In a radical departure from the norm of pursuing wealth and success, in this song the poet Kabir celebrates the joy of poverty, and the beauty of simplicity. But this poverty is not empty – it is filled with the joy of remembrance or meditation. Kabir claims that this joy is far greater than the joys afforded by material comfort or luxury. Saboori, or contentment, is the quality which takes one to fakiri, or the state of being utterly free – free of desires, wants and the incessant need for more!
I learnt this song through Kaluram Bamaniya ji of Malwa, Madhya Pradesh. Watch his wonderful rendition here. The audio recording uploaded here is from a live performance by me at Lamakaan in Hyderabad. Watch the video of it here. With Venkataraman Ramachandran on the kanjira.
Mann laago mero yaar fakiri mein
Mann laago mero yaar gareebi mein
Jo sukh paaya naam bhajan mein
Vo sukh naahin ameeri mein
Mann laago mero yaar fakiri mein…
Haath mein tumba bagal mein sota
Chaaron dishaayein jaageeri mein
Mann laago mero yaar fakiri mein…
Prem nagar mein rehni hamaari
Bhali ban aayi saboori mein
Mann laago mero yaar fakiri mein…
Aakhir yeh tan khaak milega
Kaahe phirat magroori mein?
Mann laago mero yaar fakiri mein…
Kahe Kabir suno bhai saadho
Saahib mile hain saboori mein
Mann laago mero yaar fakiri mein...
My Mind Has Taken To Living Free
Oh friend, my mind has
taken to living free!
The joy of mindful awareness
Cannot be found in luxury
My mind rejoices in poverty
My heart rejoices in simplicity
My mind has taken to living free!
A bowl and a staff is all I carry
Yet my kingdom stretches wherever I see
My heart has taken to living free!
My dwelling in the city of love
Became beautiful with patience
My mind has taken to living free!
Your body will bite the dust one day
Why strut about, so smug, so vain?
My heart has taken to living free!
Says Kabir, listen seekers
The Lord is found in contentment
My mind has taken to living free!
Translation: Vipul Rikhi & Shabnam Virmani
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