Wednesday, January 26, 2005

The Lord and Me are but one!!!

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.

At times we just go all around the world looking for the lord while we can find him within our inner self. Then where do we find him you might say. Just shed your ego and self centered thoughts, that has not given us only lonliness, and you will find the lord.

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

Kabir has very well explained the wonderful philosophy of love and wisdom. It is indeed the power of love for humanity, nature and the creation of the lord that can nurture a soul with knowledge and wisdom. People who have read much books have found nor the knowledge or the teachings imparted by the author. True knowledge has always been found by those who light the flame of love within their hearts. Look at the sufis and sants like the Kabir himself, they were taught and brought up in the craddle of mother nature.

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.