BHAJANS

1

man tohi kis vidhi kar samujhaun,

sona hoi toh sohaga mangaun, bank nal ras laun;

gyan shabd ki phunk laga kar, pani kar pighlaun;

ghoda hoi toh lagam lagaun, upar jin kasaun;

hoi sawar tere par baithun, chabuk dai murkaun;

hathi hoi toh janjir lagaun, charo pair bandhaun;

hoi mahawat shir par baithun, ankush dei chalaun;

gyan chahiye gyan shikhaun, satya ki rahh bataun;

kahahin kabir suno bhai sadho, amara pur pahunchaun

Meaning

O mind! How am I to make you understand?

If you were gold then I would bring the borax and the goldsmith's blowpipe;

I'll blow the air of divine knowledge and melt you into a pure liquid;

If you were a horse I would apply the reins, and tighten the saddle on you;

I'll sit on you and ride you; I’ll applying the whip and direct you to your destination;

If you were an elephant I would use the chains and tie your four legs;

I'll become the mahout and sit on your head and use the iron hook to control you;

If you wish spiritual wisdom then I would teach you, and show you the path to true knowledge;

Kabir says listen O my Brother devotees; I will send you to the eternal abode.

2

chadariya jhini re jhini, ram nam ras bhini;

ast kamal ka charkha banaya, panch tatwa ki puni;

nau das mas bunan ko lage, murakh maili kini.

jab mori chadar ban ghar ai, rangarej ko dini;

aisa rang ranga rangrej ne, lalo lal kar dini.

chadar audr sanka mat kariye, ye do din tumko dini;

murakh log bhed nahi jane, din din maili kini.

dhruv prahalad sudama ne odhi, shukdev ne nirmal kini;

das kabir ne aisi odhi, jyon ki tyon dhari dini.

Meaning

The fabric (body) is subtle, very subtle, indeed; it is woven with the essence of God’s name;

The eight lotuses (chakras) made the spinning wheel which spun the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether) to make the fabric;

It took nine months (ten lunar months) for its weaving, and foolish people defile it;

Once the fabric was made and brought home, it was given to the dyer (guru) for colouring;

The dyer coloured it with such skill that it became brilliantly red (illumined);

As you wear this fabric, do not have doubts; it is a gift to you for two days only;

Foolish people do not know the secret of this fabric, and day after day they pollute it;

Dhruv, Prahalad, Sudama and Shukdev wore this fabric and purified it;

The servant Kabir wore it in such a way, that he returned it in the condition in which he received it.

3

khalak sab rain ki sapna, samajh man koi nahi apna;

kathin hai moha ki dhara, baha sab jat sansara;

ghada jas nir ka phuta, patra jyon dar se tuta;

aisi nar jat jindagani, ajahun to chet abhimani;

bhulo mati dekhi tanu gora, jagat men jivana thora;

sajan parivar sut dara, sabhi ik roj hvai nyara;

nikas jab pran javega, nahin koi kam avega;

sada jin jani yahh dehi, laga nij rup se nehi;

kate yam jal ki phansi, kahai kabir avinashi.

Meaning

This whole world is like a dream at night;

O mind! Understand that nobody belongs to you;

The flow of attachment is dangerous, and the whole world is being washed away;

Just as the water jar breaks, or the leaf breaks off the branch, just so man's life passes;

O proud man! Even today, realize yourself. Do not be fooled by seeing the beauty of the body. You have only a short time to live in the world;

The husband, relatives, son and wife, will all one day be separated from you;

When your life will be departing, no one will be able to save you.

He who always realizes his soul, develops an intense love for his own form (soul);

The immortal Kabir says that such a person cuts the noose of Yama (death)

4

man re tu manahi men ulat samata;

ya man hasti jangal basa, khoj sakal phal khata;

jo bas pare mahawat kere, dai ankush murkata.

ya man jogi ya man bhogi, ya man devi deva;

ya man ulat hot bairagi, karai guru ki sewa;

man ki khoj koi nahin pawe, shiv sankadik brahma;

aparam par par nahin pawe, agam agochar mahima;

niyare ke dur dur ke niyare, jin jaisa anumana;

orbatiya se chadhe baderi, jin pakda tin jana;

anubhav katha kown se kahiye, hai koi sant viveki;

kahahin kabir guru diye palita, wa ghar birle pekha.

Meaning

O mind! “Turn around and immerse yourself in your Self”;

This mind is like an elephant in the jungle (world), and searches and eats all the fruit (material objects);

If the mahout (intellect) gets control of it, he will use the ankush (iron hook) and turn it around;

This mind sometimes behaves like a yogi and at other times as an enjoyer; sometimes it behaves like a goddess or a god;

Then again it turns around to becomes a renunciate, and performs services to the guru;

No one can fathom the mystery of the mind, not even Shiva, Brahma, or his sons Sanak etc.

No one can understand the infinity of the mind, and its greatness is unfathomable;

What is far off it considers being near, and what is near it considers far according to its inclination;

It can climb from the eaves to the rooftop (super-consciousness), and attaining it, understands and knows?;

To whom can one tell the mysterious story of the mind. Perhaps a knowledgeable saint will understand it;

Kabir says that he whom the guru turns around (enlightens) is a rare person, and he will understand that home (God realization).

5

kaisi kumati kamai rama, hira tan pai – chorus

jo das mas udar men rakhi, narak yoni bhugtai rama;

balapan toh khel men khoi, pichhe jawani ai rama;

kamdev naino men chhayo, matpit par lat chalai re;

briddh bhaye kaph vat ne ghere, bahar khat bichhai rama;

pad padosini dekhan awe, ghar ke kahat toko mowt na ai;

bhowsagar ki agam bat hai, wa se par na pai rama;

kahain kabir suno bhai sadhu, ab chhadi chale sabri thalurai.

Meaning

O soul! Having obtained a precious diamond like the body, what evil intellect have you developed?

Your mother kept you for ten months (lunar months) in her womb and endured hellish sufferings;

She then gave birth to you and now you have grown to neglect her;

You have spent your childhood in play, and then you have grown to be an adult;

Lust then entered your eyes, and you then started to kick you parents;

Then you have grown old and troubled with phlegm and rheumatism, and you had to place your bed outside your bedroom;

Your neighbours then come to visit you, and your relatives wonder that death does not come to you;

The way of the world is unfathomable, and it is difficult for anyone to understand;

Kabir says, Listen my brother devotees! You have to give up all your greatness and depart from this world.

6

tamuva girai kahan jaoge., karilo apna thikana.

kahe bowo baburva ho, bote tum am;

amrit bhojan karte ho, japte hari nam.

prem nagar ke hatiya ho, jahan lal bikai;

chatur chatur sowda karile ho, murakh pachhtai.

prem bag nahin upje ho, nahin hat bikai;

bina prem ke manuwan ho, bandhi yampur jai.

das kabir yah gaya ho, santo lehu bichari;

bahuri na yahi jag awat ho, manush avatar.

Meaning

Laying down this body where will you go? Why do you not ascertain your destination?

Why do you sow the thorn tree (evil actions) and you do not sow the mango (noble actions);

If you had recited the name of God (planted mango), then you would have enjoyed the nectarine fruits (salvation);

There is a market place (satsang) in the city of love; there precious jewels are sold;

The wise people purchase the precious jewels, while the foolish ones are full of regrets;
Love does not flourish in the garden, nor is it sold in the market;

Without love people commit evils, and bound by karmas they go to the city of Yama;

The servant Kabir sings this song, O saints listen and consider it;

You may not again obtain a human body and come into this world.

7

maya taji na jai, santo maya taji na jai, jaise bel birichh laptai;

kam taje toh krodh na chhute, krodh taje toh lobha;

lobh taje toh asha mare, man barai shobha;

jo ghar taje madhi chhwawe, udyam taje toh pheri;

ladka taje toh chela mude, mati maya ne gheri;

moti maya sab koi tyage, jhini taji na jai;

swami apne shishya ko tak kar, so yojan chali jai;

hath se paisa chhuwat nahi, pat yon pamar take;

najar tamasa dekhan chahe, rasna rason men jake;

maya tyagi man vairagi, tan men manahin samai;

kahahin kabir suno bhai sadhu, birle jhuthi janai.

Meaning

O saints! It is difficult to give up maya; indeed, it is most difficult;

It is like a strangling vine wrapped around a tree;

When you give up lust, anger remains, and when you give up anger then greed remains;

When you give up greed, then desires afflict you, and you display a haughtiness of pride;

You give up your home and dwell in a thatched hut, and giving up work you wander from place to place;

You give up your children but then you take disciples, and still you are surrounded by maya;

Everyone wishes to give up the materialistic maya, but the subtle ones such as longings are difficult to give up;

The guru, the swami, or master because of his maya, will travel long distances to his disciples;

He does not touch the money at hand; instead he signals to tie up the money and cloth in a bundle for him;

His eyes long to see interesting sights and his tongue to taste delicious foods;

Detach your mind by shunning maya, and turn your mind into your own Self;

Kabir said: “Listen, O brother saints! Little do you know that maya is false”.

8

yaha prem sada bharpur rahe, gurudeo apke charano men;

yaha araj meri manjur rahe, gurudeo apke charano men;

yaha jiwan ko maine sowmp diya, yaha dor apke hatho men;

utthan patan ab mera ho, gurudeo apke charano men;

sansar asar hai sar nahi, baki na rahi ab chaha kahin;

main hun sansar ke bandhan men, sansar apke hatho men;

ankho men hamesha dhyan rahe, aru man charano men laga rahe;

yaha ant samai ki araji hai, gurudeo apke charano men;

yaha bar bar main kahata hun, age prabhu apki marji hai;

yaha vinai ravindranand kare, gurudeo apke charano men;

Meaning

Oh lord! Let my love ever be fulfilled at your holy feet;

This is my humble request; may you accept it at your holy feet

I have surrendered this life to you, and you are holding the controlling strings;

Now my fallen state will be rectified, O Lord, at your holy feet;

This world is not genuine; it is without the true essence; may I not now have any more unfulfilled desires;

I am in the clutches of this material world, but the world is truly in your hands;

Let my eyes always meditate on you, and my mind be absorbed at your holy feet;

This is my ultimate request of you, O Lord, and is made at your holy feet'

Again and again I have thus pleaded with you but, O Lord, the future is entirely at your mercy;

This request is made by your devotee Rabindranand, O Master, at your holy feet.

9

jag re janjali jiyara, yaha toh mela hat ka;

tat mat sut bhai bandhuwa, ye toh mela that ka;

ant samai tu chale akela, jaise batohi bat ka;

raj kaj sab jhutha dhandha, jag pitambar pat ka;

mahal khajana bhara bhandara, lada ghora kath ka;

dhobi ke ghar gadaha hoga, ghar ka bhaya na ghat ka;

lalach lobh dhare sir gathari, jaise ghora ghat ka.

rat diwas tum khai gamaya, kiya bhajan na virat ka;

kahai kabir suno bhai sadho, yam kute jyon tat ka.

Meaning

O Entangled soul! Wake up! This world is like the crowd of a market place.

Father, mother, son, brother, and other relations are only like attractions in this crowded market place;

In the end you will have to go alone like a lonely traveller on the road.

All the worldly activities are only false imprints on this colorful worldly fabric;

Whatever collection of wealth, palace and treasures you have are really loaded on a wooden horse (cannot go anywhere).

Being attached to the world you will be like the washerman's donkey belonging neither to the home nor the washing ghat;

Greed and attachment are a bundle on your head, just as the load on a minstrel's horse.

Night and day you wasted in eating and pleasures, and you did not do devotion to the Supreme;

Kabir says Listen, O brother devotees! In the end Yama will beat you like the common jute.

10

pyare prapanch men toh din rat tum gujara,

manush ka tan ye pake, kuchh toh jara bicharo;

do din ka le basera, karte ho mera mera,

sab chhor apna dera, khali gaye hajaro;

asha ki pash page, trishna ke pichhe lage,

phirte ho kyon abhage, santosh dil men dharo;

dewega soi pawe, owr kuchh na kam awe,

ek dharm sath jawe, yeha bat mat bisaro;

kahate kabir gyani, sansar hai ye phani,

taj apni sab nadani, mamta ow mad ko maro

Meaning

O dear one! You are spending the day and night in delusion,

You have obtained the human form and you should be very thoughtful.

You come here to dwell for two days and you say: "Mine, Mine";

Thousands have left everything here and went empty handed.

You are seething with desires and you run after greed;

Why do you wander unfortunately? Bring contentment in your heart.

He who gives will receive; nothing else will be of real benefit;

Only your righteous duties will go with you; do not forget this instruction.

Kabir speaks with knowledge that this world is in delusion;

Give up all your ignorance and destroy your ego and pride.