sūr-parkās tahñ rain kañh pā۔iye
rain-parkās nahī suur bhāsai
gyān-parkās gyaan kañh pā۔iye
hoai agyān tahñ gyaan nāsia
kaam balvān tahñ prem kañh pā۔iye
prem jahāñ hoai tahñ kaam naahī
kahae 'kabīr' yah satt vichār hai
samajh vichār kar dekh māñhī
Where is the night, when the sun is shining? If it is night, then the sun withdraws its light.
Where knowledge is, can ignorance endure? If there be ignorance, then knowledge must die.
If there be lust, how can love be there? Where there is love there is no lust.
pakaḌ samser sañgrām meñ paisiye
deh-parajant kar juddh bhaa.ī
kaaT sir bairiyāñ daab jañh-kā-tahāñ
aay darbār meñ siis navā.ī
Lay hold on your sword, and join in the fight. Fight, O my brother, as long as life lasts.
Strike off your enemy's head, and there make an end of him quickly: then come, and bow your head at your King's Durbar.
sur sañgrām ko dekh bhāgai nahīñ
dekh bhāgai soī suur nahīñ
kaam aur krodh mad-lobh se jūjhanā
machā ghamsān tan-khet māñhīñ
seel aur sāñch santosh saahī bhay
naam samser tahāñ khuub baaje
kahae 'kabīr' koī jujhīhai sūrmā
kāyrāñ bhiiḌ tahñ turt bhāje
He, who is brave, never forsakes the battle: he who flies from it is no true fighter.
In the field of this body a great war goes forward, against passion, anger, pride, and greed:
It is in the kingdom of truth, contentment and purity, that this battle is raging; and the sword that rings forth most loudly are the sword of His Name.
Kabir says: When a brave knight takes the field, a host of cowards is put to flight.
saadh ko khel to bikaT beñḌā matī
satī aur suur kī chaal aage
suur ghamsān hai palak do-chār kā
satī ghamāsān pal ek lāgai
saadh sañgrām hai rain-din jūjhanā
deh parajant kā kaam bhaa.ī
It is a hard fight and a weary one, this fight of the truth-seeker: for the vow of the truth-seeker is harder than that of the warrior or of the widowed wife who would follow her husband.
For the warrior fights for a few hours, and the widow's struggle with death is soon ended:
But the truth-seeker's battle goes on day and night, as long as life lasts it never ceases.
sur-parkas tahn rain kanh pa۔iye
rain-parkas nahi sur bhasai
gyan-parkas gyan kanh pa۔iye
hoai agyan tahn gyan nasia
kaam balwan tahn prem kanh pa۔iye
prem jahan hoai tahn kaam nahi
kahae 'kabir' yah satt wichaar hai
samajh wichaar kar dekh manhi
Where is the night, when the sun is shining? If it is night, then the sun withdraws its light.
Where knowledge is, can ignorance endure? If there be ignorance, then knowledge must die.
If there be lust, how can love be there? Where there is love there is no lust.
pakaD samser sangram mein paisiye
deh-parajant kar juddh bhai
kaT sir bairiyan dab janh-ka-tahan
aay darbar mein sis nawai
Lay hold on your sword, and join in the fight. Fight, O my brother, as long as life lasts.
Strike off your enemy's head, and there make an end of him quickly: then come, and bow your head at your King's Durbar.
sur sangram ko dekh bhagai nahin
dekh bhagai soi sur nahin
kaam aur krodh mad-lobh se jujhana
macha ghamsan tan-khet manhin
seel aur sanch santosh sahi bhay
nam samser tahan khub baje
kahae 'kabir' koi jujhihai surma
kayran bhiD tahn turt bhaje
He, who is brave, never forsakes the battle: he who flies from it is no true fighter.
In the field of this body a great war goes forward, against passion, anger, pride, and greed:
It is in the kingdom of truth, contentment and purity, that this battle is raging; and the sword that rings forth most loudly are the sword of His Name.
Kabir says: When a brave knight takes the field, a host of cowards is put to flight.
sadh ko khel to bikaT benDa mati
sati aur sur ki chaal aage
sur ghamsan hai palak do-chaar ka
sati ghamasan pal ek lagai
sadh sangram hai rain-din jujhana
deh parajant ka kaam bhai
It is a hard fight and a weary one, this fight of the truth-seeker: for the vow of the truth-seeker is harder than that of the warrior or of the widowed wife who would follow her husband.
For the warrior fights for a few hours, and the widow's struggle with death is soon ended:
But the truth-seeker's battle goes on day and night, as long as life lasts it never ceases.
- Book : Kabir Samagra (Pg. 768)
- Author :Kabeer
- Publication : Hindi Pracharak Publication PVT, Varanasi (2001)
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