Browse all 2269 Dohe

कुटिल वचन सबसे बुरा, जारि करै तन हार। साधु वचन जल रूप है, बरसे अमृत धार।।२१।।

Harsh words are the worst; they burn the body and soul. The words of a saint are like water, pouring down as nectar.

मैं रोऊँ जब जगत को, मोको रोवे न कोय। मोको रोवै सोचकर, जो शब्द बोए सो होय।।२२।।

I cry for the world, but no one cries for me. The world should think about what seeds of words it has sown.

सोया साधु जगाइए, करे नाम का जाप। ये तीनों सोए भले, साकत, सिंह, और साँप।।२३।।

Wake up a sleeping saint to chant the name of God. But let these three sleep: the worldly, the lion, and the snake.

बाज़ीगर का बांदरा, ऐसा जीव मन साथ। नाना नाच दिखाय के, राखे अपने साथ।।२४।।

The mind is like a juggler's monkey, it performs various tricks but always remains with its master.

कबीरा जपना काठ की, क्या दिखलावे मोय। हृदय नाम न जपे अगर, यह जपनी क्या होय।।२५।।

Kabir says, what use is a wooden rosary if the heart does not chant the name of God? What value does such a rosary hold?

पतिव्रता मैली, काली, कुचैल, कुरूप। पतिव्रता के रूप पर, वारो कोटि सरूप।।२६।।

A devoted wife may be dirty, dark, and ugly, but I would sacrifice millions of beauties for her virtue.

बैद मुआ, रोगी मुआ, मुआ सकल संसार। एक कबीरा ना मुआ, जेहि के राम अधार।।२७।।

The physician dies, the patient dies, and the entire world dies. Only Kabir, who has the support of God, does not die.

हद चाले सो मानव, बेहद चले सो साध। हद-बेहद दोनों तजे, ताको भाव अगाध।।२८।।

A person who follows the rules is human; one who transcends them is a sage. The one who forsakes both boundaries and boundlessness is immersed in divine love.

राम रहे बन भीतरे, गुरु की पूजा न आस। कहै कबीर पाखंड सब, झूठे सदा निराश।।२९।।

Even if Lord Ram resides in the forest, there is no hope in worshiping a false guru. Kabir says, all hypocrisy leads to disappointment.

जाके जिव्याँ बंधन नहीं, हृदय में नाहीं सांच। वाके संग न लागिए, खाली वटिया कांच।।३०।।

Do not associate with those who are not bound by any principles and have no truth in their hearts. It is like eating shards of glass.

तीरथ गए ते एक फल, संत मिले फल चार। सतगुरु मिले अनेक फल, कहे कबीर विचार।।३१।।

Visiting holy places gives one benefit; meeting a saint gives four benefits; but meeting a true Guru gives countless benefits, says Kabir.

सुमिरन से मन लाइए, जैसे पानी बिन मीन। प्राण तजे पल बिसरे, कहे कबीर दीन।।३२।।

Focus your mind on remembrance (of God), like a fish that cannot live without water. Without such devotion, life is meaningless, says Kabir.

हंसा मोती चुन लिया, कंचन थार भराय। जो जन मारग न जाने, सो तिस कहा कराय।।३३।।

The swan strings pearls, but the crow fills its beak with trash. What can be done with someone who does not know the right path?

कहना सो कह दिया, अब कुछ कहा न जाय। एक रहा, दूजा गया, दरिया लहर समाय।।३४।।

I have said what was to be said, now nothing more can be spoken. One (life) remains, the other has merged into the waves of the river.

वस्तु है, ग्राहक नहीं, वस्तु सागर अनमोल। बिना करम का मानव, फिरै डांवाडोल।।३५।।

The goods are there but no buyer; the ocean of virtues is priceless. Without good deeds, humans wander aimlessly.

कली खोटी, जग आंधरा, शब्द न माने कोय। चाहे कहे सत आइना, जो कहे सो बैरी होय।।३६।।

In this dark age, the world is blind and does not listen to the word of truth. Even if you present a clear mirror of truth, the world becomes hostile.

कामी, क्रोधी, लालची, इनसे भक्ति न होय। भक्ति करे कोइ सूरमा, जाति-वरन कुल खोय।।३७।।

Desires, anger, and greed hinder devotion. True devotion comes from a valiant person who forsakes caste, color, and family.

जागन में सोवन करे, साधन में लौ लाय। सूरत-डोर लागी रहे, तार टूट नाहिं जाय।।३८।।

Those who sleep during awakening and bring light in practices will have their sight remain steady, like a thread that doesn’t break.

साधु ऐसा चहिए, जैसा सूप सुभाय। सार-सार को गहि रहे, थोथ देइ उड़ाय।।३९।।

A saint should be like a sieve, which retains the essence and lets go of the chaff.

लगी लगन छूटे नाहिं, जीभ-चोंच जरि जाय। मीठा कहाँ अंगार में, जाहि चकोर चबाय।।४०।।

Once attached, it is hard to leave. The tongue burns like a beak. How can sweetness be found in embers, where a parrot would chew?