Sunday, July 12, 2009

Dohe...by Sant Kabir (english translation)




This poem is in Awadhi language written by Sant Kabir. The double line poetry is calleddoha in Hindi. Have translated the meaning of each doha in English.

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
Conduct NOT yourself in manner such
That they laugh when you are gone]
**
Kabir Man Nirmal Bhaya, Jaise Ganga Neer
Pache Pache Har Phire, Kahat Kabir Kabir
[Kabir's mind got cleansed like the holy Ganges water
Now everyone follows, saying Kabir Kabir]
**
Gur Dhobi Sikh Kapda, Saboo Sirjan Har
Surti Sila Pur Dhoiye, Nikse Jyoti Apaar
[Guru the washer man, disciple is the cloth
The name of God liken to the soap
Wash the mind on foundation firm
To realize the glow of Truth]
**
Jeevat Samjhe Jeevat Bujhe, Jeevat He Karo Aas
Jeevat Karam Ki Fansi Na Kaati, Mue Mukti Ki Aas
[Alive one sees, alive one knows
Thus crave for salvation when full of life
Alive you did not cut the noose of binding actions
Hoping liberation with death!]
**
Akath Kahani Prem Ki, Kutch Kahi Na Jaye
Goonge Keri Sarkara, Baithe Muskae
[Inexpressible is the story of Love
It cannot be revealed by words
Like the dumb eating sweet-meat
Only smiles, the sweetness he cannot tell]
**
Chinta Aisee Dakini, Kat Kaleja Khaye
Vaid Bichara Kya Kare, Kahan Tak Dawa Lagaye
[Worry is the bandit that eats into one's heart
What the doctor can do, what remedy to impart?]
**
Kabira Garv Na Keejiye, Uncha Dekh Aavaas
Kaal Paron Bhuin Letna, Ooper Jamsi Ghaas
[Says Kabir
Don't be so proud and vain
Looking at your high mansion
Death makes one lie on bare land
And grass will grow thereon]
**
{2}Kabira Garv Na Keejiye, Kaal Gahe Kar Kes
Na Jaane Kit Mare Hai, Kya Des Kya Pardesh
[Says Kabir
Don't be so proud and vain
The clutches of Time are dark
Who knows where shall it kill
Whether at home or abroad]
**
Kabira Kiya Kutch Na Hote Hai, Ankiya Sab Hoye
Jo Kiya Kutch Hote Hai, Karta Aur Koye
[Says Kabir
By my doing nothing happens
What I don't does come to pass
If anything happens as if my doing
Then truly it is done by someone else]
**
Jyon Naino Mein Putli, Tyon Maalik Ghat Mahin
Moorakh Log Na Janhin, Baahar Dhudhan Jahin
[Like the pupil in the eyes
The Lord resides inside
Ignorant do not know this fact
They search Him outside]
**
Pehle Agan Birha Ki, Pachhe Prem Ki Pyas
Kahe Kabir Tub Janiye, Naam Milan Ki Aaas
[First the pangs of separation
Next grows the thirst for Love
Says Kabir then only hope
The union to materialize]


Kabir sangati sadhu ki, begi karijai jai,
Durmati duri gawaisi, desi sumati batai,

Always be in the company of people having good thoughts,
This way we can do away with the evil & attain purity of soul,

Nindak niyare rakhiye, Angan kuti chawai,
bin pani sabun bina, nirmal kare subhaiy (my favourite line)

Keep your critiques close to you, let their hut be in your courtyard,
That way you don’t need soap n water to cleanse your nature,

Aisi vani boliye, man ka aapa khoi,
apna tan shital kare, auran ko sukh hoi,

Be soft spoken, do away with your ego,
This shall keep you in a good mood & others shall be happy too,

Kasturi kundali base, mrug dhonde ban mahi,
Aise ghati ghati Ram hain, duniya dekha nahin,

The musk is imbedded in the navel, yet the deer looks for the source of the fragrance all thru the forest,
Same way Ram(God) is present in each one of us, But no one notices him,

Kabira garab na kijiye, Kaal gahe kar kes,
Na jano kit marihai, kya ghar kya pardes,

Never be conceited, fate always has a hold of your locks (hair),
You never know where or when it shall prevail over,

Tinka kabahu na nindiye, Jo payan tar hoy,
Kabahunk Udi ankhin pare, pir ghaneri hoi.

Never look down upon anything small, even if it is under your feet,
The particle can get into your eye & cause great pain.

by Sant Kabir

6 comments:

  1. THANKS SO MUCH

    IF YOU HAVE COMPLETE SET OF DOHA'S THEN SEND IT TO ME PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.....!

    "THERE IS NO NEED TO TRANSLATE THE WORDS"

    NAME: SUYASH
    ID: suya.jagtap@gmail.com

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  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. thank you so much..!!these dohas helped my kid alot during his holiday homework...u mind sending me some more related to "SANSAR"

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  4. ( Raakho mail kapoor mein heeng na hot sughandh) Iss dohe ki first line mujhe bahut din se nahi mil rahi hai koee poora karo please !

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  5. Thanks foe selecting priceless gems from Sant Kabir's writings. Keep it.

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