Jab Mein Tha Tab Hari Nahin‚ Jab Hari Hai Mein Nahin
Sab Andhiyara Mit Gaya‚ Jab Deepak Dekhya Mahin
Translation
When "I" was then Hari was not, Now Hari "is" and "I" am not
All the darkness (illusions) mitigated, When I saw the light (illumination) within.
My Understanding
From the root word "Har" (everything) is derived the word "Hari" which is used as yet another name or expression for God – the most common being "Hari Om". In this doha, Kabir explains that till such time we are engrossed within the bounds of our (limited) ego – the mundane "I" – we are not able to experience or realize the all-pervasive attribute of God. Resultantly we are in a state of conflict, chaos and a state of ignorance aptly expressed as darkness or illusion in the doha. This darkness – the state of ignorance – diminishes, rather eliminates, when the all-pervasive effulgence of God (the light within) is perceived, realized or experienced. With this conviction we are able to transcend the bondage enforced by our ego.
Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye
Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye
Translation
Reading books everyone died, none became any wise
One who reads the word of Love, only becomes wise
The Fatemi philosophy also states that the love for Awliyaullah is the only way to knowledge for it encompasses the love for the lord and his entire creation.