Speech · वाणी (vani)

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.

जहाँ गाहक, तहाँ हूँ नहीं, जहाँ मैं गाहक नाँय। मूरख यह भरमत फिरे, पकड़ शब्द की छाँय।।६७।।

Where there are no customers, I am not there; where I am not a customer, there is no place for me. Fools wander about, grasping at the shadow of words.

अपने-अपने साख की, सब ही लीनी जान। हरि की बात दुरंतरा, पूरी न कहूँ पहचान।।९२।।

Everyone has their own reputation; all are aware of it. The words of the Divine are profound; I cannot fully describe them.

कुटिल बचन सबसे बुरा, जासे होत न हार। साधु वचन जल रूप है, बरसे अम्रत धार।।१०८।।

Cunning words are the worst, as they lead to no resolution. The words of the saint are like water, showering the nectar of wisdom.

बानी से पहचानिए, साम चोर की घात। अन्दर की करनी से सब, निकले मुँह की बात।।१३४।।

Recognize the deceit of a thief through their speech. The truth of one's actions will come out through their words.

एसी बाणी बोलिये, मन का आपा खोइ। औरन को सीतल करै, आपौ सीतल होइ।।२४२।।

Speak such words that dissolve the ego of the mind. If you make others calm, you too will become calm.

खूंदन तौ धरती सहै, बाढ़ सहै बनराइ। कुसबद तौ हरिजन सहै, दूजै सह्या न जाइ।।२४८।।

The earth can bear the flooding, the forest can withstand the floods. But the bad words are unbearable for the righteous; they cannot tolerate them.

गुरु-गुरु में भेद है, गुरु-गुरु में भाव। सोइ गुरु नित बन्दिये, शब्द बतावे दाव।।२८०।।

There is a difference between Gurus, and a distinction in their feelings. Only the Guru who reveals the secret of the Word should be respected daily.

साकट का मुख बिम्ब है, निकसत बचन भुवंग। ताकि औषण मौन है, विष नहिं व्यापै अंग।।३००।।

The face of an ungodly person is like a fruit, but their words are like a serpent’s venom. The best ornament for them is silence, so the poison does not spread.

तन में शीतल शब्द है, बोले वचन रसाल। कहैं कबीर ता साधु को, गंजि सकै न काल।।३४५।।

Within the body, there are soothing words and the speech is pleasant. Kabir says, such a saint cannot be touched by time.

साकट का मुख बिंब है, निकसत बचन भुवंग। ताकी औषधि मौन है, विष नहिं व्‍यापै अंग।।५४९।।

The face of the wicked is like a snake, whose words are poisonous. The remedy for such a person is silence, as poison does not spread if the body is not exposed to it.

साधु सोई जानिये, चलै साधु की चाल। परमारथ करता रहै, बोलै बचन रसाल।।५९८।।

One should recognize a saint by his actions. A saint continues to do good and speaks words that are full of nectar.

साधु साधु सबहीं बड़े, अपनी अपनी ठौर। शब्‍द विवेकी पारखी, सो माथे के मौर।।६२९।।

All saints are great in their own right. The wise and discerning are those who understand the value of words, like the crest on the forehead.

चर्चा करु तब चौहटे, ज्ञान करो तब दोय। ध्‍यान धरो तब एकिला, और न दूजा कोय।।६५९।।

Discuss in the marketplace, gain knowledge in pairs. Meditate alone; do not involve anyone else.

काहूं को न संतापिये, जो शिर हंता होय। फिर फिर वाकूं बन्दिये, दास लच्‍छ है सोय।।६८७।।

Do not trouble anyone who is constantly troubled; the one who repeatedly turns to words is considered to be a true servant.

भक्ति बिना नहिं निस्‍तरै, लाख करै जो कोय। शब्‍द सनेही ह्वै रहे, घर को पहुंचे सोय।।७११।।

Without devotion, no one can escape, no matter how many efforts are made. The true lover of words will find their way home.

जाप मरै अजपा मरै, अनहद भी मरि जाय। सुरति समानी शब्‍द में, ताहि काल न खाय।।७२९।।

Recitation may perish, and so may the Ajapa, even the unspoken divine sound can die. But the essence, which is absorbed in the Word, is not consumed by time.

सुमिरन तू घट में करै, घट ही में करतार। घट ही भीतर पाइये, सुरति शब्‍द भण्‍डार।।७९३।।

Rememberance should be done within the vessel (body), for the Creator is in the vessel itself. Inside this vessel, you will find the treasure of consciousness and the word.

प्रेम छिपाया ना छिपै, जा घट परघट होय। जो पै मुख बोलै नहीं, नैन देत हैं रोय।।८०१।।

Love cannot be hidden; it becomes apparent wherever the body is. If the mouth does not speak, the eyes still reveal it through tears.

प्रेम भक्ति में रचि रहैं, मोक्ष मुक्ति फल पाय। शब्‍द मांहि जब मिलि रहै, नहिं आवै नहिं जाय।।८०३।।

Love, when immersed in devotion, brings the fruit of liberation and salvation. When it merges with the word, it neither comes nor goes.

जैसा भोजन खइये, तैसा ही मन होय। जैसा पानी पीजिये, तैसी बानी होय।।९७१।।

As is the food you eat, so becomes your mind. As is the water you drink, so becomes your speech.

ऐसी बानी बोलिये, मन का आपा खोय। औरन को शीतल करै, आपहु शीतल होय।।९७७।।

Speak such words that the ego is lost. They soothe others and also bring peace to oneself.

सार शब्‍द जानै बिना, जिव परलै में जाय। काया माया थिर नहीं, शब्‍द लेहु अरथाय।।९८९।।

Without knowing the essence of the word, the soul perishes in delusion. The body and wealth are not permanent, grasp the meaning of the word.

यही बड़ाई शब्‍द की, जैसे चुम्‍बक भाय। बिना शब्‍द नहिं ऊबरै, केता करै उपाय।।९९०।।

This is the greatness of the word, like a magnet's attraction. Without the word, one cannot be saved, no matter the measures taken.

कुटिल वचन सबतें बुरा, जारि करै सब छार। साधु वचन जल रूप है, बरसै अमृत धार।।९९१।।

Harsh words are the worst; they burn everything to ashes. The words of the saint are like water; they rain nectar.

कुटिल बचन नहिं बोलिये, शीतल बैन ले चीन्हि। गंगा जल शीतल भया, परबत फोड़ तीन्हि।।९९२।।

Do not speak harsh words, recognize the value of soft speech. The Ganga water became cool, but it broke through mountains.

खोजी हुआ शब्‍द का, धन्‍य सन्‍त जन सोय। कहैं कबीर गहि शब्‍द को, कबहु न जाय बिगोय।।९९६।।

Blessed are the saints who seek the word. Kabir says, hold onto the word, and you will never be lost.

कुबुधि कमानी चढ़‍ि रही, कुटिल बचन के तीर। भरि भरि मारे कान में, सालै सकल सरीर।।९९९।।

Wickedness is like a bow, and cruel words are its arrows. These words strike the ears repeatedly and pierce the entire body.

कर्म फंद जग फंदिया, जप तप पूजा ध्‍यान। जाहि शब्‍द ते मुक्ति होय, सो न परा पहिचान।।१००४।।

The world is trapped in the snares of karma, rituals, and meditation. They fail to recognize the word that leads to liberation.

शब्‍द जु ऐसा बोलिये, मन का आपा खोय। औरन को शीतल करे, आपहुं शीतल होय।।१००५।।

Speak words in such a way that the ego of the mind is lost. Let your words soothe others, and you too will become serene.

जिहि शब्‍दे दुख ना लगे, सोई शब्‍द उचार। तपत मिटी सीतल भया, सोई शब्‍द ततसार।।१००६।।

Speak words that do not cause pain. The word that cools down the heat is the essence of truth.

कागा काको धन हरै, कोयल काको देत। मीठा शब्‍द सुनाय के, जग अपनो करि लेत।।१००७।।

Who does the crow rob? Whom does the cuckoo give? By speaking sweet words, one wins over the world.

शब्‍द बराबर धन नहीं, जो कोय जानै बोल। हीरा तो दामों मिलैं, सब्‍दहि मोल न तोल।।१००९।।

There is no wealth equal to the word, for those who know how to speak. Diamonds can be bought for a price, but words are priceless.

हरिजन सोई जानिये, जिह्वा कहैं न मार। आठ पहर चितवन रहै, गुरु का ज्ञान विचार।।१०१३।।

Know that person as a devotee of the Lord, who doesn't hurt anyone with their words. They remain immersed in the guru's teachings day and night.

शब्‍द शब्‍द सब कोय कहै, शब्‍द का करो विचार। एक शब्‍द शीतल करै, एक शब्‍द दे जार।।१०१६।।

Everyone speaks words, but reflect on their meaning. One word can cool, while another can burn.

सहज तराजू आनि कै, सब रस देखा तोलि। सब रस माहीं जीभ रस, जु कोय जानै बोलि।।१०१८।।

Bringing the scale of simplicity, all tastes were weighed. Among all tastes, the taste of the tongue is the best for those who know how to speak.

मुख आवै सोई कहै, बोलै नहीं विचार। हते पराई आतमा, जीभ बांधि तलवार।।१०१९।।

One speaks whatever comes to their mouth, without thinking. They hurt others' souls as if their tongue were a sword.

शब्‍द न करै मुलाहिजा, शब्‍द फिरै चह धार। आपा पर जब चीन्हिया, तब गुरु सिष व्‍यवहार।।१०२०।।

Words do not show mercy, they cut like a sharp sword. When one understands oneself, then the relationship between guru and disciple is established.

जिह्वा में अमृत बसै, जो कोई जानै बोल। विष बासुकि का ऊतरे, जिह्वा तनै हिलोल।।१०२२।।

Nectar resides on the tongue of one who knows how to speak. Even the poison of the serpent can be overcome with a wise tongue.

शब्‍द सम्‍हारे बोलिये, शब्‍द के हाथ न पांव। एक शब्‍द औषधि करे, एक शब्‍द करे घाव।।१०२४।।

Speak words carefully, as they have neither hands nor feet. One word can heal like medicine, while another can wound like a weapon.

शब्‍द गुरु का शब्‍द है, काया का गुरु काय। भक्ति करै नित शब्‍द की, सत्‍गुरु यौं समुझाय।।१०२५।।

The word is the guru's word, and the body is the guru's body. One should constantly worship the word, as the true guru teaches.

एक शब्‍द सुख खानि है, एक शब्‍द दुख रासि। एक शब्‍द बन्‍धन काटै, एक शब्‍द गल फांसि।।१०२८।।

One word can be a source of joy, and another a cause of sorrow. One word can break bonds, and another can ensnare the neck.

शब्‍द विचारी जो चले, गुरुमुख होय निहाल। काम क्रोध व्‍यापै नहीं, कबहूं न ग्रासै काल।।१०३८।।

Those who walk with consideration of the word and are aligned with the Guru, are blessed. Lust and anger do not affect them, and death never consumes them.

अकथ कथा या मनहि की, कहैं कबीर समुझाय। जो याको समझा परै, ताको काल न खाय।।११२१।।

The story of the unspoken is told by Kabir. Those who understand it are not consumed by time.

गार अंगार क्रोध झल, निन्‍दा धूवां होय। इत तीनों को परिहरै, साधु कहावै सोय।।१२३८।।

Anger is like burning embers, and slander is like smoke. One who abandons these three is called a saint.

कथनी मीठी खांड सी, करनी विष की लोय। कथनी से करनी करै, विष से अमृत होय।।१३०६।।

Words are as sweet as sugar, but actions are like poison. When actions are taken based on words, the poison turns into nectar.

कथनी काची होय गयी, करनी करी न सार। श्रोता वक्‍ता मरि गया, मूरख अनंत अपार।।१३०८।।

Words have become hollow, and actions lack essence. The speaker and the listener are both lost, endlessly ignorant.

कथनी कथै तो क्‍या हुआ, करनी ना ठहराय। कालबूत का कोट ज्‍यौं, देखते ही ढहि जाय।।१३१०।।

What is the use of mere words if actions do not persist? Like a fort of sand, it collapses as soon as it is seen.

कथनी के सूरे घने, थोथै बांधै तीर। बिरह बान जिनके लगा, तिनके बिकल सरीर।।१३१२।।

The arrows of hollow words bind the body with dense pain. Those who are struck by the arrows of separation, suffer greatly.

श्रोता तो घरहीं नहीं, वक्‍ता बकै सो बाद। श्रोता वक्‍ता एक घर, तब कथनी का स्‍वाद।।१३१८।।

The listener is not even present at home; the speaker speaks only later. When the listener and speaker are in the same house, then only the essence of words is understood.

रहनी के मैदान में, कथनी आवै जाय। कथनी पीसै पीसना, रहनी अमल कमाय।।१३२१।।

In the field of living, words come and go. Words are like grinding, while living involves practical action.

करनी का रजमा नहीं, कथनी मेरु समान। कथता बकता मर गया, मूरख मूढ़ अजान।।१३२४।।

Actions are not as transient as words, which are like Mount Meru. The speaker who only talks but does not act, is foolish and ignorant.

करनी बिन कथनी कथै, गुरु पद लहै न सोय।। बातों के पकवान से, धीरा नाहीं कोय।।१३२७।।

Without actions, mere words are meaningless. One cannot attain the guru's position with just words. No one becomes wise through mere talks.

आपनि आपनि शरी की, सभनि लीनो मान। हरि की बात दुरन्‍तरे, परी न काहू जान।।१४५१।।

One's own body is taken as important by everyone, but no one understands the deep essence of Hari's words.

कर बंदगी विवेक की, भेष धरे सब कोय। सो बन्‍दगी बहि जान दे, जहां शब्‍द विवेक न होय।।१४७३।।

Worship with wisdom, for everyone can wear a disguise. True devotion fades away where there is no wisdom in words.

गुरु बिचारा क्‍या करे, जो शिष्‍यहि में है चूक। शब्‍द बाण बेधे नहीं, बांस बजावे फूंक।।१४९३।।

What can the poor Guru do, if the disciple is at fault? His words, like arrows, do not penetrate, and the disciple only blows air like a flute.

जहं गाहक तहं हौं नहीं, हौं तहं गाहक नाहिं। बिनु विवेक भरमत फिरे, पकड़ो शब्‍द की छांहि।।१५१४।।

Where the customer is, I am not there, and where I am, the customer is not. Without wisdom, people wander aimlessly; grasp the shadow of the word.

जहां बोल तहं अक्षर आया, जहं अक्षर तहं मनहिं डिढाया। बोल अबोल एक है सोई, जिन एक लखा सो बिरला होई।।१५१६।।

Where there is speech, there is the word; where the word is, the mind is fixed. Speech and silence are the same; only a rare one realizes this truth.

जासों दिल नहि मिलिया, शब्‍द बेधा अंग। कहहिं कबीर पुकारि के, हंस बके का अंग।।१५२४।।

When hearts do not unite, words pierce like arrows. Kabir calls out, how can a swan and a crane be the same?

जिह्वा केरे बंद दे, बहु बोलना निवार। पारखी से संग करु, गुरुमुख शब्‍द विचार।।१५२८।।

Control your tongue, avoid excessive talking. Associate with the wise and reflect on the words of the Guru.

पंच तत्त्‍व को पूतरा, जुक्ति रची मैं कीव। मैं तोहिं पूछौ पंडिता, शब्‍द बड़ा की जीव।।१५८३।।

The body made of five elements, I have composed the logic. I ask you, scholars, which is greater, the word or the life?

प्राणी तो जिभ्‍या डिगो, क्षण क्षण बोले कुबोल। मन घाले भरमत फिरे, कालहिं देत हिंडोल।।१६०१।।

The creature's tongue is restless, speaking nonsense every moment. The mind wanders aimlessly, and time gives it a push.

शब्‍द हमारा आदि का, शब्‍दे पैठा जीव। फूल रहन की टोकरी, धोरे खाया घीव।।१६७४।।

The word is from the beginning, the soul resides in the word. The basket of flowers remains, but the ghee is consumed.

शब्‍दै मारा गिर पड़ा, शब्‍दै छोड़ा राज। जिन्‍ह जिन्‍ह शब्‍द विचारिया, ताको सर गयो काज।।१६७७।।

One who is struck by words falls down, and those who forsake the word lose their kingdom. Those who contemplate the word, their work is accomplished.

शब्‍द हमारा तूं शब्‍द का, सुनि मति जाह सरक। जो चाहहु निज तत्त्‍व को, शब्‍दह लेह परख।।१६७९।।

The word is ours and also the word of others; listen and let the mind discern. If you wish to understand the truth, examine it through the word.

श्रोता तो घर में नहीं, वक्‍ता बके सो वादि। श्रोता वक्‍ता एक घर, कथा कहावे आदि।।१६८१।।

The listener is not at home, while the speaker debates. The listener and speaker are within one house, yet the story remains untold.

कहै कबीर कठोर कै, सबद न लागै सार। सुधबुध कै हिरदै भिदै, उपजि विवेक विचार।।१७२६।।

Kabir says, the harsh words do not contain essence. The heart pierced by wisdom produces discernment and contemplation.

साधु सती और शूरमां, दई न मारै मूंह। ये तीनों भागा बुरा, साहबजी की सूंह।।२०९१।।

Saints, virtuous ones, and warriors never strike with their mouths. These three are detrimental to the essence of the Lord.

मान उनमान तोलिये, शब्‍द का मोल न तोल। मूरख लोग न जानहीं, आपा खोयो बोल।।२१६४।।

Weigh honor and dishonor, but do not weigh the value of words. Foolish people do not understand, and lose themselves in words.