Koi Nahin Apna

What is the ultimate truth of our existence? Is it that we are utterly alone? That we come alone, and leave alone? That no one can escape the clutches of death? Kabir invokes all these truths in this utterly direct and bare song, which goes to the heart of all that we tend to deny or forget. No one is your own - understand, oh heart.

I've heard this song in the raw and powerful voice of 'Kabir baba' (Vishnu Khuprao Deshmukh), an itinerant street musician in Malwa. You can find his original rendition on Ajab Shahar here.

Koi nahin apna
samajh mana

Dhan daulat tera, maal khajeena
do din ka sapna
samajh mana

Nanga aana, nanga jaana
nahin kapda rakhna
samajh mana

Trikuti mein se jaan nikal gayi
moonh par daalo dhakna
samajh mana

Chaar jana mil khatiya uthaana
jangal beech rakhna
samajh mana

Kahat Kabir suno bhai saadho
vo hi hai ghar apna
samajh mana

No One is Yours

No one is yours,

Understand oh heart

Your wealth and gold

Your precious riches

A passing dream

Understand oh heart

We come naked

And leave naked

No covering remains

Understand oh heart

From between the brows

Life escapes

A shroud is put on the face

Understand oh heart

Four men act

As pall-bearers

They take you to the jungle

Understand oh heart

Kabir says

Listen seekers

That is our real home

Understand oh heart

 Translation: Vipul Rikhi

Ochintu Koi Mane

In January this year, while on a 'Sadbhavana Yatra' in north Gujarat organised by Sanjay-Tula of Vishwagram, we met Dhruv dada (well-known Sahitya Akademi awarded Gujarati writer, Dhruv Bhatt). As we travelled with him in his car, with great love, he shared with us those poems of his which come to him as songs (with tunes). We have so much enjoyed learning these songs of a modern/contemporary mystic poet, so to speak. 

In this song, he speaks of the benevolence of nature (kudrat ni rehem) and the joy of being alive. While walking along the banks of the river Narmada, he once came across a farmer working in his field under a blazing sun. When he asked him how he was doing, the farmer turned to him with a thousand watt smile, and replied with no hint of self-pity, that he was full of joy! That moved something internally for Dhruv dada in his attitude to the farmer, and to himself, and inspired this poem/song.

This yatra, mooted and part-sponsored by him, was his gesture of commitment to a larger culture of tolerance and reverence in India, done very quietly, away from the noise and controversy surrounding the returning of awards.

Ochintu koi mane raste made ne kadi

dheere thi poochhe ke kem chhe

To aapne to kahiye ke dariya si mauj maan

ne upar thi kudrat ni rehem chhe

Phaatela khissa ni aad maan muki chhe ame

chhalkaati malkaati mauj

Eklo ubhun ne toye mela maan houn

evun laagya kare chhe mane roj

Taalu vasaaye nahin evadi pataari maan

aapno khajaano hem-khem chhe

Aapne to kahiye ke dariya si mauj maan...

Aankhon maan paani to aave ne jaaye

nathi bheetar bheenaash thathi ochhi

Vadh ghat no kaanthaao raakhe hisaab nathi

parvaah samandar ne hoti

Sooraj to uge ane aathmiye jaaye

maari upar aakaash em-nem chhe

Aapne to kahiye ke dariya si mauj maan...

I'm at play 

If, suddenly, I were to come across

Someone on the way

And if they were to ask me

Softly,

"How are you doing today?"

Then I would say, 

Nature is so bountiful

And like waves in the ocean 

I'm at play!

In my torn trouser-pocket hide 
Many joyful, dancing waves

Even when alone 
I'm in a carnival each day 
In a tiny bundle
Which can never be locked
My treasure is as safe as day 
Like waves in the ocean
I'm at play! 

Water in the eyes comes and goes
But the moistness within never dries
The shore may keep accounts
Of less and more
The ocean doesn't bother about such scores 
The sun may rise and set everyday 
The sky over me is always the same 
Like waves in the ocean
I'm at play! 

Translation: Vipul Rikhi

Lena Hue So

In this song, the Sufi-Bhakti poet Royal Fakir urges us to receive - and the moment to receive is always now. This moment, this birth, is extremely precious, like a jewel or a diamond that may not come our way so easily again.

We learnt this song from a recording of Om Prakash Naik ji made by Gopal Singh Chouhan of Lokayan, who has worked with several folk singers and artists in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

Lena hue so leeje mhaara bhaaida re

Ab aayi levan ke bela, re saadho

Maanako janam heero haath nahin aave re

Phir bhatkat chauraasi ra phera, re saadho

Edo ratan heero haath nahin aave re

Shyaam jata sir shvet bhayi hai re

Tane aje yun na aave re laaja

Tirya jake nar karni su tir gaya re

Ab sariya jaka ra kaaja

Maanako janam...

Gyaan kathe nar rehni nahin rehta re

Ab bin toh rehni kaisa gyaana

Man parmod sake nahin apno re

Phir auraan su poochhe re myaana

Maanako janam...

Hansa hue so hans gati haale re

Phir chheelar paanv na mele

Saadh hue mhaara ghat ujiyaara re

Ve toh akel kala maahin khele

Maanako janam...

Kirpa bhayi jad sauda rachiya re

Ab bhaavbhagat kaisi aasi

Royal ratan amolak paayo re

Ve toh sir saate avinaashi

Maanako janam... 

If You Want to Receive

If you want to receive, do so now
Now is the hour for receiving, seeker!
This human birth is hard to come by
Stumbling through endless cycles of being
You may not find this priceless gem again

The dark hair of your youth has turned grey
But has that made you mend your ways?
Kind acts, not grand words, bring grace
One who turns around does not again stray
This human birth...

You blabber fine words – do you live them?

What good is such wisdom, unlived?

Will it quench a thirsty heart’s seeking?

Won’t you wander again, lost, unhinged? 
This human birth…

Swan, walk with the gait of a swan

No stepping in shallow puddles anymore!

Radiance floods the seeker’s whole being

Alone, with art, she plays, she sports 
This human birth…

When grace was felt, the deal was struck

And Royal secured the priceless jewel

Now what thirst for respect or fame?

He cuts off his head, and becomes immortal

This human birth…

Translation by 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

Guru Vinya Ghor Andhaaro

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)

Milo re Milo

Oh, to meet someone from my own land, says Gorakh, and be able to exchange a few words with him. As the saint-poets often say, no one here understands our language. They speak a different tongue.

This is a song from Malwa, which we learnt from Kaluramji.

Milo re milo koi mhaara des ra
Do do baataan karaanga ji

Lakkad lakkad sab ek hai
Ek hi maalik ne gadhiya ji
Ek lakkad toh dhooni mein jale
Dooji mahalaan mein jadiya ji
Milo re milo...

Patthar patthar sab ek hai
Ek hi maalik ne gadhiya ji
Ek patthar ki moorat bani
Dooji seedhi mein jadiya ji
Milo re milo...

Dharti maata ra choolha kariya
Aasmaan kiya hai kadhela ji
Chaar jugaan ke phoonkan diya
Dhuan gagan samaana ji
Milo re milo...

Dui kar jod Gorakh boliya
Paaya hai vaikunth vaasa ji
Jin ne ratiya nij naam ko
Voi nar sant sujaana ji
Pahunchooga sat dhaama ji

Milo re milo... 

Someone from my Land

Oh, to meet someone from my land

And have a few words with him

This wood, that wood, they’re all one

The same master made them all

This wood burns in a sacred fire

That one’s studded in a palace wall

Oh, to meet…

This stone, that stone, they’re all one

That master fabricated them both

This stone becomes part of the idol

That one’s on the temple floor

Oh, to meet…

Mother earth, the firewood stove

The sky transforms to a cauldron

All four ages tossed in the fire

The smoke rises up to the heavens

Oh, to meet…

Gorakh folds his hands in prayer

He’s found his place in heaven

One who remembers the true name

Arrives at the true destination

Oh, to meet…

(translation by Vipul Rikhi)

Aisi Mhaari Preet

With Diwali firecrackers as the backdrop, this live recording from a satsang in Pune in November last year speaks of an intensely intimate love: like the vine for the tree, like the fish for the sea. This beloved is closer than one’s own heartbeat.

We learnt this song from Prahladji, among the many others that he’s been and continues to be an amazing channel for. The sweetness of the Malwi dialect adds its own special flavour to the song. With much gratitude to Sheetal Vaidya, Neerad Trivedi and aunty for hosting the satsang and for this recording.

Aisi mhaari preet nibhaavajo

Ho nirdhan ka ho Raam

Aisi mhaari preet nibhaavajo

Ho durbal ka ho Raam

Bhavsaagar mein bhoolo mati

Tam toh jharkat ham beladi

Raanga tam se liptaaye

Tam toh dhaldo ne ham sookhi jaavaan

Mhaara kai ho havaal?

Aisi mhaari preet nibhaavajo…

Tam toh samdar ham maachhali

Raanga tamaara ho maay

Tam toh sookho ne ham mari jaavaan

Mhaara kai ho havaal?

Aisi mhaari preet nibhaavajo…

Tam toh baadal ham moriya

Raanga tam se judaaye

Raanga tam se harkaaye

Tam toh garjo ne ham boliya

Tam toh barso ne ham boliya

Mhaara kai ho havaal?

Aisi mhaari preet nibhaavajo…

Kahe ho Kabir Dharmidas se

Piyu thaara ghat maay

Piyu hirday dhadkaaye

Aisi mhaari preet nibhaavajo…

Be True to My Love

Be true to my love

Like the poor have no one but their Raam

Be true to my love

Like the weak have nothing but their faith

Don’t leave me alone in this life-ocean

You are the tree, and I the creeper

I’ll stay in your embrace

If you wither, I’ll dry up too

What will happen to me without you?

Be true to my love…

You are the sea, and I the fish

I’ll stay immersed in you

If you dry up, I’ll die too

What would I be without you?

Be true to me love…

You are the cloud, I the peacock

I’m connected to you

I get great joy from you

When you rain, I sing and dance

What would I be without you?

Be true to my love…

Kabir says, O Dharamdas

The beloved is within your body

The beloved is your own heartbeat

Don’t leave me alone in this life-ocean

Be true to my love…

(translated by Vipul Rikhi)