Kabir Dohas

Today after many years I came across Kabir's dohas once again and was struck by the deep philosophical insight offered in two lines.In India, Kabir is a household name and his dohas(couplets) find mention in the school textbooks.But as with all things taught in school it is merely learned by heart without understanding its significance.
So after finding these dohas after so long a time, a time during which I have grown as a person both physically as well as mentally,I have a new found love for his poetry.The entire essence of philosophy can be found in the two lines written by him.Today I will try to explain a few of his dohas:
1.His most famous (according to me)
Guru Govind dono khare, kake lagun paye
Balihari Guru aapno,Govind diyo batay.

Guru in Indian terms is the spiritual teacher,one who initiates a person in the direction of God.In english parlance he may be seen as a preacher(one who has realized God) who preaches about Him and hears confessions.Here the meaning is:
Guru and God both are standing;whose feet shall I touch
Thanks(fall in your feet) to thou O Guru! told me about God.
i.e. The Guru here assumes more importance and his is the first priority.This may seem amusing to any foreigner but it is the essence of India. A spiritual Guru here commands a great respect as he is the one who shows us the path,he is the one who takes us from darkness to light,he is the intermediary between us and God.
Another famous poem in India, which is recited daily by millions of Indians in praise of their Guru goes like this:
Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu;Gururev Maheshwarah
Guru sakchat paramBrahma ; tasmai Sri Guruve namah!
The word GOD can be taken as an acronym for Generator,Organisor and Destroyer.In Indian mythology there are three principle(trinity) Gods- Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva).Here Guru is equivalent to Brahma, vishnu & Mahesh and placed on the same pedestral.HE (Guru) himself is the BRAHMAN (supreme God in a loose sort of way), and to such a Guru we pay obeisance.

In India of old discipleship was not easily given, one had to earn it.And once given the bond bond would stay on for the eternity.Guru would be there till the disciple became enlightened again.It is considered to be the most sacred bond possible.If one wants to know more read the following two books: Autobiography of a yogi and Play of Consciousness.

2.Kabira te nar andh hai, Guru ko kahte aur
Hari ruthe Guru thaur hai,Guru ruthe nahin thaur
Kabir says,that man is blind;who does not recognize (respect) Guru
If God is angry,Guru is there(for shelter);If guru is angry there is no shelter( anywhere in earth or heaven).
Here again a very deep thought has been conveyed by Kabir in just two lines that shows the importance of a Guru.He can deflect the anger of God,but God will not deflect his anger.

3. Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sub Kutch Hoye
Mali Seenche Sau Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye
[Slowly slowly O mind, everything happens at its own pace.
The gardner may water with a hundred buckets, fruit arrives only with season]
Do not be in too much haste.Things arrive at their own time and somethings are beyond our control.You can only work, the result is not entirely upto you.

4.Sayeen Itna Deejiye, Ja Mein Kutumb Samaye
Main Bhi Bhookha Na Rahun, Sadhu Na Bhookha Jaye
[Give so much, O God, sufficient to envelop my clan
I should not go hungry, nor the visitor go unfed]
This is very simple in in its meaning but the hidden meaning is very deep.Too much craving for material things leads only to its accumulation.It never satisfies anyone. Too much wealth brings along with it miseries of life in the form of numerous problems which do not leave the mind peaceful. As Jesus said,the chance of a rich man going to heaven was the same as to a camel passing through a needle,which is impossible.At the same time in India a saying goes,"Atithi Devo Bhava" (Guest is a form of God), and hence the yearning of Kabir to have that much that a guest does not depart hungry.It is beautiful in its meaning that one should be satisfied with what one has and not run after riches loosing his calm and peace of mind.

5.Jab Tun Aaya Jagat Mein, Log Hanse Tu Roye
Aise Karni Na Kari, Pache Hanse Sab Koye
[When you were born in this world,Everyone laughed while you cried
Do not conduct yourself in a manner,That they laugh when you are gone]

6.Kabir So Dhan Sanchiye, Jo Aage Ko Hoye
Sees Charaye Potli, Le Jaat Na Dekhya Koye

[Kabir, save the wealth that 'remains' in the moment ultimate
Departing with a crown of material wealth, none has crossed the gate]

i.e. Do good,help others and lead a good life.Ultimately you will be judged by the deeds you performed on the earth and not by the wealth you created.You cannot take anything along with you to the heaven- you came naked with an empty hand and so would you depart,therefor seek the wealth that you can take along with you.

7.Dukh Mein Sumiran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye
Jo Sukh Mein Sumiran Kare, To Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye
[In anguish everyone prays to Him, in joy no one does
To One who prays in happiness, how can sorrow come]
One should always keep God close at heart- whether good times or bad times.Good and Bad times are like a cycle,they come and go at their own accord.But we should always keep praying and seeking God for HE is the ultimate truth.

8.Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag
Tera Sayeen Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag
[Just as oilseeds contain oil, fire's in flint stone
Your body seats the Divine, realize it if you can]
The Kingdom of Heaven lies within one's own self, one just has to realise it.Each soul is potentially divine,proclaimed Swami Vivekananda, it's just whether he realises this potential or not.God is present in each person-saint or sinner alike, its just that one has to realise it.

Enough for the day.Next time I plan to post his writings about the mind :the most important part of our body,for everything lies between the two ears according to some psychologists.So it (the post) will be when it will be.