Lai Re Naam

Remember the Name, take the Name – the Name is what saves! This ‘Name’ is the breath, the inner sound, the energy, which keeps us alive! Why not remember it, stay connected with it, and find in it the ground of our being, as this song gently suggests?

I learnt this song through Velagana Bhil from Kutch. You can listen to his raw, powerful version here.

Lai re naam, lai re naam, naam se tire
Naam bhooli aatma, bhamti phire ji

Baahare ubho mrigalo khetar mein chare
Dhani aave dhore ubho bhajto phire ji
Lai re naam…

Aandhade ne maala deeni, phenkto phire
Moorakh haathde heero deeno, dharti dhare
Lai re naam…

Nugura na neema deeno, kehto phire
Pehere kastoori kapda, tel mein tare
Lai re naam…

Saadhuda na sang jaaye, sudharo phire
Dev Dungarpuri bolya, naam se tire
Lai re naam…

Remember the Name

Remember the Name
Chant the Name
The Name is what saves
One who forgets the Name
Wanders aimlessly

The deer grazes the crops in the field
When the keeper arrives, it turns and flees
 Remember the Name…

Pearls in a blind man’s hand don’t stay
A fool fritters his diamonds away
Remember the Name…

The fool thinks his inner cloth is for show
Smears with perfumes his musk-scented robe
Remember the Name…

Seek good company if you want to re-form
Dev Dungarpuri says, the Name transforms
Remember the Name…

Translation: Vipul Rikhi

Baahar Kyon Bhatke

When your truth is within you, why look outside? Why keep wandering? This is the question Kabir asks us in this song, which we first heard in the voice of Mahesha Ram ji from near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Aisa aisa heerla ghat maan kahiye

Johri bina heera kaun paarkhe?

Thaaro Raam hirday mein

Baahar kyon bhatke?

Aisa aisa ghrit toh doodh maan kahiye

Jhugiye bina maakhan kaise nikle?

Thaaro Raam hirday mein...

Aisi aisi aag toh lakdi maan kahiye

Ghasiye bina aag kaise nikle?

Thaaro Raam hirday mein...

Aisa aisa kivaad toh hivde pe jadiya

Guruji bina taala kaun khole?

Thaaro Raam hirday mein...

Kahe ho Kabir sa, suno bhai saadho

Raam mile thaane kaun hatke?

Thaaro Raam hirday mein...

Why Look Outside?

Your Raam is in your heart

Why search outside?

Such rare gems hidden in the body

Who but a jeweller can know their worth

Why wander outside?

Such pure ghee hidden in the milk

Will butter rise without churning?

Why look outside?

Such warm fire hidden in the wood

Will flames ignite without friction?

Why search outside?

Such stiff locks studded over the heart

Who but the guru can open these bolts?

Why wander outside?

Kabir says, listen seekers

Find Raam, then who can disturb you?

Why look outside?

Translation by Vipul Rikhi