Guru shatters the pitch darkness, the lamp destroys the utter blackness, says Kabir, urging us to light the lamp in our own self-temple. As he says, light the lamp and there's radiance!
I learnt this song from Asariya Bhai Jagariya of Kutch, Gujarat. 'Jagariya' means one who awakens.Watch his beautiful rendition with his mandali on 'Ajab Shahar' here.
Jal vinya jyot, pavan vinya paani
Al pal vaar leher laagi re
Mandariye maan
Deepak baryo ajvaado
Guru vinya ghor andhaaro mandariye maan
Divle vinya ghor andhaaro mandariye maan
Deepak baryo ajvaado
Etleek chhe potli padi jaase hethi
Padi jaase maati maaylo gaaro re
Mandariye maan
Deepak baryo ajvaado
Seelari nu saanto ras bharyo meetho
Guriye guriye ras nyaaro re
Mandariye maan
Deepak baryo ajvaado
Haath maan chhe vaatko ne saaro sheher bhatkyo
Moorakhda ne tel nahin aale koi udhaaro re
Mandariye maan
Deepak baryo ajvaado
Kaho ho Kabir suno bhai saadho
Naam liyo nirakaaro re
Naam liyo niradhaaro re
Mandariye maan
Deepak baryo ajvaado
Guru Shatters the Pitch Darkness
Water douses fire, wind dries up water
Each moment a new wave rises
In the temple
Light the lamp and there’s radiance
The guru shatters the pitch darkness
In the temple
The lamp dispels the utter darkness
In the temple
Light the lamp and there’s radiance
Such a small bundle
It will bite the dust one day
It will mingle with the mud
In the temple
Light the lamp and there’s radiance
The sugarcane stem
Is juicy and sweet
Each knot has a special taste
In the temple
Light the lamp and there’s radiance
Begging bowl in hand
You went round the whole town
No one lends oil to a fool
In the temple
Light the lamp and there’s radiance
Says Kabir, listen seekers
Dwell upon the formless
Take the name of the nameless
In the temple
Light the lamp and there’s radiance
(translation by Vipul Rikhi and Shabnam Virmani)
