One Hundred Poems of Kabir/LXI

by Kabir

LXI

I. 48. sukh sagar men aike

sukh sagar men aike mat jaa re pyaasaa
ajahun samajh nar baavre, jam karat niraasaa
nirmal neer bhare tere aage, pee le swaason-swaansaa
mrig-trisnaa jal chhadn baavre, karo sudhaa-ras aasaa
dhrub-prahlaad-shukdev piyaa, aur piyaa raidaasaa premhi sant sadaa matwaalaa, ek prem kee aasaa
kahyen Kabir suno bhaai saadho, mit gayee bhay kee baasaa

 

When at last you are come to the ocean of happiness, do not go back thirsty.
Wake, foolish man! for Death stalks you. Here is pure water before you; drink it at every breath.
Do not follow the mirage on foot, but thirst for the nectar; Dhruva, Prahlad, and Shukadeva have drunk of it, and also Raidas has tasted it:
The saints are drunk with love, their thirst is for love.
Kabir says: "Listen to me, brother! The nest of fear is broken.
Not for a moment have you come face to face with the world:
You are weaving your bondage of falsehood, your words are full of deception:
With the load of desires which you hold on your head, how can you be light?"
Kabir says: "Keep within you truth, detachment, and love"