II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

करता था तो क्यों रहा, अब करि क्यों पछताय I
बोवै पेड बबूल का, आम कहां ते खाय II

Every man is the architect of his own fortune. Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind. What goes around comes around.
Man is responsible for the effect of his actions. If the action is based on goodness, it will churn out only goodness in the long run. If the action has been evil, the outcome also tends to be evil. Goodness is the child of good deeds and misfortune and calamities are the children of evil. If we do good, even if it doesn’t yield proper results immediately we can certainly expect goodness out of it in the future. This wants us to check our actions whenever they tend to be evil or harmful to others. Besides, good deeds endow us with a clear conscience thus making our lives smooth and cheerful. In short goodness will always bear goodness in our life.

Kabir says, a farmer sows Babul tree, he cannot expect to reap Mangoes. The result of anything will be in accordance with its action, our Karma."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

कस्तुरी कुंडल बसे, मृग ढुंढे बन माही I
ऐसे घट घट राम है, दुनियां देखे नाहिं II

It's not that God is only within, He is also everywhere equally, omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. Yet He is not seen or experienced by the majority of us because our mind under the overwhelming influence of false ego sense unceasingly wanders outside. To realize Him however as such, He first needs to be realized within. From there the search can expand without. For seeing God in all things (including within) and knowing all beings as one's own Self is Realization. The Truth is very Subtle, Pure and Sublime; hence, it cannot be caught by such mental circus of ours. Blinded by ignorance the materialistic person is unaware of the Essence of the Absolute Reality ever present within his own body just as the deer is unaware of the presence of musk within his body. Going Within is the ultimate search, the simplest and the shortest. However, in the powerful grip of ("I, me, mine, your"), we give attention to everything but ourselves. We need not search It outside, because we are what we are looking for! It is here, at this very moment, Within!

Kabir says, just like deer searches musk everywhere except it's navel where it lies, we search Lord Ram everywhere outside before Realising Him within."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

माया मन की मोहिनी, सूर नर रहे लुभाय I
इन माया सब खाड्या, माया कोय न खाय II

In this composition Kabir talks about Maya, the powerful force that creates the cosmic illusion that the phenomenal world is real. Maya, the illusion compels us to accept that which is temporary as having everlasting value, and looking for enduring happiness in this world, which it cannot provide. Maya describes our present state of existence, how much alienated we are from our true nature and how deeply entangled we become with the objects of our desires, weaving in the process the web of deceptions around ourselves that keep us conveniently concealed from the truth of who we are and what we should have been.
He says, Maya enslaves Gods and men alike. None has ever come up victorious against it."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

छीर रूप सतनाम है, नीर रूप व्यवहार I
हंस रूप कोई साधू है, तत का छानन हार II

In this composition Kabir talks about one's sense of discriminating intellect (Vivek Buddhi), a subtle sense of discrimination that helps one to know the difference between what is right and wrong; what is real and unreal; what is fleeting and permanent; what is Truth and falsehood. Detachment implies a state of the mind that springs from one’s sense of discriminating intellect. An Enlightened Being who discerns the fleeting nature of the worldly possessions live amidst the worldly activity yet remain detached just like the lotus remains untainted by the slimy scum it grows in. To be detached does not mean running away from life, family, society, one’s duty and responsibility, or being less sensitive or loving. A truly detached one does not neglect any of this; but rather selflessly loves and serves the Divine in them and expands that love and service to all other beings without any sense of bondage or emotional attachment.

"Kabir says, the Swan is said to have a sense of discernment and discrimination by separating milk from water. An Enlightened Being is he who, like a Swan, can take the milk from a mixture of milk and water, leaving aside the water. He who, like an ant, can take the sugar from a mixture of sugar and sand, leaving aside the sand.
The world is a mixture of milk and water, the bliss of God-Consciousness and the pleasure of sense-enjoyment. Be a Swan and drink the milk, leaving the water aside, living in the world but not of the world."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

साधुन के सत संग से, थर थर कांपै देह I
कबहु भाव-कुभाव तें, मन मिट जाय सनेह II

The aroma of Sandalwood is so sublime that the lowly trees growing near Sandalwood also become fragrant just like it. Any lowly metal that comes in contact with the philosopher’s touch stone (Paaras) is transformed into gold. Thus, in essence, whatever comes into contact with both Sandalwood and Paaras is uplifted. The Paaras Stone transforms a piece of worthless iron into gold, and an ordinary wood becomes fragrant by Sandalwood.

Similarly in the Holy company of the Enlightened Being , a lowly conditioned being is transformed into Divine Consciousness. The subtle thoughts that persistently surge forth and create disturbances and make an indelible effect on the mind are imperceptible. However, the one who is Spiritually Wise can perceive the predominance of such thoughts. Hence it seems imperative that the key to free ourselves from the effects of Maya (illusion) lies in  attaining the Spiritual Wisdom.
The Sat (Truth) is within us. It is the Self. However, with the rise of false ego-sense, we begin to identify it with "I am this body" idea and see the material world (Maya). In the process, the Self becomes obscured. This confounding of the Self with the body is duality. Till the Self is not understood to be the Sat (Truth), we need external association of those who have experienced and understood it. It's Sat-Sang or company of True and Spiritually Wise, the most sublime of all worldly contacts.
We live in very troubled times. The world is gripped with fear and doubt. The future is unpredictable and there is pain and anguish among all; no peace can be found. People are unhappy about their situation and they find that they are unable to change this situation. There is too much violence in the world; many wars are going on all the time; there is acute friction among communities; inflation is too high; survival is just too difficult; one has to be on guard at all times; and the stress is overwhelming. Only by turning inwards can one steady this trembling mind and what better way to attain it than keeping the company of the Spiritually Wise who gives confidence and trust and fear, sorrow and doubt are dispelled.

"Kabir says, a person of ill doings is most afraid to face a Saintly Being, for it is not him but the evil in him that trembles with fear when he faces the Saintly Being. By keeping the company of the Spiritually Wise, one's negativity and sins are dispelled and love for the divine blossoms, for love is God and God is love."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

ऐसे सांच न मानई, तिलकी देखो जोय I
जारि बारि कोयला करै, जमता देखा सोय II

There’s a story about seeking happiness that goes like this. 
"A dog has an epiphany that happiness lies in its tail. So it begins an endless quest, moving in circles, chasing its tail but never quite catching up. Frustrated, the dog seeks out a seer among dogs, known to be forever happy and content, and pours his heart out. The wise old dog then tells him the epiphany was right – indeed, happiness lies in one’s tail – but that it takes ages to figure out that chasing one’s tail is no way to be happy. All one needs to do is go about one’s business, doing what needs to be done, and the tail follows, bringing joy."

Happiness from worldly possessions is a mirage. The more you seek it, farther away it gets. The endless cycle of pursuit of happiness is like a dog chasing it's tail. The dog finds the tail to be within reach. He almost catches it but not for long. Yet his fascination for the tail doesn't diminish. Similarly man's fascination for seeking happiness through worldly possessions never diminishes despite the realisation that no worldly entity gives everlasting happiness. The darkness of ignorance doesn't let him realise that this rare human birth which is meant for attaining God Realisation is spent on material pursuits which never give everlasting happiness. 
As long as we identify with what the world values, we will be unhappy. Real happiness can come only when we decondition our mind. We need to observe and undo this false identity and the notion of happiness it has absorbed. When this illusion breaks down we will discover the real happiness that lies within.

Kabir says, just like cinder of burnt seasame wood never fails to catch fire again and again so is man's fascination of seeking happiness from the worldly possessions, for this endless pursuit is the root cause of his endless cycle of birth and rebirth that is going on since time immemorial."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

सांच बराबर तप नहीं, झूठ बराबर पाप I
जाके हिरदे सांच है, ताके हिरदे आप II

"Kabir says, Tapas is burning off of impurities practiced to rid our minds and hearts of selfish, lustful and vengeful urges. It is a quest that wipes off the ego and lifts the veil covering reality, the false ego sense. The quest of truth is burning off of the falsehood. Tapas is thus the continuous and constant quest for knowing the Truth. And therefore the pursuit of truth is the path that leads to God. It is the talisman by which death itself becomes the portal to life eternal.
Nothing is or exists in reality except Truth. That is why Truth is perhaps the most important name of God. In fact it is more correct to say that Truth is God than to say God is truth."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

माया तो ठगनी भई, ठगत फिरै सब देस I
जा ठग ने ठगनी ठगी, ता ठग को आदेस II

Maya, the imagination of the deluded mind continually baffles humanity, and poses the greatest roadblock in the path to Spiritual Enlightenment by making the mirage-like attractions of the enchanting world appear as real, permanent and everlasting. Maya not only deceives people about the things they think they know; more basically, it limits their knowledge. In an ordinary sense, the word 'Maya' means, trickery, fraud or deceit. Magic, jugglery or witchcraft are different forms of illusion that distract and deceive the senses. The senses have the limited ability to perceive and discern truth, although we take them for granted and rely more on the appearances of things rather than the truth underlying them. A simple analysis of our perceptual experience establishes beyond doubt that the world is not what it appears to be and what we perceive through our senses is just a superficial reality. It is an illusion because it conceals truth and reveal itself differently each time we perceive it.

"Kabir says, We think we are our bodies, our thoughts, our desires. But those things are Maya. They seem to be “me” but this is an illusion. In other words Maya tricks us with regard to ourselves. Only an Enlightened Soul remains free from the web of deception cast by Maya, for he lives in the world but not of the world."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

कबीर हरि हरि सुमिरि ले, प्राण जायेंगे छूट I
घर के प्यारे आदमी, चलते लेंगे लूट II

Remember that you came alone to this world and will depart alone from this world. None will help you except what you have done here in this life. Your deeds will search you out and follow you as calves follow their mothers even in the midst of a big herd.
Your life is short and therefore, exert now with earnestness. Waste not precious time of this rare human birth but utilize its every moment in the fond remembrance of "HariNaam", the noblest of all virtues before it is too late.

"Kabir says, the whole life revolves around "I am this body" idea and all endeavors of life are towards giving comforts to the body. Yet the same body is going to reduce to ashes as your loved ones, the one's you proudly called "yours", will set it ablaze after your death, removing all the jewellery from it, for the jewellery is more precious than the dead body. And therefore let not a moment pass without "HariNaam", for the next breath may be your last."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

हाथों परबत फाडते, समुन्दर घूट भराय I
ते मुनिवर धरती गले, का कोई गरब कराय II

Death, the leveller is one day going to take everyone. Every achievement that a person can achieve in his life is temporary and there is nothing that one can do to protect him from death. Death befalls everyone equally regardless of being a king or a pauper. The success earned by great warriors by doing courageous works mean nothing before death. Even the strongest of conquerors one day kneel down and is defeated by the power of death. Sooner or later, everyone dies. Those who won and those who lose are made equal by death because death is the ultimate equaliser. If there is anything that is going to last after a person has died is his good deeds while he was alive, for the world remembers him for his good work.

"Kabir says, all are equal before death and no one is immortal. There were the mighty with extraordinary capabilities who could tear mountains with their hands or could drink the ocean in one sip. But their pride and arrogance couldn't save them from their demise, for when death lays his icy hands there is no armour enough to save one from the deadly grip. The earthly capabilities is but a shadow that remains only till the person is alive."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

पाहन पूजे हरि मिले, तो मैं पूजौं पहार I
याते ये चक्की भली, पीस खाय संसार II

In this composition Kabir talks about "Wheel of Life" or "Bhavachakra" that vividly describes how we become trapped in a counterproductive maelstrom of suffering and how it can be reversed by recognising the delusions that plague our ephemeral existence.The first step towards their elimination and replacement by positive virtues is the recognition of these ills.
We humans exist in an unenlightened state. The goal of our earthly sojourn is to attain enlightenment and gain deliverance from the constant cycle of birth and re-birth.
There are various reasons for the suffering our mortal forms have to entail. The Wheel of Life presents these very causes for our suffering. 
In this existence, one is reaping the harvest of seeds sown by actions (Karma) of past lives, while at the same time planting new seeds to ripen in the life to come.
There is no natural evolution in this process, hence a higher state of existence can be followed by an even better one or a worse one, depending entirely upon how it is utilised. Going up or down from one life to the next and returning again and again to the same patterns of action, through habit, and thereby reaping again and again the same results, this endless round of existence is represented by the 'Wheel of Life'. As the force of Karma depends upon the motivation behind it, the Karma of humans is strong, since they possess intelligence and free will. 
The word Karma is the term for action, encompassing not only the initial action itself, but also all its consequences. Karma, is thus the cause and effect. A seed does not cease to exist when it falls into the ground: it just disappears from sight, to develop later into a shoot which eventually becomes a fully-matured plant.

"Kabir says, if worshipping the stone idol of Lord Hari is a way to His Realisation then I would worship the mountain. But even better is to focus on purifying our Karma, for the Wheel of Life or Karmic Cycle can not only influence the future of our present life, but also the one you may have coming up. The soul passes into a different body after death bringing Karmic Impulses from the life just finished into the new one. Our long sequence of lives is a tapestry of creating and resolving Karmas-positive, negative and an amalgam of the two. Only the Good Karma is the gateway to liberation from mundane existence or attaining GOD Realisation."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

माया माया सब कहैं, माया लखै न कोय I
जो मन से ना उतरे, माया कहिए सोय II

Maya or illusion is everywhere around us. It is an obvious fact for all of us. If we but look deeply, then things often end up not really being what they initially appear to be. In the modern world, we live in a turbulent ocean of appearances, impressions and influences. Unless we learn to probe beyond these surface waves, we are unlikely to find the truth of life and will often be deceived, not only by others but also by ourselves, as each one of us has his or her illusions about self and world as well. Every person we encounter and every object we see hides a deeper story or mystery. We may know a person by name as our neighbor but there are other aspects of their lives that we do not know, both good and bad.
When monkeys are captured,
a narrow-necked pot, filled with grains and other eatables that monkeys love, is placed on the ground as a bait. As a monkey comes to take the grains, he puts his hand into the narrow-necked pot and grab hold of the grains. Now, since his hand is full of grains, he cannot take his hand out of the narrow-necked pot and escape. In greed, thus, the foolish monkey does not open his hand and let go of the grains so that he can escape. On account of his greed, the monkey gets trapped and caught. Consequently, the monkey loses the freedom he had in the forest of abundance of grains and fresh fruits of his liking. In other words, for a few grains he loses his entire world! Now caught and bound, he cannot freely play and enjoy life to his heart’s liking. Instead, he is made to dance door to door by his captive!
Similarly, the monkey-mind of humans have chained itself to the narrow-necked pot of the "I am this body" idea and it dances to the tune of Maya, the imagination of the deluded mind, that never ends, and never exists.

"Kabir says, We, ego or individual beings, with unending imaginations of the conditioned mind are the dancers in this Maya's dance. The mind's love of Maya makes it dance to the beats of ignorance, restlessness, craving for sensual pleasures, fears, vain thoughts and attachments. Our minds are in bondage due to our desires and fears. Sufferings befall who cling to mind and body and are attached. So long we continue to imagine the phenomenal world to be real, we subject ourselves to an unenlightened existence called the birth and death cycle and so long the deluded mind continues, the dance of illusoriness also continues. As the doubts are removed, one realises the transient nature of the world-appearance, fraught with impermanence and change, and the dance of Maya ceases to be. The freedom from all attachments and ignorance is the end of the dance of conditioned mind or dance of Maya. The reason we are unable to experience it at the present time is our deluded and conditioned mind."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

गुरू को चेला बीष दे, जो गांठी होय दाम I
पूत पिता को मारसी, ये माया का काम II

All human relationships are conditional. Every relationship comes with expectations. In any relationship whether it is a marital relationship, sibling relationship, Parent and child relationship or any relationship, there are always some or other expectations.
We may try to fool ourselves that it is good not to expect anything but from the inside i.e., subconscious mind, we expect something or the other. We can have unconditional love in our hearts and minds, but relationships are inherently conditional because they live in the world. We engage with each other on several levels, psycho-emotional, spiritual, intellectual, personal, professional, social and more. So at any time you are interacting with someone you could be making exchanges simultaneously on more than one plain without even realizing it. Since expectations are tied to feelings and experiences as well as ideas, rewards can be pretty high when expectations are fulfilled and disappointment pretty intense when expectations are not met, for expectations is the root of all heartache.

"Kabir says, unconditional love in the worldly perspective is a romantic illusion. It has no boundaries. But the real world is conditional. Your love for your partner is not without conditions. Neither is your parents' love, platonic love with friends, or other family members, or their love for you.
Illustrating with meaningful analogy he says, the greedy disciple  murders his Guru by poisoning him thus tainting the sacred Guru - Disciple relationship, a majestic, and a loftiest relationship based on the Guru's unconditional love for the disciple.
In another analogy he says, a son desecrates the sanctity of parent-child relationship, killing his father. 
Summing up Kabir says,  the name-and-form, is what we call as Maya, the illusion. The feelings of "otherness" is the ego-mind in action. We want to force our ego-vision on others to follow so our false ego-sense can get satisfaction. But this false ego-sense can never be satisfied. In fact, more we gratify it more it flares. It is like pouring more fuel over an already burning fire. The ego feeds on attention. Without attention, the ego will starve. But it does not want to starve. Therefore, it wants attention giving rise to the feeling of "me, mine" and "others". When there is no "me, mine" and "otherness", there is no ego. Then there is only the selflessness and true love."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

गुरू की जै जानि के, पानी पीजै छानि I
बिना विचारे गुरू करै, परै चौरासी खानि II

"Kabir says, salvation follows a difficult process of self-transformation. It demands many personal sacrifices on the part of the aspirants, both physically and mentally to undergo a vigorous self-cleansing process without any guarantees and promise of solace. It is a journey through a treacherous course of unknown risks and destabilizing forces, in which the path appears and disappears as you move forward, filled with snares of distraction and demons of deception, which is why we need a Guru in the first place.
Only a Guru can show us the way through the dense forest of delusion and protect us from harm by taking responsibility for our lives and actions. He neutralizes our karma and saves us from evil. A fake Guru does the opposite. He throws us to the demons of doubt and despair and leaves us to our fate. With his ignorance and incompetence, he compounds our problems and leads us into the dark caverns of ignorance and intemperance.
The Spiritual Gurus come in all sizes and shapes. There are some who are really genuine and enlightened and some who are false and mischievous. It is not easy to distinguish one from another by their teachings or their appearance because outwardly they follow the same traditions and speak more or less the same language. Therefore we ought to be careful in selecting our Spiritual Mentors. Choosing a wrong Guru can seriously diminish one's chances of salvation. Taking certain precautions about one's own spiritual life is prudence, especially in a world where truth is not what it seems to be. Spiritual journey is risky and arduous and therefore much depends upon whom you select as your Guru and what is your equation with him. You should know what to look for and what to avoid in selecting your Spiritual Guru, using the faculties of reason and common sense and keeping your emotions and your sense of dependence under control.
God comes to us in many forms, but He comes especially in the form of Spiritually Enlightened Masters to show us the way. He speaks to us through them to address our need for spiritual guidance and inspiration.
It is very easy for people to fall into the trap of bogus Gurus. Therefore, when we are looking for a Guru, we have to make sure that we are making the right decision and not falling into a self-induced trap.
A Guru should be chosen with caution because of the consequences and their lasting effect. A fake doctor may endanger your life or health, but a pretentious Guru will delay your salvation for many lives to come. Many lives are wasted by fake Gurus, playing upon others' religious sentiments and misleading them into total submission. Imagine spending your whole life with a Spiritual Master only to realize in the end that all the while you were chasing a mirage! Many who surrender to the whims of false Gurus are destroyed forever."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

मौत बिसारी बावरी, अचरज कीया कौन I
तन माटी में मिल गया, ज्यौं आटा में लौन II

The most difficult in the world is to appreciate what we have 'until we lose it'. We all need to accept the fact that we are all living life but moving toward its final destination ,death itself. 
Each day passes away with people dying at different places in different ways. And we wait our turns, with questions on our minds ' 'When?' 'Where?' 'How?'
It can come to us anytime, anyhow and anyplace. It gives no consideration to age or circumstances; no second chance, no turning back. Death is inevitable. 

There is nothing surprising in it. But awaking every morning is no less than a miracle. Let not the deaths of our dear ones be in vain, rather it can be an awakening for us all. We need to ponder over the options left with us-either to enjoy this worldly life and ignore death and its implications till it comes or to prepare for it mentally as well as spiritually. These are the two choices. Two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it is easy. The other demands faith, belief, courage and perseverance and its reward is highest, the Liberation. Life is fragile, handle with prayer because every next breath can be our last.

"Kabir says, there is no greater reality than death itself, for the body made of earth returns to earth just like salt added to the bread flour becomes one with it."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

कामी लज्जा न करै, मन मांही अहलाद I
नींद न मांगै साथरा, भूख न मांगै स्वाद II

"Kabir says, having lost all sense of shame, a lascivious person gets carried away by lust. Hunger pangs make one devour food, tasty or not. Profound sleepiness does not require cozy bedding. In other words the choices take the back seat when the desires dictate."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

रात गंवाई सोय कर, दिवस गंवाया खाय I
हीरा जनम अमोल सा, कौडी बदले जाय II

This human form we take so granted is very difficult to obtain. Among all the living species, only human beings are most fit to be instructed about the nature of the Truth, or the Essence of the Divinity. And so we need to ask ourselves a question, are we really living and using this human life any better than animals or are we foolishly wasting it away?

"Kabir says, the night goes in sleeping and day is lost in the material pursuits. So a day turns into month and months turn into years with we doing nothing other than  acquisition of material wealth, worldly possessions and sense pleasures instead of seeking God Realisation for which this rare human birth is most suitable. It is no less than selling a priceless diamond for a few pennies. So wake up from the slumber of ignorance before it is too late, for a precious moment of this rare human birth once lost is lost forever."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

कबीर गर्व न कीजिए, रंक न हंसिये कोय I
अजहूं नाव समुद्र में, ना जानौं क्या होय II

"Kabir says, don't let the material richness go to your head and never laugh at someone's poverty, for what is true today may not be true tomorrow. We are all in the same boat. The uncertainty of the next moment hangs over everyone equally without exception."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

खुली खेलो संसार में, बाँधी सके न कोय I
जाट जगाती क्या करे, सिर पर पोट न कोय II

"Kabir says, the secret of true liberation is living in the world but not of the world. He urges us to engaged in the world but with detached attitude. In a way it is having a mind open to everything, but attached to nothing.
He says, a truly detached person does not neglect his duties and responsibilities towards family, society, but rather unconditionally loves and serves the Divine in them and expands that love and service to all other beings without any sense of bondage or emotional attachment.
The Living Liberated lives amidst the worldly activity, yet is detached from it and thus untainted by it, just as the lotus flower is not tainted by the slimy scum it grows in."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

मोर तोर की जेवरी, गल बंधा संसार I
दास कबीर क्यों बंधै, जाके नाम आधार II

The Mayaic illusion of separateness that holds the whole world in bondage gives rise to emotional attachment and creates duality of "Me, Mine, You, Yours" where there is none.
For the wave to think it is separate from the ocean is it's ignorance. Also for the ornament and pot to think they are separate from their source, gold and clay respectively is their mistake. In reality the wave and ocean are just the same water. Gold bracelet is no different than gold and clay pot is but clay. There is no difference, although they appear to be different. The difference is created by name and form only. In the same way when the false "I" identifies with the body, it sees the objective world of names and forms, and mistakenly takes itself to be separate from the homogeneous oneness. But in reality there is "no-two". 
Kabir says, for the Awakened Soul whose individuality is roasted in the fires of Spiritual Wisdom, there is no false sense of individuality left and hence there is no feeling of separation."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

भक्ति बिगाडी कामिया, इंद्रन केरे स्वाद I
हीरा खोया हाथ सो, जनम गवांया बाद II

"In this composition Kabir talks about the attachment to the worldly desires, material wealth, worldly allurements and enjoyment of senses. About those who believe that the everlasting happiness is attainable only in aquisition of material objects and their enjoyments.
He says, those who succumb to the ceaseless demands of pleasures of senses go astray from the path of devotion. In a way by doing so they fail to take advantage of this rare human birth, which is no less than possessing a priceless gem, for human birth is a gateway to Liberation from the mundane existence."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

जाति न पूछो साधू की, पूछि लीजिए ज्ञान I
मोल करो तलवार का, पडा रहन दो म्यान II

"Kabir says, a beautiful scabbard does not necessarily mean that the sword it holds is sharp. Similarly a Sadhu is known by his wisdom and not by his social status."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

तिनका कबहूँ ना निंदिये, जो पाव तले होय I
कबहूँ उड आँखों में पडे, पीर घनेरी होय II

Once there was a gigantic tree. It stood for some four hundred years. During the course of its long life it was struck by lightening fourteen times and the innumerable avalanches and storms thundered past. It survived them all. In the end however an army of beetles attacked the tree and levelled it to the ground. The insects ate their way through the bark and gradually destroyed the inner strength of the tree by their tiny but incessant attacks. A forest giant which age had not withered, nor lightening blasted, nor storms subdued, fell at last before beetles so small that a man could crush them between his forefinger and thumb.

There is a parallel in this story which Kabir is pointing to us in this composition as a warning.

"Kabir says, a tiny straw may appear to be very trivial but the same straw stuck in eye brings about lot of suffering.
In other words never overlook anything in life. Be vigilant, for the seemingly insignificant things often cause big damage. Most of us can survive times of crisis. We summon the strength of faith or resolve for any battle we face head on and often overcome great obstacles. It is the small things like jealousy, anger, resentment, pettiness and negativity which we often overlook , eat us from inside and bring about our downfall. Unlike a giant tree, we can identify and fight those moral or ethical "beetles". We must, however, be constantly on guard."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

दुख में सुमिरन सब करे, सुख में करे न कोय I
जो सुख में सुमिरन करे, दुख काहे को होय II

"Kabir says, we turn to God when we go through difficult times but hardly remember Him when all is well.
One who rejoices the constant remembrance of God in all circumstances unconditionally lives a life of perpetual ecstasy, living in the world but not of the world."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

नींद निशानी मौत की, उठो कबीरा जाग I
और रसायन छोड के, नाम रसायन लाग II

" Beyond the physical sleep, there is an another type of "sleep"; which is subtle, seemingly endless and of dreadful delusion. And in this horrific state of endless slumber are "asleep" the individual beings of entire world for countless incarnations! It is this endless slumber of ignorance from which Kabir urges us to awake and arise. He wants us to keep in mind that the human birth is very rare and thus precious. It does not happen again and again and it's most suitable for God Realisation. Therefore, we must make the best use of this rare and wonderful opportunity and not waste it in frivolous pursuits since one is not sure what might be in store in the next.This composition of Kabir is his call to us to "Awake! Awake!" from this long slumber of ignorance most of us are in.
He says, just like sleep is a closest feeling of death, the loads of ignorance have crippled us and as a result we suffer. Now in this human birth we are given an opportunity to unload ourselves. Either we can choose and carry these loads around and continue suffering, or we can choose to end it here and now immersing ourselves in the constant reminder of the Divine Name. Choice is ours."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

यह तन कांचा कुंभ है, चोट चहं दिस खाय I
एकहिं गुरू के नाम बिन, जदि तदि परलय जाय II

"Kabir says, the clay is shaped and moulded into a pot. When an imperfection in the clay spoils the pot, the pot maker crumbles it up and begins the process of shaping the clay again into a pot that pleases him. Similar is the repeated cycle of death and rebirth we are subjected to till we attain God Realisation, for we are like the clay in the hands of the Master Pot Maker who is moulding us for His purpose, His Realisation. Our body is no different than the pot made of clay that reduces to clay after it breaks. And therefore we must remind of Him constantly, for this human birth is a unique opportunity to break this cycle of clay turning into clay once and for all."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

हरिजन तो हारा भला, जीतन दे संसार I
हारा तो हरि सों मिले, जीता जम के द्वार II

"Kabir says, defeat is welcome to the righteous than the success which may subject him to wrongdoing, for humbleness is the noblest of virtues."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

क्या करिये क्या जोडिये, थोडे जीवन काज I

छाडि छाडि सब जात है, देह गेह धन राज II

"Kabir says, we should make use of a favourable opportunity as and when we get it. An opportunity once lost is lost forever. Chances do not wait for any one. We must realize that now we are in a human body, but we can’t be certain that our next life will be that of a human being. We could be born as an animal, a plant or even an insect. While death is assured, another human birth is not. It is believed that this rare human birth comes only after being born through 8.4 million species and it is here that one can realise the oneness of all creation and one's identity with the Divinity. And therefore let each day dawn as a fresh opportunity and occasion, opening up before us to move one step further towards the great attainment of the supreme and unalloyed Bliss of God Realisation.
We came alone into this world and alone will we depart. No material riches we spent our lives to attain can accompany us after our death. None will help us except what we have done here in this life. Our deeds will search us out and follow us as calves follow their mothers even in the midst of a big herd. The human form is not eternal. We have it for only a short period of time. With every passing moment, we are hurtling towards our death. Our transient life is like a soap bubble. After floating in the air for a second or two, the bubble bursts and there is nothing we can do to make the bubble last for another second. In this fleeting life there are many obstacles to get over. Therefore, exert now with earnestness. Waste not precious time but utilize every moment for the noblest of causes."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

लंबा मारग दूर घर, बिकट पंथ बहु मार I
कहो संत क्यों पाइए, दुर्लभ गुरू दीदार II

"Kabir says, in our world it is difficult to discern truth behind a facade of appearances. Just as there is falsehood lurking behind truth, there are fake Gurus in the guise of genuine masters. And therefore finding a genuine Guru is vital.
The quest of Guru needs a difficult process of self-transformation. It demands many personal sacrifices on the part of the aspirants, both physically and mentally to undergo a vigorous self-cleansing process. Our attachments to pleasure and our aversions to discomfort needs to be severed. A Guru comes to us by the grace of God, according to our preparation, readiness, aspiration, karma and faith. And it is possible only when we have the willful readiness to make necessary sacrifices and adjustments in our life for the self-transformation."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

जग में बैरी कोय नही, जो मन शीतल होय I
या आपा को डारि दे, दया करे सब कोय II

"Kabir says, the ego's choices end up becoming the very obstacles to love and our relationships turn into ego battleships, for ego fears its undoing in love. Ego and love cannot exist together. Ego is like darkness. It is the absence of love. With love absent within us the voice of "I" goes on resounding. And with this voice of "I" we say that 
"I" want to love
 "I" want to give love
 "I" want to receive love. 
But it is so contradictory, for there has never been any relation between "I" and "love". And this "I"goes on speaking for "love".
This is the same thing as darkness saying,
"I" want to hug the sun
"I" want to love the sun
It is inconceivable.
"I" is the lack of love, and the more we go on strengthening this voice of ’I’, the less possibility there will be of love within us. The more the ego is there, the more love will be absent. And therefore he says,  shedding the ego is to allow love to flow."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II

 II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

झूठा सब संसार है, कोउ न अपना मीत I
राम नाम को जानि ले, चलै सो भोजल जीत II

"Kabir says, the impermanence is an undeniable and inescapable fact of life from which nothing that belongs to the realm of earthly existence is ever free. Calling this universe or material world false, illusion does not mean this world is non-existent. If this world was nonexistent then it would not have been experienced by us.
When we call this world illusion, it simply means that “what we deem it to be, it is not like that”. We think it to be permanent, it is not. When the mind is constantly engaged in worldly things, it grows fond of them and develops attachments just like our worldly relations. However they are but the notions of this illusory world, for alone we come into this world and alone we must depart.
Just as one washes his dirty body and clothes with water and soap, the mind must also be cleansed of the impurities such as overpowering sense of 'Me, Mine' by the soothing waters of 'RamNam' so that our false ego sense does not clog our soul. Meditation of Divine Name is the mean to stay tuned to God and to liberate ourselves from the mundane existence."

II श्रीराम जय राम जय जय राम II

II श्रीसद्गुरूचरणार्पणमस्तु II