21 Life changing Kabir Dohas

There are some questions in life, which are important but we don’t have answers. Say, How much wealth is sufficient to live a happy life? or a simple one, where can we find GOD?

Luckily, we have great saints like Sant Kabir, who dedicated their 120 years of life(1398-1518) solving out these questions and providing answers to the common man. In just two lines, Sant Kabir was able to provide simple solutions to our complex problems of life. Even after 600 years, his Doha’s are relevant today.

Here are some of the Dohas by which I am deeply moved in my heart and compiled here for everyone who is interested. Thanks to various websites, who already done the translations of Doha with meanings. I have just compiled and put it in my blog. I have only tried to put relevant questions and answers, to make it more interesting.
1. How much wealth do we really need in life? Bare minimum.

Sayeen Itna Deejiye, Ja Mein Kutumb Samaye.
Main Bhi Bhookha Na Rahun, Sadhu Na Bhookha Jaye.

Give so much O God, suffice to envelop my clan.
I should not suffer cravings, nor the visitor goes unfed.

2. Who is bad among all? It’s the word “I”, One’s ego.

Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye
Jo Mann Khoja Apnaa, To Mujhse Bura Naa Koye

I searched for the crooked, met not a single one
When searched myself, “I” found the crooked one.

3. Why people suffers? People pray god only in need.

Dukh Mein Simran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye
Jo Sukh Mein Simran Kare, Tau Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye

In anguish everyone prays to Him, in joy does none
One who prays in happiness, how can sorrow come

4. Where is GOD? He is in You.

Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai, Jyon Chakmak Mein Aag.
Tera Sayeen Tujh Mein Hai, Tu Jaag Sake To Jaag.

Like sesame contains the oil,  fire in flint-stone
Your temple seats the Divine, realize if you can

5. Who can be greater than God? Your Teacher.

Guru Govind dono khade kake lagu paay
Balihari Guru aapki, Govind diyo batay.

Both Guru and God are standing, whose feet should I touch first?
It has to be the Guru’s feet first, God informed.

6. What is the best time to do a task? Now

Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Ub
Pal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kub.

Tomorrows work do today, today’s work now
If the moment is lost, the work be done how?

7. How to get God? Love God.

Pothi Padh Padh Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye
Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye

Reading books everyone died, none became any wise
One who reads the word of Love, only becomes wise

8. How to get rid of sufferings? get rid of material attachements.

Maya Mari Na Man Mara, Mar Mar Gaye Shareer
Asha Trishna Na Mari, Keh Gaye Das Kabir

Neither illusion nor the mind, only bodies attained death
Hope and delusion did not die, so Kabir said.

9. How to make friends? Speak good words

Aisee Vani Boliye, Man Ka Aapa Khoye
Apna Tan Sheetal Kare, Auran Ko Sukh Hoye

Speak such words, sans ego’s ploy.
Body remains composed, giving the listener joy

10. A fatal disease, even doctor fails to cure? Worry

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?

11. The ultimate truth? Death

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.

===
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 Garab Naa Kijiye, Kabhu Naa Hasiye Koy |
Ajahoo Naav Samudra Me, Naa Jaane Ka Hoye ||

Don’t, don’t feel proud. Don’t laugh at others.
Your life is a ship in ocean you don’t know what may happen the very next moment.

12. The grinder where people get grinded? Between Land and Sky.

Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye
Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein,Sabit Bacha Na Koye

Looking at the grinding stones, Kabir laments.
In the duel of wheels, nothing stays intact.

13. Secret reciepe of Happiness? Forget “I”, Remember “God”

Jab Mein Tha Tab Hari Nahin, Jab Hari Hai Mein Nahin
Sab Andhiyara Mit Gaya, Jab Deepak Dekhya Mahin.

When “I” was then Hari was not, Now Hari “is” and “I” am not
All the darkness (illusions) mitigated, When I saw the light (illumination) within.

14. How to react, others are so bad? Just focus on your life. It’s not your issue.

Kabira Teri Jhompri Gal Katiyan Ke Paas
Jo Karenge So Bharenge Tu Kyon Bhayo Udaas.

O Kabir! Your Hut Is Next to the Butchers’ Bay Why Do You Feel Down?
For Their Conduct They Only Shall Pay.

15. Secret reciepe for Peace? Control your mind

Nahaye Dhoye Kya Hua, Jo Man Mail Na Jaay.
Meen Sadaa Jal Me Rahai, Dhoye Baas Na Jaay.

What is the point in washing and cleaning?
A fish remains in water always and it has a very bad smell.

16. How to relieve stress? Leave everything to God.

Mera Mujhme Kuchh Nahi, Jo Kuchh Hai So Tera
Tera Tujhko Soupta, Kya Laage Hai Mera

I don’t have anything of mine. Whatever I have that belongs to God.
If I give him what belongs to him, I deserve no credit for doing something great.

17. Taking undue advantages from someone? Stop it right now.

Mati Kahe Kumhaar se Tu Kyun Raunde Moye,
Ek Din Aisa Aayega Main Raundungi Toye

Don’t torture others for your benefits. You never know when the table will be turned.

18. How to know the character of a person? By his words.

Bolat Hi Pahichaanie, Saahu Chor Ko Ghaat.
Antar Ki Karni Sabai, Niksai Mukh Ki Baat.

You come to know whether one is a rich man or a thief on the basis of his words.
One speaks words compatible with one’s mindset.

19. Where to focus for a great living? Focus on your mind.

Tan Ko Jogi Sab Kare, Man Ko Birla Koy
Sahajai Sab Bidhi Paiye, Jo Man Jogi Hoy

It is very easy to put marks of a sage on body but it is very difficult to make marks of sage on mind.
If one becomes a sage at the level of mind, he is at ease while doing anything.

20. How to get an appreciation from GOD? Help others.

Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor
Panthi Ko Chhaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor

In vain is the eminence, just like a date tree
No shade for travelers, fruit is hard to reach

21. When will You get good results? In appropriate time.

Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sab Kucch Hoye
Mali Seenche So Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye

Slowly slowly O mind, everything in own pace happens
Gardener may water with a hundred pots, fruit arrives only in its season