothing of the immortal essence.
7. Sofchi :~Though knowing not of the immortal essence,
yet all i>eopIe passed for iiappy :
ICabirsays, He who has no desires, he is not subject
to life and death.
11
1. In blind discussions tlie world has become mad :
in the three worlds robbery is rife.
2. Brahma was robbed and Naga killed,
Tripurari* in the company of the gods was robbed.
3. Vishnu suffered rohbery by reason of his kingdom :
though he ruled the fourteen regions of the world.
4. When no one knows its* beginning and its end :
wherefore do you fear it ?
5. It is as the light and you as the moth :
the soul has made its abode with Yama.
6. As the insect of the iiim tree loves the juice of the
fttm :
80 the fool says poison is Amrit*.
* In the waves of Maya.
' Who followed tho right path : oven thej wero trapped by Maja.
* Maya. ' Mahadeva, god of gods. * Neotar.
» RAMAINIS
7. What benefit can come of poison ?
for a little profit the treasure was lost.
8. Though poison and Amrit are mixed together :
yet he who has sense knows it is poison.
0. O man, what has become of knowledge and ignorance ?
Without clear understanding the world is foolish and
without knowledge.
10. Void of understanding, what can one say of their
knowledge ?
They are set on coveting and make their hope of it. -
11. Sakhi :— All are dead, ye also will die : the dead are
proclaimed by beat of drum.
The world is compared unto a dream: that sound re-
mains as the only witness.
12
1. The fortress^ is of mud and the lock" of stone :
that which is the forest* is also the watchman'.
2. Seeing the forest the soul is afraid :
Brahman* and Vaishnavite* are known as one.
3. The farmer" makes all ready and does his farming :
no seed is sown in a growing' field.
4. O man, give up all these vain imaginings :
in them (jiiru and chela alike are drowned.
5. The third was drowned, Parath^ :
who set fire to the forest.
6. The dogs^ barked and died barking :
nothing resulted from the jackal'.
7. Sahhi : -The mouse" and the cat» are confederate :
how can they live together ?
O sants, behold a wonder :
the elephant® devours the lion".
' Body.
• Tliose who control their mi
« Mind.
and body.
* Sant.
' False teachers.
* Wise.
• Jiva.
' Full of illusion.
• Maya.
RAMAINIS 59
18
1. Though one has no faith in the world :
how is it that the elements' of the world have wound-
ed him sorely ?
2. They will be hidden in that which is left :
no one put any faith in this.
3. Men hence having lost their capital :
no one can cut the sharp edge of Yama.
4. Today's work is work, tomorrow^s is not work at all :
kings have loaded up and gone to the four winds.
5. Following an easy venture you have lost your capital :
instead of profit you found loss, O brother.
6. By reason of your feeble wit the moon has set :
yet, you say, the Lord resides in the junction of
Trikuti.
7. Vishnu gave this counsel :
get you victory by the eight ceremonials".
8. Then Sanaka and his company considered this element :
and rejoiced like a beggar who finds unlooked for
treasure.
9. Perceiving this they were comforted :
in their minds all doubt was at an end.
10. The sight of creation is revealed in a moment :
one dies, another ponders over it.
11. Tliose who are dead and gone, none speaks of them :
false hope has fastened on the world.
12. Sakhi : -To save yourself from burning, why do you
not cry aloud for help ?
You have eaten poison and poisoned food heaped to-
gether day and niglit.
' Drahh are nine :— Earth, water, lire. air. sky, fonr wlnd«», death,
mind and nonrs illoslon, Brahmn.
> T . mako onosclf oxcoodiiigly Hmall ; tx) make onosolf hirjjo ;
to make oneself heavy ; to touch tho nan and moon ; to mako predio-
tions ; to snbdae ; to creato.
^ HAMAINIS
14
1. He in his pride is a great sinner :
in the form of Pakhand be knowingly deceived men.
2. In the form of dwarf he deceived king Bali :
what ^ood has Brahma done to any one ?
3. Brahma has committed all manner of thefts :
Brahma is guilty of all offences.
4. Brahma has composed Granth' and Puranas' :
how do you kuQw me' as a man ?
5. By ofie is found the Way of Brahma :
by one Swan tiie praise of Gopal is sung.
6. By one is found a Way of Sambhu :
by one men learned to honour evil spirits.
7. By one man learned the worship of images :
by one to bow down and offer Naniaz*.
8. No one pays heed to the warning of another :
O Kabir, they do not know the husband to be false.
9. O my faithful, sing praise with body and with mind :
Kabir is true and speaks true words.
10. Himself » is the God and Himself the leaf that is offered.
He is family and He is caste.
11. He is all created things : He dweller in the world :
He himself is husband : He is enjoyer of all happiness.
12. Four ages have passed since first I proclaimed it :
now before whom shall I cry aloud ?
13. Sakhi :-None believes him who speaks the truth : all
cleave to tlie false.
False consorts with false, and the fool eats ashes.
^ Scriptures.
Puranas are eighteen, they ;*re collections of doctrine and
mythology.
* Maya.
* Muslim prayer,
* Brahma.
RAMAINIS 61
15
1. The clouds* have pjathered and the evening has fallen ;
The guide* has lost his way in the midst of the forest*.
2. The lover* is here, and the husband* there :
the four-fold blanket* shrouds the forehead.
3. Sahhi :— She' cannot bear even a flower's weight and
weeping complains to her maiden friends.
As the blanket gets wetter, wetter, so the burden gets
heavier, heavier,
16
1. Walking, walking, the feet are aching :
constant failure brought vexation of spirit.
2. The Gandharbas and thei Munis found not the end :
they failed and bade the world seek out the invisible.
3. The bonds are thick ; yet the bondage is not seen :
they died in weariness, yet understood nothing at all
4. Misled, the soul is sore afflicted :
the night appears as a pitch dark well.
5. It is full of Maya and of Moh' :
it is full of frogs, ligiitning and wind.
<J. It is close and rains in continuous stream :
the night is awesome and there is no provision.
7. Sakhi :— All are gone astray ; the blind are misled :
none heeds instruction ; all are sunk in one error.
17
1. Were I to meet another soul like mine :
it would bring much joy and devotion to my heart.
% If to any I expounded the word of Rama :
love did not appear in him.
3. I have seen all the world in one * condition :
he who is without it**^, alone discriminates.
4. The soul seeks release from the noose of worldly
desire :
yet, go where it will, these the butcher'* waits to strike
it.
^ Foolishness. ' Pour Vedaa and oeremonial code.
^ Brshma. ' Jiva.
* Ved, Puranas, etc. * Desire.
* Devotee. * Pollowiog Maya.
* God »» Maya.
IJA.MAINIS
5. Let the butcher come, knife in hand :
come he will, yet I will strike him on the head.
6. Many and great men came :
but all were taught by one Pandit ^
7. Read, and having read always keep the secret :
else assuredly it will be lost.
8. Sa/r/ii :— Repeat the name of Rama, renouncing the
hope that causes all grief.
Else it will grind you from above ^ and from below",
with all the force of fifty million mills.
18
1. The way of faith* 'is wonderful, past all describing :
Rama is astray the world is astray.
2. If you will, then awake, O brother :
else Yama will bear the soul away.
3. If one believes not the Shabda, and yet gives discourses
on wisdom :
then Yama has made an abode for him.
4. Doubt, the hunter, has settled in your body :
and preys upon the flawless diamond*.
5. Sakhi :— Doubt has settled in your body, there throws
its dice.
The soul itself is wounded, yet it utterly destroys
other souls.
19
1. They have set their hope on the Light invisible :
now look at this amazing marvel.
2. See, brother, this their marvellous performance :
where all is void, there is their resort.
3. They longed for the void and have reached void :
they have let go the guiding hand and go on guideless.
4. Doubt" the hunter ranges through all the world :
Kal hunts his prey at evening and at dawn.
5. Sahhi :— Repeat the name of Rama : Kal has seized
you by the hair.
Who knows when he will slay, whether in your own
home or abroad.
1 Brahma. • Kabip's religion.
'Maya. * jiva.
RA&IAINIS 6t
20
1. Now recite the immortal Dame of Rama :
O soul, leave not Hari uor go elsewhere.
2. Go whither you will, it is but to be a moth' :
let not yourself be burued : know tliat to which you
cleave is poison.
3. He who repeats the name of Rama in meditation :
yielding to his glamour as Bhringikit' resigns to his
will.
4. Now the burden of trouble weighs heavily :
O soul, bestir thyself, that thou may'st see and consider.
5. The thought of the mind is a wave of wickedness :
thou seest not its beginning nor its end.
6. Sakhi: -In the ocean of desire Rama's support is a ship:
Kabir says, Find Hari's refuge : then you will cross it
as if it were no bigger than the print of a calf's hoof.
21
1. There is great trouble, a mine of troubles :
thou wilt escape only when thou knowest Rama.
2. Know Rama and find the path of union :
thee the noose will not fall round thee.
3. Gold and maidens, horses and silks :
great store of riches endure but a few days.
4. With a little wealth one became demented :
and took no thought of Dharam Rai.
5. Seeing his' fearful aspect, thy face is blackened with
terror :
thou hast swallowed poison in mistake for Amrit.
6. Stihhi ;— I create, I kill, I burn, and 1 devour.
Indwelling in water and in earth : my name isNiranjan.
* Admirer of Maya.
• An insect that seize** anti fascin.itos anothor .md t Ikh .sl()\\ ly <locs
its victim to doath. Having carried its victim to its lust . it cliirms it
by itK hummiiiK and there breaks one leg after another, while the
sufferer has neither desire nor will to make its escape.
' Angel of death
^ RAMAINIS
22
1. Niranjan is invisible, none can see him :
in his bondage all are bound.
2. The falsehood wherein they are bound is manifest :
they think the false to be the true.
3. He has bound all fast and made them serve with ritual.
Exempt from himself he lives aloof.
4. He has made six Ashrams' of the six Darshanas :
from these six juices*, rejected as bad.
5. He tells of four trees' and of six branches*,
and sciences past numbering.
6. By the Puranas he gives yet more instruction :
in them one sees nor end nor beginning.
7. Spells, pilgrimages, fasts and worship of evil spirits :
almsgiving, many other good deeds are taught.
«. SakM : —This is a temple of love : it must not be
entered headlong.
Who enters it headlong, will lose his life for nought.
23
1. Small joy, great grief is there in the beginning and
the end :
the mind is distraught like an elephant decoyed.
2. Losing joy, where will one gain salvation ?
deserting truth he ever follows after lies.
3. Fire and light blaze together :
the moth is consumed in gratifying his eyes.
^The six stages of life .-—existence ; birth; growth; maturity;
decay ; death.
* Causing another's body to decay. Causing the death of another.
Causing another to remove from his habitation. Stopping another's
motion. Casting an illusion over another. Reducing another to sub-
jection.
* Pour Vedas.
* The six Shastras :— three of which relate to grammars, one to cere-
monies, one to mathematics, one to explanation of obscure words in the
Vedas.
RAMAINIS 65
4. To eud your troubles begin to consider :
give up the friendship of the false.
Because of covetousness this birth is lost :
old age and death are hard at hand.
<J. Sakhi : -The world is bound in error ; in this wise is
this coming and going.
Having gained birth as man, O man, why go astray ?
24
1. As is the tale of the moon and the chnhov :
so is the wisdom of man perverted.
2. The four ages are likened to a dream :
therein falsehood was known as truth.
3. None knows it is delusion :
In this way all have gone astray.
1. Putting themselves to the front they have lost their
all:
they did not obtain human understanding even in dream.
5. He wlio lias escaped from the thirty-four letters:^
knows sin from virtue.
€. Sakhi :— That which you speak, must you become ; why
do you not abandon falsehood ?
Stand in the presence of the Lord, T l)}d you : do not
lose your life in error.
25
1. This is the property of tlie thirty-four letters :
that a thousand names are seen in them.
2. Tiirough- wanderings and error man comes again to
his house (body) ;
whatever wisdom he has, he loses all.
3. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Sliakti are searching:
many men are searching with varied devotions.
4. Gandharbas, Munis, gods are searching out good :
many people are searching with varied service.
5. Sa/iJu* : — The Jati ^ and Sati* all are searching : their
mind never admits defeat.
Even great heroes failed to spell it out. This Kabir
proclaims aloud.
\.\ holr snrus. • Chaste, a nngious mondicant of the Jain seot
' \ViiLL( li scriptnres. * Virtuous, true, faithful,
o
66 RAMAINIS
26
1. The Maker ^ has made himself Creator :
as the potter makes earthen pots of various kinds.
2. Bidh ^ has arranged them in one place :
and fashioned his handy work in countless forms.
3. He burned them in the furnace of the womb :
wherein he himself was their sustainer.
4. After many processes the vessel comes out :
then the name Shiva or Sliakti was given. ^
5. When his own son is a fool :
the wise father will not bear him company.
6. These are true words that I speak myself :
men are demented with dreamings.
7. Revealed'or manifest, there is but one stamp :
whom can you call Brahman and whom Sudra'' ?
8. Let no false pride mislead you :
that Hindu and Turk are of different family is false.
9. Sakhi :— He who drew this picture is the true Artist'.
Says Kabir, they are the wise, who look toward the
Artist.
27
1. The Brahmand was given to Brahma:
the seven oceans and nine regions of the earth.
2. Vishnu by speaking truth was established :
and gained possession of the three worlds.
3. Shankar then made the form of Linga^:
and pierced earth to its infernal regions.
4. Then Ashtangi* was created in the form of a virgin :
and fascinated the three worlds.
5. Her second name was Parvati :
and for her austerity she was married to Shankar.
6. There was but one man, one woman,
from whom the four kinds of creation^ were formed.
' Brahma.
' Untouchable caste.
' Literal string-holder.
* Siva's genital organ.
" Eight limbs of Maya, i.e., Prithwi, Jal, Agni, Vayu, Akash, Man,
Budhi, Ahankar.
• Andaj, Pindaj, IJkhmaj and Sthawar.
RAMAINIS 67
7. Sharmana, Barban, Deva and Das* :
Rajgiina," Taraguua/ earth aud sky.
8. Sa/c/ii:— From one egg of Ookar the whole universe
expanded.
Says Kabir, All are wives of Rama : unmovable
Purusha is the Husband.
28
1. No one knew the mystery of that weaver :*
who came into the world and spread the warp.
-. The earth and sky are the two beams :^
the sun and moon are two filled shuttles.
3. Taking a thousand threads he spreads them length-
ways : to-day he weaveth still, but hard to reach is
the far off end.
4. Sakhi :— Says Kabir, Joining Karma with Karma,
woven with unwoven threads, splendidly the weaver
weaves.
29
1. The mind can change the thunderbolt into a straw in
a moment:
itself can again change the straw into a thunderbolt.
2. The wise man knows this and leaves it :
but so long as he is bound with Karmas, he covets.
3. Sometimes it renounces Karma, Dharma, wisdom and
religion :
and sometimes holds the false name as true.
4. At first it has manifested the three states :^
through which it has destroyed Karma, Dharma
and wisdom.
5. At the sun-rising^ the stars* grow dim :
in movable and immovable, it was absorbed in both.
' Kshatri, Vaishya, Brahtoan, uatouchable caste.
* ElomoDt of foulnets. ' Three qnalitios :— Sat, Raj. Tam.
' Element <>t du knoM. ' False Instructions.
* Mind. * Kara m, Dharaoi, wisdom.
* Literal— ilitcii.
68 RAMAINIS
6. The effect of poison cannot be done away by eating
poison :
he is the true magician who gives life to the dying.
7. Sakhi : — If for a moment's space the vision fails, in that
moment it will sting.
If you cease to believe in the charm for poison, what
can tlie magician do?
30
1. O brother, tliou art misled believing in the six Darsha-
nas :
wrapped in the garb of Paklianda.
2. They came and destroyed the soul and life :
the four Vedas are wise and clever, but dumb.
3. The Jainis know not the mystery of Dharma :
they pluck leaves and come to God's temple.
4. The flowers of Dawana,' Marna' and Cliampa :*
know they have countless souls within them.
5. They pluck the tresses of Earth :
with their eyes open they are laying lives waste.
6. Churning the mind they struggle with the seed :
the seed is harassed but will not leave the door.
7. Their state is crushed :
in the six Darshanas the Jains are derided.
8. Sakhi : — The divine knowledge is outside this way :
though it seem near, yet it is far off.
To him who knows it is near, for all beings it
pervades.
31
1. The Smriti* made known the three qualities :
and the paths of sin and merit were laid down.
2. From reading the Smriti and Vedas disputings arose :
conceit is practised in the garb of Pakhanda.
3. One reads the Vedas and takes honour to liimself :
for him the knot of doubt is not yet unloosed.
4. He reads the Vedas and then he destroys lives :
and offers their severed heads to the images.
• Names of flowers. ' Traditions or oral law.
RAMAINIS 69
5. Sakhi :- Says Kabir. Through Pakhanda they troubled
many lives.
The inward Light is not revealed :
no one in this life has seen himself.
32
1. Veda and Purana are the mirror of the blind :
what does the spoon know of the taste of delicacies ?
2. As a donkey laden with sandalwood :
the fool does not know the sweet fragrance.
3. Sakhi : — Says Kabir, They ransack even heaven,
but do not find that which will take their pride away.
83
1. O brother, the Smriti is the daughter of Veda :
she came bringing a cord in her hand.
2. Each wove it for himself and bound fast his own neck :
false desires are the trafiBcking of Kal.
3. Knot upon knot, there was no release :
the world was lost in things of sense.
4. In my sight the whole world was plundered :
O Kabir, the servant won release, repeating the name
of Ruma.
5. .Sa/c/u* : With ever calling Rama Rama, the tongue
itself has hardened.
They will not drink pure water: they prefer to dig a
tanU uiul drink.
1. O Pandit, t'> iciuiiiiL* ;iii'i rciiuiii;^ vou li;ive bcrome
acute :
tell, explain to me this salvation of yours.
2. Where dwelleth the Purusha and in what village :
O Pandit, exi)ound him to me and his name.
3. Brahma composed his four Vedas :
but even he knew not tiio mystery of salvation.
4. He has spoken much of almsgiving and deeds of merit :
but'of his own death he had no knowledge.
70 RAMAINIS
5. There is one name infinite and fathomless :
there, O Kabir, the servant is firmly established.
6. Sakhi :— Where ant cannot climb, nor mustard seed
rest.
Wliere coming and going can get no hold, thither let
the whole world go.
35
1. Pandits have gone astray reading and studying the
Vedas :
they do not know the secret of their own selves.
2. Their evening and morning prayers, their six ^ modes of
worship :
and many things like these they consider virtuous
deeds.
3. They made the Gayatri to be recited in all four ages :
go and ask them who has thus found salvation.
4. If touched by another you wash your body :
but tell me, who is meaner than you ?
5. These are your good deeds, yet you are consumed with
pride :
from such pride no one will derive any benefit.
6. He whose name is the breaker of pride :
How can He tolerate your pride ?
7. Sakhi : — They who give up pride of race and attachment
and search for the word alone,
Renouncing the shoot and seed of all desire, these men
become freed from body and from space.
36
1. The learned, clever, and far-sighted :•
who know but one' wise are not wise.
2. They knew not the secret of the two* wise :
creation and destruction, night and morning.
' study, teaching, sacrificing, causing sacrifices to be made, giving
gifts and receiving gifts.
' The third eye of Siva.
3 Those who believe only One.
* Brahma and Brahmand.
RAMAINIS 71
3. All alike adopted one trade :
rites, piety, ceremonies and Biiagwan.^
4. Hari is a master that none can leave :
therefore like babes they sing the marriage song of
Paradise.
0. Safc/ii:— Whither are they gone, the men whose heads
their Guru shaved ?
Know ever the name of Rama and give up that which
is counterfeit.
37
1. The first" wise is not wise:
the second' wise none knows.
2. The third* wise is lost in its wisdom :
the fourth* wise takes it thither.
0. The fifth** wise, no one knows:
in the sixth' w ise all are lost and strayed.
4. The seventii" wise— O brother, if you know^ him :
reveal him in the world and Vedas.
5. Sakhi :— The Bijak tells the secret of that treasure
which is hidden :
the Word tells of Jiva : few are they who understand.
38
1. I have explained in this way : none heeded my words:
all have spread the loom in the middle of the way.
2. Day and night they are continually joining the thread :
in twisting the thread and in spinning doubt is not
removed.
3. Every heart is full of doubt :
one cannot leave the doubt and go elsewhere.
4. There is no fulness, and day by day is wasting :
go where one will, the body weakens.
' The Saprcme Being.
• Vishnu.
* BraJuna.
' Five senses.
• Maya.
' Mind.
* Jiva.
•God.
72
RAMAINIS
5. The religion which is from the beginning to the end :
that is openly declared to all.
6. S«/r/i/:- Believe this message true and set it upon
your head.
O sa«ts, here is content and happiness; abide in it^
your heart will be refreshed.
39
1. He who in the Kali Yug' made men recite the Kalima:*
even he did not trace out the Almighty.
2. Marvels, Karmas and ceremonies are performed :
Veda and Koran became their rituals.
3. On account of Karmas one appeared in the womb :
on account of Karmas a name was given.
4. Karmas are the cause of circumcision and of the
sacred thread :
but neither Hindu nor Turk knows the secret.
5. Sakhi:— By the mingling of water and air chaos form-
ed itself.
Into the void consciousness entered : who can declare
it?
40
1. Adam, who was first, did not know :
whence came mother Eve.
2. Then there was not Turk nor Hindu :
no blood of the mother, no seed of the father.
3. Then there were no cows, no butchers :
who, pray, cried 'In the name of God 'V
4. Then there was no race, no caste :
who made Hell and Paradise ?
5. No one had knowledge of the mind's doctrines :
wisdom was lost, therefore they detailed two religions.
6. Sakhi : — Where there is union there are energies : with
dissolution energies vanish.
To satisfy the taste of the tongue man has devised
many inventions.
' The age of vice. ' The Muslim creed.
RAMAINIS 7^
41
1. In a pool * of the 8ea the drops * are gathered :
in each are the sun, moon and thirty-three krores of
gods.
2. Ail are settled in the wliirlpooP :
they longed for happiness, but trouble did not leave
them.
3. The secret of the trouble none has found :
tlie world was distraught in diverse fashions.
4. Man is at once mad and wise :
Rama dwells in his heart but he knows it not.
5. Safc/n*:— The same is Hari, the same is Lord, the same
are slaves of Hari.
Prom those who know thut Varna is not nor Yamini,*
the maiden (Maya) departed, frustrated.
42
1. When I • was, there was no other :
all were within me.
2. Tell me, O Rama, when came service of thee ;
answer and make it plain to me, O Deva.
3. If I speak truth all will beat me :
liar keeps company with liar.
4. A blind man says * I see all ' :
he who has eye-sight beholds his face.
5. Thus I declare it, believe who will :
whatever is in your mouth should be in your heart.
6. Ivabir says, smiling : O brother all I say is a lie to thee.
43
1. The souls that kept firm trust in themselves :
went down to hell and in hell abide.
2. Their coming and their going takes no time :
Kal, the hunter, shoots them morning and evening.
» Priklrti. * Night.
■ Atoms. * Sat Puriwha.
• Maya.
^^ RAMAINIS
3. They read and expound the fourteen ' arts :
but they gain no knowledge of their own dying.
i. Pear came upon the departing Jiva :
and lie gave a false message to others.
5. He left the company of the Guru and is involved in
dispu tings :
a-nd seeks to bale out himself the stream of hell.
6. Sakhi :— Guru's enemies and the self-instructed, men
or women,
must roam through eighty-four million births, so long
as sun and moon exist.
44
1. You never kept the company and fellowship of sants :
thus with your own hand you have thrown away your
life.
2. To-morrow you will not gain an abode like this :
you have not known the companionship of sadhus.
3. Now you will have your abode in hell :
because every day you remained in the company of the
false.
4. Sakhi :-I have seen the departure of all, cries Kabir
lOudly.
If you would awake, awake : the robber is attacking in
broad day light.
45
1. Hirnakush, Ravan, and Kans are gone :
Krishna and all the family of gods, men and munis are
gone.
2. Brahma is gone, who did not know the mystery :
all the great ones are gone, who were wise.
3. None understood the story of Rama :
whether it was pure milk or all water.
' Four stages of life :--Student life ; married life ; life in the forest ;
abandonment of the world. Three kinds of merit :— Merit stored up ;
merit in action ; merit which has yet to operate. Three kinds of
knowledge :— Knower ; known ; process of knowing. Four kinds of
liberation :— to live in the heaven with God ; to be quite near to Him ;
to have a similarity of form with Him ; complete absorption in Him.
RAMAINIS 75
4. The path remained, but their breath failed them :
and their village is ruined on all ten sides.'
5. The world became to them as a net to the fish :
a boat of iron and loaded with stone.
6. They all row, but know not the secret :
yet they say, we reach the shore.
7. Sakhi : — As an earthworm in the mouth of a fish, a
lizard in the mouth of a rat,
a musk-rat in tlie mouth of a snake ; so they lose
their life.
46
1. The serpent-god will perish, Garur " waste in decay :
the deceitful and tlie truth-teller both will perish.
2. All will perish, whether they taught sin or deeds of
merit :
whether they believe in Sagun ' or in Nirgun.*
3. Fire, air and water and all the universe :
how far shall I name them ?
4. Vishnu's world will perish in a moment :
I see always the shadow of destruction.
5. Sakhi :— Maya took tlie form of a fish, and Yama*
casts the angle :
when Hari, Har and Braiima could not escape, what
then of gods, men and itinnis ?
47
1. Jara-Sindhu and Shishupal were slain :
ArjuD of the thousand arms was killed by gm\e.
2. Ravan, the great deceiver, has vanished :
whose Ijoitka stood with golden walls.
3. Duryodhan^was lost for his pride : •
the secret of Pandu was not found.
' Ten doors of the body.
^ A creatarc with the head and wings of a vulturo and body of a
maD, the vehicle of VishDn.
* With qualitiog.
' Without qu'ilities.
' Death.
76
RAMAINIS
4. Through Maya's influence all the kings are gone :
though music was played at their doors, great or less.
5. Six emperors passed away and entered into earth :
still not a single soul believed.
6. What more shall I say ? In unconsciousness all are gone :
* Conscious ' and ' Unconscious ' are the watchwords of
a quarrel.
7. Sakhi :-This Maya, beguiler of the world, has pursued
all the world with her beguilements.
Harishchandra for the sake of keeping faith was sold
from house to house*
48
1. Through Manikpur^ Kabir passed :
there he heard the fame of Shaik Taqqi.
2. At the place which is called Jaunpur :
and at Jhusi' I heard the names of many plrs.
3. There are written twenty-one Pirs :
they all were giving Khutba'' in honour of the prophet.
4. When I heard the talk I could not refrain myself :
Seeing these graves, ye are gone astray.
5. The works of the Friend of God and of His Prophet :
followed by you in practice only, are become unlawful.
6. Sakhi :0 Shaikh Akardi and Shaikh Sakardi, listen to
my words.
See the beginning and the end from age to age with
open eyes.
« 49
1. O Darvesh,* give me knowledge of that house :
in what dress is the King ?
2. To what place does he march, and at what place does
he halt ?
To what form dost thou make salutation ?
3. I ask thee, O Mj^^salman :
is he robed in red or yellow or many-coloured gar-
ments ?
» Karamanakpur in the Fatehpup district. ' Discourses
' Opposite to the Allahabad Fort. * Muslim mendicant.
RAMAINIS 77
4. O Qazi,* what sort of deeds are thintf ?
In every house thou orderest tlie slaughter of buffaloes.
0. Who has decreed the slaughter of goats aud fowls ?
by whose order dost thou use thy knife ?
6. Thou knowest not pity, yet art thou called Pir- :
reading the^ verses thou teaciiest the world.
7. Says Kabir, One was called Sayed * ;
himself misled he misleads the world.
5. Salchi :— They fast all day : at night they slaughter
the cow.
Here murder, there devotion : how can this please
God V
50
1. i have been speaking for four ages ;
no one understands : they are engrossed with son and
wife.
2. As fire comes out from the bamboo and burns the
bamboo forest :
so by his own errors man is plunged into confusion.
3. As the elephant is cauglit in the elephant-trap :
and the buck by the lure of the doe.
4. As the wise cuts iron with iron :
so woman's secret is known only to woman.
5. Sakhi :— Man's love is toward woman and woman's love
toward man.
But they who love the Purusha alone are few in all
the world.
51
1. Brother, His name is in(iesrril)al)lo :
how can one sing song of praise for Him ?
2. If one must speak, this is the outcome :
it is a traveller embarked upon a boat.
3. Can one say aught of rest or motion ?
he sits and yet he moves upon his way-
^ Muslim jadge.
* Maslim Saint.
* One descended from the Prophet Mohammed.
78 RAMAINIS
4. If the countenance is there, there is no need of any
manner of disguise.
Keep^ the mind fixed and speak no word.
5. Sakhi :- When the body is all, the mind vanishes : when
the mind is all, the body vanishes.
Let body and mind be ever one ; then, O Kabir, that is
the Swan.
52
1. That for which Shiva still suffered the pain of separa-
tion :
besmeared his body with ashes, and became Yogi—'
2. The serpent-god with his thousand mouths could not
comprehend :
now the Husband expounds exactly.
3. He who will thus meditate upon me :
shall gain the vision in six months' space.
4. Though I show myself in this form or in that :
though I remain hidden, yet shall I manifest all my
being.
5. Sakhi :— Kabir cries aloud, All are in one state.
None heeds my teaching : how shall they escape the
net of error ?
63
1. As muni, Mahadev found not the end :
with Uma he wasted his life.
2. Like him is there any Sidh or Sadhak ?
How can the mind ever be at rest ?
3. Long as the mind is in the body :
so long none can wake nor see,
4. Then only will you wake, when you quit your life :
when the end comes, the mind knows regret.
5. You have heard so much, but are near to death :
still the mind's disease does not leave you, brother.
1 Literally when the mind is fixed none speaks.
» One who has liberated his soul from the material world.
RAMAINIS 79*
6. Sahhi :— Of all who came into tbe three worlds, not
one desires to leave.
One^ that is blind has devoured the world: all the
world is sunk in despair.
54
1. Dead is Brahma, Shiva the lord of Kashi :
with them lies dead the immortal. '
2. In Mathura died Krishna the cowherd :
one by one died tlie ten avatars.^
3. One after one died the founders of devotions :
those who knew Him in qualities and without qualities.
4. Sakhi : — Nath Muchandar escaped not, nor Gorakh,
Dattatriya nor Viyas.
Kabir cries aloud, All were caught in the noose of
death.
55
1. Gone is Rama, gone too Lakshman :
not even Sita, peerless wife, could bear him company.
2. Korava goes in a moment of time :
gone too Bhoj who beautified Dharanagar.
3. Gone is Pandava and queen-like Kunti :
gone Sahadeva who founded wisdom and learning.
4. Ho who reared Lanka all of gold :
took nothing with him at the hour of departing.
5. Harishchandar, whose palace is built in the heavens :
is seen no more.
6. Such fools are men that they are ever collecting
more :
mortal themselves they weep for the death of others.
7. Man does not think that he will die himself :
his desire is to get ten half-pence* more, and take and
enjoy them.
^ Miod.
' Vlahnu
' Ten incaniatioiiH of Vishnu :— Fish, tortoise, boar, Hon, the dwarf,
Parasnrama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, Kalki.
' Dastaka.
80 RAMAINIS
8. Sakhi :— Each lias gone, his own deeds done : no one
has followed with another.
Ravan has gone, his own deeds done ; and Dasharath
Nath, his own.
56
1. Day after day they burn : who has found these
burned ?
or they are buried, but none rose up again.
2. They do not bear them forth upon the sliouldcrs : 'tis
but mockery :
Tell me, pray, in what manner did tiiey find release ?
3. Tliey do misdeeds and boast their deeds are virtues :
they study the Vedas and expound them to the world.
4. Sakhi :— A husk is sown and naught results.
Says Kabir, O brothers, wake and consider.
57
1. One thread of action is in all the world :
it is declared before Ilfty lakhs of men.
2. Only those should read the arts and Vedas ;
of whose speaking of the word follows confirmation.
3. The word has reached the instructed in knowledge :
there too doubt was only deepened.
4. Sakhi ;— You went in search of the Swan : behind is
the limitless, the unfathomed.
• Without understanding how can you know it ? False is
your pride.
58
1. O son, render me my service :
to thee will I give the kingdom of the gods.
2. In an inaccessible fortress I will release thee :
come, listen to other teaching.
3. I will show thee creation and destruction :
thou Shalt reign and delight in happiness.
4. Not a single hair will suffer pain :
and to-morrow there shall be no more birth.
RAMAINIS 81
-5. Sins will vanisb, an abode of bliss be won :
if sure obedience be given to Kabir.
^. Sakhi : -They alone are Sam and Sadlui, who obey my
bidding :
They will see with open eyes the beginning and the
end, creation and destruction.
59
1. By constant discipline of the breath the vessel was
broken :
but the mind knows not who has robbed it.
2. One thief has robbed the world :
but very few are they who know it.
3. In heaven, the realms below, in earth and waters :
one alone, Rama, watches over all.
4 Sakhi: — All are become as stone and are vanished,
like an air-drawn picture ;
The wealtli, whereon they set their hearts, is become
their foe.
60
1. Renounce honour, renounce boasting :
then the pride of your mind will be broken.
2. For those who steal and devour :
that plant will blossom again.
3. If one pursues riches and worldly honour :
that plant brings him again fnto the world.
4. Sakhi : -Give up lies, know them to be lies ; this world
is all illusion.
For this cause do I speak, that you may find escape.
61
1. Those who give religious discourses:
rise early in the morning and utter lies.
2. Lies in the morning and lies in the evening :
lies have settled in their heart.
3. They do not know the mystery of Rama:
they have established a religion of Vedas and Puranas.
> Mind.
82 KAMAINIS
4. They do not even follow the sayings of the Vedas :
The fire is blazing and is not quenched*
5. Sa/c/it:— Singing the praise of one without qualities,
they have lost tlieraselves.
The body of earth is mingled with earth, and air with
air.
62
1. If thou thinkest the Maker distinguished castes :
birth is according to these penalties for deeds.
2. Born a Sudra you die a Sudra :
it is only in this world of illusion that you assume the
sacred thread.
3. If birth from a Brahman mother makes you Brahman :
why did you not come by another way ?
4. If birth from a Turk mother makes you Turk :
why were you not circumcised in the womb ?
5. If you milk black and yellow cows together :
will you be able to distinguish their milk ?
6. Sakhi :— O men, give up your pretence of great wisdom.
Says Kabir, Recite the name of the Bow-holder.^
63
1. He who held that shapes are many but caste one :
did not recognise the four castes.
2. They perished who did not recognise the creator : *
they perished who gave their mind to others.
3. They perished who prated of the Vedas :
they read the Vedas^ but did not know their secret.
4. As the clear sky, so no eye can see Him :
when He was manifested, naught of Him was under-
stood.
5. Sakhi i—He makes all dance in varied dances: He
dances in the likeness of a rope dancer.
The immortal dwells in every body : O Shaikh Taqqi,
hear.
*Raina. • The Lord.
RAMAINIS 83
64
1. Ill this body 1 taught the means whereby the ruby is
attained :
in many ways the mind was perverted.
2. If I explain this a hundred thnes,
still they will not forsake their prejudice.
3. The man who rests upon the saying of the Sant :
gains the nine^ nuUlhi and perfection.
4. Devotion dwells ever in the heart of him :
who tests all things on the touchstone of Rama.
5. He who goes elsewiiere to test :
is mad and makes his madness madder.
6. Sakhi :— For this cause the noose of death has fallen
on thee : take thought then for thyself.
Where a sant is, thither the sant repairs, and the
mean keeps company with the mean.
65
1. Tell out your good and your bad qualities :
you will meet misfortune if you do not consider this.
2. O soul, thou hast found great trouble :
without water what peace has the flsh ?
3. Though the chatrik* has water all around him :
if the cloud yields no rain he goes unsatisfied.
4. So one disguised plays many parts and stays hig
hope on the ocean of existence :
with water all round the chatrik is still athirst.
5. The name of Rama is the true essence :
all else in this world is false.
6. Hari is a flame and you a moth :
Yama has made his abode with the soul.
7. As if one has found treasure in a dream :
it is not in the heart: how then can he hide it safely?
8. It is not in the heart, yet he cannot bear to renounce
it:
this coveting is vain, but they know it not.
> Seo Ramaini 9, note 4.
' The pied ouokoo: it is said that it HTea on rain drops.
34 RAMAINIS
9. The saying of the Smriti they did not believe :
their knowledge is deceitful, like a goat gnawing a tree. '
10. The movement in the world is tlie soul's foolishness :
this is the cause tlmt none sees to the end.
11. SaHii :— Through blindness none lias rest: not one
considers :
not knowing the hhakti of Hari, the whole world is
drowned and dead.
68
1. He to me is a beloved friend :
who leads into right paths those who have lost the road.
2. The wise remains ever on the right path :
and in his search he goes not astray.
3. He is false, who renounces the son ' :
by the mercy of the Guru one learns of Rama.
4. In the world men are oft deluded ;
seeing riches and sons, they grow proud.
5. SahJii:— When the mind took but one step forward,
forthwith the shrine was lighted.
They are dead, were dead while yet they lived: they
are safe who deserved salvation.
67
1. Twisting your body is not devotion :
men put many antic dispositions on.
2. I take no pleasure in a forced obedience :
when in his heart one knows me not.
3. With one thing on their tongue, another in their heart:
these have not known me even in dreams.
4. Sorrow is their lot, now in this world :
if thou wouldst wake, then keep aloof.
5. Men who speak ill of the Guru ;
will be born as swine and dogs.
Sakhii-ThroMgh eighty-four millions of created
beings they will wander and wander, suffering pam.
Says Kabir, Those who know Rama, they alone are
dear to me.
• Guro.
6.
RAMAINIS 85
68
1. Parted from Him they lived without a protector :
plunged iu the dense forest they find no path.
2. AH he knows he borrows from the Vedas :
but when he really understands he counts it worthless.
3. Those who know the sport of the Dancer:*
recognise the gods as of like nature.
4. He tlien sports within all bodies :
there is none other of whom to take account.
5. Good or bad, whatever chance befall :
man must gaiu its fuUilment.
6. Sakhi:~Ke whom the arrow pierces, knows the
pain.
When struck he seeks not escape : lie looks to Kabir as
the ocean of bliss.
69
1. O brother, never have I seen Yogi like this :
puffed up with pride he walks, caring for nothing.
2. He teaches the religion of Mahadeva :
and tiierefore is called a great Mahant.^
3. In market and street he sits in the posture of a Yogi :
he is an imperfect Siddh, a lover of Maya.
4. When did Dattatriya attack his enemies :
when did Shukdeva lay a cannon ?
5. When did Narad fire a gun :
or Viyasdeva wind a horn ?
6. They who fight are of little wisdom :
shall I call such ascetics or bowmen ?
7. They have renounced the world, yet coveting rules
their mind :
they wear gold and disgrace their order.
8. They gather horses and mares :
they acquire villages and go like millionaires.
9. Sakhi :— A beautiful maldon is not fitting in the com-
pany of Sanaka and his kind.
He who carries a blackened vessel will one day be
fouled.
> Maya. • A great devotee.
86 RAMAINIS
70
1. O brother, to whom shall I say ought :
even while I speak, the essence is dissipated.
2. By continual speaking defects are multiplied :
speak words whicli will give thought.
3. If you meet a sant, speak two words with him :
if you meet the profane, then remain dumb.
4. Sakhi :— To speak with a Paadit is full of profit : speech
with a fool is mere babble.
Says Kabir, Tiie half-filled vessel swings aimlessly :
if it be full, it speaks with understanding.
71
1. He who considers sorrow and delight to be equal :
his state not even Indra knows.
2. Some shave men's locks and hang the black cord on
their necks ;
and pride themselves on the practice of Yoga. ^
3. What credit is there in causing your seat to fly ?
crow and kite also circle in the air.
4. Paradise and hell are alike :
kingdom and throne the Sant counts but a ruin.
5. The fire of hell, the cool fragrance of sandal to him
are one : ,
to him the madman is as the wise.
6. Pottage and clove to him are one :
he leaves sugar and eats ashes.
7. Sakhi :— By making distinction and distinction wisdom,
strength and mind are wasted.
When the two have become one, to which shall I then
show preference ?
^ A method of freeing the soul from the material world. To attain
it certain postures of body must be practised ; these will develop the
habit of concentration, and ultimately the liberation of the soul.
r
I
RAMAINIS 87
72
1. Oue womau* has come iato the world :
who has neither mother nor father.
2. She has not feet, nor head, nor life, nor form :
all the world is wandering in her.
3. All the seven* days she lias power :
on learned and unlearned ; a tale of wonder.
4. AH pay her worship :
both learned and unlearned ; a mighty wonder.
73
1. I have seen a woman' walking:
the pitcher* below, the water-carrier above.
2. She was passing on along the highway :
the bed" was resting upon the sleeper' .
3. Dying of cold yet she spares the quilt* :
she knows not her husband^ : the wife is demented.
4. Evening and morning she lights the lamp :
leaving her husband she dotes upon a lover.*
5. Night andf»day she is inebriated with love of him :
to her own husband she speaks not truth.
6. She left her husband, while he slept, and went :
now to whom shall I make plain this trouble ?
7. Sakhi ;— One may not uncover his own thigh, nor tell
the tale of his own shame,
Either it is known to my mind or my hhaktns sing it.
74
1. Then" was neither subtle, gross, nor earthly body :
for Him no sorrow and no Maya.
2. The lotus leaf is on the ripple :
they are together, yet this cleaves not to that.
» Maya.
^ It sabdaes mind, Jiva, and five snnses.
' Thought, intelligence.
• Body.
• Mind.
• The Lord.
*When the mind was in its original state.
88 RAMAINIS
3. Desire, like dew, was on each egg :
yet no one says the eggs are separate.
4. Bodiless, they conceived of Him as embodied,
reciting the name of Rama, spirit was born.
5. The scriptures say that all is water :
in the mind of various races names arise.
6. Where cattle, insects, crocodiles rot :
of this same water all things drink.
7. If one escapes out of this noose :
he will not seek out a path again.
8. Saklii :— This world is bound in error : no one con-
siders :
knowing not the hliakti of Hari, all the world is
drowned and dead.
75
1. Cleave to the side of that master :
so ending the two troubles you will find your support.
2. He was not born in the family of Dasarath :
He did not lay waste the King of Lanka.
3. He did not come in the womb of Devaki :
Jasoda did not fondle Him in her lap.
4. He did not live on the earth for its destruction :
He did not enter the world below to deceive Bali.
5. He did not fight with king Ba^i :
He did not strike down and slay JSirnakusIi.
6. He did not assume on earth the form of the boar :
nor by slaying the Kshattris rid the earth of Kshat-
tris.
7. He did not hold the Govardhan hill upon his hand :
He did not roam the forest in company with cowherds.
8. He is not Gandak, Salig Ram,' nor stone :
He did not swim the river in the form offish or tor-
toise.
9. He did not quit the body in Dwaravatl :
His body was not buried in Jagannath.
^ A spiral fossil shell resembling the conch of Vishnu, and accepted
as a symbol of him. It is found in the bed of the Gandak river, a tri-
butory of the Ganges.
RAMAINI8 89-
10. Salchi .-Loudly Kabir proclaims --Do not forget that
Path.
That of whfch you form your fancies, is neither subtle
nor material form.
76
1. Maya and Desire are troubles of the world :
but no one thinks so of this.
2. Maya and Desire are a troublous noose :
he who escapes therefrom is a true worshipper.
3. He who, taking Rama's name, lays hold upon the raft :
will safely float to shore across the world.
4. Sakhi :— The name of Rama is exceeding precious ; I
have no concern with others.
From beginning to end, from age to age, in the name
of Rama alone I fight.
77
1. There is but one KaP in all the world :
there is but one Name beloved of all.
2. One cannot name It as male or female :
It has entered into all forms in the world.
3. None can say whether It lias form or no form :
light or heavy, there is no weighing It.
4. There is neither hunger nor thirst, neither sunshine
nor shade :
Free from pain and pleasure, yet It remains in then).
5. Sakhi '.—Boundless, supreme, a form of many colours,
innumerate- *
Loudly Kabir proclaims -Call Him wonderful.
78
1. In his human birth man has lost his way in the world :
many are they that claim a share in this body.
2. Father and mother say ' He is our son* :
for their own advantage did they nurture him.
3. The wife says * He is my husband* :
like a tigress would she devour him.
' Kal hero ataiulH for Brahma.
90
RAMA IN IS
4. Children and kinsmen watch expectant :
like jackals with open mouth.
5 Crows and vultures are^ever thinking of his death :
swine and dogs lie in wait in his road.
6. Tlie fire says, ' I shall consume this body' ;
the water says, 'I shall carry it off while it yet burns.'
7. The earth says, ' It will be mingled in me ' :
the air says, 'T shall whirl it away as dust.'
8. The fool who says this house is my house,
he is thy bitterest enemy that confronts thee.
9. How knowest thou this body to be thine ?
In the form of desires thou art lost in ignorance.
10. Saklchl:— So many are the claimants for this body:
through all your life you suffer.
Madman, you do not wake, but mutter always
' mine,' ' mine.'
79
1. Increase (desires), they grow : decrease them, they
dwindle :
our testing is approved ; that tested by others proves
counterfeit.
2. What more shall I speak? See how much I have said :
I would say more, if it carried some weight.
3. I cannot refrain from speaking :
but dogs devour the soul still separate from God,
4. Age after age they are eaten and eaten ; still none
awakes :
loudly Kabir proclaims. Souls pass away unawakened.
80
1. Many bold ventures did the soul make :
but none met the Lord, not even in dream.
2. He did not separate by testing sound from counterfeit :
seeking for profit, he but lost his capital.
3. It was not known whether the rope was strong:
stout or flimsy, all proved useless.
4. Kabir says, Whom will you blame,
when you go hence with hopes thin and broken ?
• False teachers.
RAMAINIS PI
81
1. O brothers, hear the story of the gods :
Brahma ravished his daughter.
2. Tliat whicii you have heard of Mandodri and Tara :
in tlieir house an elder brother was their husband.
3. Surpit deceived Ahalya :
the moon carried off the wife of the Guru of the gods.
4. Says Kabir, By reciting tlie praises of Hari
PCunti gave birth to Karan when yet a virgin.
82
1. Maya planted a tree of happiness in the world :
none understood it was but worldly pleasure.
2. The tree has six^ branches, its leaves are four ages :
it bears two fruits, sin and virtuous deeds.
3. Tliey have countless tastes past all describing:
they display varied scenes tliat are therein.
4. Tiiey like a dancer have decked themselves for playing :
whoever plays himself will see the play.
5. The luckless Jiva fascinated with desire :
(!Ould not see the mystery: he saw not Siva, Shakti
and Brinch."
6. Sakhi :— Of all who passed within the curtain, no one
understood the word.
Those wiio understood escaped : all others suffer loss.
83
1. He is Kshatriya who fulfils the Kshatri^s dharmo :
he will obtain the merits of his deeds and one-fourth
besides.
2. O Abadho, to whom the»Guru revealed wisdom :
his mind carried him thither.
3. He is the Kshatriya who fights within his own house
(body) :
slays the five (senses), and knows there is but One.
1. Who destroys a life that he may support a life :
destroys his birth as man with his eyes open.
5. If one can strike and wound that mark (the Mind) :
flght there, where stands the self-crowned king.
' .Six DarsUluias. * Brahma.
92 RAMAINIS
6. Saklii :- The self-crowned dies, the true soul will
not die.
Without the love of Rama— in the void, the all— they
have lost themselves.
84
1. O soul, save thyself from the pain :
which pervades the whole world.
2. All are in the bondage of Maya and Desire :
to gain a little profit they lose their capital.
# 3. Saying * mine ' and * thine,' all have lost themselves :
and slept even from their mother's womb.
4. The soul plays in many forms— in various garbs :
men like bees are swept away.
5. After birth and death it comes again into a body :
they find no shred of peace, even in dream.
6. They suffer all trouble misery and pain :
they found not that which can quench the burning,
7. The whole world burns in this * mine ' and ' thine' :
a life accursed, the world a lie.
8. False desire has fastened upon all :
escape one, yet are there many more to come.
9. Of all who securely sought to guard their goods :
though wise, not one of them v/as saved.
10. Salchi :- No one awakes of himself ; and if I speak they
are wrath.
Says Kabir, They awake but in dream : this is neither
being nor not-being.
SHABDAS
1
1. O Sants, bhakti was established by the True Guru.
Of one* woman two" men were born : solve it, learned
Pandit.
2. Cleaving the rock' one Ganga* issued forth, and every-
where was water, water alone.
In that water two mountains' were covered : the
river' was swallowed' up in the flood.^
3. A fly ' flew and settled on a tree^ : it uttered but one
word.
The fly has no male, and conceived without seed.
4. The woman* has devoured all men ; from her He (Sat-
Purush) alone was free.
Says Kabir, He who now understaiuis is Guru, and I
his chela,
2
1. O Sants, when waking, sleep.
Such Kal will not devour, nor troubles iiein them
round : the body will not waste.
2. In contrary wise Ganga^ sucks" up the ocean:' the
moon' swallows the sun.*
A sick' man destroys the influence of the nine planets,'
the 8un*8 orb' shines in water.* °
3. Without feet they range in all directions, and without
eyes survey the world.
In contrary wise the she-goat* * devours the lion': let
who can solve the marvel.
•
* Maya. * Destruction. * Maya and Kal.
' Brahma and Jiva. * World. *" Tho ocean of the world.
* Mind. ' Soul. " Jiva.
* boriptures. • Bnpreme boing.
^ SHABDAS
4. Upside' down the pitcher does not (ill with water:
but upright the vessel fills.
For one object men have tried this way and that :
only by the Guru's gift will they cross safely.
5. Sitting in their cave' tbey see the whole world :
outside it they understand nothing.
In contrary wise the arrow strikes the archer* : let
the brave understand.
6. They who call themselves singers^ sing not: the
dumb'' are ever singing.
They see the scene to be jugglers playing, and deepen
their love for the secret of secrets.
7. Discussions and controversy, be they what they may,
are but an unmeaning tale.
In contrary wise the earth* transfixes the heaven,*
This is the word of the Purusha.
8. Without cup^ the Amrit is drunk: the river* keeps
its waters full.
Says Kabir, They live from age to age, who drink the
unmixed juice of Rama.
3
Iv O Sants, within the house there is great quarrelling.
Night and day there stand up to wrangle five sons^
and one woman.''
2. They all demand food of different kinds : all five are
selfish.
None pays attention to another's warning : each is set
on his own satisfaction.
3. He who removes the defects of folly and brings these-
sons under control,
Says Kabir, he is my friend, whoever settles this
wrangle in the house.
^ Entrapped in this world.
' Within their heart.
* Maya and Kal.
' Soul.
' Body.
" Desire ; anger ; covetousness ; infatuated love ; pride.
' Fooliph understanding.
SHABDAS '"^S-
1. O Sants, behold, the world is mad.
If I speak the truth, they rush to beat me : the world
believes in falsehood.
2. I have seen observers of all rites, performers of all
duties : at early dawn they bathe.
Then they slay souls and worship stones : knowledge
in them there is none.
3. I have seen many Pirs and Aulias : they read the Book,
the Quran.
They initiate disciples and give instruction in such
knowledge as they have.
4. They sit them down full of vanity and in their mind is
vain glory.
They worship brass and stone and are lost in the pride
of their pilgrimages.
5. They wear the beads and the cap and plume them-
selves on tilak and markings.
They are given up to the singing of Sakhis and Shab-
das ; but have no knowledge of the soul.
6. The Hindu says **Rama is my beloved:'' the Turk
" Rahman is mine."
They have lost their lives ever quarrelling one with
another : none understand the secret.
7. From house to bouse they go to mutter Mantra^ and
vaunt themselves of this honour.
Thus Guru and disciples all are drowned together: and
at the end they grieve.
8. Says Kabir; Hear, O Sants, these are all deluded in
error.
However long I speak they do not heed : one sluggard
follows after another.
:96 SUAUDAS
5
1. O Sauts, there has come to pass a mighty wonder.
If I tell it, who will believe ?
2. There is but one raale^ but one female.' Consider
this well.
From one' egg were all eighty-four millions: the
world is deluded in error.
3. One woman* has spread her net : fear came on all th^
world.
By searching none has found the end : nor Brahma,
nor Vishnu, nor Mahesha.
4. Having a serpent-noose' within her, she has plundered
and devoured all the world.
Without the sword of wisdom® fights the whole world :
none could seize her.
5. She* is herself root, flower and orchard : she herself
plucks and eats.
Says Kabir, They alone are saved whom the Guru has
awakened.
6
1. O Sants, tJiere came to pass a mighty wonder. The
son" took his mother* to wife.
2. The daughter* was infatuated with her father' ; and
yet remained virgin.
Leaving her husband® she has wedded her father-
in-law;® why have you not'understood ?
3. With her brother '° she has gone to the house of her
father-in-law®, and became rival to her mother-
in-law.''
Husband's sister* and brother's wife*" have plotted
• together : why did you abuse my name ?
4. She did not come with the father-in-law® of her son:
yet easily became mistress of the house.
Says Kabir, Hear, O Sants ; one born as man became
a woman.
* Pttrusha.
' Elements of three qualities.
• Mind.
"Prakriti.
• Guru's teaching?}.
10 Pride.
* Brahma.
' Jiva.
i« Adi Maya.
* Maya.
' Brahma.
i» Scriptures
SHABDAS 87
7
1. O Sants. if I speak, who will believe me? Wliatever lie
is spoken, is taken as truth.
2. The flawless, priceless gem^ is gleaming: but there is
neither purchaser nor owner.
It glitters and gleams in brilliance on every side : and
its splendour pervades the world.
3. Such was the goodness of the Guru that He alone
made visible the unqualified and invisible.
In sauwdhi enlightenment* awakes and the vision of
the Divine is given.
4. Look where I will, there, there is He : the diamond of
the mind is flawed.
This teaching of the Eternal Essence I gained through
the Guru; this is the lesson of Kabir.
8
1. O Sants, that which comes and goes, is Maya.
The Protector, on him Kal has no hold: He has not
gone, nor has He come.
2. What motive had He to become Fish or Tortoise? He
did not slay Sankha Sur.
He is merciful and knows no enmity: tell me, whom
has he slain ?
3. The Creator is not styled tlie Boar : nor did He bear
the earth as a burden.
These are not the works of the Lord : the world speaks
falsehood.
4. One who came forth cleaving the pillar, all believe on
him.
But he who tore the belly of Hirnakush with his nails,
he is not the Creator.
5. In the form of a dwarf he did not tempt Bali : that
wiiich tempts is Maya.
For lack of understanding the whole world is bewil-
dered : Maya has deluded the world.
* The essence of Qod not contracted or disfigured by the materl*!
world.
* UnmunU the state of absolute anion with God in which perso-
nality disappears.
7
8 SHABDAS
6. Parasu Ram did not kill the Kshattri : Maya worked
this deceit.
Those who found not the devotion and the secret of
the Sat-Guru, gave their lives for naught.
7. The Maker of all did not wed Sita : nor build a bridge
of stone across the sea.
This Raghuuath they serve : but he who serves him is-
but blind.
8. With Gopis and Gwalas He did not come to Gokul :
the Creator did not slay Kansa.
The Lord is merciful to all. No victory, no defeat is-
His.
9. The Creator is not Budha : He did not slay the demons.
Having no knowledge of the Creator, all are astray.
Maya has destroyed the world.
10. The Creator did not become Kalanki : He did not
wound the Kalingha.
These are all deceits of Maya : the pious, the devo-
tees, all are astray.
11. The ten incarnate deities are Maya : but are wor-
shipped as Creator.
Says Kabir, Hear, O Sants ; that which is born and
dies is but second.
9
1. O Sants, when I speak, the world beats me.
If I hold my peace, what then ? No one considers the
word.
2. The son^ took birth first : the father' was born after-
wards.
Father andlson have the same mother' : who can solve
this wonder.
3. The rat* is installed as king with royal tilak : the
snake" is his minister at his right hand.
The wretched dog^ is seneschal, the cat^ is servant in
the palace.
» Jiva. ' Pride,
^ Brahma. * Consciousness.
5 Maya. ' Wisdom.
* Mind.
SUABDAS 99
4. The black crow blackened' paper before him: the
bullock* was made Ooiirt clerk.
Says Kabir, Listen O Sants; the buffalo* is set to
admiuister justice.
lO
1. O Sants, I have seen the way of both.
Hindus and Turks heed no warning: to all the taste of
their desires is sweet.
2. Hindus keep fast on Ekadasi* and taste only singharas*
and milk.
They abstain from grain, but do not check the mind's
desire : next day tliey eat the flesli of beasts.
3. Turks keep fast and hours of prayer : they cry aloud
on the name of God.
How will they find Paradise ? When evening comes
they slaughter fowls.
4. Hindu and Turk, each has renounced his mercy in his
heart
One kills by halal^^ one kills by jhatka'' : but fire is
kindled in both their houses.
5. t'or Hindu and for Turk there is one path, so the
Sat-Guru has taught.
Says Kabir, Listen O Sants: cry 'Bama' cry *Khuda*:
it is one.
11
1. O Saats, the Pandas are skilful butchers.
They slay a goat and rush upon a buffalo : they have
no pity in their hearts.
^ Vcdas and other scriptures.
* Those who instmct in ceremonial laws.
* Garu who initiates.
* The llth (lay of each half of the month is observed by the Hindus
;{enerally, and especially by Vaish&avas, as a solemn fast
* The water chestnut.
* Muslims, when they slaughter an animal for meat or MMirllloe,
before killing the yictim repeat a special formula that is called 'Halal.*
* The Hindu way is to slaughter by a sudden jerk, and only such
meat is lawful for sacrifice. This method of killing is called * Jhatka.*
too 8HABDAS
2. Having bathed and set the tilah^ on their forehead
they sit, and with varied ceremonies make men pay
worship to the goddess.
They kill a soul and destroy it in a moment: and make
a river of blood to flow.
3. Most pious and of noble lineage are they styled, and
demand high honour in assemblies.
All ask to be initiated by them. It moves me to
laughter, brothers.
4. They deliver lectures on remission of sins ; but make
men do shameful deeds.
Both alike I saw drowned : Yama has dragged them
down by their hands.
5. Those who slaughter cows are called Turk : are these
not of less account than they ?
Says Kabir, Hear, O Sants: the Brahmans of this Kali
Yug are base.
12
1. O Sants, men are intoxicated with varied religions.
They drink the cup of Love's immortal juice, and are
intoxicated in the company of the holy.
2. They control their lower and upper breath as in a
still : and the fire of Brahma is kindled.
In the centre it is closed : the dirt of Karma is skim-
med : the juice is distilled,
3. Gorakh, Datta, Vasishta, Vyasa the poet, Narad, Shuk-
muni, collect it.
Sharabhu and Sauak with his company are seated in
the assembly : there the brimming cup passes.
4. Ambarisha, Yagya, Janaka, Jarha, and the serpent-god
with his thousand mouths, drink of it.
How shall I recount them from beginning to end. In
season, out of season, they are drunk with it.
5. Dhruva, Prahlada, Vibhishana are drunk, drunken
therewith the wife of Siva.
Brahma, the unconditioned, was drunken in Brindaban:
still its influence is on him.
^ A sectarial mark made with coloured eye-earth, sandalwood and
unguents upon the forehead between the eye-brows.
6HABDAS lot
6. Gods, raeu, Munis, Yatis, Walls ; whoever drank, he
knew.
Says Kabir : * Tis like a dumb man's sugar : how can be
explain its taste ?
13
1. O Rama, thy Maya makes great confusion.
No one understands her nature and her secret : she
makes gods, men and munis to dance.
2. O cotton tree, of what advantaj?e are thy spreading
branches ? What of thy beautiful flowers ?
Many parrots have settled on thy branches : but when
they tasted the cotton they flew.
3. O palm-tree, of what use is thy stately height ? None
gets fruit of thee.
When the summer season comes, thy shade is of no use
at all.
4 Their own cleverness they teach to others, the wisdom
of gold and women.
Says Kabir, Hear, O Sants ; at the feet of Rama da
service.
14
1. Por him who knows not Rama, the knot of doubt is
not untied : hence again and again Yama seizes and
plunders.
2. Being born mean, you call yourselves high born, ye
Yogis and Sannyasis.
Wise, learned, heroes, poets, benefactors : but none has
dispelled this system.
3. .\ll read Smriti and Vedas and Purana : none have
vision of the Inward Light.
How can iron become gold, unless it bo touched with
the pnras^ ?
4. Those who did not reach the shore when living, how
can they cross when dead, who did not cross wheo
living?
On whatsoever one flxp-^ hi^ faith when living, there
he rests when dead.
' Philosopher's stone, trhich, nccoiting to Hindu logends, imraodi-
ately converts into gold any metal it touches.
102 SHARDAS
5. Whatever one did, whether wisdom or unwisdom, that
he considers right.
Says Kabir, What use is it to speak to him who goes
astray with open eyes.
15
1. Knowing not Rama, tliey went to weave : the weaver^
left the house and went away.
2. Of nine* yards, of ten' yards, aye nineteen yards, he
spread the warp*.
Seven* threads, nine® spaces, and a width^ of seventy-
two besides.
3. The cloth's length cannot be measured in yards.
Two-and-a-half seer are sold for a paisa.
It is neither above nor below one rati in weight : the
housewife* holds it fast.
4. Ever restless, she^ wrangles with her husband* and
demands for herself threefold *°.
Should the warp get wet, it is of no use: the weaver
leaves it in anger.
5. Says Kabir, Hear, O Sants ; renounce the spreading
mirage of him who made this visible world.
Repeat the name of Rama, thou madman ; the ocean of
existence is hard to cross.
16
1. He * • who knows not Rama, plays on a drum with holes :
without hands and feet the dance goes on.
2. Without hands is the music made, without ears is it
heard, without ears are the hearers.
The city is without inhabitant : the assembly without
occasion. O men and munis, understand.
^ Jiva.
^ Buddhi, Ahankar, Man, Shabd, Suprosh, Rup, Ras, Gandh, Atma.
3 Five Karatn Indris and five Gyan Tndrls.
* Body.
' Akash, Wayo, Tcj, Jal, Prlthwi, Ahankar and Buddhi.
• Nine doors.
' 72 Arteries.
" Maya.
' Three rights— one as a wife, one as a mother, one as a dower.
*° The whole of this Shabda refers to Nirgun Brahma.
8HABDAS 103
Enjoyment without senses, taste without tongue,
immortality without body.
There the thief penetrates the liouse while men wake :
though the husband is in it, the house is empty.
Shoots without seed, tree without trunk, fruits ripe
without blossom.
The barren womb gives birtli to a child : without feet
the tree is climbed.
Ink without inkpot, pen without paper, learning with-
out letters :
Without Samadhi enlightenment, without wisdom
wise. Says Kabir, So is the Sant.
17
1. One sings of Rama and teaches others : but knowing
not Hari his mind is restless.
2. By whose mouth the Veda and Gayatri are recited,
on his words the world would fain pass over.
He, at whose feet the world falls every morning, that
Brahman himself takes life.
3. High-born himself, he eats in the houses of the low, and
by doing loathsome works he fills his belly.
On tlie eclipse and tlie Amawas' he acts the beggar;
with a lamp in his hand he falls into the well.
4. He knows not how to fast on Bkadasi, and in his heart
he cherishes the love of evil spirits.
Refusing camphor he knots poison i?^ IW^ i.^it^ losing all
wisdom he wanders as a fool.
5. He troubles the honest and cherishes thieves: he
speaks ill of saintly men.
Says Kabir, These lives, the slaves of appetite, fall into
hell.
The last day of the dark fortnight
IW SHABDAS
18
1. The qualities of Rama are matchless, matchless,
matchless. How can the foolish understand? Let
the man of understanding ponder it.
2. Many like Rama Chandra practised penances, who did
good to this world.
Many like Krishna bore flutes ; they too did not find
the end.
3. Many wore the forms of Fish, Tortoise and Boar, or
took the name of Dwarf.
Many were as Buddha the Spotless ; they too did not
find the end.
4. Many Sidh, Sadhak and Sanuyasis, who made their
home in the forest ;
Many munis and men like Gorakh : they too did not
find the end.
5. Of Him, whose nature was not known to Brahma,
whom Shiva and Sanak's company failed to find-
How canst thou, O man, know the qualities of Him ?
Kabir cries aloud.
19
1. O man, now at this time recite the name of Rama :
and understand the story past all telling.
Those, whose mind is toward Hari, wake night and
morning.
2. The witch* has settled on the braucli, the dog* is tied,
the lion' watches in the forest."
Five" families are at w^ar together : much discordant
music^ sounds.
3. Like deer and stags doubt is driven in the forest* :
the hunter^ fixes his arrow.
The jungle* takes fire and the whole forest is con-
sumed : the fish^ is hunting there for prey.
4. Kabir says. Hear, O Sants ; who expounds this song.
Who sings this song with understanding, saves him-
self and saves others.
I Maya. ' Worldly pleasures. ^ Kal. * The world.
• Desire., anger, covetousness, infatuated love, pride.
• Vedas, Smriti, Puranas. ' jiva.
SUABDAS 105
20
1. Will any lover of Raraa drink his wine ? If one drinks
he will live in bliss :
2. The fruit is Anirit, without core or rind: the parrot
drinks its juice.
It does not ooze nor strain nor make the body wet :
the bee, its servant, haunts it :
3. The Vedas are a tree rich in sap : it bears four
fruits* : three are thereon.
One' is far off and is desired by all: by striving and
striving some obtain it.
4. Spring has passed, the season of summer has come :
the tree ' will not blossom again :
Kabir says, The Lord is the ocean of bliss : who gains
Rama, he Qnds happiness.
21
1. Thou didst not cleave to Rama : wliat sin has fastened
on thee ? In death what wilttljou do, O unfortun-
ate?
2. Some go on pilgrimage, some shave their heads : others
make discourses on Pakhandas, illusion and mantrafi.
3. Reading the sciences and Vedas they are swollen with-
pride : at the end they All their mouth with ashes.
4. In grief and happiness he nourishes his family; but at
the time of death he must l)oar his pain alone.
5. Kabir says, This iron age is base : that whioii is in the
vessel will come out of the spout.
22
1. O Abadhu*, give up the expanse wherein mind ranges.
Hold fast the state that gives security, exalted above
Par- Brahma.
2. There was no Mahadeva, no Mohammad, neither
Krishna nor Karim :
There was neither Adam nor Bnilima, neither sunshine
nor shadow.
^ Dh*ram, Arth, Kam, Moksh. * Moksh. ' Vedas.
• Without wisdom.
t06 SHABDAS
3. There were no eighty thousand prophets, nor eighty-
eight thousand munis ; neither moon, nor sun nor
stars. Neither was there Pish nor Tortoise.
4. There was no Veda, Book, nor Smriti : neither sin nor
virtues.
There was neither call to prayer nor Muslim creed :
neither Rama nor Khuda.
5. There was in the mind neither beginning, end, nor
midway : neither fire, wind, nor water.
There were no eighty-four millions of living creatures :
nor Sakhis, Shabdas, nor Banis.
6. Kabir says, Listen, O Abadhu ; think beyond all these.
Wlience was manifested Purana Brahm ? and who
created Karma?
23
1. O Abadhu', the doings of the Almighty are matchless.
He exalts the pauper to be king : and he makes of the
sovereign a beggar.
2. The clove tree may bear no fruit and the sandal tree
no blossoms.
The fish may range like a hunter in the forest and
the lion float in the ocean.
S, Tlie castor tree may become the sandal and spread
its fragrance on every side.
A blind man may see as a play the doings of the three
worlds of the Brahmand.
4. A cripple may leap over Meru and Sumeru mountains,
and one who has attained release be sent to roam in
the three worlds.
.The dumb may expound wisdom and knowledge, and
reveal speech ineffable.
r). The sky may be bound and banished to the realm
below, and Sheshnag rule in heaven.
Kabir says, Rama is king ; whatever he does is fitting.
1 Without wisdom.
SHABDAS 107
24
1. O Abadhu, that Yogi is my Guru, wiio will expound
this song.
2. There stands a tree*, but without roots : fruit it
bears, but without blossom.
It has neither branches nor leaves, it raises its head
to the eight heavens.
3. Leaves without root, hands without body : witnout
tongue it sings praise.
The singer has no form nor outline : the true Guru, he
will make it plain.
4! To search out the path of fish or kite ; Kabir says,
these both are hard
I am a sacrifice to that blest Being who is intinite
and boundless.
25
1. O Abadhu, that Lord * is drunken with the elements
of the world. The instruments * are dancing, and
the wedding guests* make the music.
2. Tiie bridegroom * is set upon the head of the crown.*
It is beyond all describing.
The bridegroom's father * is fed by the charans * at
the bridal awning. '
The son* marries his own mother. *
3. The bride * is daubed with plaster ami the bride's '
seat set upon her : and the song of good omen ''^
sung till morning.
The rice ' ' ate up the wedding guests : how happy are
omens of good fortune.
4. When their hands were joined, the world was fashioned
and Surtl entered Shnk Muni.
Kabir says. Hear. O S;ii.f« ind, O wise Pandit, under-
stand.
» Mind. ' The soat of the heart.
' Yedas and other scripturon. * Maya.
' Badhi, Chit Ahankar. 'Body.
* Ceremonial laws. '^ To be absorhcd in Maya.
* Brahma. *^ Deslrea.
* Priests.
108 SHABDAS
26
1. Hardly a friend have I at all : what more shall I say^
O brother ;
He alone is so who perfects his devotion, and as Rama
has set him, there remains.
2. Sitting on the air, studying Yoga, Vedas, rites and
astrology , they are demented :
Six Darshanas, ninety-six Pakhandas ; none understood
this trickery.
3. They wandered about through all the world, but the
mind did not find rest :
They would fain lift the world, but the mind never
found rest in mind.
4. Kabir says, The hope of tlie Yogi and the Jangam is
withered :
If they repeat, like the chatrik, the name of Rama,
their abode in hhakti is sure.
27
1. O brother,^ it is a wondrous form, a marvellous story.
If it be told, who will believe ?
Wherever, wherever one looks, there there is He tlie
same. He is found in every vessel.
2. Happiness without wealth, misery without poverty,
peaceful rest without sleep :
Light without flame, lover without form, streaming
tears without eyes.
3. Knowledge without error, perception without mind,.
of many forms though formless :
Thought without abstraction, pleasure without sport-
ing, such is the picture unique.
4. Kabir says, This world is without jewel* : see and
consider carefully.
Renounce all gain, coveting, and kinsmen : worship
the Bearer of the bow.
This Shabda means that the God is outside of this illusory worlds
* God.
SHABDAS . 100
28
1. O brother, Brahma has given a cow : ' the burden of it
lias become unbearable.
She drinks the water that nine women' draw: still
her thirst is not quenched.
2. She was kept in seventy-two chambers, and within a
strong locked door.
To a driven peg she was bound fast with a rope: but
she broke it and escaped.
5. O brother, four trees*, their six branches* and eighteen
leaves,'
All tiiese the cow has eaten up, and still she is not
satisfied.
4. These seven* (chakkar) are its seven awaran^"^ nine*
and fourteen* (loks). All these the cow has swal-
lowed and still she i« not satisfied.
5. Tied to the peg the cow Is drunken : she has horns of
no colour.
She Ihas neither caste nor no caste, and devours alike
things lawful and unlawful.
<J. O brother, Brahma, and Vishnu came to search it out,
Siva and Sanak's company.
Siddhas innumerable joined in the search : none ever
found the cow.
7. Kabir says, Hear, O Sants ; whoever solves this song,
Whoever sings this with understanding, he is leader
and will cross to safety.
29
1. O brother, if the eyes of a lover open,
Tlien to Par-Brahm, the unconditioned, the immortal,
tiie mind will always cling.
^ Speech. * Qnda, Lidrl, Nabbi, Akash, Abankar,
* Nine forms of worship. Hudhi.
* Vedas. ' Ornaments.
* Darshanaa. * Nino divisions of the earth.
* Pnranas. ' Fourteen loks.
no SHABDA8
2. They who crave for liquor and thirst tor intoxication^
nowhere lind content.
The drunken with lust and auger Maya fills brimful
and gives them to drink.
3. Brahma, as a distiller, has built his still : with their
senses they taste his liquor.
At the height of the debauch they cry "wisdom,,
wisdom ": if one is shrewd he will understand it.
4. In this Kali Yug the body is full of woe, care, wick-
edness and diverse pains.
Where there is steadfastness, peace and all purity^
rise, Kabir, and meet it there.
30
1» Brother, whence came two diverse masters of the
world ? Who has led you astray ?
Allah, Rama, Karim, Keshava, Hari, Hazrat are but
names that are given.
2. Jewels and jewels are made of one ^:old bar : but in it
is one nature only :
Only in speech and hearing two are made— one Namaz,
another Puja.
3. He is Mahadeva, He Mohammad, and Brahma is calieu ^
Adam.
One is called Hindu, one Turk : both live on the same
earth.
4. One reads the Vedas, another Khutbas,* one is Maulvi^
one is Pande.
Bach is called by a separate name ; both are pots of
the one clay,
5. Kabir says, both alike have gone astray : none has
found Rama.
One sacrificed a goat and one a cow : in arguings both
have lost their lives.
' Sermons delivered in the mosques at midday prayer.
SHABDAS 111
31
1. The swan ' was killed with the knife of doubt : the cow*
sucks and the calf* is milked.
2. The game* hunts piey^ from house, to house : the
hunter's* flesh is torn.
In the cool water* the hot sand is parched : the dust
uplifts its waves.
3. The earth rains*, tiie clouds* are watered, the river
banks flow onwards.
The swan* dries up, the tank* takes flight, the feet*
entangle the mud.*
4. As long as hands swing and feet walk, so long hope is
vain.
Kabir says, His movements are not seen ; why then
accept his word ?
32
1. O Swan, arouse tliee early, for they have devised many
wiles.
2. In the form of Pakhauda they have set the three qua-
lities: in this Pakhanda' the world is misled.
The husband in the house is both butcher and king :
what can the subjects make of it V
3. Styled Bhaktas they know not Bhakti : leaving tlie
Amrit they swallowed down poison.
In ages past the elders also were misled : they too
did not heed my sayings.
4. Hold fast my saying, and night and day be on your
guard.
The Guru of this Kali Yug is full of wiles; by the
robbery he practises he slew the whole world.
5. Vedas and the Book are two spread nooses : realise that
thou art snared therein.
Kabir says, Those swans were not misled, whom I met
and proved their Saviour.
* Jira. * Vedas and Shastras.
* Maya. * Wisdom.
» Mind. * The world.
' Brahma.
^2 SHABDAS
33
1. DearSwau, whither dost thou leave the tank* to go ?
Tl)e tank, wherein thou wast picking pearls, there
thou didst play manifold delights.
2. The tank is dried up, the lotus stems no more yield
moisture, the lotus flowers are withered.
Kabir asks. After this present separation when wilt
thou come hither again ?
34
1. The men of Hari in the form of Swans range far and
wide : they gather up the holy name and chant it.
2. They bear in their beaks the wreath of salvation and
charm others with it : they keep silence or else they
sing the praises of Hari.
3. They live by the bank of Mansarowar ; they set their
heart on the feet of Rama : elsewhere they
grieve.
4. The crow's ill- wisdom comes not near them : the Swans
behold the vision every day.
5. They who separate the milk from the water, there,
says Kabir, are my devotees.
35
1. Hari is my beloved, T am the spouse of Rama. Rama is
the elder and I the younger.
2. Hari is the spinning wheel and I Ratan Peorlya^
Taking the name of Hari I spin continually.
3. Six months I spin the thread, and in a year I make the
skein. Folks say that I, a poor thing, spin well.
4. Kabir says. The thread has been well spun : but the
spinning wheel cannot prove the giver of salvation.
1 Body.
# ^ A kind of cloth.
SHABOAS 113
36
1. Ifriii .:^.t i.Mf.M-i Imsrobbet! tlie world : yet parted from
Hari liow can you live, O brother ?
2. Wlio is the husband of whom ? Who is the wife of
whom f Yama's spreading of the net is a tale that
ii<me can tell.
3. Who is the son of whom ? Who is the father of > whom ?
Who is it dies ? Who suffers pain ? •
4. Robbery and robbery has plundered the treasure of all :
none recognised in Rama the robber.
5. ICabir says. My. mind has yielded to this robber : when
T I iM'fxj-tnsfd th»- rt^)>ber the robbery ceased. :
37
1. Hari as a robber roams the whole wor]<l to rob: v/hen
he goes forth he speaks no wortl.
2. Our friendship is from earliest childhood : deserting me
where else will you resort ?
\ Thou art the husband, we thy wife : thy weight is upon
us heavier tlian a rock.
4. The lx)dy is of earth, tlit . . ,.* wi aii- ; ICahir is in dread
of the robbing of Hari.
38
1. Without Hari is delusion, without the Guru vileness :
Wherever ye went, ye lost that talisman of yours :
from the one ^\mre came many snares.
2. The Yogi says Yoga is best, of all ; O brother, it lias
no rival :
Yogis witii plaited hair or shaven head, with sealed
lips or matted locks, where did these lind wisdom ?
3. The wise, the men of science, heroes, poets, the gene-
rous ; all claim that they are great :
Whence they sprang, f»<itiw..- h...^ ,, ,l; aitiua
they had, vanished.
4. Ijcave worthless things on this side or on that, sing
ceaseless praise of Hari :
Kabirsays, The dumb has eaten sugsir : but questioned
how can he explain it ?
114 SHABDAS
89
1. Such is Hari, with whom the world would strive. How
can a snake* seize Garura ( = Garuda).
2. 'Twixt mouse and cat what friendsliip can there be ?
Can a jackal wage war upon a lion ?
3. A great marvel I have seen in the world : a dog*
driving before him the elephant* and his rider.
4. Kabir says, Listen O brother Sants : this secret is clear
to few.
40
1. O Pandit, all your talking is a lie.
If by repeating Rama's name the w^orld is saved, then
by repeating "sugar" the mouth is sweetened.
2. If by saying " fire" one's feet are burned, by saying
" water" thirst is quenched.
If by saying "food" hunger is satisfied, then can the
world find safety so.
3. Living with men a parrot cries " Hari," yet it knows
nought of Hari's splendour.
If ever it flies again to the forest, it will remember
Hari no more.
4. Without touch, without sight, without feeling, merely
taking the name, what is that?
If wealth came by but saying "wealth," then none
would remain in poverty.
5. Their real love is for the pleasure of Maya ; they do
but jest with the Bhaktas of Hari.
Kabir says. Unless one sings the One Rama, he will go
bound to the city of Yama.
41
1. O Pandit, see, consider in your mind.
Tell me, wl)ence did defilement spring? How came
you to discern defilement?
2. Of the father's seed and the blood united within the
vessel the vessel is f.?.shioned.
From the eight-leafed lotus* all are born on earth.
Whence did defilement come ?
» It may also mean * dove '. ^ Maya. » Jiva. * Womb.
SHABDAS 115
3. The eiglity-four millions are many mansions: they all
decayed and turned to dust.
All were set in a single line : which did you purify by
your sprinklin*??
Defilement you eat, defilement you drink, defilement
created the world :
Kabir says, Tliey are free from defilement, who keep
no company with Maya.
42
1. O Pandit, think and clearly tell me the way of escape
from this ffoin«r and coming.
O brother, in wliich re*?ion dwell the fruits of Arth,
Dharm, Kam and Moksh.
2. In north, in south, in east, in west, in heaven, or in
the realms below.
Without Gopal there is no refuge ; why do you thus
haste to hell ?
3. For those who know Him not, are heaven and hell:
they who know Hari have no part in them.
The fear with which the world is afraid, that has no
fear for me.
4. I take no thought for sin or virtue : neither to Heaven
nor hell go I.
Kabir says, Hear, O brother Sants : where his own
place is, there each goes.
43
1. Pandit, your thoughts are all untrue : there is here
no universe and no creator.
2. Nor subtle, nor gross, nor air, nor Are : nor Sun, nor
Moon, nor earth, nor water ;
Nor the Form of Light nor Kal are there : there is
neither word nor body
3. There i«^ neither action nor virtue, no mantras and no
worsiiip at all.
Rites and ceremonies have no worth at all. He is
One, there is no second.
115 SHABDAS
4. NHther Gorakh nor Rama is there, nor any disceruiog
of secrets.
Nor Hari, Har, nor Brahma : neither Siva nor Shakti :
nor pilgrimage nor ceremonial.
5. He who has not father, mother nor Guru, is he alone
or is there another ?
Kabir says, He who now understands, lie is Guru, 1
his chela.
44
1. Consider, O Pandit, and ponder on this : is Miis ' male
or female ?
2. In the house of a Brahman she Becomes a Brahmini,
in the house of a Yogi as a chelV :
Reciting the Kalima she became a Turk woman : in
the Kali Yug she remains alone.
3. Slie has no husband, she celebrates no bridal, yet she
is the mother of sons :
She let no dark-haired man escape her : still she is
always virgin.
4. She lives in the house of parents, nor ever goes to
her father-in-law's house: she never sleeps with
her husband.
Kabir says. They live from age to age, who renounce
all caste and pride of race.
« 45
1. Who of men did not die? O Pandit, speak and make
this plain to me.
2. Dead is Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha : dead is Ganesha,
the son of Parvati.
3. Dead is the Moon, the Sun, the serpent-god : Hanuman
is dead, who built the bridge.
4. Dead is Krishna, dead is the maker. One only did not
die, the Creator.
5. Kabir says. He alone dies not, who is not held in com-
ing and going.
• Maya.
* A female devotee.
SHABDAS 117
46
1. O Pandit, this is a wondrous marvel.
One died and you fasted from food : yet another you
kill and prepare it for food.
2. Bathed and adorned with the tilak you sit : with jVineo
on shoulder, you practise nine virtues.
With a boue in your vessel, a bone in your dish, and
your raouth : so you perfect your six duties.
3. Where you preach the law, there you take life : a deed
utterly lawless, my brother.
If a man like you is called Brahman, pray whom shall
one call a butcher ?
4. Kabir says, fji^iteiu O Sants : the world is astray ia
delusion
The Infinite, Boundless, the Perfect : that state is
f<uiM(l l»v few.
47
1. O Pandit, think, when thou drinkest water.
In the mud-dwellin;^, wherein thou sittest, the universe
is contained.
2. Where fifty -six knts of Yadavas perished, eighty-eight
thousand men and Munis :
At every step prophets are buried, they decayed to
dust therein.
3. Fish, tortoise, and cKx^xIile there pave birth : the
water is filled with blood.
The water of the river flows in throuj^h its channels:
men and cattle dissolved in it.
4. The bones are dissolved, and thp marrow melted:
how else comes the milk ?
Thou, O Pandit, thou di<lst sit down to drink : yet
the earthen pot thou accountest defiled.
5. Renounce the Vedas and the Hook O Psuulit : all
these are Actions of tite min<!
Kabir says. Hear, O Pande : these are thy pious deeds.
118 SHABDAS
48
1. O Pandit, see and ponder in your heart, who is male
and wlio is female.
2. He who silently pervades, speaks in every body : his
ways are wonderful :
How can one call upon thd name of Him who has no
name, no colour, no form ?
3. Why dost thou speak of ** thee" and " me," O madman ?
what is thine and what is mine ?
Rama, Khuda, Shakti, Siva are one : tell me, pray, how
will you distinguish them ?
4. Vedas, Purana, Koran, the Book : in various ways
they speak of Him.
Hindu, Turk, Jain and Yogi : none had knowledge of
tlie secret.
5. That which is proved in the six Darshanas, that they
have named according to their mind.
Kabir says. Am I alone a madman and this whole
world wise ?
49
1. Ponder, O Pandit, the word of release : when evening
falls where abides the sun ?
2. There is neither high nor low, mountain, hill, nor
wall : without a singer the song rises there.
8. Wliere there is no dew, no tin'rst, no dwelling, there a
thousand cows are milked.
4. Tliere there is ever Amawas and Shankrant, there the
nine planets ever sit in order.
5. I ask thee, O learned man, when has thy heart been
eclipsed ?
6. K^bir says, If not even this thou knowest, what Guru's
word was whispered in thine ear?
60
1. Consider, O Pandit, it appears as a tree; half is in-
dwelt by male and half by female.
2. The whole universe is one tree : its top reaches
heaven, its roots to the deep below.
SHABDAS 110
3. It lias twelve' buds, and four and twenty* leaves:
thick roots are set about its trunk.
4. It neither blossoms nor bears fruit: sound* issues
from it: day and nij^Iit foul* water oozes out.
5. Kabir says. When notliing was, tiien Hari nourished
the tree.
51
1. Consider, O Pandit, and bestir thy mind : sometimes
it' flows in flood, sometimes it is dried up.
2. Sometimes, it rises, sometimes it sinks, sometimes it
jfoes to the deptii. None finds the gem nor reaches
to the bottom.
3. Tliere is no river, yet water flows clearly : the fish*
dies not : the fisher' stands by tlie brink.
4. Kabir says. Thus is the mind deceived : sit still and so
travel on your way.
52
1. O Knower of Brahm, swing on.
Heavily, heavily tiie rain was outpoured, but never a
drop of \\ater fell
2. To the foot of an ant* an elephant' was tied : the
goat'" devoured the wolf\
From the midst of the sea'* came a waterfowl*, de-
manding a spacious house.
3. The frog* and the snake* dwell together, and the
cat' ' is wedded to the dog*.
Ever the lion' joins battle with the jackal* : here is a
wonder that canLot be told.
4. Doubt as a deer besets the forest of the body : the
arrow* aims the archer*.
The ocean** is burning and consumes the forest'* : the
flsb* is aoglmg for its prey'*.
» Twelve bnds=Kal. • Jiva.
* Twenty- four lcavcs=Maya. » Kal
* Rrripturr« *" Thrt world.
* Creation i8sa(!H forth. " Mnya.
' Mind. •• The oocan of this 'world.
* JIva. >• Body.
* Maya. *' Desires.
190
5.
SJIAIJDAS
Kabir sajs. Tins knowledge is stupendous : who Can
tinderstiwid tliis knowledge ?
The Jiva that can fly without wings in the sky, that
.iiva will never know death.
58
1. Who knows that tree,' his body will be free from age
and death. ^
2. There- is the one tree in all the world ; tlie tree is one,
three branches spring from it.
3. The midmost branch bears four^ fruits: who can
count Its twigs and leaves?
4. A single creeper^ wrapped its coils round the three
regions of the world : from its bonds the wise even
cannot free themselves.
5. Kabir says, This I have proclaimed. Let him who is
learned ponder it.
64
1. She* with iier husband« came to his father's' house
She slept alone and had no pleasure : her youth passed
like a dream.
2. Pour« together fixed the wedding day : five^ together
set up tiie marriage awning.'"
Her companions > » and playmates sang the songs They
coloured her forehead with turmeric of pain and
pleasure.
Tlie mind in various forms trod the circle : tlie marriage
knot was tied and she became a wedded wife.
Pouring the offering of water, the gentle bride*'^ svent
on: and in the very bridal seat became a widow at
her husband's*" side.
'The World. ^ The word.
« Three elements of Truth, « Man B„dh. Chit, Ahaftkar
foulness, and darkness. » Prithwi. Jnl, Tej, Wayn, Akash.
• Arth, Dharm,Kam, Moksh. >» Body.
\ \.^^*- " Organs of sense.
. R.,, „ . ^^" s^'® renounced and clove to
Kal Brahm.
3.
.S1IAIM)A.S 121
4. The marriage over, tlu; bride departed without the
bridegroom. While on the way the father-in-law*
explained.
Kabir says. When T go to tiie house of my husband, I
slinll rrrms Ktffo\v and by my love's «i<l»' nmVf^ music.
55
1. O brother, see the stnbbormjoss of men. It is a story
past all words.
2. They yoke the lion' and the tiger' to one plough
and are sowing paddy* in fallow' land.
Bears* of the forest do the weeding and the goat^
has turned farmer.
3. The crow' attends to thr wasiimg t)f clothes. The
herons^ gnash their teeth'*.
The lly attends to the shaving of heads, and says, " I
will attend the wedding party.*'
4. The goat' ' is wedding the tiger," and the cow'* sings
the marriage hymn.
The Rojh'* of the forest are given as dowry : the big
lizard" shoulders the palki,
5. Kabir says. Hear, O Sants : he who will expound this
song,
He is the PiMidii ;»riil ti.. . , iw will rank as
Bhakta.
56
1. Men put no faith in me.
They have started false trading widi ;i iaise dealer:
they all have lost their venture.
2. Taking the six Darshanas they established a faith :
and the three gmls are their mighty lords.
If the king of a city prov(? tyrant, the subjects will be
brought to ruin.
Kno\vlo<li:»'. » Mind.
MitwI. •» Afcr«»iition.
[5u ;t '> JIva.
ivrf. -.,.>... »' Kal.
I lire heart. " Ve<Ia8.
i ! I". *' Roligiontt coromonies.
Chit. •• |»rido.
Boflv.
122 SHABDAS
3. From hence thither, from thence hither they go
mounted on the bull of Yama;
As a ju;]^;^ler ties a leash to a monkey, and makes him
do just what he pleases.
4. This* is the tree of creation and destruction : all
worldly pleasures are the plagues :
As a do^^ wiiich fawns on one who beats him, so the
world behaves.
5. Kabir says, This is wondrous wisdom : give good heed
to my words.
Today will I save him from Kal, if he will but bestir
his mind.
57.
1. They neither meditate on Hari nor change their
nature.
Instructed in the word, they make no amendment :
they become blind, the mind's sight too was lost.
2. They are like a stone in water which by striking
brings forth fire.
Though thousands of vessels of water be poured out,
yet it remains dry.
3. The wliitening body grows whiter and whiter, and
ever the sleep increases.
The numbing chill that destroys the sick, is the result
of Siddh and Sadhuship.
4. Crying " The Infinite, the Infinite," the whole world
perished : in this Infinite the universe is absorbed.
Their departing is near : they post to the city of Yama :
still they repeat this same one word.
5. In the meeting with the Sat-Guru is great comfort
won, if the words of the Sat-Guru be followed.
Kabir says. They are ever blest, who meditate upon
this song.
' This world.
SHABDAS 123
58
1. The plunderer' of men lias kindled a fire of evil : none
without fuel is found to quench it.
I know well, it sprinors frora thee,' and in it the whole
world burns.
2. In the water* there is a seed of fire : none finds
the water that will quench it.
The one* does not burn ; the nine* women burn. No one
knows the means to stay it.
3. The city^ burns, and the watchman' sleeps at ease:
he says ** In my house all is well."
The house* is burned, the property escapes : I?ama,
grievous are thy doinors.
4. By a euniich's* embrace, the lon^in^ of the heart*
cannot be satisfied. Deeminjr tiie life lost and vain,
this body became listless.
5. He who of set purpose uses guile ; there is none so
base as he.
Kabir says, All are wives of Rama: there is no other
beside me.
59
1. r have known Maya as a great "bandit.
She roams with a threefold cord in her hand and she
sp^ak^i honeyed words.
2. As Kamala she settled in the house of T\(\sliava : in
the house of Shiva as Bhawani.
In the house of Panda she abode as an idol : in the
tirathas she became water.
3. In the house of a Yogi as Yogin! ; in the raja's house
as rani. In the house ofi one as a diamond, in an-
other's as a paltry shell.
4. In the hhaHa^s house as hhnktani, in the 13rahman*s
house as Brahmani.
Kabir Fays, Hear O San ts, this is a lak- that none can
tell.
• Mya. • Body.
» Jiva. » Jiva.
• HoliiclnnH ordf>ra. " Maya.
• f^^nt. * Soiil.
• Pivo olemontH and Man. Biidhi.
Chit, Ahankar.
124 SHABDAS
60
1. Maya aud Moii have bewitched all : thereby the jewel
of wisdom has been stolen.
2. The life is as a dream : the life passes like a dream.
The instruction that the Guru gave, this you neglected
and lost tlie great treasure.
3. By the sight of the light the moth is charmed; the
creature does not discern the flame.
Jn the noose of Kal men wake not from folly : they
dote on gold and women
4. Slieikh and Syed read tlieir Book: the Pandit pores
over his shastras.
Refusing the Sat Guru's instruction, they take the
life of creatures wittingly.
5. Who so considers and abandons evil, he is ids own and
other's ark. Kabir says. Mankind, ciiant Bhag-
want's name : there is none other.
61
1. Dead, wliat will you do witli your body ? The soul
departs, at once it is cast forth.
2. When the corpse is thus forsaken, it meets varied
usage : some burn, some bury it in earth.
3. The Hindus take it out to burning, the Turks for
burying ; thus it leaves the house of either.
4. Yama has spread a snare with the noose of Action :
as the fisher catches fish and slays them.
5. Without Rama, O men, it will be witii you as the
beetle in the cowdung on the road.
6. Ivabir says, Hereafter you will curse your folly, when
from this liouse you must fare forth.
62
1. O Mother, I* am a shining light in both" families.
1 have devoured twelve' iiiisbands in my father's*
house, and sixteen ** in the house of my father-
in-law*.
' CoMscioiwMcss. ' Lok and Parlok.
^ Ahankar, Hndlii, (ivo Tatrnaiitras, five Mnhabhnt.
* lUusory world.
* Five Gyan Indris ; five organ.s of sense ; four Antakarn ; twa
Pradhan. , • Braluna.
I SHARDAS 125
I have tied my liusbaud's mother' and his sister" to
tiie side of my bed. My husband*;^ brother' is a
cause of abuse to me.
I i)iirn the hair of that woraau's-iiead, who began tliese
quarrels within me.
r kept five* within my womb and can keep two,*
four*' m(»re.
I made of my neighbour' my meal and also of ray
mother-wisdom.
See, T have spread my bed with ease, and sleep thereon
with limbs outstretched.
I neither come nor go, nor die nor llvp. My lord*
has taken away ray reproach.
If I liold fast the One® name as mine, T sliall escape
from the world.
B.y the One namo T liohi fast : tliis^ Kabir proclaims
aloud.
63
To wliom shall I S|K^ak ? Who will hear and who obey ?
By contact with the flower^** the bee* * dies.
The flower blossomed in the vaidt of heaven. The
branchs are downward and the root is upward.
f needs no ploughing, sowing, watering nor weeding.
Without branches or leaves one flower withers,
the bee is distressed.
It bears fair blossoms and the gardener- woman-binds
these in a fair garland. When the flower withers,
the bee is distressed.
Kabir says. Hear, O brother San t.s: thr N'miikmI folic
are captivated by this flower.
' ^fayu. * RiiloH i>f aAceticigtn*
' it of Maya. • Parum Tat.
\ IS. • Sat Punish.
* Kam, KroUti, Lobh« Moli, Aliankar. *" MaynV world.
* Nirgui: and Sugun. >■ Jiva.
* Ja^^rat. Siipun. .Shimiipiiti, Turya.
126 SHABDAS /
64
1. Weaver', weave the name of Hari, on whicli gods,
men and Munis are wrapt in meditation.
2. He stretched the warp and took the shuttle.* The
four Vedas are the wiieel.
One beam is Ram Narayan, fulfilling the purposed
work.
3. He made the ocean of the world a trough : therein
he kneads the starch.*
The body of that starch is stiffened. Pew know that
it is starch.
4. Moon* and Sun/ they are two treadles : in mid-
ocean' the warp is made.
As the lord of the three worlds brushed* on the starch,
Sliyam joined* the broken ends.
5. He set the pegs,* and when he took the reed, then
Rama was bound.
As the reed beat up the warp, the three loks were
bound : none he left free.
6. The three loks were made one loom : the warp worked
up and down :
The Eternal Purusha bade me*° to sit beside Him.
Kabir entered^ ^ into Light.
66
1. The Yogi'* has gone again within the city^'andhas
entered there, where are five** women.
2. He has gone to the strange^ ^ country, of which none
can tell. The Yogi comes not back to his cave'*
again.
I Jiva. '° Kabir.
» Mind. '* Preferred to be absorbed in Him
» Elements. than to sit near by.
• l>ran. . *' Jiva.
• Prikriti. " liodj-.
• Space. ** Five Prans : — Pran, Apan, Dyan,
'Practice of Yoga. Samnn, Wayan.
• He lielpcd in Yo:?a. ** Human Body.
• Established religious orders.
SUABDAS 127
3. His body is burnt, bis flag is torn, and staff broken ;
his skull is shattered.
4. Kablr says. This Kali Yug is base: what is in the
vessel comes out at the spout.
66
1. No one should settle in the Yogis" city: who settles
there becomes a Yogi.
2. This Yogi has an inverted wisdom : his body is black
and he knows it not.
3. His body 'is visible but remains unseen : therein is a
root of constant lives.
4. If one knows the fashion of that" Yogi, he will live and
move in Rama and view the three worlds.
5. He will pluck the fruit of the immortal vine and drink
its juice. Kabir says. He will live from age to age.
67
1. If thy Bhagwan is in the form of seed, then, O Pandit,
why do you still question ?
2. Where is mind ? Wiiere is wisdom ? Where Onkar ?
Where Sat, Raj, Tam, the qualities of the three
kinds ?
3. It* bears fruit and flowers of various kinds, deadly and
immortal. The Vedas describe many ways of sal-
vation.
4. Kabir says. What do I know ? Who is released and who
is snared ?
68
L I will spin a thousand threads^, if my spinning wheel'
be not burnt.
But though the wheel be burnt, yet the carpenter*
does not die.
* VJho roly npon oeremonials. * Doinfi^s of mind.
"TnioYogi. •K.iIChakkar.
* Bhagwan. * Kal.
128 SHAHDAS
2. OH'ather', make for me my marriage, seeking out a
worthy* husband.
Till thou find a worthy husband, till then wed me to
th>self.
3. Wiien lli*8t I set foot in tiie city', pain and siokaess
oame upon me.
Then my eyes behehl a wonder : tiie father* weds Iiis
(hiugiiter'.
4. To the liouse of the bride«i^room\s father^ came the
fatlier' of tlie bride, and the brother to the
daughter-in-law.
Setting the legs* in the sockets, they made the spin-
ning-wheel firm.
5. All the company of gods will die : but one, the carpen-
ter", does not die.
For the sake of the mind's pleasure the spinning-wjieel
was made more firm.
6. Ivabir says. Listen O San ts: he who learns tiie secret
of this spinning-wheel,
lie who sees the spinning-wheel, will be free from
coming and going.
69
1. O Musician ' ^, thy music rings out superbly. Its melody
Alls the eight** heavens.
2. Thou makest melody, 'tis thou art playing. Thou
roamestwith it in thy hand. .
In the one Shabda are six and thirty melodies : it
makes the inusic that is infinite.
3. The mouth is the neck, the ears the shell : the Sat-
Guru has set the frets.
The tongue is the string, the nose the bridge, and
Maya is applied as rozin.
4. In the arch of heaven* * bright radiance gleamed, when
the strain was changed.
Kabir says. They are the wise judges, who gave their
mind to the Musician.
' Guru. ' God. ' At the time initiation by the Guru.
' Brahma. * Maya • Mind. ' M ind's object of worship.
• Ceremonial laws. ' Kal >"\lind. " Within the heart
SHABDAS 129
70
1. As the flesli of man, so is the flesh of beast : the blood
of each is of one colour.
The beast's flesh is the food of all : man's flesh none
but jackals eat.
2. Brahma the potter has filled the pot* : it appears, it
vanishes : whither now goes it ?
You eat flesh and flsh, as though they had been sown
in your own field.
3. O Mind, you make your gods and goddesses, and kill
the being to make offerings to them.
But if your gods are true, why do they not take them
when grazing in the fields ?
4. Kabir says. Hear O Sants : recite the name of Rama
ever.
For what you do to gratify your palate, a heavy pe-
nalty must be paid.
71
1. O Chatrik,* why do you cry for that which is far off,
when the world is filled with that water.
2. The water which holds the secret of the paternal seed,
the Vedas have created with six Karmas.
3. The water, in which Jiva and Shiva dwell, that water
is revealed as Amrit on the earth.
4. The water, wlience all bodies spring, in that water
Kabir makes no difference.
72
1. Wliy are your goings crooked, crooked, crooked ?
All ten doors are sunk in hell, and you are but a
stream of filth.
2. Your eyes are blinded, your mind cannot see : you
have known no wisdom at all.
The thirst of passion and anger has destroyed you :
without water you are drowned and dead.
» This world. « Jlva.
130
8HABDAS
3. Burnetl, the body becomes dust and ashes ; buried,
the worms consume it.
It will be food for swine, for dogs and crows : this is
tlie body's high estate.
4. You do not awake nor see, O foolish and demented :
Kal is close upon you.
You may take countless precautions, yet the last state
of it is dust.
5. Sitting within a house of sand, the fool does not awake.
Kabir says. Through never praising Rama's name
many wise men are drowned and dead.
73
1. Wiiy do you walk puffed up with pride, witli pride,
witli pride ?
When you lay face downward for ten months, why do
you forget those days ?
2. As a bee which forsakes not the honey's sweetness, so
you gather your wealth with sorrow and care.
When you are dead, all will cry " Hence with him,
hence." For who harbours a ghost within his
house ?
3. The body, burnt, will turn to ashes]: buried, the earth
swallows it up ;
' Like water poured in an unbaked jar. This is tlie
body's high estate.
4. The wife accompanies her husband up to the thresh-
hold,and beyond it tlie relations and friends.
To the burning place you keep your bier : then, O
Swan, you go alone.
5. Estranged from Rama and drunken with desire, you
will fall helpless into the well of Kal.
Kabir says. Men have got themselves entangled, as a
parrot is deceived by the springe.
SHABDAS 131
74
1. Tlif Yogi ' is set so stubbornly on action, though he has
neither heaven nor sky nor earth.
2 H<j has nor hands nor feet, nor form nor outline.
Without market he plies liis trade, and acts as weigh-
man and accountant.
3. He has no deed, no virtue, no devotion and no rites of
religion.
He carries no horn, no bowl : why should he beg for
salvation ?
4. Thou knowest me, and I* know thee' : I am absorbed
in thee.
When there is no creation, no destruction, whom will
you take to meditate upon ?
5. Tiie Yogi has set up one' to worship, but Rama per-
vades all.
This has no root of healing : but Rama is the root of
all living.
6. Regard this but as a juggler's trick, the sport of the
buffoon.
Kabir says. Listen, O Sants : who understands, he
rules as king.
76
1. This error is a cause of grievous ruin.
What is the Veda ? What is the Book ? What religion
or hell ? Who male, who female ?
2. A vessel of earth moulded and fashioned— the father's
seed entered therein.
When the vessel is perished, how will you name it ?
O fools, by your searching you are all astray,
3. Skin and bone, dung and urine, are all one.
From the one seed the universe was created ; then who
is Brahman, who is Sudra ?
1. liajo-gunr is Brahma, Tamo-gun r Shankar, and Sato-
gunris Hari.
Kabir says. Abide in Hama: there is neither Hindu
nor Turk.
'Mind. 'Jiva. Mmn^lmrv one*
Its SHABDA8
76
1. You yourself are self -deceived.
Like a dog in a house of Iboking-glasses, tliat died
barking at illusion.
2. Like a lion who, looking in the water of a well, sees
his reflection and straight jumps in.
Like an elephant on a shining marble floor, drives with
his tusk at that.
3. Like a monkey, whose greed will not let him loose his
hand : he is caught and led from house to house.
Kabir says, O thou parrot in the springe, who caught
thee ?
77
1. One builds great hopes of himself : but none has foun d
the secret of Hari.
2. Where can the senses find rest V Where has he gone,
whom men call Rama ?
3. Where are they gone that were wise ? After death
they were absorbed in the song.
4. Ramanand drank deep of the juice of Rama. Says
Kabir, I am weary with repeating this.
78
1. Now I have understood the tricks of Hari's play.
With beat of drum he displays his feats, and again
gathers them up.
2. In the play of Hari gods, men, Munis are deceived :
Maya has set up her show.
She locked them up in the house and bewitched
them : no wisdom entered their hearts.
3. The play is false, but the player is true : such is the
faith of sants.
Kabir says. According to his understanding is the state
of each.
SHABDAS 133
79
1. Tell me, O immortal, with whom thou art engaged.
Whose mind is awake, he is fortunate.
2. Within the Immortal a star appears. There is one who
wakes* and one who awakens.'
3. That which you seek is not to be found there. It is
within the immortal word.
4. Kabir says. He alone will understand that word, whose
mouth and heart are one.
80
1. O man, work out your own release,
While you live, consider and find for yourself a refuge:
after death where is your house ?
2. O Soul, if you do not take this chance to awake, at the
last none will be yours.
3. Kabir says. Listen, O Sants : the assaults of death are
cruel. ,
81
1 Being united as the letters Ra and Ma; all the Sants
have woven a covering' of many colours.
^. Valmiki sowed the field, and Sukdeva picked it.
Actions were the cotton seeds. Jaideva spins the
thread.
3. The loom is spread in the three worlds by Brahma,
Vishnu, Mahesha.
Reciting the name the Munis failed, Surpati and all
the kings.
i Whoever sung its praises with his own tongue, as in a
city without inhabitant,*
As a guest' in an empty* house, so they set their love
on Him.
The four Vedas are the outspread loom : the Formless
holds the comb.
Kabir weaves the covering, to be worn by the ser-
vants of Hari.
• Chela. 'Guru.
* Bbakti niarg. * XorhintMioHs. ' Brahro.
134 SHA.BDAS
82
1. O People, understand this : in the mouth of a fair mai-
den^ sounds a drum.
2. They that believe in Sagun pierce the six* circles, and
wash mill' and not bullock.*
Thej^ seize on Brahma* and cast into their fire* sacri-
fice ; like a fish^ they climb and reach the heavens.
3. They have Amawas and eclipse always," and Rahu*
devours the second day.^ °
The cow® eats that which issues from the Vedas, and
pours forth like rain^' : thereby the body is wasted.
4. Within the Trikuti circle the drum sounds,^" the
subtle body is drenched.
From the lotus-like Trikuti comes water that fills the
subtle body. How solve this wonder V
5. Kabir says. Listen, O Sants : this perfection is dear to
the Yogi.
He is always happy with his principles. Earth* m
ever virgin.
83
1. O fool and ignorant, you are astray, because you know
not Rama each moment.
2. You attack and strike down the cow and cut her
throat to take her life.
The life of the living you strike dead, and say your
slaughter makes it dedicated.
3. This flesh, which you call holy, hear how it was formed,
O brother.
Flesh is composed of blood and seed : that flesh you
eat is then unholy.
' Maya. ^ Surti,
' Six modes of worship • Whenever they are in Samadhi.
or actions.
' Body. • Kal.
* Soul. 1° Partly culightened
* Seed. '1 Rules of austerity.
* Trikuti. »' Om, om.
SHABDAS 135
4. O fool, you do not admit this folly as your own, but
say your ancestors did so.
Its blood is on your head and upon those who gave to
you such teaching.
5. The black hairs of youth are gone and the snows of
age have fallen : still your heart has not grown white.
Of what value are your fastings, your prayers, your
calls to prayer, your dying in a tiny cell ?
6. Their Vedas and Puranas the Pandits read and the
Maulana studies his Koran.
Kabir says. Those all went to hell who knew not Rama
each moment.
84
1. Qazi, wiiat is this Book that you discourse on ?
You are jangling and wrangling always : nothing of
wisdom do you know.
2. Vain-glorious of authority you make me to be circum-
cised : never will I endure it, brother.
If it is God that makes thee to be circumcised, why
came not this cutting of itself V
3. If by circumcision one becomes Turk, what then will
be said of your women ?
Half the body, so the wife is styled : then you still
remain Hindu.
4. By putting on the sacred thread one becomes a Brah-
man. What has thou given to women to wear ?
She from birth is but a Sudra, why dost thou eat the
f()(Hl she brings, O Pande.
5. Hindu untl Turk, whence have they comeV Who
started this path ?
Search well in your heart, your own heart : where is
Paradise ? Who won it ?
6. Leave these distractions, meditate on Rama, O foolish
mind : you deal with violence.
O Kabir, who gnisped not Ramans protection, at the
last grieved sore.
136 SHABDAS
85
1. It is the deluded who say, " This house is mine."
The house, in which you move puffed up with pride, it
is not yours.
2. Elephants, horses, bullocks, carriages, you gathered a
great store :
You are driven from the village and make your abode
in the forest.
3. Thence you send no money, safely tied, nor do you
return again.
The wife is without, the rival in the palace : the
husband's place nor here nor there.
4. Nine maunds of tangled thread^ is never straightened :
from birth to birth the tangle grows.
Kabir says, Hear, O Sants, and interpret this song.
86
1. O Kabir, your house is on the cliff's edge : all the world's
astray.
No one follows the Guru's sayings : all are mad year
in, year out.
2. Tn the whole Brahmand Kabir is the only Swan : the
rest are crows with open beaks.
All are following their mind-made religions, wearing
bodies made on earth.
3. Kabir has one word for all : you have built your house
in water.
Robbery is constant in the body : they have not found
the body's secret.
4. O Kabir, she" who wears woman's form is everywhere
and licks up all as a deer the grass.
The wisest of men and the Munis grew weary : not one
could ever catch her.
5. Brahma, Varuna, Kuvera, Puriadra, Pipa, Prahlada,
all tasted of it.
Him' whose nails rent the belly of Hirnakush, death
did not spare.
' Karmas. ^ Maya. ' Narsingh.
SHABDAS 137
6. Gorakh and Datta, monks like these, and the saints
Namdeva and Jaideva ;
No one has any news of them : no one knows where
they abide.
7. Draughts are played within the heart and the dice of
birtlis are cast.
None knows what will be from moment to moment :
none can discern this.
8. In every quarter of tbe earth are cities with inhabit-
ants, Rum, Sham, Dehli* in the midst.
Above it, see a mighty wonder ! Yama brandishes his
dart.
9. All the incarnations are his,* to whom belongs earth
and heaven : numberless they stand before him with
joined hands.
O wonderful,' fathomless, unsounded all these splen-
dours are thine.
10. Kabir the hero proclaims this everywhere : Even
now be wise.
Kabir says, The Guru is as polish ou the mirror. Pro-
claim it with every breath.
87
1. O Kabir, your house is on the cliff's ed^e : the mind
hunts its prey. *
Worldly pleasure is the deer : and the mind aims arrows
at its will.
2. The king* awakes with the necklace of holiness :
he binds the source at will.
He wields the bow of meditation in the forest of
wisdom, practises the arrow of Yoga.
3 He pierced the six circles, and pierced the lotus : then
the light was manifested.
Passion, anger, avarice, delusion he drove headlong
like game.
4. At the door of mid-iieiivcii hv halted, where tiiere is
neither night nor day.
Das Kabir entered there : his friends and companions
were parted from him.
* Rnm is one side and Sham on the other : Dehll is supposed in tbe
•centre, that is, the place of Kal. ' Kal. • Maya. * 8o«l.
138 SHABDAS
88
1. O brother, it^ is not game, it is not game : yet all eat
its meat.
2. It is the one quarry in the whole world. The account
of it none can describe.
If one opens its belly to see, there is neither liver nor
organs.
3. Such is its meat that it is ever and always offered for
sale.
The bones and legs are thrown on the dung-hill : it
never knew any fire or smoke.
4. It has no head and no horn ; and how should it have a
tail?
All Pandits are confused in its pursuit. Kabir ha&
sung this Banowri.''
89
1. O Fortunate, wherefore did you grow covetous and
lose the gem of this birth?
Why in the soil of your first birth did you sow the seed?
2. The body was fashioned from water and was kept in
the tank of fire.
After ten months you were brought from your mother'^
womb, and again were beset by Maya.
3. From an infant you liave become aged : that which
was to be will be.
When Yama comes, lie will bind and bear you off : and
you will weep with streaming eyes.
4. . You who cherished hope of life— Kal has choked your
breath.
This world is a gambling house, O Kabir ; be careful as
you tiirow the dice.
90
1. O Sants and Mahants, worship iiim alone who has
escaped from the noose of Kal.
2. Dattatriya did not know the secret: he was vainly
entangled in his appetites.
^ Maya. * A aiiisical mode especially comi»osed by weavers.
SHABUAS 131^
By churniug water he strove to make butter : such
was the Samadhi lie practised.
3. Gorakh could not retain the breath, for all his vaunted
devices of devotion.
By multiplying their mystic rites and ceremonies they
did not know Par-Brahma.
4. Vasishtha filled with all knowledge and all mysteries :
from whom sprang even Rama as disciple.
Rama, who was named Creator, even him Kal did not
spare.
5. The Hindus say, " We ourselves will burn up our sins " :
the Turks say " We trust our Pir."
Both are wrangling for their faiths : the swan Kabir
stands gazing at it.
91 •
1. All whom 1 saw, I saw distressed : of all who wear
body I saw none happy.
Men speak of rising and of setting. Think also on these
things.
2. All are troubled, each as lie goes his several road,
be he householder, be he recluse.
Shukacharya for this trouble's sake renounced Maya in
his mother's womb.
3. The Yogi is troubled, the Jaugani is troubled ; for those
who do penances their trouble is doubled.
Hopes and thirsty longings beset all hearts : no house is
void of them.
4. I speak the truth, the whole world is vexed: a lie I
cannot speak.
Kabir says. He tu»' u.i> immiIiUmI, wh*- -r( all this on
foot.
82
1. O brothers, know the mind : when it leaves the body,
wherein does the mind enter?
2. Sanak, Sanandan, Jaideva, X ""M \!Ml»:ni^ha, Trahlada,
Sudama ;
3. Though |)erfect Bhaktas, they knew not the mind :
lovers of Bhakti, yet had they not mind's secret.
140 SHAH DAS
4. Bharthari, Gorakh, Gopichand ; in constant converse
with that mind the.Y found much bliss.
5. The mind, whose mysteries none knew, with that mind
Sukdeva was enraptured.
6. Shiva, Sanak's company, Narad, and Shesha in their
body saw not that mind.
7. The one I^ranjan is in all bodies : in him, O Kabir, all
wander and wander.
93
1. O Sage, suci^ is your world, and such are the dealings
of tliis iron age.
Who would daily suffer these illusions ? This is not my
way.
2. The nature of Smriti is known to all : but none under-
stands his own heart's Tatwa. ^
They set before the lifeless the living as offerings:
and their eyes see nothing.
3. Why do you leave the Amrit and drink the poison : and
bind the counterfeit in your girdle ?
They give to thieves the seats of honour and from
the honest hide their face.
4. Kabir says, Liars keep company with liars ; and robbers
deal with robbers.
The three worlds are full of such : tliere is none to trust.
94
1. Tell me, what is this word Niranjan ?
No hands, no feet, no mouth, no tongue. O Soul, how
do you meditate on him ?
2. If you say, " He is light. He is light " : tell me the
evidence of that light.
If light is kindled from light, where then is that
light's dwelling?
3. Brahma who himself spoke the four Vedas, himself
did not Iqiow this mystery.
Kabir says. Listen O Sants : let the wise Pandit learn
this knowledge.
' Essence or secret.
SHABDAS 141
95
1. Who will act as Kotwal in such a city ? ^ The flesh •
is spread abroad and the vulture' set on guard
2. The mouse* is a boat and the cat* is boatman. The
frog* sleeps and the snake'' sits on guard.
3. The bullock' calves'-* and the cow ^" remains barren :
the bull-calf* ^ is milked three times an evening.
4. Each day the lion *" stands to fight with the jackal ^\
They are few who interpret the words of Kabir.
96
1. With what many lamentations will you weep ! Many
are gone, nor are prevailed on to return.
2. You paid no heed to my teaching ; you did not recognise
the other as the teaching of your pride.
3. Now you weep : and to what profit ? Wherefore did
you cause me tears ?
4. Kabir says, Listen, O men : do not fall into the clutch
of Kal.
97
1. Allah and Rama are names of thee, O Jiva ? to whom -
soever thou art merciful, thou art his lord.
2. Why bow the shaven head down to the earth : why
bathe the body with water ?
The shedder of blood is yet called innocent, and his
misdeeds are hidden.
3. What is the use of ablutions, and cleansings of the
teeth ? and of what use prostrations in the mosque ?
With deceit in his heart one offers prayers: what
profits his journey to Mecca ?
4. Hindus keep the Bkadasi fast on twenty-four * * days :
the Musalman keeps thirty :
Tell me, who passed the eleven months over, and
entered only into one?
» Body. • Brahma.
^ Desires. ' Ve<las and other scriptures.
» Orpan of seiiHOH. '" Gayatri or ceremonial law.
* Human birth. '^ Scriptares simply instruct on three
* Maya. qualities — Raj, Sat and Tarn.
* Jiva. ** Sound wisdom.
* Kal* ** Foul understanding.
" Twice a month.
142 SHABDAS
5. Hari's dwelling is tlie east : Allah's abode is in the
west.
Seek Him in your heart; there see Him: there is
Karim and Rama.
6. If God lives in the mosque, to whom belongs tlie
remaining country side?
Rama resides in the pilgrim-places and the images :
in neither they have found Him out.
7. Who said tliat Vedas and the Book are false ? They
are false who do not ponder.
Within all bodies One alone is seen : 'tis fear of a
second that destroys.
8. Whatever, male or female, is created, they are all Thy
form.
O Kabir, the son of Allah and of Rama, he is my Guru
and my Pir.
98
1. Let but Hari's name be mine, and I renounce all
others : they are useless,
2. Where then was Adam ? Where then Eve ? Where
then were Pirs and Prophet ?
3. Where then was earth? Where then was sky?
Where were Vedas and where Koran ?
4. He who erected mosques in the world Fasting
is false and Festival is false.
5. The name of Allah the One is true. To him should
man bow down in salutation.
6. Tell me, whence is Paradise? And at whose bidding
do you use your knife ?
7. The Creator made action His playing : the two paths, *
Hindu and Turk, were started.
8. Where then was day ? Where then was night ? Where
then was tiie creation of actions ?
9. He has neitlier caste, nor lineage. Kabir says. He
has neither day nor night.
^ Religions.
SHABDAS 143
99
1. O friend, ' wbere go you, all alone ? Why do you not
rouse you and take thought for your house ?
2. With rice-milk and sugar and butter you cherished
your body. Now that body has been cast out-
side.
3. On your head you were wont to tie the turban deftly :
the gems of that head the crows will tear.
4. The bones burn like dry wood and the hair like a
bundle of grass.
5. Coming and going you have no companion : what has
come to your troop of stabled elephants?
6. You were still unsatisfied with the juice of Maya,
when Yama stalked you like a cat.
7. Kabir says, Man has not yet awakened, though
Yama's club strikes the crown of his head.
100
1. O people, see the kinship of H&ri. The mother* has
caught the son* and gone off witii the daughter.*
2. The mother-i?i-law * and the husband's sister'^ bear
rule in the house. A daughter" is born in the
house of the jugglers.*
3. I* am brother-in-law : Rama brother of my wife : I am
the father and Hari the son.
4. Kabir says— This is the power of Hari : \ut who onco
dwelt in Rama is now *** a bitch's son.
lOl
1. Gazing on it I was filled with amazement. Few
can understand this song.
' Soul. • Attention.
'.Maya. ' I)o.siroH * Mind.
* Jiva. ' ThiH means, when 1 have union with
* Hudhi. flod then all relationship vanNhen.
* Will. •" In ropoatod births.
144 SHABDAS
2. The earth is sky and sky is earth, an elephant * enters
the mouth of an ant.*
3. Tliere is no wind, the mountain is flying. All living
things and trees are drowned
4. The dry. tank rises on heaving waves : there without
water the goose is sporting.
5. The Pandit sits and reads the Purana and discourses
of that he has never seen.
6. Kabir says, He who understands this song % he is the
Sant, worthy of all trust.
102
1. O sons of a slave girl*, must I abuse you ? You should
consider the true path and think tliereof.
2. Those of our kin are not our own : we meet them no
more, not even in dream.
3. Brahmans, Kshatriyas, and Baniyas : of these none
gave heed to my saying.
4. As many as are Yogis and Jangam, they are, one and
all, beside themselves.
5. Says Kabir, the only Yogi : They all became delusion's
slaves.
103
1. O people, you are simple of understanding.
As water mingles with water, so will Kabir mingle
withHhe dust.
2. If Mai thai is your true abode, then may your death
well be at Maghar.
3. Dying at Maghar one will not see death. Dying
elsewhere he brings shame on Rama.
4. "One who dies at Maghar, becomes an ass."* Truly
you have lost your trust in Rama.
5. What is Kashi, what the waste land of Maghar, if only
Rama dwells in my heart ?
6. If Kabir leaves his shell in Kashi, what honour will
that bring to Rama ?
1 Kal. ' Jiva.
' This song hints about the spiritual union with God.
* Maya's sons. Kabrr's disciple were so before they followed Kabir.
* Hindus believed so.
SHABDAS 145
104
J. How shall I cross the sea, O Master, how shall I cross
'< the sea ? I am full of many sins.
2. How shall I serve and worship thee, how meditate on
thee? Only without am I white, just like a heron.
3. My nature is a snake's and 1 am a great sinner. The
conscience is foul, and like a cat.
4. I see it to be contrary and crazed, wrapt in the cloak
of the six Darshanas.
h. Kabir says. Listen, O men tliat are mine : all are
caught in the noose of a scheming witch.
106
1. The demon of doubt has devoured the world : whoever
worshipped it has perished.
2. It comes not from egg nor from womb : it has nor soul
nor body. Numberless lives have been sacrificed
to it.
3. Goats, fowls and piglings are offered : in the next birth
their turn will come.
4. Kabir says. Listen, all men ; who worships the demon
becomes demon himself.
106
1. The bees' have flown, tlie cranes' have settled:
night' is gone, day* also will pass.
2. The maiden Jiva shivers and shudders with fear: she
knows not how her lover* will receive her.
3. An unbaked pot retains not water. When the swan
departed the body withered.
4. My arms are aching with scaring* the crows. Kabir
says, Now this tale is ended.
» Yonth. » Old age. » God. * Ceremonial lawg.
]0
146 SHABDAS
107
1. Without the Husband* you have become an oilman's*
bullock.
You do not sit in the company of the Sants, your
whole life has passed beneath the yoke.
2. You will be swept away in deatli, and for your selfish-
ness will disappear and fall beneath Yama's club.
For love of riches, wife, sou, and affairs of your estate,
you have laden yourself with all these burdens.
3. Leaving the husband you are infatuated with worldly
pleasures, and have sown the seed of sin.
In vain hope of salvation for their lives, men eat the
leavings* of evil* spirits.
4. In the eighty-four millions of created beings the world
is washed away.
Kabir says. Listen, O Sants : they are holding fast
to the tail of a dog."
108
1. Again am I become as a fish in the water. *^ In my
former birth I vaunted my penances.
2. I prided myself that my mind renounced all, that I left
my family and lived to repeat Rama's name.
3. I left Kashi and my knowledge was artless. Tell me»
Lord of my soul, what shall be my state ?
4. Am 1 a bad servant, or art thou unmindful ? Of the
two, O Bhagwana, which is the guilty?
5. Now I draw near for thy protection. Nowhere else
could I see the feet of Hari.
6. Now I draw near to thy presence. Thou hast made
Das Kabir to be sore distressed.
' God or True Guru. * Images of gods.
• Maya or False Guru. ' Faith in dead gods.
• Parshad or offerings. * Water of love.
SHABDA8 147
109
1. Men say Kabir has ^one far away. But few, the
steadfast, know the truth.
2. The three worlds know the son of Dasaratha. The
secret of Rama's name is other than this.
3. By his own knowledge eacli interprets : he calls it a
rope, t.lie snake which he sees.
4. Though knowing virtue's fruit* the best, yet leaving
Hari the mind finds* not salvation.
5. Hari sustains all, as the water bears up the fish.
Kabir proclaims another better* way.
IIO
1- None can erase his Karma-
How can any erase Karma's writing even to the end
of a million ages?
2. Sita wedded Raghunath, yet at one moment this held
not true.
Though the Guru Vasishtha divined the hour, chant-
ing the charm of the Sun.
3. He whom men call the maker of the three worlds,
smote Bali with violence.
Once on a time it came to pass, that be in his turn
had his day.
4. The body of Narada Muni was disguised : he took
the form of a monkey.
Though he tore the arms of Sishupal, yet himself he
wore tlie armless form (Buddha.)
5. None should talk of Parvati as barren, nor make of
Shiva a beggar.
Kabir says. All these are tales of the Maker : the
doings of Karma are different.
^ Oood deods produce good fruits.
^ But mind believes salvation is in meditating upon the feet of
Hari alone.
* True path of salvation.
10 SHARDAS
111
1. Is th^r.e a wise Guru and Pandit, who will understand
the Veda reversed?^
In the water* fire is burning: in the blind' eyes there
is sight.
2. The cow« has eaten up the lion,* the deer' has eaten
up the leopard*
The crow' has snared the fowler,' the quail' has
triumphed over the hawk.'
3. The mouse' has eaten up the cat,' the jackal' has
eaten up the dog.'
He who knows the primal teaching, will attain this
garb.
4. One single frog* has eaten up five' serpents.
Kabir proclaims aloud : the two* are one together.
112
1. Disputing arose within the mind : he who can direct
it finds release.
2. Is Brahma the greater or That from which he came ?
Are the Vedas the greater, or He who made them ?
3. Is the mind the greater, or He in whom the mind
believed ? Is Rama the greater or he who knoweth
Rama?
4. O Kabir, in doubt and error perplexed they wander.
Is the place of pilgrimage the greater, or he who is
its servant ?
118
1. You believe those who are false : listen, O Sants and
wise. The robber's den is within the heart : go not
astray through folly.
2. There is a roof of falsehood, it spreads over earth and
sky.
In all ten regions its noose is set : it has beset the soul.
»Deva. * Mind.
1 Kal. * Kam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh, Ahankar.
«jiva. •JivaandKal.
SHABDAS
f*
3. Devotion, sacrifice and rosary, piety, pilgrimage, fast-
ings and alms,
Xine Bhaktis, Vedas, the Book, all these are cloaks of
falsehood.
4. One goes about with Shabdas, another boasts his
doings.
Ever they claim respect and renown, both sects, Hindus
and Turks.
5 In prating about the heavens, their hour of death has
drawn near.
Cherishing great conceit of heart, they are drowned
wliere is no water.
6. Kabir says. To whom shall I speak ? All the world is
blind.
They keep away from one who speaks truth, and are
the bond-slaves of liars.
114
1. By the Essential Word alone will you find safety. Be-
lieve and trust therein.
2. The One, tiie Primal Purusha, is a tree, and Niranjao
is its branch :
The three gods are its twigs : and the universe its
leaves.
3. Brahma established the Veda : Shiva spread Yoga wide.
Vishnu is the author of Maya : he started all its traffic-
kings.
4. In the three worlds and in the ten directions Yama
obstructs the doors.
All .Tivas are become as parrots, carrying poisonous
food.
5. The ruler wears light as his form, who has spread his
dominion wide.
Oasting the angle of action, he has caught the whole
world.
6. I can annul his dominion and speed the soul across
this ocean.
Kabir says, I can make you fearless : therefore test
this minting.
160 SHABDAS
115
1. O Sants, such is the error in this world, wherein souls
are lost in vanity.
2. First erred the undivided Brahma, imagining the
existence of his shadow.
Believing in that shadow he caused desire, and from
desire came pride.
3. Through pride he posed as Maker, and established
various scriptures :
In that same error the whole world errs : that error's
secret none has found.
4. The eiglity-four millions are from that error : that
error has misled the world.
He too has erred, who was from the beginning : now
that error eats up all.
5. The error will cease when the Guru is found : to reveal
the test, that is true.
Kabir says, That which remedies this error, that is the
test of all, O brother.
CHAUNTISI
Onkar* is from eternity : those, who know it so, they
write, erase, and then again, revere it.
This Onkar all repeat: but they that this discern are
few indeed.
1. Ka:-
One may find the flame ^ within the lotus." When the
mystic moon' appears, its light cannot be quenched.
There if one gains the golden colour*, he comprehends
the incomprehensible, and makes his mind's abode
in heaven.
2. Kha:-
If you would know, amend your defects : else leaving
the Husband* you wander in the ten regions.
The Husband alone is release and lasting forgiveness.
He who would be immortal, let him grasp the song
eternal.
3. Ga:-
Obey the words of the Guru : let not the ear receive
another word.
Then the bird* will range no whither, but comprehend-
ing the Incomprehensible rests in heaven.
4. Gha:—
As one body wastes, auuther appears I'^body within
body is stored.
As body is dissolved, so body comes again: and body
again is laid up within body.
* It may be alao rendered * Onkar ia beginning '.
• Vision. ' Heart. > The eternal light. " Reality.
* Mind oraoal.
152 CHAUNTISI
5. Na:—
All the days and nights are spent in gazing; with
gazing the eyes grow red.
If for one moment one gains the vision, in that same
moment he may close his eyes.
6. Oha:-
A mighty picture^ has been displayed: neglect the
picture, view the painter.'
For Him, who made the varied picture, ignore the pic-
ture : wake to Him, O conscious soul.
7. Chha:—
All is the King's : inebriate your soul with Him : blot
out all other hopes.
Once and again I have given the warning. Leaving
the Husband, why have you let yourself be bound ?
8. Jar-
Burn up this body while still living, burn your youths
and follow the rule.
What knowledge you iiave, it must all be burned ; then
within the body the light will shine,
9. Jha:
Entangled or free where will you go V In wandering
search your life will be spent.
After searching through a million Sumerus, the fort*
you built will be your fort still.
10. Na:-
Gazing upon the city of love, yourself resolve your
doubts.
Seek not to see, nor seek to escape ; where nothing
is, offer there your body and soul.
11. 'ra:--
Within the mind is a crooked way : open the door and
enter the palace.
Tottering or firm, abide therein : be established there,
then nowhere will you journey.*
^ Universe. * Your next birbk will be according your deeds.
' Creator * No more birth and death.
CHATNTISI Vm
12. Tha:-
The goal' is far off, the robber* near: the ever merci-
less has paralysed the mind
This robber, who has robbed all the wise, know, him as
robber, but learn well your goal.
13. Pa:-
Prom fear' springs fear : and fear is stored in. fear.
Who fears fear, will return to fear; and fear again ia
laid up in fear.
14. Dha:
All those who search, where go they ? The drummer
is enamoured of his drum.
Where nothing is, thence all take birth : where nothing
is, of that take knowledge*.
15. Nana:—
The village with inhabitants is far away. O Nana, be
thy name effaced.
All living died and in a dense throng passed. Count-
less .Tatis died in the forests.
16. Ta:
The Three' will not vanish : from tliein keef» the body
hidden in the three worlds.
Who keeps his body hidden in tlie three worlds, finds
the True Element^ gains That Element.
17. Tha:
Its^ depths cannot be fathomed. By this peace that
peace comes.
Step by step gain peace. O brother : wirhout the pil-
lars the temple falls.
18. Da:-
See, all is doomed to perish : as you .see, so consider.
He that controls" the ten doors, then will gain the
vision of the Merciful.
'Salvation. » Kal BrahoKi.
^ Do not think that God is terror but believe thao Ho in all love, all
merciful * Koceive knowledge from that place.
' Three qualitiea. * The oternal truth ' Bhakti Marg.
' Do not stay in a wavering position hut concentrate your mind on
the One alone.
15# CHAUNTISI
19. Dha:—
In the middle^ vault is darkness : as you see, so cod-
sider.
He that neglects the midway to fix his mind upon the
summit, will renounce self and make love increase.
20. Na:-
Enter the fourth* : else you become the ass of Rama
and so feed on grass.
Leaving the King you made your abode in hell : O
foolish, even now awake ; morning has come.
21. Pa:-
All commit sin ; where there is sin virtue is not.
Pa says. Listen, O brother : by serving me you get
nothing at all.
22. Pha:-
The fruit is far off : taste if you will. The Sat-Guru
will not pluck and give you.
Pha says. Listen, O brother : none has knowledge of
heaven and the realm below.
23. Ba :-
All are wrangling, one and all : by wrangling nothing
is achieved.
If one speak, let him speak with meaning : the secret
of action's fruit you know not, brother.
24. Bha:-
Illusion overflows the world : by reason of illusion the
near is become far off.
Bha says. Listen, O brother : all come in illusion and
in illusion they go.
25. Ma:-
By serving Ma,' one finds not the secret : in serving
me they lost their all.
The mind has grasped the root of Ma: he* that is in
the secret knows it,
' In the state of Samadhi one suspends all bis actions.
• Arth, Kara, Dharam, Moksh (Salvation). Tlie first three are no
gotxl if one do not attain the fourth.
' Maya. * Guru.
CHAUNTISI 155
26. Ya:~
Ya* overflows the world: yet Ya is to be from the
world apart.
Ya says, Listen, O brother : by serving me comes vic-
tory, victory.
27. Ra:—
One gets entangled in this dispute: that by Rama*s
name grief and pain will vanish.
Ra says. Listen. O brother : ask of the Sat-Guru ; then
come and serve.
28. La:-
In child isii lisping instruction comes : by this same
lisping you will learn truth.
You yourself lisp and yet blame others : both work in
the one field.
29. War-
All cry " He, He.'' By crying ** He" will nothing be
achieved.
Wa says. Listen, O brother ; none has knowledge of
heaven and the realm below.
30. Sha:—
None see the tank : the tank and its refreshing cool
are one.
Sha says. Listen, O brother : the world is passing away
into the void.
31. Kha:-
All say "True," True : by sayint' "'True " will nothing
be achieved.
Kba says, Listen, O brother : repeat Kama's name and
so escape.
32. 8a:-
A bow* was made with violence : pierced with its
arrow all people are afflicted.
» Yoga.
> EaI has made a bow.
156 CHAUNTISl
In the house of Sa the Void takes qualities : so much
is not known to any.
33. Ha:—
He is -none knows His being : when things are, then
the mind believes in them.
He is in truth let all receive it : when "He " is, that
" Tliat " is no more,
34. Ohha: -
In a moment it will be blotted out : when darkness
falls, who will make you see ?
When darkness fell, none found the end. Therefore
Kabir proclaimed it beforehand.
BIPRAMATISI
1. Gather, all, and hear about the religion of Brahmans :
without the knowledge of Hari they sink like an
overloaded boat.
2. By being a Brahman, one knows not Brahm : he but
brings to his home the gifts of sacriflce.
3. He has no knowledge of Him who is Creator : he sits
and prates of Karma and Dharma.
4. On the eclipse and at Amawas he worships tiie water:
like the Chatrik they profess one love but their real
aim is other.
5. The services for the departed one are on his lips, but
at the time of the fire offering his thoughts are on
offerings for himself.
6. In the world He is called of high lineage, but again
and again he inakes men do foul deeds.
7. With his son and his wife he eats the leavings of
others, and he calls them defiled who are Bhagats
of Hari.
8. His works are unclean : he eats other's leavings : his
understanding is denied and to Yama-lok he goes.
9. Having washed and bathed he goes proudly : when he
sees a saint of Vishnu his mind is vexed.
10. He is set on gain and allows no partner. To him the
Name is as a fiery oven.
11. He forsook not the reliance on Rama and Krishna:
by reading and study he is become the slave of
works.
12. He performs works and runs after works : if any
consults him, he seeks to establish him in works.
13. Those who believe not in these works, he reviles; to
those who believe in works, he gives his heart.
14. "Tis thus he maintains the Bhakti of Bhagwant: be is
of the hierarchy of Hirnakush.
158 BIPRAMATISI
15. See the way these foolish miads are revealed. Without
inward sight they become the slaves of works.
16. By all his worsliip not one sin is removed : by singing
his praises one is drowned in the world.
17. He has in his hands the dice of sin and virtue. So he
has wrought tlie destruction of tiie world.
18. His system abandons not either system : he sets fire, to
this house and builds up that.
19. He settles him at home like an honest trader : in his
secret iieart he robs like a rat.
20. Such is the worship the Brahman pays the gods. To
take tlie name he assumes five postures.
21. They were drowned and could not save themselves ;
by speaking of high and low he perished.
22. To call one high, one low is the talk of fools ; there is
but one air, one water.
23. There is but one Earth and one Potter ; One is the
Creator of all.
24. One potter's wheel made many forms : and He is with-
in the seed. '■
25. One Light pervades all : for mere naming*s sake men
call it pearl.
26. His acts are devilish but he is called a god: he dis-
putes at length but cannot win across this sea.
27. When the swan leaves and parts from the body, tell
me, pray, of what caste is it ?
28. Is it black, white, red or yellow ? Coloured or
colourless ? Hot or cold ?
29. Hindu or Turk, aged or youthful, female or male ? All
this think out.
30. To whom shall I speak ? Not one pays heed. But so
Kabir Das has seen' it."
Sakhi : — They are swept away down in the current : grasp
their hands and draw them to the shore.
Those who will not heed the warnings, thrust
them in, further in than before.
* Literal recognized or understood itw reality. ;* 8oul.
KAHARA
I
1. Practise the simple meditation, the simple meditation,
yourself absorbed in the Guru's words.
2. While in the world, keep fixed your roving mind, and
your gaze unwavering.
As you ever see trouble now, so will happiness ever be
yours hereafter.
3. Though misgivings do not now readily assail you, yet
in your heart unravel sucli tangles as there be.
When you draw tight tlie line of salvation, then the
great fish will be caught'.
4. Bid your mind subdue the mind and re/rain from
speaking good words or ill.
Let not the mind quit the love of devotion, nor ever
relax its knot.
5. Neglect delight", but do not neglect salvation : by the
practice of Yoga make perfect your body.
If you would be inebriate with this love, then with this
wisdom bind your thought.
6. Else is the master' very stern : he will deal with craft
and guile.
You will be bound and slain : your all taken : all your
exultation vanish.
7. When ill fortune comes upon you, whips will be broken
on your back.
The members of your house will stand and see it, but
no one*s intercession brings you release.
8. You that have no Quru,^ fall suppliant at his feet, but
he will heed no prayer :
You were without knowledge, never sought to know :
how should he know you now ?
* Undenitandlog attalued. ^ Kal.
^ DcHires. * Hurini^ no objeot of worship.
160 KAHARA
9. He has summoned you, but he speaks not : the boat-
man bears himself with pride :
He that lias no provision in liis purse must wander
helpless to and fro.
10. Those who have continually performed the ordinances,
they care not if the wife goes with them no further
than the threshold.
One^ without hands or feet will seize upon your body.
11. You have oars,'* O foolish, row on : why grope along
the bank?
Remain in the shallows,' launch not into the deep, lest
you lose what now you hold.
12. The burning sun below, the burning sand above;
nowhere will you find shade:
Knowing this bestir yourself : why do you not make
for yourself some shade ?
13. Whatever sport you made, now let that be : how can
this be made hereafter ?
Your husband's* mother and his sister' will deride
you : you will hide your face in shame.
14. The sugar ^ is melted, tlie bag' sags flabbily : you
never obeyed the advice I gave :
You never trained Tazi " and Turki * horses, you always
rode a horse of wood.
15. The clapping and cymbals make pleasant music : all
dance to the Kahara measure :
In whatever colour the groom' comes to the wedding,
therein must the bride® too deck herself.
16. Your boat* " was good : you had no skill to row it : how
will you reach the shore ?
Kabir says, He who is drunken with the wine of Rama,
he is Kabir's disciple.
\ ^al. * Bbakti.
> Do not attempt to receive more than yon actually can hold.
* Mul Prikriti. ' \vidiya. * Age. ' Body.
• Kinds of horses. 'Body. »° Hnman birth.
KAUARA 101
II
1. Hear wisdom, O Ruby * ; hear wisdom, O Ruby : as
best you may decide the dispute.
2. Kneading, the potter ' makes the pots: but no one is
saved in the skinner's ' house.
Ever the weaver ' rises and fills the shuttle : the cloth
printer * dances about the court :
3. Ever the barber * climbs into the boat, * and burns
botli boat and oars.
If you have no knowledge of the master *, how can
you hope to decide the dispute ?
4. Within one village * dwell five maidens' : there too are
an elder brother ' and his wife * :
They strive together, each for her own hand, and care
not at all to love their husband. ■
5. With the buffaloes ® the starling ^^ is always found :
eyes it has, but does not see.
It never kept company with the cows ^\ how can
you hope it will know the truth ?
6. You did not ask the wayfarer of the way, so foolish
you are and ignorant.
You leave the landing and crawl where, there is no
landing, how can you reach the furtlier shore ?
7. One day through greed you seek a Guru of your caste ;
the next your thoughts turn to the Brahman :
Set not yourself between the two millstones to be
ground to powder : so you will find a nearer resting-
place.
8. The Sat-Guru has given an arrow of love: bis bow and
his arrow are strong :
DasKabir made this Kahara : within the Mahara*8 '*
measure he abides.
» Soul. ' Brahma.
'KjilBrahm. 'Maya.
• Kal. • IndriH.
* Uaman body. '• Mind,
*Alloternal. "Sadhns.
' Oyan Indris. » Qod.
11
162 KAUARA
III
1. O brother, serve the name of Rama : He is near, your
hopes are far away.
Why do you i>ay worship to other gods, O madman ?
All your hopes of them are false.
2. What use is being white outside, O madman, while you
are still black within ?
What matters it that your body has grown old, while
still the mind within is young ?
3 The teeth in your mouth have gone, O madman ; still
you have iron teeth within.
Ever you chew the grain of worldly pleasure, lust,
anger, pride and coveting.
4. All your body's strength has left you, yet the solace of
your heart is doubled :
Kabir says. Hear, O Sants : all wisdom is not worth a
shred.
IV
1. My* covering is the name of Rama, and in this Rama I
deal.
2. I have made Rama's name my merchandise, and with
Hari keep my shop.
I have displayed a thousand names : it yields a quarter
profit day by day.
3. To wliomsoever I give a new five seer's weight, he
receives but two seers and a half'\
Even if the five seers be corrected, yet the difference'
still remains.
• 4. The scales are unequal* ; the seer • is but three quar-
ters : deceived * ones beat the drum.
Kabir says. Hear, O Sants ; they gather their bargains
and depart deceived.
' Such la said by Yogis and performers of penances.
^ Only half my instructions are followed.
* A defective soul is unable to receive instruction.
■* In repeated births the soul becomes more and more defective,
» Bhakti.
• Those who rely upon their imperfect Bhakti.
KAHAKA
168
1. Repeat the name of Rama, the name of Rama : awake
and look within your mind.
They gathered and stored millions upon millions : yet
they went hence with empty hands.
2. Your grandfather, your father and his father's father,
they who buried this treasure in the earth —
Are you too blind as they were, your inward eyesight
gone ? why did they leave all this behind ?
3. This world is but a trafficking in phantoms : at the end
there is nothing at all .
Its birth, its destruction is a thing of a moment : it is
as the shadow of a cloud.
4. Relations, kinsmen, race and family, where is the
ground of boasting in them ?
Kabir says, Without meditation upon Rama all wisdom
is sunk in the deep.
VI
1. Without the name of Rama, without the name of Rama,
the life is lost for uotliing.
2. As the parrot is fooled that haunts the scmar tree :
the cotton flew and he has lost his labour.
As the drunkard who pays out money from his gir-
dle, and for it loses the poor wits he had.
3. As the stomach is not satisfied by pleasant taste alone,
nor thirst quenched by dew.
How can the penniless be helpful to his fellow ? He is
vexed at heart with troubles of his own.
4. With the gem in your hand, you knew not its secret :
so the tester snatched it from you.
Kabir says. When this chance' has passed, you will not
find the gem again.
' Hyuiuid birth.
164 KAHARA
VII
1. Bestir yourself, remember Rama ; hear this that I
proclaim aloud.
2. With shaven head you sit swollen with pride, rings in
your ears, within the cave.
Without, you have besmeared yourself with ashes :
but within, within you rob the house.
3. In your village dwells a proud mendicant ", filled
with self, with pride and lust.
Enticement will bear you away to her lair : all your
renown wilj be no more.
4. Who knows the dweller at the heart of all, will rest
unmoved.
Fearless there in the Guru's city sleeps Das Kabir in
peace.
VIII.
1. The bliss (of Hari) and the peace (of Allah) : tell me»
to whom was either given ?
In coming and in going twice were they plundered :
all that they had was snatched away.
2. Gods, men. Munis, Jatis : Pirs, Auliya and Mirs : all
were born into the world.
How far shall I count them ? They are endless mill-
ions : all have tasted death.
3. Water, air, and sky will vanish : the moon and mighty
heroes :
This will vanish, that will vanish : perfection falls to
the lot of none.
4. Saying " All's well " the world is perishing : this " wel-
fare " is a noose of Kal.
Kabir says. All the world will perish, but the Immortal
Rama abides.
1 Body. 2 Mind.
KAUAKA 165
IX
1. O Fool, this is the fashion of the body : death comes,
and none consents to touch it.
Your very armlet they will break and take, though
your wealth be counted in millions.
2. When your breath comes short, their fears begin :
this family that is your boast.
Whoever comes near, will hurry you out nor suffer your
stay a moment longer.
3. You were nice in anointing your body with sandal :
you wore on your neck an ivory circlet.
But dead, that same body the vulture's beak rifles
and its llesh is rent by the jackals.
4. Kabir says. Listen, O Sants : they are void of wisdom,
of true understanding.
This day or that, so all will be, be he a king or be he
a beggar.
X
1. fn all I am— and am not. Me they pronounce now this,
now that.
My covering is a single sheet' : so men speak of me
as Unity.
2. One unbounded, without limit, as the ray of the Moon
in a pitcher of water.
I am of one likeness ; none understand ; else age,
death, doubt would flee away.
3. I am neither babe, nor aged : with mo is no disciple.
I live in the form of the three qualities : I deal
with all : my name is Rama the King.
4. Where are night and day, I am not : male and female
are alike in me.
I am neither sent nor summoned: I am in the world
untrammelled.
Prikriti.
IW KAHARA
5. The weaver * knows not loom • nor warp, * yet he
weaves his web in ten * places.
As each has seen the Guru's splendour, so he speaks :
but few have grasped its truth.
6. The diamond of the mind received a hundred facets :
even the cost of the cutting was not made.
Of Hari, for whom gods, men, and Munis searched, the
friends of Kabir have found some trace.
XI.
1. O sister' of my husband, you long for union : when
you slept the whole world vanished.
When you came, and you slept together, you and my
husband vanished away.
2. My father's^ wives are two", myself and my husband's
brother's wife : both vanished.
When I reached my husband's land, then the world's
nature was made clear to me.
3. My mother® died and my father : the tank^ ° that was
made vanished with them.
Idled and so all died to me : my folk^\ my family,
vanished together.
4. While the breath is within the body, so long is peace
far distant.
Kabir says. When the breathing ceases, the house ^ *
in the end is burnt up with fire.
XII
1. This Maya is mad for Raghunath, and she goes forth to
hunt her prey.
The wise and polished she chose out and slew : not
one has she spared of all.
» Jiva.
'Eternal Purusha,
' Maya.
Bhaktani and Bhaktl .
•Maya's actions.
' Adi Maya.
* Ten doors.
'" Ceremonial law.
» Maya.
^i all those who established rituals, etc.
• Brahra.
" Body.
KAHARA 167
2. The recluse (silent), the brave, the ascetic she slew,
the Yogi deep in his meditation.
She slew the Jangara in his jungle, though he had
abjured the favours of Maya.
3. The Pande she slew while reading his Vedas, the Swami
performing his worship.
The Pandit she slew when expounding his texts. On
the self-controlled she cast her bridle.
4. Shringi the Rishi she slew in the forest and clove the
head of Brahma.
M uchandar Nath turned away and shunned her : even
in Singhal he was overwhelmed.
5. In the house of Sakat she ruled the household : but is a
slave to the devoted of Hari.
Kabir says, Listen, O Sants: when she approaches,
drive her away.
BASANT
1. Where spring holds sway the twelve months through,
few have conceived the perfection there.
2. Where fire as rain pours down in ceaseless streams,
where the forest grows green in all its eighteen
glades. *
3. Where unrestrained the waters well up within, and
the cleansing air bears away all foulness.
4. No trees are there, yet heaven is bright with blossom ;
Siva and Brahma would drink its perfume.
5. Sanak Sananda, all the devotees, like bees, would find
it; the eighty-four million Jivas fain would enter
there.
6. If the Sat-Guru unveil for you the truth thereof, never
forsake your meditation at his feet.
7. Whoso hungers for the fruit of that eternal world,
Kabir says, let him understand, so shall he taste
of it.
II
1. They who learn the love of Sri Basant but with their
lips and straightway lose it, again and again Yama
meets them at the journey's end.
2. Those who have beaten out the music of Meru-daiid,
have burnt up all their desires in the eight-leaved
lotus.
3. The fire of Brahma was manifested : in them upward
and downward passes tlie breath.
4. Nine' channels are the abode of uncleanness: five*
maidens go in company to see.
» 6 Dyal Des, 6 Kal Des, 6 Maya Des.
" Nine doors of body.
' Five senses.
BASANT ItW
5. The music of the iatioite fills all the ait* : two and
seventy * men cast dust upon their bodies.
6. The sight of Maya has bewitched you, as a flower of
the forest that blooms but for a day.
7. Kabir says. Behold the servants of Hari, that ask as
their Holi gift * a house in heaven.
Ill
1. To greet thee, O Mehtar^ have I come. Now grant
me to wear the garment of spring time.
2. The loom' is long, the pin * is thin, the thread * is old
and tied upon three* pegs.
3. Three hundred and sixty" threads are stretched: they
are tied with two and seventy knots^.
4. Through the pipes' comes a ceaseless murmur: the
weaver's wife* sits crouching there.
5. Above it dances and plays the dancer** : upon the loom
her feet' ' are moving.
(J. Five, twenty-flve,'" and ten doors are there: five
maidens*' face each other there.
7. They have decked themselves with veils** of many
colours. At Hari*8 feet Kabir sings his song.
IV
1. The old witch*' laughs to herself as she says. 'I am
ever young: what woman so fair as I?"
2. My teeth are gone with chewing betel : my hair is
fallen with bathing in Ganga.
3. My eyesight is gone from painting with antimony : my
youth is gone with snaring lovers.
4. Those who are wise, 1 make my prey: lur those who
are foolish 1 deck me with charms.
6. Kabir says, The old witch sings for joy: son '® and hus-
band * ^ she has eaten and there she sits.
* Followers of various rellgioim • Maya.
' Pha(?o\va. '" Jiva.
* Body. >' Maya and Brahma.
* Jiva. ' « 5 Elements and 25 Prlkirtis.
* Three qualities. »• Five senses.
* Bones. ^* Garbs or bodies.
* Ligaments. ' * M ay a.
'Arteries. " JIva.
" Brahma.
170 BASAI^T
1. O Pandit, read the riddle of her^ wlio was unmarried,
remaining virgin.
2. The assembled gods gave her to Hari : through the
four ages was she with Hari.
3. First she came in the guise of Padmani : she is a
serpent- wife that preys upon the world.
4. She is grown woman, and iier husband a boy: the
darker the night, the brighter her lustre.
5. Kabir says. She is the whole world's darling : of their
own strength none can sJay her.
VI
1. Mother, my husband' is tractable indeed: he toila
at his work* till daylight comes.
2. At- dawn he rises and sweeps the courtyard*: he
takes a great basket' and removes the cow-dung.*"
3. Stale' rice my husband accepts and eats : he takes
a big pitcher* and goes for water.
4. I have tied my husband to my apron strings' ; I can
take and sell him from market to market.
5. Kabir says : These are tiie doings of Hari : thia
woman's ^ husband ■ knows not shame.
1 Maya. * Destroys the world.
" Brahma. * Through Kal.
3 Actions. • Sweeps the world.
* Karraas of his past birth.
" Busy in ablutions and pilgrimages.
" I subdued him. (Literally "to the side of my bed.")
BASANT 171
VII
1. O friend, within mv very house tlie quarrel grows
violent : this restJess woman ^ rises and attacks me.
2. She is one, she is tall, and has five* hands. These
five have twenty-five' to iielp them.
3. These twenty-five point different ways : and others
point out others still.
4. While still midway they expect the goal : and among
them the Jiva is shaken to pieces.
5. Each grudges if it be not satisfied. Tell me, whence
can come peace and rest ?
6. No one considers or cares for this. Every one thinks
but of viewing folly.
7. From king to beggar all are grinning and laughing.
So none can grasp the form that is One.
8. They search not within, but declare it far off. Every-
where these herons glut themselves.
9. There are millions of hunters, but one Jiva only :
therefore it cries "O Love, my Love."
10. What's to come, this present hour decided. Says
Kabir, His die is cast once for all.
VIII
1. A branch in her* iiand to slielter her, the woman
sports there : he that is learned let him unravel this.
2. She wears no garment, goes unveiled : above riches
is this unreal one beloved.
3. She rings out uncertain music : now she destroys
and now she saves.
4. Says Kabir, the servant of servants. To one she gives
bliss and to another grief.
' iMaya • 25 Prikritis.
• Akash. Wayo. Tej, Water and Prithwi.
172 BASANT
IX
1. So is this priceless body swept away. Recite the
name of Rama if you would gain the shore.
2. Beuu, Bali, Kans are gone: Duryodhan is gone: his
race is perished.
3. Prithu is gone, who ruled the earth : Bikram is gone :
not one remained.
4. The six great potentates are gone, their retinue swept
hence. Delay no more, O man, to see and under-
stand.
. Hanuman, Kashayapa, Janak, Bali : these all were
choked in the stream of Yama.
6. Gopi Ohand performed his Yoga fully: Ravan was
killed in the act of desire.
7. All, who took birth I saw passing away. Kabir says.
Sing the name of Rama.
1. All are drunk, none awoke : the thief is upon them,
and plunders their house.
2. The Yogi is drunk in his meditation, the Pandit
drunken with reading Puranas.
3. The ascetic is drunk in his austerity, the Sanyasi
drunken with thought of " I."
4. The Maulvi is drunk in reading the Koran, the Qazi
drunken with doing his justice.
5. The worldly are drunk in the stream of Maya, the
kings drunken with pride.
6. Drunken are Sukhdeo, Udho and i^ kraura, Hanuman
drunken with joy in his tail.
7. Siva is drunken in obeisance of Hari, in the Kali
Yuga drunken are Jaideo and Nama.
8. The Smriti and Vedas have declared the truth, as the
secret of his house was the death of Ravan.
9. This roaming mind pursues ever low aims : Kabir says,
Sing the name of Rama.
BASANT 173
XI
1. O Siva, is it thus .you make Kaslii vour owu V Tiie time
is come to tliiok thereof, O Siva.
2. All offer uuguents, sandal, perfume, betel leaves : in
every house Smriti and Puranas are chanted.
3. In temples of every kind the food is offered : the people
of the city cry aloud to you.
4. In all ways your people are fearless before you : there-
fore my mind too is bold to approach you.
5. Our children* have this knowledge only : to you it be-
longs to make them go astray.
6. Wherever a man has set his heart, when the Jiva dies,
say, will it not enter there ?
7. Should he suffer loss therein, not his is the fault, the
blame is his Lord's.
8. Hari was gracious and disclosed the secret, ** Where I
am, why thought of second ? "
9. Pour days possess your soul in patience : that which
he sees, this speaks Kabir.
XII
1. No one observes my saying : men drown themselves in
a stream of water.
2. The blind follow the blind, as one seeks the company
of a harlot.'
3. So undiscerning are they : the husband stands near and
they do not know him.
4. Bacli* claims honour for his own : and lying device*
are taken for truth.
5. Nothing does a liar ever achieve : so I warn you ; hear,
ye shameless.
6. Give up Pakhandas and heed my words: else you will
fall into Yama's hands.
7. Kabir says. Men never truly searched : they wandered
and died like a Rojh* in the forest.
' Bhaktat. ' Bach god.
^ Who has no husband. * A white-footed deer generally known as Nilgai.
CHANCHARl !
1. Maya sporting plays the temptress, the whole world
she has taken captive.
Lithe as a leopard, with the gait of a young elephant,
she has decked herself with delusion.
2. Her veil is dyed in varied colours, she is adorned as
a beautiful maiden.
Her wondrous beauty of form and the excellence of
her grace are beyond all telling.
3. A body as the moon, the eyes of a deer has she :
unveiled the gem upon her brow.
All the Yatis and Satis were enamoured of her : she
walks as a young elephant.
4. She blackened the face of Narada and hid herself from
his eyes.
Triumphing in her triumph slie turned away backward
with a mocking smile.
5. She ran in pursuit of Siva and Brahma and made both
her captives :
She took from them the Holi gift^ and straightway
eluded them.
^. The song celestial flUed the air and entranced the ear
of all who heard.
This player makes her play, to fit the throw of every
player.
7. She has cast ignorance before them : the feet that walk
can walk no more.
So the player sets her play : the chance of this birth
comes never again.
S. Gods, men, munis, deities, Gorakh, Datta, and Vyasa :
Sanak, Sanandan, lost at this gaming : what hope then
have others?
^ Phagowa.
CHANCHARI I 175
9. Filled full of empty love she rests her syringe on her
breast :
She made all captive to her will, and then withdrew
with backward glances.
10. She has formed a lake of wisdom and in her hand holds
the three qualities :
She drew after her Siva and Brahma and lures away
all others with her.
11. On one side stand gods, men and munis, on the other
she alone :
Her glance fell on them, she spared none, she set one
seal 00 all.
12. All that were she trapped and in her veil enmeshed
th^m.
Black was the line she drew on all : none went without
her mark.
13. Indra and Krishna were standing at her door, their
eyes hungry with longing :
Kabir says. They alone were saved, in whom desire
found no entrance.
CHANCHARI II
1. Burn up all this world's desire : O mind distraught.
Therein is sorrow, grievous trouble : Know this, O
mind distraught.
2. Without foundation is the temple : O mind distraught.
Of brick wherein no earth is kneaded : Know this, O
mind distraught.
3. Tis but the model of an elephant : O mind distraught :
The Creator has but drawn a picture : Know this, O
mind distraught.
4. What sense is pride of wealth or body : O mind dis-
traught ?
These are a prize for earth and earthworms : Know
this, O mind distraught.
5. Blinded by lust the elephant is taken : O mind dis-
traught.
And to the ankus^ bows his head: Know this, O
mind distraught.
6. The monkey fills his fist with dainties : O mind dis-
traught .
He stretches out his arm and grasps them : Know
this, O mind distraught.
7. Despair of escape takes hold of him : O mind distraught.
From house to house lie gets but blows : Know this,
O mind distraught.
8. Nothing he knows of worse or better ; O mind dis-
traught.
From house to house he has to dance : Know this, O
mind distraught.
9. As a parrot, the springe catches ; O mind distraught.
Even so see thou delusion : Know this, O mind dis-
traught.
^ The iron hook with which elephants are driven.
OHANCHARI II 177.
10. What use can it make of learning : O mind distrauglit ?
At the last the cat devours it; Know tliis, O mind
distraught.
11. The guest that comes to liouse deserted, O mind dis-
traught
As he comes, so he departeth : Know this, O mind
distraught.
12 Countless the sacred streams to bathe in, O mind dis-
traught.
Many the deities to worsiiip : Know this, O mind dis-
traught.
13. Men are drowned, where is no water : O mind dis-
traught. •
Set thyself in Rama's vessel : Know this, O mind dis-
traught.
14. Says Kabir, the world's deluded : O mind distraught.
Hari's service th<\v deserted : Know this, O mind dis-
traught.
I-:
BELI I
1. Within you, Swau,^ is Mansarowar, O Rama that lives
in all.
While one watches, comes the robber,' O Rama that
lives in all.
2. If one watciies, he escapes him, O Rama that lives in
* all.
Those who sleep, they are beguiled, O Rama that lives
in all.
3. To-day the goal' is close beside you, O Rama that lives
in all.
To-morrow 'twill be far, far distant, O Rama that lives
in all.
4. Your home is in a stranger's' country, O Rama that
lives in all.
You waste your eyes in fruitless searching, O Rama
that lives in all.
5. As one churns curds, so you churned terror,'^ O Rama
that lives in all.
You made your whole abode« the churn, O Rama that
lives in all.
6. The Swan is insensible as marble, O Rama that lives in
all.
The pure word cannot pierce and enter, O Rama that
lives in all.
7. O Swan, you were a precious jewel, O Rama that lives
in all.
1 warned, you did not heed my warning, O Rama that
lives in all.
1 jiva. ^ Niran jail's.
1 j^al. ' Desires.
3 Salvation. " All five senses.
BBLI I 17d
8. As you did, so you received, O Rama that lives in all.
Blame not me for your own error, O Rama that lives
in all.
9. You left the all, and chose the finite, O Rama that
lives in all.
Made for yourself tiiis easy tradiiij,', O Rama that
lives in all.
10. Had you but made Rama's name your traffic, O Rama
that lives in all.
Your bales had been of priceless treasure, O Rama
tiiat lives in all.
11. Laden with goods iive^ merchants travelled, O Rama \
that lives in all.
Nine^ porters bear with them ten' burdens, O Rama
that lives in all.
12. While in the way the merchants «iuarielled, O Kama
that lives in all.
And so they have destroyed the body, O Rama that
lives in all.
liJ. hi bitter grief the Swan dcpartin.ijr, O Ixania Miat lives
in all.
A long farewell took of his fellow,* () Kama that
lives in all.
M. Within the lake' the lire is kindled, O Rama that lives
in all.
The lake is burned, and turned to ashes, O Kama that
lives in all.
15. Says Kabir,0 Sants, now hearken, O Rama that lives
in all.
Discern ye now 'twixt good and evil, O Rama that
lives in all.
' Five bhutuk .s/jnnr.
^ Fivo i'rauK and four Antahkarans.
"• Indrib.
' Claimauts of his body
'Body.
BELI 11
1. You were led astray by Smriti, O Rama tliat lives
in all.
You believed to your deluding, O Rama that lives
iu all.
2 These are like the fisher's angle, O Rama that lives
in all.
One believes and is entangled, O Rama that lives
in all.
3. Such are Vedas, and such is Bhagwat,' O Rama that
lives in all.
So my Guru has assured me, O Rama that lives
in all.
1. You have raised your fort of cowdung, O Rama that
lives in all.
You will soon forsake the battle, O Rama that lives
in all.
'k Him by wisdom's strength none reaches, O Rama that
lives in all.
By what searching can one find Him ? O Rama that
lives iu all.
6. Hear, possess your soul in patience, O Rama that
lives in all.
Though at first the mind is shamed, O Rama that
lives in all.
7. Think not then to search hereafter, O Rama that
lives in all.
All is found in this form only, O Rama that lives
in all.
8. Says Kabir, O Sants, now hearken, O Rama that
lives in all.
Near you let no snare be woven, O Rama that lives
in all.
' Shastras.
BIRHULI
1. Neither end nor yet beginning, O Soul forsaken.^
Neither root, nor tree, nor branches, O Soul forsaken.
2. There is neither night nor daylight, O Soul forsaken.
There is neither air nor water, O Soul forsaken.
3. The companies of Bralima and Sanaka, O Soul forsaken
Have spoken endlessly of Yoga, O Soul forsaken.
4. In Asarh* montli came the winter, O Soul forsaken.
Thus the seven'* seeds were planted, O Soul forsaken.
5. Tlie field* was ever harrowed, weeded, O Soul
forsaken.
Ever sprang new leaves," new branches, O Soul
forsaken.
6. Still 'tis® empty, still 'tis empty, O Soul forsaken.
All the three worlds still are empty, O Soul forsaken.
7. Only one fair flower^ blossomed, O Soul forsaken.
And this universe the flower is, O Soul forsaken
8. That flower is the Bhakta's worship, O Soul forsaken.
So they find the King" in worship, O Soul forsaken.
9. By the Sants the flower is gathered, O Soul forsaken.
10. It heeds no antidote" for poisons, O Soul forsaken.
The charmer owns its power resistless, O Soul for-
saken.
11. A fleld of poison*" you have planted, O Soul forsaken.
Why do you refuse the harvest? O Soul forsaken.
!2. Birth after l>lrtl> nm' fruit'' von iralhrred, O Soul for-
saken.
From this braucli of oleander," O Soul forsaken,
13. Says Kabir, the truth he findeth, O Soul forsaken.
When of this my fruit Ik; tasteth, O Soul forsaken.
> Or **8oul sick with longing." ' Desires.
» A» soon as one was born. • Object of worship.
* Srutis. • Goremonials.
* Body and mind. '" Actions.
* Now mtxlcH of wofHliip. '* Ho born again.
* This world. »» Maya.
HINDOLA
I
1. The whole world swings in the swing of delusion.
2. Where sin and virtue form the two supports and Maya
lias set it on Meru mountain.
Tliere, seated in the seat of actions, is tiiere one who
does not swing ?
3. Desire it is that sets it swinging, the twisting ropes
are worldly pleasures, longing its peg, behold it.
Good deeds and bad are made the ropes, gripped by
the two hands.
\. All Gandharvas, Munis, swing therein: there swing
Surpati and Indra.
Narada, Sharda, swing therein : there swing Vyasaand
Phan indra.
5. There swing Biranchi, Mahesha and Munis: there
swing the sun, the moon.
He who is Formless, Himself took form and there he
swung as Goviud.
6. The six,' the four," fourteen,' the seven,* the one and
twenty, •* the three worlds there are set :
Search out and see the four creations, never a one is
stable.
7. Search these and find Khandas and Brahmanda : nor
did the six Darshauas find release.
Take counsel with the Sant and Sadhu : when freedom's
won, where goes the Jiva ?
8. Where is no moon, no sun, no night, no twilight, where
are no five elements.
' Where famine, death, destruction are not, there but
few sants attain.
9. Exiled thence, for many ages' passing, so you wandered
on the earth.
Seek with the Sadhus and share their vision, so you
will turn again and enter.
> Dai'shaiias. ^ Vedas. * Fourteen sciences. " ^i^^f ...
" Elements :— 5 tanmatras, 5 bhubs, 5 prans, 4 antahkaraus, 1 1 raknti,
1 Pradhan,
HINDOLA 183
10. The swinging holds no fears for him, who is a Sant
and wise.
Says Kabir, who finds the true Siikrit, coraes never
again to swing.
II
1. Making of many forms his picture, Hari has set
his dance awhirl.
To quencli his longing for that swinging, wiio lias ever
found the wisdom ?
2. Swinging, swinging through the ages,* yet the mind
leaves not its craving.
Night and day tiie swing swings ever, tlirougli tlie four
ages, each year's rains.
3. Now it swings high and now swings low, and now
unwitting bears to heaven.
Delusion's swing so well deludes : and can stay his
swinging.
4. Of this sw4ng I live in terror : liold me fast, O Yadava
king :
Ivabir cries. Grant ray prayer, Gopal, that T may find
thy refuge, Harl.
Ill
1. Coveting and desire its side-posts, thus the mind has
set a swing.
The Jivas of all the world are swinging : nowhere is a
fnin abode.
2. Wise men swing there in their wisdom : the kings
and peoples swing.
Sun and Moon swing there together : no one found
the secret out.
3. Kighty-four* millions .livas swinging : Ravi's son'
pursued and took thom.
Countless ages, aeons passed : alas ! not yet has one
paid heed.
I. Kart h and sky swing there together : there the air and
waters swing.
Hari has taken form, is swinging : the Swan Kabir
beholds it all.
' Tho mesRongep of doath.
SAKHIS
1. When tliou' wast free from biitli, tlien there was none.
On thy sixth" clay I awoke. Wliither dost thou stray ?
2. The word is mine and thou art of the word. Hearing
do not pass it by.
If thou wouldst know the real essence, then test the
word.
3. My word is from eternity. The word lias entered
into the Jiva.
It is a basket for flowers : but the horse* has eaten np
the ghU* '
4. Witliout the word consciousness is blind. Tell me,
whither shouldst one go ?
If one find not the door of the word, then he strays
aimlessly this way and that.
5. TJiere are words many and various : churn and extract
the real word.
Kabir says. He who has not the real word, an accursed
life he lives.
6. Beaten by the word some have fallen, and some have
resigned dominion : '
They who have discerned the word, their work was
perfected.
7. My word is from eternity ; meditate tliereon moment
by moment.
It will bear fruit within, all the outward is vanity.*
' Jiva. - Man Tndri. ^ Body. " Aftayan. ' Harlsh Chandra.
^SS^ 5W5[T ^f^ ^T Tor Tof %!.% ^\'% ^?r! '^fS^ Wf oft ^3:^? ^ fr^ ^?
It is impossible not to recall the long history and f^reat significance
of the similar conception in western thought from Heraclitus through
the Stoics to Philo of ( Alexandria and thence into Christian thought,
the author of the fourth Gospel. Heraclitus' lost book opens with
the words—" Having hearkened not unto me but to the Logos, it is wise
to confess that all things are one."
Or, compare with other passages from Heraclitus Sakhi 4.
" In the Vedic hymns, the Brahmanas and Upanishads there are
references to Vak, personified as a goddess in Hymn 10 of the Rig Veda:
but whether anything like a continuous development of a Logos con-
ception can be traced down is far from certain. Certainly the two
conceptions are not identical, any more than Vak and Shabda are
identical. Nor does it seem probable that Kabirs' teaching was
influenced or inspired by Christian teaching, whatever may have been
the fact with regard to the later literature of the Panth.
SAKHIS 185
8. Those who did not make provision reached a town
and city.
Where, when darkness falls and day is over, tney can-
not make provision.
^. Furnish you with provision here : the way before you
is difficult.
All were going to buy in heaven, but there is neither
trader nor market.
10. If you know your Jiva as your own, then seek that
Jiva's good.
Such a guest as Jiva will not be found a second time.
11. If you know him as your very master, then know that
Jiva well.
If you regard your own honour, do not ask others to
give you to drink.
12. Why go about offering water? In every house is a
flowing sea.
If one be really thirsty, he will drink perforce.
13. O Swan,' pearls* are for sale, heaped on a golden dish.
What will he do with that, Jhe secret of which he
knows not?
14. O Swan, thou art all of the colour of gold,' how can I
describe tliee ?
When thou comest in prosperity to the t&nk,* then I
will sing loving praise of thee.
15. O Swan, thou wast strong, but now thy steps are slow.
Stained with various colours,* thou didst take another
love.
16. The Swan departs from the lake, the body is left empty.
Kabir proclaims aloud. Ever the same door, the
same dwelling.
17. The Swan and tho lieron to tiic eye are of one colour,
they feed in tiic same tank.
But in knowing the milk from water the heron is
revealed at once.
' Jiva.
'Trnotoachinj;8.
* Pure and unstained.
* Body.
* By following other masters.
186 SAKUIS
18. Wherefore is the doe* so starved? She feeds by the^
pool crowned with green pasture.
There are a million hunters, but one doe. How shall
she escape their shafts ?
19. The three worlds are a cage : virtue and vice a net.
All souls became a prey, there is one hunter, Kal.
20. Life is lost in covetousness : vice has devoured virtue.
On him who speaks but half of half, on him I look with
wrath.
21. The half of a Sakhi completes the work, if it be under-
stood.
What use is the pandit and the books he reads, though
night be joined to day ?
22. A figure of five elements was fashioned : it forthwith
cried"!, I.'*
Tell me. Pandit, which is greater, the word or the Jiva ?
23. To this figure of five elements the name of man is
given.
If one piece of the machine is gone, the whole is ren-
dered useless. ,
24. Colours spring from colours ; yet all colours are but one.
Of what colour is the soul ? Seek to discern that.
25. The soul (enlightened) is as molten (gold) : the word is
th^re as (purifying) borax.
The drop of yellow rain brings mildew : Kabir says.
But few see this.
26. By taking five elements the body was made. The
body received them, what was done ?
In the bondage of deeds it is known as Jiva : the Jiva
is given over to the doing of deeds.
27. Within these five elements is the abode of that which
is hidden.
There are but few who find the secret. The Guru's
word is the proof. *
28. Who sits with sensation stilled,' in sidelong posture,
the windows of his body filled with light ;
In his heart I reside, girt with my armies before him.
^ Jiva.
' It caa be found through the Guru's instructions.
' In the state o( Saraadhi.
SAKHIS 187
29. Within the heart is a mirror, yet the face cannot be
seen.
Then only will the face be seen, when doubt has
vanished from the heart.
30. A village on a high hill, and the arm of a mighty man :
Serve such amaster\ on whose very shadow you may
be upborne.
31. By the path the Pandits went, by that the foolish too
have gone.
Rama's cliff is very high : thereon Kabir has climbed.
32. They say to me, " O Kabir, come down : you have with
you neither provision nor guide.
If your provision fail, your feet be weary, the Jiva will
be in the power of another."
33. The house of Kabir is on the mountain peak, where the
path is winding.
There the foothold even of the ant is not sure, there^
men load their oxen no more.
34. He who has never seen that country and yet speaks
of it is a fool.
He himself eats salt, and yet goes offering camphor
for sale.
35. All say, ** Tiie word, the word ": but that word is with-
out form.
The tongue cannot utter it : it is grasped by perceiving
and testing.
36. The master dwells on the mountain top and liis liome
above the horses of the sky (lightning).
There without flowers the bee sucks honey : tell me
tlie name of that tree.
37. Sandal, restrain thy fragrance: on thy account the
wood is cut.
Do not slay the hving Jiva : after deatii all will |)rove
useless.
38. The sandal is wrapped with snakes: what can the
sandal do ?
Every hair is steeped in poison : where can the nwrit
enter in ?
* Follow God alone.
188 SAKHIS
39. Placed on the slab of Samsan* all forms' (stones)
are of one colour :
Kabir says, Such is the state of the prey,* dogs* see
and bark.
40. What it has seized, it does not let go, though tongue
and beak be scorched.
What sweetness is there in the live coal, yet the
Ohakor' swallows it.
41. The Ohdkor trusting upon the Moon swallows the
burning coal.
Kabir says, It burns not : so great a thing is love.
42. They sway to and fro in the struggling twilight : no
single one escaped.
Even Gorakh was caught in the city of death: who
then can be called pious ?
43. Gorakh was in love with his devotions : he would not
allow his dead body to be burned.
Yet his flesh decayed and mingled with the dust,
though his body gleamed with much rubbing.
44. Running from the forest the hare fell among the
ravines, following its nature.
To whom will tlie hare tell his troubles ? Who will
understand tlie hare ?
45. For many days he wandered and performed ^amadhi.
The hare has fallen into a pit : now far away he
bewails his lot.
40. O Kabir, doubt did not vanish, though many garbs
were worn.
Without the knowledge of the Lord there is a divid-
ing barrier within.
47. Without fine the world imposed fine, and sixteen'
fines are levied.
The Divider is covetous : sugar is sweeter than ' gur.''
' A kind of stone = Maya.
' Stones.
^ Jiva
* False Gurus.
* A Greek partridge. It is said that it lives upon moon-
beams, and eats live-coals at the full moon.
' 5 Karam Indris, 5 Gayan Indris, 4 Antah Karan : — Man, Chit,
Budh, Ahankar, 2 Maya ' I ' and * my.'
' Molasses.
SAKHIS 18(>'
48. In the sceDted sandal forest of Malaya-gar other
trees are hidden :
Though tliey take the name of sandal, yet are they
not true Malaya-gar wood.
49. In the scent of the sandal forest of Malaya-gar
the Dhak' and the Palas were steeped.
But the bamboo-tree was never scented, though age
after age it stood so close.
50. Walking and walking the feet grew weary, the city
is yet nine kos.
If a halt be made midway, tell me, who is at fault ?
51. Dusk fell, the day was over, evening came at last :
Engaged with many lovers, the harlot remained
barren.
52. The mind cries, *' Whither shall I go ? " And conscious
thought, ** Whither shall I go ? "
After six months of travel, still the village is a mile
distant,
53. They renounced their households and became udasi^ :
they entered the forest to do penance.
The worn out body died : and she' who sells the
betels, picked and ate it.
54. For those who understand the name of Rama, for
them the cage wears thin :
Sleep comes not upon their eyes, nor does the flesh
thicken upon their bodies.
55. Those who are steeped in the juice of Rama, their
tree will never wither.
No longer are they aware of aught : such men know
nor pain nor pleasure.
56. If the mango and the maulsi tree be cut they bear no
fruit : the slit ear will not heal.
O Gorakh, whose renown remains, if he understands
not the song ?
57. The Jiva is like the paras, the world is like the iron :
The ixiras begets the pains : the tester is the mint
(of truth).
' Butea frondoBa.
' A hermit.
• Maya.
190 SAKHIS
58. O Kabir, deck thyself in the garments of love, and
dance.
To him is given honour, whose body and soul speak
truth.
59. Into the chamber of mirrors entered a dog headlong :
There at the sight of his own image he barked and
barked till he died.
^0. When one sees his reflection in the mirror, he is In
both the same :
From this element comes that : and that is the same
again.
'Qi. All forests and all oceans are of me : I make lover
and beloved one.
Now are they on the road of Kabir : let the travellers
go thereon.
62. My song is new : none understands the strain.
Whoever has perceived this word, he is a king of
kings.
63. I^bir proclaims it loudly, sitting upon a branch of
the sandal-tree :
They walk not on the road appointed : what loss is
that of mine?
^4. Of the truthful he is best of all, who in his heart
is true.
Without truth there is no comfort, though one give
a million discourses.
^5. Deal in true merchandise, know this in your heart.
By truth you will gain the diamond, by falsehood you
will lose your all.
^6. They pay no heed to sound words, and they take no
thought themselves.
Kabir proclaims aloud. The world has passed as a dream.
67. The fire is lit in the ocean, no smoke appears.
He only knows it, who is burnt up therein, and he who
kindled it.
^8. The Are is lit by him who sets the fire : when he lights,
it burns.
I sacrifice myself to him who sets the fire : the thatch
escapes, but the house is consumed.
SAKHIS 191
69. A drop which has fallen into the ocean, all know it well.
That the ocean is within the drop, this is understood
by few.
70. It is planted on poisoned ground, be it watered with
amrlt a hundred times.
O Kabir, people do not renounce the thought, whatever
it be, within the mind.
71. The half-burned log,* it cries aloud :
Now that I go to the blacksmith's house, he will burn
me a second time.
72. The wood* which is wet from separation' splutters
and pours out smoke.
It will be free from pain only when the whole is burned.
73. Him, who is pierced by the arrow of separation, no drug
will heal.
A lingering, lingering death he lives, takes birth again,
to cry, " Ah me. Ah me."
74. Kabir's word is true : in your heart see and ponder it.
They do not consider and understand, though I continue
to proclaim it for four ages.
75. If you are a true merchant, open a true market.
Sweep well within and throw the rubbish far away.
76. The chamber is of wood : fire is set all about it.
The learned Pandit was burnt to ashes : by good luck
the ignorant were saved.
77. As falls Sawan's rain in heavy drops from heaven :
The whole world ))ecame Vaishnava : but the Guru
never gave them teaching.
78. Close to the bank he sank and was drowned : I am
distressed for this.
lo the full current of the stream of avarice, how is it
you can sleep ?
79. He recites the salchi, but does not grasp it : he does'
not walk along the path.
The stream of the river of avarice flows deep: where
can one firmly plant his feet ?
* .liva.
^ From God.
192 SAKHIS
80. Many I met of many words, but none I met who
grasp them.
Let him who speaks so bd swept away, if he holds not
fast himself.
81. If one by one it be established, then it will be established.
He who speaks with double tongue, shall be beaten
with redoubled blows.
82. Restrain your tongue, refrain from much speaking.
Hold fast by the tester, who has knowledge of the word
that falls from the Guru's lips.
83. He who does not bridle his tongue and has no truth in
his heart.
Do not keep company with him : he will rob you even
of a marble of glass.
84. The soul has perished by reason of the tongue : every
moment they speak unworthy words.
By reason of the mind they go astray in error and Kal
swings them hither and thither.
85. The spearhead is fixed in the body : the arrow broken
sticks fast.
Without the loadstone it cannot be drawn out : a million,
other stones proved useless.
86. In front the stairway is narrow : behind it is broken
in pieces.
The maiden behind the curtain pushes others on, her-
self far from the danger.
87. While in the world consider, whether householder
or Yogi.
The time is passing away : beware of strange folk.
88. Doubt has destroyed all the world : none destroys doubt.
He will destroy doubt, who has considered the word.
89. Speech is of many varied kinds : thine eyes perceive
nothing.
Kabir proclaims aloud, Understand the speech of each
abode.
90. By holding the root work is perfected : do not go stray
in error.
The mind is wandering in the ocean : be not swept away
therein.
SAKHIS 19^
91. As the bee roams about the garden for tlie scent of
many flowers:
So the Jiva roams in worldly desires and at the end
goes disconsolate.
92. The whirlpool is as the heron's snare : many senseless
Jivas have been swallowed up therein.
Kabir says. Only those escape, in whose heart is
discernment.
93. The flighty in mind became a locust in the three worlds :
The men of Hari for lack of the knowledge of Hari
fell into the hands of Kal.
94. The waves are of varied colour : the mind is a bee
that cannot see :
Kabir proclaims aloud. Understand it by the instru-
ment of wisdom.
95. As a juggler's monkey, so is the Jiva with the mind :
He makes him dance to various measures, but keeps
him close to hand.
9G. This mind is unstable, this mind is a thief, this mind is
a pious robber.
The mind destroys gods, men and munis : the mind
has ten thousand doors.
97. The snake of separation has bitten the body : it heeds
no charm at all.
Separated from Rama, man cannot live, or, If he lives,
he lives a madman.
98. Parted from Rama, the body is restless : let no one do
them hurt :
At the merest touch they will die, like the sensitive
creeper are they.
99. The snake of separation has fastened on the heart and
wounded it.
The Sadhu will not shrink away— just as it pleases let
it bite.
100. The heart's tiirobbiug pain is lodged deep— a splinter
from the tree of speech.
Extraction will not draw it forth : there it remains
to make fresh wounds.
18
IM SAKHIS
101. The black snake witliin tlie body lias utterly devoured
all the world :
But few will escape, who meditate on the name of
Rama with understanding.
102. Kal stands above thy head : awake, friend of thy
foreign foe.
How can he sleep at peace, whose house is on a
lonely way ?
103. The body is wood and Kal a weevil : he devours in
various ways :
Kal has settled within the body : no one reads the
secret.
104. The mind is a cell of Maya : the body a castle of
doubt.
Snake's poison heeds no charm : Kal is the onset of a
snake. «
105. Mind and Maya are one : Maya pervades the mind :
The three worlds are plunged in doubt : how can I
speak of them apart ?
106. The hedge is given as protection to the field : but the
hedge devours the field.
The three worlds are plunged in doubt ; whom can I
make to understand.
107. The mind is a sea, and desire is the wave : many are
swept away and drowned.
Kabir says, They only will escape, in whose heart is
discernment.
108. By wisdom a sea was made, strong wind, and a sharp
eyed thief :
The whole world was destroyed : none could reach
the goal.
109. None died as man, whoever died, died as a beast of the
field :
Not once Jiva reached the goal, but became elephant
or horse.
110. Than man there is no greater sinner, who obeys not
the Guru's instruction.
Again and again he cries like a jungle kukuhi and is
conceived in the womb of four mines.
SAKHIS ld5
111. What can helpless man do V At his biddiDg the door
will not be opened.
If a dog be made to sit at the chauka, ' he will but
lick the aipan * according to his wont.
112. What can helpless man do, whose body is senseless ?
When within the Jiva there lives no power to see, what
use in calling to him, O Kabir ?
113. If you received birth as man but lose the chance that
now is yours.
You will fall into the mill of this world, and there
suffer grievous blows.
114. Seek to obtain the gem of wisdom. What is all this
decking of dust ?
Kabir came and went again : this world is without
savour.
115. Birth as man is priceless ; it cannot be a second time.
A ripe fruit which has fallen cannot again grow on
the branch.
UG. You go, having twisted my arm and awakened me from
sleep.
Kabir proclaims loudly. By this road must you go.
117. I have given Sakhis in bundles, but in all four ages
only twojetters.
O Kabir, the taste of the words is sweet ; but no one
really weighs it.
118. A raft is made of suakes ' in the midst of the ocean of
this world.
To leave it is to drown, to grasp it to be bitten in the
arm.
119 In my hand a cup filled with /c/toiua, I kept watch
all day long.
O Kabir, when I care no longer, not even sour milk
will be offered.
120. If I speak of One, it is not so : if I say two, then
this Is an offence.
As He is, so He remains : this Kabir proclaims aloud.
* Bridal seat.
'The seat is plastered with rice-water.
' Knowledge.
IM SAKHIS
121. I have a packet of amrit : I opened it in many ways :
Sbould I meet with one like myself, I will dissolve it
and give him to drink.
122. The bundle of amrit I lifted from my head.
To whomsoever I declared that I am One, he but
abused me.
123. Of Him, for whom munis practised penance, whose
praises the Vedas are wearied with singing :
Of Him I give instruction, but none believes.
124. From One came countless—and the countless became
One.
When comes knowledge of the One, in the One all are
absorbed.
125. There is one word of the Guru-deva : therein are
countless thoughts.
Pandits, munis, men were wearied : the Vedas caa
find no limit there.
126. Turning their backs upon the Master, four armies sing.
Jiva is fallen among thieves ; though he has no part
nor lot in this.
127. The hunter sees the game— and flees from it.
A wonder have I seen : a dead^ man is devouring
Death. ""
128. In the three worlds there is robbery, that makes away
with all.
The thief is without a head : none could recognise him.
129. Watching the grinding of the mill, tears came to
my eyes :
None who came between its two stones, escaped un-
scathed.
130. The mill of Rama is working, which has ground the
world to dust.
Kabir says. They alone were saved, who had taken
out the pin.
131. Four thieves went out athieving : they took ofif the
shoes from their feet.
The four set their ladder at the door. * O Pandit,
ponder this.
^ JlTa • Kal
' Mana, Bndha, Chita, Ahankar. * At each door of the body.
SAKHIS 191
132. Praise to that milk, whence comes the ghi.
Half a Sakhi of Kabir is the life of four Vedas.
133. Praise to that mind, which attests the tester.
The Lord has given sugar : the fool thinks it salt.
134. The plant of poison has taken root and a snake coiled
round it.
On account of this the Jiva is in dread and watches
night and day.
135. In the house where the snake harbours, there can no
s(ulhuhe:
All the furniture is removed from it and it is filled
full of poison.
136. Seed of a grain-weight was sown, its produce was a
maund :
The tent of Kal is pitched morning and evening on
the road.
137. Though one maund be sown, the crop will not be even
a grain-weight.
No one heeds my saying, therefore at the last tliey go
astray.
138. Renounce self and recite the name of Hari : efface
defects from head to toe.
Have no fear of any creature : this is the essence of
the sadhu'H faith.
139. By reason of prejudice and bigotry the whole world is
misled.
He who is free from prejudice and recites the name
of Hari, he is the finnt and the wise.
140. The great are lost in greatness, in their every hair is
pride.
Without knowledge of the Sat-Onru all four castes
are chautar,
141. What use in renouncing Maya, when you will not re-
nounce conceit ?
In that conceit were ail munis burned : that conceit
devours all.
142. In the flame of Maya the whole world burns : they
dote on gold and women.
Kabir says. How can you be saved when the fire is
wrapped in cotton ?
IW SAKHIS
143. Maya in the world is as a snake : armed with poisons
she lies in the road.
The whole world she has caught in her noose : Kabir
alone cut his way out.
144. There is a charm for the snake and the scorpion, and
for poisons there are antidotes.
If one fall into the clutches of a treacherous woman,
she will tear out his heart and devour it.
145. Tamogunr has three qualities : there the bee revels in
the scent.
One branch bears three fruits, brinjal,* sugarcane,"
and cotton.'
146. Tlie mind like an elephant tramples the zealous Jiva
to death ; desire has grown shrewd.
It heeds no music and no charm : it flies and fastens on
its prey.
147. The mind is an elephant, which never obeys : it goes
at its own will.
What can the helpless mahnvat* do, witli no aniens in
his hand.
148. This Maya is a sweeper- woman and a sweeper's wife.
She caught in her toils both father and son : yet she
remains not with either.
149. Beholding gold and women be not led astray by their
brilliance.
Separation and union are twins, like a snake that casts
its slough.
150. All fell into the clutches of Maya, Brahma, Vishnu^
Mahesha :
Narad, Sharad, Sanak, Sanandan, and Ganesha, the son
of Gauri.
151. One Pipal' tree is valued highly; no one knows its secret.
They plash the boughs, but none gets fruit : leaving the
Husband they seek this Pipal.
152. From being honest one^ became a thief : among the
thieves quarrels arose.
O Jiva, you will know it well, when the blows fall
upon you.
^ Salty » Sweetness. • Tasteless.
* An elephant driver. * Brahma. • Jiva.
SAKHI3 199
153. How can his work find completion, to wliom the Guru
has not shown the path ?
His raft will sink again and again at the ghaV that is
no ghat.
154. It was not known— it was not understood : we did not
walk with understanding.
When the blind is companion of the blind, who will
show the path ?
155. When his Guru is blind, what can the disciple do ?
The blind urges on the blind, both fall into the well.
156. The chamber is the chamber of a man : do not there-
fore rush to enter in.
In one field there feed a lion, a donkey and a cow.
157. Four months the rain' fell heavily : the water of the
tank is unrivalled.
But clothed in mail of proof not one arrow pierced
them.
158. The Jiva fears to meet the Guru : and the body is
subject to decay.
Polly like a butcher lives within the mind : and
gamblers' stakes are set there.
159. The body is doubt, the mind a dog: Kal hunts there
ever.
Dwelling in one house with these, O friend, why do
you ask of its welfare ?
180. He who distinguishes not the lionest from the thief, is
))lind and witless.
For lack of the test is he destroyed. Consider and
keep yourself aloof.
161. Make your Guru your armourer : he will scour clean
your mind.
With the chain of his word he will burnish, and your
mind will become like a mirror.
162. In instructing a fool your own store of wisdom is
wasted :
Oharcoal cannot grow white, however much soap be
used.
' Landing place.
* Gura's instrtictiona.
200 SAKHIS
163. An idiot, a sloven, an evil doer, is cased from head to
foot.
What can the archer do wheu no arrow can pierce
him ?
164. A parrot has settled on the fruit of the semar'^ tree.
He draws back his beak and beats his head : he has no
one to thank but himself.
165. O parrot, quickly leave the semar tree : or your wings
will become yet more enfeebled.
Only those will haunt the semar tree, who have no
eyes in their heart.
166. The parrot settled on the fiemar tree in hope of the
two buds.
When the buds cracked and split, the parrot flew off
disgusted.
167. Upon whom do people trust ? Why do they sit aloof ?
Yaraa lurks to murder Jivas, as a butcher slaughters
sheep.
168. He who by knowledge and understanding stays unmov-
ed, and renouncing power becomes powerless :
Kabir says, No one can touch the garment's hem of
such a sant.
169. That diamond is worthy of all praise that can endure
tlie hammer's blow.
Tlie deceitful and the hypocrite on testing was proved
spurious.
170. Hari is a diamond, men are jewellers : all spread their
wares.
When men And the tester, then the claim of others is
rejected.
171. Do not display a diamond in the market where men
sell greens.
Tie up your bundle quietly and go upon your way.
172. A diamond fell in the market, and there lay covered
with dust.
Many fools passed it by : the tester picked it up.
* Cotton tree.
SAKHIS
201
173. Diamouds are not found in bags, nor sandal trees in
rows.
Ldons do not live in herds : nor sailhns walk in com-
panies.
174. Kacli according to his wisdom, so have all believed.
Hari's knowledge is hard to come by : none perceived
it fully.
175. The bones burn like fuel, the tree burns like grass.
Kabir is burning in the sweetness of Rama, as cotton
burns in the store-house.
176. The ghat was missed through ignorance of the road :
through the orders came wandering in the mines of
creation
That which spread the lime in this world was never
clearly known.
177. What profits talking to a fool or how control the
brutish ?
What profits shooting at a stone ? The best of arrows
is but spoiled.
178. As a marble falls upon a dome and straig'htway tumbles
to the ground :
So is the heart of a fool : liow can the word rest there ?
179. The outward two are gone, and the mind's also are
lost.
He whose four eyes are gone, how can he be controlled ?
180. Many days passed so, without love of devotion.
Waste land sown will bear no crop, however heavily it
rain.
181. 1 weep for this world, but none weeps for me.
That man alone will weep for n^, who has discernment
of the word.
182. All say 'Lord, Lord,* but I am concerned therefor.
Of the Ijord they have no knowledge : where will they
rest at last ?
183. Life cannot be sustained witiiout life : life is the food
of life.
How can you sustain your life and yet be merciful to
life? O Pandit, think this out.
202 SAKHIS
184. 1 describe all, none know me.
Tlien I was good : now am I good : from age to age I
cannot change.
185. If I speak openly, then they will beat me : none sees
within the veil.
The dog ' is hidden beneath the straw : why make
enemies by speaking ?
186. I have travelled through many countries : my mind
is stored with their plentJ^
Of that for which I have been searching, everywhere
there is famine.
187. This Kali Yug is base, the world is blind, none heeds
the word.
To whomsoever I speak of his own good, he is roused
to hate me.
188. 1 touch not ink nor paper, nor take pen in my hand.
Of the greatness of the four ages Kabir has given
instruction with his lips.
189. Wisdom before, ' wisdom behind, * wisdom on the
right^'hand and the left\
To increase wisdom upon wisdom, that is all my
wisdom.
190. He who walks within bounds is man ; who lives in
the boundless is the sant.
He who knows not the bounds, nor the unbounded,
his understanding is naught.
191. Those who understand are established in one state,
those who seek in every place :
They, says Kabir, are betwixt and between : they
waver from this side to that.
192. What can the helpless road do, when the traveller
does not walk with understanding?
Leaving their own road, they wander from waste to
waste.
193. You are dead and you will die again, without even a
blunted arrow.
The axe is laid to the tree : today or tomorrow you die..
» Kal. ^ Jagrat. • Supan.
* Rhushputi. * Turiya.
SAKHIS 205-
191. My speech is of the East : no one can understand me.
Only he can understand me, who is from the furthest
East.
195. He whose steps once crushed the earth and raised
the dust in clouds.
Himself a prey is drying in the sun: O Pandit, consider
this.
196. Those who measured' tlie earth in their stride, and
crossed* the river at a leap.
Who weighed' the mountain in their hands: these
has Kal devoured.
197. Nine* maunds of milk were collected : it vanished
drop by drop.
The milk was spilt and soured : and the butter was
spoiled.
198. How often I fall at their feet to win them : how often-
I weep to win them.
The Hindus go on worshipping their gods, and the
Turk owns none of these at all.
199. O man, thy state is great: yet of thy flesh no use is^
made.
Of thy bones can no ornaments be formed ; nor soun-
ding instrument of thy skin.
200. Who knows me, I know him.
Heed not the saying of the world or Vedas.
201. While the drum lasts it sounds, and so long the traf-
ficking of wealth proceeds.
When the drum is broken, wealth is gone : no one
looks in at your door.
202. The Earth is the mother of all things : the Earth is
the nurse of all.
The Earth cares not to know hor value : sois the
merciful Guru.
203. Had the Earth not cared to know its value, it would
never have wavered.
Grain by grain it would have grown heavier and beei^
established at its root.
» Dwftrf. " Han am an.
* Erishn.n. * Nine kinds of woraliip.
-^ SAKHIS
204 When merit was not, when earth was not, nor water;
When creation and destruction were not : of that
age has Kabir spoken.
205. When there is speech, there the letter came to be :
where tliere is silence, there the mind is firm.
Then speech and silence are one : but those who
understand are few.
6. The stars shine till the sun rises.
The Jiva is subject to Karma, till it be filled with
knowledge.
207. Not knowing the name of the village, men go on the
wrong road.
Tomorrow a thorn will pieree them : why not give
heed beforehand?
208. Keep company with tlie sadhus who can free others
from troubles.
The companionship of the mean is worthless : it
is misery day and night.
209. Good company brings forth happiness : from ill asso-
ciates spring troubles.
Kabir says. Let us go where there is companionship
after our own heart.
210. As your longing is at its beginning, so should it be
to its end.
By adding shell to shell, a hundred millions are
heaped up.
2fl. Today, tomorrow, or any day (comes death) : the body
is not lasting.
How many days, O man, can you keep water in an
unbaked vessel ?
212. Trust your own hands, your arms, your strength :
give up reliance upon others.
When through his courtyard flows a river, how can
he die of thirst ?
213. One helpless Jiva, bound with many bonds :
How can his own strength set him free, if his master
give not release?
214. Do not kill poor Jivas ; there is one life in all.
Murder will never be forgiven, though one hear a
million Puranas.
SAKHIS 20&>
215. Never kill a Jiva : tomorrow he will take your life.
By pilgrimages you will not be saved, though a mil-
lion diamonds be given in alms.
216. Three went on pilgrimage, with restless thought
and thieving mind.
Not one single sin was done away : but ten maunds
more piled on them.
217. On their pilgrimage they were swept away and
drowned : shivering they bathed in the waters :
Kabir proclaims aloud : They became rakshas and
bewailed their lot.
218. Pilgrimage has become a noxious creeper and spreads
from age to age.
The followers of Kabir have rooted it up : for w!io
would eat poison ?
219. O creeper of strange qualities ! thy quality cannot
be described.
Wherever cut, tliou growest green ; watered thou
witherest away.
220. The creeper is unsightly and its fruit is bad : the^
scent of its flowers is noisome.
The root destroys the gourd : and all thy leaves
are bitter.
221. Cleaner than water, subtler than vapour, swifter
than air :
Such Kabir has made his friend.
222. Hearken, O sftnts, to the words of the Sat-Ouru :
take no burden on your heart.
Stand up in his presence, I bid you, and set your
battle in array.
223. Sow the bitter creeper, and you will pluck bitter
fruit.
Then only you will gain the name of aidh^ when
the creeper is utterly cast out.
224. If one becomes Sidh, still what comes of it ? His
fame has spread on all sides.
Within him is the seed- and desire will spring up
again.
206 SAKHIS
225. Behind the curtain libations of water are poured
out : O sontSy consider it.
Prom the fear of shame he lets himself be crushed
and killed : Kal carries off the prey,
226. If I say, " He is,'* then none believes : without being
one is established (sidh).
Kabir says, Listen O sants : diamond only can cut
diamond.
227. Gold, the good, the sadhus, can part and be united a
hundred times.
The bad are alike a potter's pots, shattered at a
single blow.
228. In a chamber of soot the whole world is being stifled.
Praise to the man who enters it and emerges again.
229. The chamber is of soot and the fort too of soot.
He is not blackened there, who abides covered with a
covering.
230. Wealth of ten thousand millions, dominion from sun-
rising to setting ;
Are not to be weighed against the excellence of devo-
tion. Of what use is all this ?
231. The flsh^ have all vanished, to be sold in the court of
the Fisher*.
Were thine eyes inflamed? Why else did the net
enfold you?
232. I made my house in the waters and my bed in the deep
below.
When the dice of karma were cast, the net wrapped
me round as a garment.
233. Becoming fish there is no escape : the Fisher is your
death.
In whatever tank' you swim, there too he will set his
net.
234. Without rope the- necks of all are bound : its bonds are
countless.
The glass is given into their hands, but without eyes
what can they see ?
^ Jiva.
» Body.
SAKUIS 207
235. By teaching tbey are not tauglit ; tliey sell themselves
into another's hand.
I seek to draw thee to myself, but thou strivest
toward the city of Yama.
236. As constant polishing cleanses iron of rust:
So by constant counsel Maya and Moh are broken.
237. A boat of iron, a heavy cargo of stone,
A bundle of poison on his head, and yet he fain would
cross.
238. The Pandavas holding fast by Krishna, yet wasted on
Himalaya mountain.
If iron be touched with the paras, how can rust eat it
away?
239. He rises in the east and sets in the west and feeds on
the flowering air.
He in his turn is devoured by Rahu ; why has man
forgotten ?
240. The mind resides before the eyes: in a twinkling it
ranges wide.
The three worlds are tlie mind's realm : the mind is
worshipped in every place.
241. Tlie mind is greedy for its own sweetness: the wave of
worldly pleasure is ever tossing.
The body moves at the mind's motion : thus all is
lost.
212. The fashion of the world is as a flock of sheep.
If one falls into a pit, all go the same road.
243. That path is very difficult : none should go thereby.
Those who went, never returned : who will bring news
of their welfare?
244. In the company of the wicked there is death : as the
plantain tree near the plum.
This waves and that is torn to shreds : avoid the com-
pany of Bidhana (Brahma).
245. The plantain took no thought when the plum tree was
planted near it.
Now what profits taking thought, when thorns hem
it round ?
206 SAKHIS
246. None know life and death : all depart in blindness.
At the door of the unjust none finds justice, but fron*
birth to birth bewails his lot.
247. He who found not the Sat-gnni, rushes restlessly in alt
directions.
The madinan*s eyes are sightless : his house is burning,,
but he quenches ashes.
248. The treasure is here, they seek it there. How shall
they then obtain it ?
He is wise and worthy of honour, who keeps the tester
close beside him.
249. Listen to all, but make your own decision.
As the red powder box is at once box and lid.
250. O musician, make your music : let the bitch of this^
Kali Yug lie.
What to you are other's doings ? Set your own house
in order.
251. They sing and recite to others, but do not know them-
selves : it is a song sung without understanding.
Kabir says, Without the touch of the Paras, the iron is
but stone within.
252. That which in the beginning I made one, now has been
split in pieces.
Tested by the touchstone it could not stand, but
proved mere brass.
253 O Kabir, all spoiled Bhakti, by laving stones and
pebbles.
Within they stored up poison, and poured away the
amrit,
254. She* was wife to one, but became the wife of many:
the wanton had many mates.
Kabir asks. With which will she burn, for she was wife
of many husbands ?
255. The body is a ship and mind a crow : millions of leagues
it flies.
Sometimes it sinks in the fathomless river of doubt».
sometimes it enters heaven.
* Jiva.
SAKHIS 209
256. For the jewel of wisdom is a chamber made: and
tliereon is a lock of silence :
111 presence of the tester open it— witii the key of
gracious words.
257. Midway between heaven and the realm below hang
two fiourds : ' one is pierced.'
In the fear of six Darshanas are caught the eighty-four
million of siddhas.
258. Cast away all evil thinking: make your life fair.
Give up the ways and nature of the crow and live the
life of the swan.
25*.*. Even as he speaks, so should one act, and renounce
passions and hatred.
He will not vary less or more by one grain's weight:
thus should he rule himself.
2G0. O Rama, I am standing at thy door : O Kabir, come
and meet with me.
Thou art merged in all— but I would not utterly be
merged in thee.
201. Delusion fills the three worlds, and every place delusion
makes its dwelling.
Kabir proclaims aloud. Thou livest in the village of
delusion.
262. The diamond they dropped in the sand : and they pick
up pebbles and eat them.
Kabir proclaims aloud. Thou shalt again set out iu
sorrow.
2C;{ As the leaves in the forest, or the grains of sand in
Ganges,
Are the words that fell from the lips of Kabir: think.
Pandit, what thou shalt answer.
264. I thought you to be of the race of the swan,, therefore
I kept by your side.
Had I known you were kin to the crane, I had never
let you touch my body.
265. The wise hold fast by wisdom, the unwise scorn wisdom.
If one give nutmeg to a bullock, how can he know or
eat it ?
14 ' Jiva and Ishwar. ' Jira.
210 SAKHIS
266. Leaving the herdsman, leaving the husband, the cow*
toothless (and old)
Without liope of salvation lows in the lanes of Brinda-
ban.
267. Those who speak sweet words with their mouth but
have another thought in their hearts :
With such, says Kabir,does Rama deal no less cleverly.
268. Hence all go their way, heavily, heavily laden.
Thence none come to us, whom I may run and question.
269. The devotion of Rama is dear, as fire is dear.
Tliough the whole city be burned^ yet again and again
men beg for it.
270. The wife is called her husband's, but yet she sleeps
with another.
Folly abides in her heart : what joy can her husband
have?
271. The good became bad, by listening to some other's
word.
The bell-metal became copper, not to be priced as gold.
272. Parted from God they offered arti.* O Rama, grant
them the vision.
At death Thou wilt grant the vision : but what profits
this ?
273. In a moment comes the destruction : the people live
like slovens.
Take careful thought for the future : then cry over
what is past.
274. One has entered into all, and all entered into the one.
Kabir has entered into the knowledge, wherein there
can be no second.
275. If the One is served, then all are served : if all are
served, the One departs.
If the root be watered, there wil be blossoms and fruit
in abundance.
276. The forest, wherein no lion can range, no bird can fly :
That forest Kabir's disciples have explored by means of
silent samadhU
* Jiva. .
» A lamp made of flour filled with ghi, and, having several wicks
lighted, is whirled round over an idol.
SAKHIS
^f
277. If I speak truth, he is not He : but the lie is dear to all.
They pour water over my head, but it waters the
gardens of others.
278. Speech is priceless, if one speak with knowledge.
Weigh in the balance of the heart, then let it pass
your lips.
280*. He (Brahma) has become as others : wliy art thou void
of understanding?
The wise and the unwise do not thou regard as one.
281. Those who are drunk with Rama*s wine are happy in
their heart.
As a fair maid's reflection in the mirror no one's arms
can clasp.
282. If you would be a sadhii, frequent the company of a
sadhu that is perfect.
If you press unripe mustard seed, you get no oil nor
cake.
283. Though a lion's skin be wrapped about the ram,
His speech betrayeth and the voice unmasks him.
284. Ages were spent in search for that whose root is in
the heart.
From their great pride and boast fulness, from these
their error sprang.
285. Ten doors 1ms the cage wherein the bird's life is
contained.
The marvel is that it remains: if it departs why
wonder ?
286. With Rama's name on their lips they set their battles
in array, and walk in the ways of others.
They wear the skin of a man but roam like hullorks
here and there
287. The ploughing is good, the seed is good, and it is sown
by handfuls.
Why then does the blade dry up? It is the nature of
the soil.
288. He who steps from the Guru's ladder, no longer has
the Guru's word.
Hira will Kal drag away and none can keep him safe.
• Sakhi 279 in the Hindi text is the samr as 212.
212 SAKHIS
290*. Within the heart is biii'Diiig sand and sunlight :
And all liva under the shade of sorrow.
291. When the fire is kindled in the ocean, all is consumed
to the very ooze.
From east to west the Pandits died, pondering, pond-
ering ceaselessly.
292. Whoe'er I met was guru : none I met who was cheln.
Six lakhs and six and ninety thousand texts for but
one Jiva.
293. Where one would buy, there am I not ; there ami,
where is no buyer.
For lack of thought they roam in error, grasping at
the shadow of the word.
294. My word is from Eternity : this alone has power.
But these who start and shrink are altogether power-
less.
295. Throughout the world are gems and stones and all can
distinguish them.
The tester is more precious than the gem ; for in the
world these are but few.
296. Do not call him tester who knows the common stones.
He who knows the gem in the hearts of men, he is the
tester of jewels.
297. All the world is perishing, each in his own fire.
Never did I meet a Jiva, to whose companionship
I could cUng.
298. The man is sunk deep in sleep : if he but open his eyes,
and see.
The Jiva is fallen among thieves, though he has no
part nor lot in this.
299. This is the realm of the Destroyer : he waylays the
labourer and takes for himself his goods.
The essence of the word is as a mint, that tests the
secrets of the heart.
300. They claim to see, yet all have perished : the unseen
none discerned.
If one that is penniless comes to buy, in him I shall
find delight.
* Salchi 289 in the Hindi text is the same as 200.
SAKHIS 213
301. Within tbe eyes is power to see ; but few are they who
understaDcl.
The bodily eyes men still retain : thus they are full of
empty words.
303*. Pay worship with understanding : all can assume a dress.
Let that worship be swept away, wherein is no under-
standing of the word.
304. Gods, men, munis, deities, seven seas, nine regions of
the earth :
Kabir says. All have had the pleasure, now comes the
penalty of taking body.
305. While the heart rests not on itself, so long there is
no peace.
In the four ages have I proclaimed it: but doubt still
nils their hearts.
306. I listened when the instrument was sounding. All its
strings are broken.
What can the poor instrument do, when the maker of
music has gone ?
307. If thou carest for me, then give up all thy hopes.
Grow ever in my likeness, so all is in thy hand.
308. If one become a sadhu^ what comes of that, if he speak
not with understanding?
He kills another's soul : for his tongue wields a sword.
309. Within the swan there lies a lake of deceit.
The Jiva found no resting-plao<% his eyes denied
the vision.
310. Sweet words are balm, and harsh words are an arrow.
It penetrates the doorway of the ear and transfixes
thr whole body.
311. Behold the courage of the diver: he plunges into the
lowest deeps.
The Jiva heeds no obstacle and comes forth with the
ruby in his hand,
312. The world went hence deceived : it found ^lor Yoga nor
pleasure.
Kabir has threshed out all the sesamum seed^ ; the rest
thresh only stalks.
* Sakhi 802 in tho Hindi text is the same M 3dl.- *
214 SAKHIS
313. O diver, drink the amrit : why plunge to your death in
the deeps below ?
By the mercy of the Quru and the companionship of
sadhus, in this hour you can emerge.
314. Many lives were wasted, many fell and came to nought.
For the sake of one bund, O man, why do you weep ?
315. When the fire is kindled in the ocean, the ashes
crumble piece by piece.
O Kabir, the hypocrites bewail the burning of my
priceless gem.
316. In the six Darshanas One is pondered : he is named
the Maker :
Says Kabir, All the world is wise and I the only simple-
ton among them.
317. The truthful no curse can touch : the truthful Kal does
not devour.
Who walks in the way of perfect truth, no calamity
befalls him.
318. Take service with a perfect master, one who is perfect
in all his ways.
If you cling to the love of the mean, you will return
with all your treasure lost.
319. O physician, return to thy house : no one asks anything
of thee.
He, who has laid this burden on us, himself will teach
us to bear it.
320. In instructing others, my own mouth is filled with
sand.
While guarding another's floor, my own field has been
eaten.
321. I am looking toward thee, thou lookest somewhere
else.
A curse on such a mind as this : one mind that haa
two aims.
322. Aiming and directing others* aim they took their aim :
no arrows hit the mark.
The arrows all went wide : they fiung down the hovr
and left it.
SAKHIS 215
323 Action must agree with word : only if it is a magnet,
call it so.
Kabir says. Without the true magnet how can one
win the battle ?
324. Say your say and hear my words : hear and grow one
with me.
Before my eyes the world has passed ; but such an
one I never found.
325. I have travelled from country to country, through the
streets of village after village.
I iiave not found one Jiva, who cared to sift and
winnow.
326. The magnet and iron are lovers : it draws and uplifts
the iron.
Such is the word of Kabir, that draws and saves from
Kal.
327. You were deceived. So be it. But now awake again.
Tlie weapon of the word, this is the file of doubt.
328. If the songs, Kabir has set and sung, one daily sings
with understanding.
Once passed in death he will not return, nor here be
seen again.
329. Wliat can the helpless Guru do ? The fault is in the
pupil.
Tlie arrow of the word pierces him not : as well blow
into a hollow bamboo.
330. Look on him' as thy grandsire, thy brother, and thy
father and cleavt^ in reverence to his feet.
lie who in this time fails to see, for ever and always
* he is blind.
331. To be little is best of all : from being little all things
grow.
As to the two days' moon all bow the head.
332. Death after death the whole world died : yet none
knows bow to die.
None ever died in such wise as never to die again.
' Guru.
333. Death after death the whole world died : but none
took future thought.
Each held by his own wisdom : but the whole world
died a slave.
33-1. The wares are set out, no buyer comes: the price of
the wares is hire.
The man wlio has no money walks restless to and fro.
335. They renounced their households to become Yoei
Household the Yogi has none '
Without understanding they wander astray, grasping
but the shadow of the word. " f s
336. The lion- roams solitary in the forest : in a second of
tune he makes its circuit.
His own, .or the forest of 'another, each is alike to
^^^' "'waTch"'^''"' """"" '"* ""''^ '■ '"^"' "^ "'■'« *" J^««P
'Sllet imZs^ -'^^^ ^'^'- -- — '
All actions of the heart within come forth by the way
of tlie moutii. "^
339. I never knew a bosom friend : all I met were selfish.
m::,d"r; ''" *^' '^ *°^" "°^^' -« - *-•>-
^'°- l?vl ""r'r'"""'-"'^"'-"'°»"'«^o"oneinhisownfire.
myself.' ""'* *'' '"^'■' '" ^^"•"" ' "''^ht join
341. Moulded and fashioned was man : but without wis-
dom he is shapeless.
What can one do with the rose, which has no frag-
ranee ? ^
342. What profits birth in mighty house, when the under-
standing is feeble ?
Like a flower in a desert place, whose colours will
wither for naught.
SAKHIS
217
343. There is no penance higher than truth, no sin that can
rival lying.
In him, within whose heart is truth, does He himself
abide.
344. Not made of the Creator nor of Brahma : unseen of
sun or moon :
Not found in the three worlds : yet known to all the
universe.
345. The trunk is straight, the fruit is hard to reach, the
tree* is rooted firm.
Many birds died \n striving after it : the fruit is sweet
but far away.
346 One sits" -a banya : one stands' — a cowherd :
One never sleeps* a watchman : Kal has devoured
them all.
347. In front, the tire burns liercely ; behind, it all grows
green again.
All praise then to the tree", tliat bears although its
root be severed.
MS. Youth, age, and childhood passed : now the fourth*
stage is come.
Kven as a cat watches a mouso, so Yama lies in
wait.
349. Destroyed by others, not self-destroyed, yet none the
\ less destroy<Ml ;
Whom shall I strike aii<l woinul ? All tliat T see is my
own life.
350. I went to all the trees', 1 tested all their fruits.
Again and again Kabir goes begging the vision as his
alms.
351. When there is none to hear within the house, teacher
and teaching are vain.
When hearer and teaciier ai<: m one iiouse, tlien the
teaching proves its savour.
' The tree of Prikirti. * Old age.
'. *. * Different types of asceticfi. ' Retigiorifi..
* Attachment to thin world.
218 SAKHIS
352. The touch of the paras turns it to gold : it will never
be iron again.
The palas tree pervaded by the sandal's scent, is now
called dhak by none.
353. Searching, and searching, and searching, but showed
Him now this, now that.
When searcliing and searching found nothing, then
Hari was known unique.
354. Tlie Unique lias made the world, but the Lord's light
is other than He.
In the last hour of all, tell me, whose is the vision you
see?
355. Tiie Lord's light in the heart is one, by that light
then behold Him.
Why do you call him Unique, by whose w^ork the
world was made ?
356. Brahma asked tlie woman, with clasped hands and
bowed head :
Of what origin' is tliat Purusha, O mother? speak
and make me to know.
357. He has no form nor shai>s : nor in the interspaces did
he take body.
In the midst of the palace of heaven know him as
without substance.
358. Tiiey set themselves to meditate upon this Purusha, as
within adamantine' doors.
They saw but their own reflection : and the three*
were entranced therewith.
359. This mind found refreshment, when the knowledge of
Brahma gushed forth.
The fire, in which the world is burning, became like a
cooling stream.
360. That to which from all eternity the soul was kin, was
forgotten in all abodes.
Now caught in the eighty-four million (births) the scut
cries'^ This "and *'That."
' Caste or colour.
• The state of Samadhi.
* Brahma. Vishnu and Mahesha.
SAKHIS 21^
361. I describe the unseen V I describe the seen,' I des-
cribe the unborn' to thee.
O Kabir, I describe ail, but none describes me.
382. In the three worlds I have seen it : wh}- do you call it
unseen ?
Knowing not the essence of the world, you wear a
disguise to your own deception.
363. Learn, whence came the word, and where the word
abides.
Kabir says, I am the lover of the word, which gave the
vision of the invisible.
361. Learn to know your own true maker: believe my
words.
Within the five elements, of whose power was this
wide display ?
365. Of the whole universe am I tiie maker : above me
there is no second.
Kabir says. No one knows me : all are absorbed in that*.
366. Tlie sons* pay no iieed to their father's* words : they
worship one without substance.
Kabir says. Even now awake, and renounce the \ov&
that is false.
367. All set their hope on the city of nothingness, wherein
there is no Creator.
Kabir says. Know your own Jiva : thus all delusion will
vanish.
368. All say, "devotion, devotion " : but their devotion
proved vain.
From the place, whcroi?i tUvy put their trust, came
wrath.
369. Consider, O learned brother : not one has brought us
tidings.
From the journey, they went, they return not again
to give an account of that country.
370. In delusion the whole world passed away : all |>erished
in delusion.
No one firmly plants his steps : this woe is past all telling*
^ Maya. * Brahma. Vishnu and Mahesha.
* Eternal Purusha. * Niranjan.
• Chelas. • Guru.
230 SAKHJS
371. Prom Maya has sprung mind: from mind the ten
avatars.
Brahma, Vishnu passed away deluded : tlie world is
plunged in error.
372. Galling on Rama, all passed through the world, but
not one reached Rama.
Kabir says. For those who know Rama, all their
works are perfected.
373. Tins world has become mad, entangled in the love of
the unseen.
Deserting the Visible, it serves a Purusha without
substance.
374. TI)e king^ became subject : the subject' took the
kingdom.
The subject would govern all, hence all is confusion.
375. He, whose praise all learn to chant, has neither hands
nor feet.
Kabir says, Wisely the mother gave this son the name
Niranjan (without birth).
376. O tliou tliat knowest Brahma, be not led astray with
Vedas and the world.
Kabir says. Here is my wisddm : take this lamp in thy
hand.
377. The worshipper saw not the Deva : nor did the Deva
see his worshipper.
Kabir says, I saw both d.ying : the Guru gave this
teaching.
378. Thou knowest thine own state, Deva : in us is no power
to know.
Kabir says. All share this error : all are plunged in doubt.
379. From gazing on nothingness doubt arose, and searching
on all four sides.
Searching and searching they died, but the form with-
out form none found.
380. He who has planted his understanding firm, that Yogi
becomes immortal.
Xow he understands, and renounces error : beside him
there is none else^
1 Soul. ' Kal.
SAKHIS 221
381. By doing what tliey see others do, tlie whole world was
misled : none found f lie Sat-Gnvn.
ICabir says. They perplexed with doubt have lost their
Jiva.
382. You set your hope thereon : the hope thereof is false.
Infatuate you left your household for the forest r
from age to age you roam unsatisfied ^
383. When the foundation shakes, the whole house is^
shaken : now none can check its fall.
Kabir says. If one understands, him will Kal not devour.
384. Rama* dwelt in the depths of the forest : yet the hope
of the Guru was unfulfilled.
Kabir says, All this is Pnhhamla, and liars always go
disappointed.
385. Fear arose, the heart is fearful, this fear destroys their
peace.
None has seen Rama, though they cry '* Rama " day
and night.
386. 'Twas I made the ocean of bliss, and sorrows and grief
I trampled under foot.
None kept fast his grip: beggar and king, all passed
away.
387. Had there been no trouble in tiie world, there had
been no grief of separation.
In their happiness they heaped sorrow on themselves :
this saying all men say.
388. All are engrossed with scriptures : this fashion none
renounces.
All are caught in the net of error and have cast away
the Jiva.
389. He' is without form, without shape ; but makes the
whole world to dance.
Him, who destfoys the five,* all should fear him.
390. Deluded, deluded the whole world passed, through fol-
lowing their guide.
Kabir says, When the tree is rotten, what can you
gather then ?
' Yogis who reside in the forest. * Mind.
* So say those who practise penances in tho forest. * Fivo Gyau Indris.
222 SAKHIS
391. The sakhi is tlie eye of wisdom : behold and ponder
it in your heart.
Without the sakhi the quarrel of tlie world will never
cease.
392. It all depends on five elements : consider this.
Says Kabir, By understanding the secret of the ele-
ments the Jiva will be saved.
393. If one becomes true, what comes of that, if he knows
not Him that is true ?
If one be true and meet Him that is true, he will be
merged in that true one.
394. The road by which went Sanak and his companion,
Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha :
All followed that same path : to whom then shall I
give instruction ?
395. By reason of deeds done for his kin, the swan went
far astray.
Then to what family will the blame belong when
he lives as a beast of the field ?
396. He whose lieart never knew the Guru, whose body
the word never pierced :
Kabir proclaims aloud, This is for a swan to be
companion of a heron.
397. Hatred and hater are one : make no union with
them.
Oaught in the toils you will die : whence can sal-
vation come ?
398. If the Guru be perfect, the disciple brave, then
gather your reins and plunge into the battle.
If you would really know the Lord, then sit for a
while in thought.
,399. If one that is bound be with one that is bound, by
what means can come release ?
Do service to one who is free from bonds, and he
will release in a moment.
400. Do not follow, brother, the current of the mind : give
up this your wisdom.
Thus many neighbours were swept to death : in our
own hearts we know it.
SAKHIS 223
•101. I have but one arrow : the mind has thirty-six :
If ray single arrow strikes, all the rest are nothing.
402. He has withdrawn His presence, yet is He within
the iieart : this the mind knows well.
He who knowingly does evil, where will he find
happiness ?
103. Ponder it and be entranced, understand it and be
free from limitation.
Behold the marvels of Him, whom no bonds can re-
strain.
404. He, for whom they wander searching, ever stands
before them.
To the instructed He is near, frnm the uninstructed
He is far away.
405. It is but one thing, and they make it many.
A heavy curtain hangs between, therefore naught
is seen.
406. Who thrones the Guru in his heart and walks in his
commands :
Kabir says. For such a Sant the tliree worlds hold
no fears.
107. If all one*H household be 1)1 ind, and a well is before
the door.
Whoever seeks to venture out, will surely fall into
the well.
408. Search on the road revealed the uem, a dininond
trampled by a thousand ages.
How canst thou, Kabir, renounce this road on which
the gem is found ?
409. Men only know the diamond borne in the merchant's
pack.
This is the diamond of salvation : a fool loses it and dies.
410. Doquic! :'' '^i- .t t'tou hast to do : the ilame has come
Cl08(
When the tire has caught the door, nothing can be
carried out.
411. Weigh your words before you speak : a word has
neither hands nor feet.
Yet one word acts as balm, another as a bruise.
224 SAKHIS
412. All are dwellers in that couutry : dacoits have set
upou them.
Trusting the autumn moonlight they failed to keep
tlieir road.
413. If you care for your welfare, then awake: the boat*
lias touched the shore".
Again and again you will reproach yourself : a
chance like this comes not again.
414. Now parted, where will you go and where find rest
for your feet ?
CJoufront the foe, fight face to face, make no un-
lucky throw.
415. The Guru's image is as the moon, the disciple the
chakor.
Moment by moment let them fix their gaze upon the
Guru's image.
416. The Guru entered into the disciple : unbroken love
prevails.
No separation can sunder them : they are two bodies
but one soul.
417. Guru diflfers from guru, and the natures of gurus
are diverse.
Worship ever that Guru, who can reveal the secret
of the word.
418. Men follow five or seven Gurus : he who can reveal
the word, is the Guru indeed.
419. Hari lost. Guru shelters : the Guru lost, there is na
refuge.
O sinful man, call on the Guru, not upon another.
420. The Guru is potter, the disciple is clay : moulding
and moulding he amends the flaws.
Within he supports him with love : without he deals
blow on blow.
421. t made a cave of wisdom, but found no sadhak for it.
YogiandJangam' were swept away in death : with-
out intention there is no devotion.
1 Age.
» Wearing its end.
• A Hindu mendicant.
SAKHIS 225
422. The Guru must be one who takes nothing from the
disciple.
The disciple must be one who gives all he has to the
Guru.
•123. This is that which can be seen, not that which can
be uttered.
This is that which can be felt, not that which can be
given.
424. He in whose heart is no deceit, deceiving cannot
touch him.
He in whose heart deceit is harboured, him deceit
deceives.
425. The Lord is lord of all : but the Lord's own are few.
Why search among ten thousand ? Among ten mil-
lions there is scarcely one.
426. Serve the perfect Master and so you will be perfect.
When the perfected finds the Perfect, the Perfect
will reveal perfection.
427. When patience and goodness of heart flourish, the
invisible is revealed.
Without this goodness none finds the goal, though
he give a million discourses.
428. The ruby of goodness is greater than all : it is the
mine of rubies :
All the wealth of the three worlds resides in this
goodness of heart.
429. Wealth of kine, of elephants, of revenue, all the
mines of wealth and gems :
When the wealth of contentment is won, all other
wealth is as dust.
430. When there is " I," there is " my " : where sorrow,
there is sin.
Where there is mercy, there is strength : where for-
giveness, there is He. .
431. It* is infinite, yet in all things finite: the nver Uoods
each several thought.
The fisher* casts his net, for what? There is neither
fish' nor water.*
* Guru. « Kal.
*Jiv». *Maya.
15
226 SAKHIS
432. To give me joy, destroy my pain and tct^e away all
troubles.
Kabir says, When shall I meet the sant, who is a lover
of the Eternal.
433. The giver of happiness lives in all, and he gives pain to
none.
To rest established in his faith, that is the proof of the
sadhu.
434. Let not the sant forsake saintliness, though he meet
with a million unsaintly.
Snakes coil about the sandal tree, yet it loses not its
coolness.
435. In the house of the grandfather^ resides the Immortal* :
the son^ carries a burden upon his head.
In three worlds grandchildren* are robbed ; O Pandit,
consider this:
436. In the world the sadhu is priceless : many who are not
wear the garb.
You may know heron from swan by the test of water
mixed with milk.
437. All sadhus are honoured in their own abodes.
He who discusses the word as tester, he is a crown for
the head.
438. Mind dyed in many colours is a busy dyer : it dyes with
colours good and bad.
Kabir says. Only then will you escape, when you make
your abode with the word.
439. The mind was immortal : killing could not kill it.
By constant rubbing on the brilliant of wisdom it can
be worn and worn away. ,
440. Mind mounts upon all: the trees of the mind are
countless.
But they w^ho are mounted upon mind are few indeed.
441. Mind soars aloft as a bird and searches here and there
in heaven.
Baikunth^ does not contain Him : the Lord is with His
worshipper.
1 The eternal Purusha. ^ Brahm. » Guru.
* Brahma, Vishnii, Mahesha. ' Vishnu lok.
SAKHIS 227
442. The maiden * climbed the hill and decked her with many
allurements'.
Her lover utters never a word : her adornments bum
her like Are.
413. The maiden is endowed with all graces : in her ears
jewels gleam.
When a dart from lier lover's eyes strikes her, her
whole body is transfixed.
444. Ten thousand hunters, but one deer : many bandits and
one wayfarer.
What can one helpless man do, where countless ruf-
fians dwell ?
445. Even ill company leaves no stain on him, whose hand
clasps the ruby of wisdom.
Just as a juggler's boy plays fearlessly witli a snake.
' .liva.
* Various kinds of worship.
SAYAR BIJAK PAD
1. O Sants, the teaching of the Bijak is with authority.
Many grew weary searching and searching : few were
they who found.
2. The four ages and the four-armed Veda chant bound-
less scriptures.
Vishnu, Birancha,Rudra, rishis sang : none have found
the end.
3. Some declare Him Nirgunr, some Sugunr : some speak
of Him as Light.
To the Lord each assigns a name, but none reveals His
form.
4. Some pronounce Him subtle or gross, and some the
Letter that has always truth.
The Sat-Guru says, Few recognise Him, and many
liars go about.
5. The devotion that is coveting is altogether vain : the
Lord is infinitely wise.
Beyond attainment, beyond vision is the Lord's abode:
yet all say, ' That is our goal.'
6. The way is not seen ; the wayfarer finds them not,
though he search for abode and resting-place.
Some laid it down, ' He is Not-Being.' One says, The
Light is proof of Him.
7. Some say, He has neither form nor outline. On whom
then do they fix their meditation?
In every several hair the Creator is revealed : why
then go astray in error ?
8. Upholding or denying, all alike flagged and failed. Tlie
Creator none could comprehend.
Of what form is the True Lord? This has been set
forth by none.
0. By many proofs they establish their belief: the irue
One is ignored.
Millions of births and ages passed in whims and fancies :
they find the vision nowhere.
SAYAR BIJAK PAD 229
10. The All-Merciful, the All-Great, He is seen by few
indeed.
Straightway their state is changed to bliss : they are
entranced there forever.
11. Requiring more and ever more the wise of many sects
would strengthen their devotion :
The teaching of the Bijak is known to few : the proud
go wandering in error.
12. Kabir said. Within the Creator is all, and the Creator
permeates all.
Without the secret all are sunk in error : only the sant,
the wise, can comprehend.
PROPER NAMES MENTIONED IN
THE BIJAK*
Alialya:— Wife of the Rislii Gautama. She was the
first woman made by Brahma, and he gave her
to Gautama. She was seduced by Indra. One
version represents her as knowing the god and being
nattered by his condescension ; but another version
states that the god assumed the form of her
husband, and so deceived her. Being cursed by
Gautama she became a stone. Rama afterwards
delivered her.
Akrura :— A Yadava and uncle of Krishna. He was
son of Swa-phalka and Gandini. He was sent by
Kansa to fetch Krishna from Gokula tliat he might
be slain. Akrura went against his will, and Krishna
observing this revealed to him his nature.
Ambarisha:— A king of Ayodhya, twenty-eighth in
descent from Ikshwaku. It is said that he observed
strictly the Ekadasi fast and broke it according
to rule before the end of the day. Once Durvasa
came to his house as a guest. As usual the guest
went to have a bath before dinner. He took so long
a time bathing that Ambarisha drank a little
water to keep his rule. Durvasa sought to kill
him ; but Ambarisha asked protection from Vishnu
and was protected.
Anjana :— Mother of Hanumat by Vayu, god of the
wind.
Arjuna :— The third Pandu prince. He was tauglit
tlie use of arms by Drona and was his favourite
pupil. By his skill in arms he won Draupadi at
her Swayamvara. For an involantary transgression
he imposed upon himself twelve years' exile from
his family, and during that time he visited Parasu-
Rama, who gave instruction in the use of arms.
* These notes are partly taken from Dowson's Classical Dictionary of
Bindu Mijthology.
it
PROPER NAMES MKNTIOXED IN THK UIJAK 231
Avagat :— Unconditioned, which cannot be compre-
hended (God).
Bali, Balin :— The monkey king of Kishkindhya, who
was slain by Rama and whose kingdom was given
to his brother Su-griva, the friend and ally of Rama.
He was supposed to be the son of Indra, and to
have been born from the hair (bala) of his mother,
whence his name. His wife's name was Tara, and
his sons' Angada and Tara
Bhoja :— A name borne by many kings. Most con-
spicuous among them was Bhoj or Bhoja-deva,
king of Dhar, who is said to have been a great
patron of literature, and probably died before
A. D. 1082.
Brahma (masculine) :— The first member of the Hindu
triad ; the supreme spirit manifested as the active
creator of the universe.
Dasa-ratha:— A jnince of the Solar race, son of Aja,
8 descendant of Ikshwaku, and king of Ayodhya.
He had three wives, but being childless, he per-
formed the sacrifice of a horse, and, according to
the Ramayana, the chief queen, Kausalya, remained
in close contact with the slaughtered horse for a
night, and the other two queens beside her. Four
sons were then born to him from his three wives.
Kausalya bore Rama, Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharat,
and Su-mitra bore Lakshmana and Satru-ghna.
Kama partook of half the nature of Vishnu, Bharat
of a quarter, and the other two shared the remain-
ing fourth.
Dattatriya: Sod of At ri and Anasuya. A Brahman
saiDt in whom a portion of Brahma, Vishnu, and
Siva, or more particularly Vishnu, was incarnate.
Devaki; -Wife of Vasu-deva, mother of Krishna,
Dhruva :~ The polar star. According to the Vishnu
Parana, the sons of Manu 8wayam-bhuva were
Priya-vrata and Uttanapada.
Dig-ambara:-* Clothed with space.' A naked mendi-
cant. A title of Siva.
232 PROPER NAMES MENTIONED IN THE lilJAK
^
Dur-yodhanai-^Hard to conquer/ The eldest son
of King Dhrita-rashtra and leader of the Kaiirava
princes in the great war of the Mahabharata.
Dwarka, Dwaravati :-' The city of gates.' Krishna's
capital, in Gujrat, whicli is said to have been
submerged by the ocean seven days after his death.
Firendr : -Serpent-king.
Gandharva:-' The heavenly GandharvV of the Veda
was a deity who knew and revealed the secrets of
iieaven and divine truths in general.
Gaiiesa:-(Gana-Isa), Gana-pati :-Lord of the Ganas
or troops of inferior deities, especially those
attendant upon Siva.
Go-kula:— A pastoral district on the Yamuna, about
Mathura, where Krishna passed his boyhood with
the cowherds.
Gopala:-Go-vinda: -'Oow-keeper.' A name of the
youthful Krishna, who lived among the cowherds in
Vrindavana.
Gopis :— The cowherd damsels and wives with whom
Krishna sported in his youth.
Gorakh :— The founder of Gorakha Pauth, lived in four-
teenth century A. D.
Go-vardhana :— A mountain in Vrindavana, which
Krishna induced the cowherds and cowlierdesses to
worship instead of Indra. This enraged the God,
who sent a deluge of rain to wash away the
mountain and all the people of the country, but
Krishna held up the mountain on his little finger
for seven days to shelter the people of Vrindavana.
Hanuman, Hanumat, Hauumat :— A celebrated monkey
chief. He was son of Pavana, * the wind,' by Anjuna,
wife of a monkey, named Kesari. He was able to fly,
and is a conspicuous figure in the Ramayana.
Haris-Ohandar;-Twenty.eighthkingof the Solar race,
and son of Trisanku. He was celebrated for his
piety and justice.
Hiranyakusha: 'Golden eye.' A Daitya wlio drag-
ged the earth to the depth of the ocean.
PROPER NAMES MENTIONED IN THE RIJAK 233
Indra:— The God of the firraament, the personified
atmosphere.
Janaka:— Kingof Mithila, of the Solar race. When
Nirai, his predecessor, died without leaving a
successor, the sages subjected the body of Nimi to
attrition, and produced from it a prince " who was
called Janaka, from being born without a pro-
genitor."
Jaunpur :— A city in U. P.
Jaya-Deva: -A poet, author of Gita.
.Ihusi :--A village near Allahabad fort, where the tombs
of Shaikh Taqi and of other Muslim saints are.
Kansa:— A tyraiyiical kingof Mathura, son of Ugra-
sena and cousin of Devaki, the mother of Krishna.
Kanya-Kumari :— 'The virgin damsel.' A name of
Durga.
Karna:-Sonof Pritha or Kunti, by Surya, the sun,
before her marriage to Pandu.
Kasi : —Benares.
Kesava:--* Having mucli or fine hair.' A name of
Vishnu or Krishna.
Kunti :— Daughter of the Yadava prince Sura, King
of the Surasmas, whose capital was Mathura on the
Yamuna. She was sister of Vasudeva, and was
given by ber father to his childless cousin, Kunti-
bhoja, by whom she was brought up. In her
maidenhood she showed such respectful devotion
to the sage Dur-vasa, that he gave her a charm
by means of which she might have a child by any
god she pleased to invoke. She called upon the
sun, and by him had a son, named Kama, but with-
out any detriment to her virginity ; still, to keep
the affair secret, the child was exposed on the banks
of the Yamuna.
Kuru :— A priDce of the Lunar race, son of Samvarana
by Tapati, a daughter of the sun. He ruled in the
'north-west of India over the country about Delhi.
Kuverai—ln the Vedas, a chief of the evil beings or
spirits living in the shades : and called by his pat-
ronymic Vaisravana.
234 PROPER NAMES MENTIONED IN THE IJIJAK
Lakshmana :— Son of the King Dasa-ratha by his wife
Sumitra. He was the twin brother of Satru-ghna,
and the half-brother and special friend of Rama-
Chandra.
Lanka:— The island of Ceylon or its capital city.
Tlie city is described in the Ramayana as of vast
extent and of great magnificence, with seven broad
moats and seven stupendous walls of stone and
metal.
Maghar:— A village in Gorakhpur district where
Kabir's tomb is still visited. '
Manakpur :— A village on the Ganges.
Mandodri :-~Ra van's favourite ,;^^ife and the mother
of Indra-jit.
Mithila, (methal) :- -A city, the capital of Videha or
North Bihar, which corresponds to the modern Tirhut
and Purniya, between the Gandaki and Kosi rivers.
Muchandar-nath :~Guru of Gorakh-Nath.
Muni :— " A holy sage," a pious and learned person,
endowed with more or less of a divine nature, or
having attained to it by rigid abstraction and
mortification.
Naga :— A mythical semi-divine being, having a human
face with the tail of a serpent, and the expanded
neck of the cobra.
Nam : — Nama Deva.
Narada :— A Rishi to whom some hymns of the Rig-
veda are ascribed.
Naresh :— Lord of men.
Pandu :-- The pale.' Brother of Dhrita-rashtra, King
of Hastinapur, and father of the Pandavas or Pandu
princes.
Parasu-Ram : ' Rama with the axes.' He was a
Brahman, the fifth son of Jamad-agni and Renuka.
Partha :— A son of Pritha or Kunti.
Parvati :— ' The mountaineer.' A name of the wife
of Siva.
Prahlada : -A Daitya, son of Hirna-kasipu and father
of Bali.
PROPER NAMES MENTIONED IN TUE BIJAK 235^
Pritlii, Prithu :— Was the son of Vena, son of Anga. He
was called first King, and from him the eartli re-
ceived her name Prithivi.
Rama : -Eldest son of Dasa-ratha, a King of the Solar
race, reigning at Ayodhya.
Ravana :— The demon King of Lanka or Ceylon, from
which he expelled his half-brother Kuvera. He
was son of Visravas by his wife Nikasha, daughter
of the Raksliasa Su-mali.
Ravi -.—The sun.
Saha-deva :— The youngest of the live Pandu princes,
twin son of Madri the second wife of Pandu, and
mythologically son of the Aswins, or more specific-
ally of the Aswiu Dasra.
Sakata : -A worshipper of the Sakti.
Sakti :— The wife or the female energy of a deity, but
especially of Siva.
Sanaka, Sanandan, Sanatana, Sanat-Kumara :— The
four Kumaras or mind-born sons of Brahma.
Sankadik :— Sanak, etc.
Sankara :* Auspicious. ' A name of Siva in his
creative character.
Sesha, Sesha-Naga : — King of the serpent race or
Nagas, and of the infernal regions called Patala.
Shambhu : -A name of Shiva.
Sharad :— Saraswati, the goddess of learning.
Sliukh-deva-Muiii : The son of Viyas.
Sudama : A frien<l of Krishna.
Sisu-pala: Son of Dama-gosha, King of Ohedi, by
Sruta-deva, sister of Vasu-deva ; he was therefore
cousin of Krishna Krishna had carried off Rukmini,
his intended wife.
Sukh-deva : Son of Viyas.
Surpanakha:* Having nails like winnowing-fans.*
Sister of Ravana.
Uraa : * Light.' A name of the consort of Siva.
Vamana :— The dwarf incarnation of Vishnu.
Vashishtlia :- * Most wealthy.* A celebrated Vedic
sage to whom many hymns are ascribed.
236 PROPER NAMES MENTIONED IN THE BIJAK
Vena :— Son of Anga, and a descendant of Manu
Swayambhuva.
Vidhatri :- ' Creator.' A name of Brahma, Vishnu,
and Viswa-karma.
Vikramaditya:— A celebrated Hindu king who reigned
at Ujjayini. He is said to have been the son of a
king named Gardabhila.
Vrinda-vana :— A wood in the district of Mathura
where Krishna passed his youtli, under the name
of Gopala, among the cowherds.
Yadu-Banshi :— A famous race of Chhattris.
Yasoda :— Wif^ of the cowherd Nanda, and foster-
mother of Krishna.
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