Saint Kabir Das
Kabir Das (1440-1518) was one of India’s most beloved mystic poets and saints whose words continue to resonate with millions even after 500 years. Born in Varanasi during the 15th century, Kabir’s life itself was a bridge between Hinduism and Islam—raised by a Muslim weaver family while drawing from both Hindu and Islamic spiritual traditions.
What makes Kabir extraordinary is his simple yet profound philosophy. He rejected religious dogma, rituals, and caste divisions, emphasizing instead the direct, personal experience of the Divine. His poetry, composed in the common language of the people rather than Sanskrit, spoke to everyone—from peasants to kings.
Kabir was a weaver by profession, and his verses often use everyday metaphors from weaving, nature, and daily life, making deep spiritual truths accessible to all. His dohas (couplets) are characterized by their wit, directness, and sometimes sharp criticism of religious hypocrisy. He taught that God resides within every human being and that true spirituality lies in love, compassion, and self-awareness rather than in external rituals.
His teachings influenced the Bhakti movement and later inspired Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak. Today, Kabir’s verses are sung by folk musicians and quoted by spiritual seekers worldwide, making him a timeless voice of wisdom and unity.
On Inner Divinity
Hindi (Devanagari): बुरा जो देखन मैं चला, बुरा न मिलिया कोय। जो मन खोजा आपना, तो मुझसे बुरा न कोय॥
Hindi (Romanized): Bura jo dekhan main chala, bura na miliya koye Jo mann khoja apna, to mujhse bura na koye
English Translation: I went searching for the wicked, but found no one wicked at all. When I searched within my own heart, I found none more wicked than myself.
Meaning: This profound verse teaches us the importance of self-reflection and humility. Kabir reminds us that before pointing fingers at others and judging their faults, we must first examine ourselves. Often, the imperfections we see in others are reflections of our own shortcomings. True spiritual growth begins with honest introspection and recognizing our own flaws rather than criticizing others.
2. On the Presence of God
Hindi (Devanagari): कस्तूरी कुंडल बसे, मृग ढूंढे बन माहि। ऐसे घट घट राम है, दुनिया देखे नाहि॥
Hindi (Romanized): Kasturi kundal base, mrig dhoondhe ban maahi Aise ghat ghat Ram hai, duniya dekhe naahi
English Translation: The musk resides in the deer’s own navel, yet it searches for the fragrance in the forest. Similarly, God dwells in every heart, but people fail to see Him within.
Meaning: Kabir uses the beautiful metaphor of the musk deer, which produces musk fragrance from its own body but searches for it in the forest, unaware that the source is within itself. This illustrates humanity’s spiritual journey—we search for God in temples, pilgrimages, and rituals, not realizing that the Divine already resides within our own hearts. True spirituality is about turning inward and discovering the sacred presence that has always been with us.
3. On Time and Death
Hindi (Devanagari): काल करे सो आज कर, आज करे सो अब। पल में परलय होएगी, बहुरि करेगा कब॥
Hindi (Romanized): Kaal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so ab Pal mein pralay hoegi, bahuri karega kab
English Translation: What you intend to do tomorrow, do it today. What you intend to do today, do it now. In a moment, destruction can come—then when will you do it?
Meaning: This powerful doha warns against procrastination and reminds us of life’s uncertainty. Kabir urges us to live with urgency and mindfulness, completing important tasks and spiritual practices without delay. Death can arrive at any moment, and opportunities once lost may never return. Whether it’s expressing love, seeking forgiveness, pursuing spiritual growth, or fulfilling our duties—we must act now, not postpone for an uncertain tomorrow.
4. On True Knowledge
Hindi (Devanagari): पोथी पढ़ि पढ़ि जग मुआ, पंडित भया न कोय। ढाई आखर प्रेम का, पढ़े सो पंडित होय॥
Hindi (Romanized): Pothi padhi padhi jag mua, pandit bhaya na koye Dhai aakhar prem ka, padhe so pandit hoye
English Translation: Reading books endlessly, the whole world died, yet none became truly wise. One who understands the two and a half letters of Love becomes the true scholar.
Meaning: Kabir challenges mere intellectual knowledge and bookish learning. He suggests that despite reading countless scriptures and religious texts, people fail to attain true wisdom if they lack love in their hearts. The “two and a half letters” refer to the Hindi word “Prem” (प्रेम – Love). Real wisdom comes not from accumulating information but from experiencing and embodying love, compassion, and kindness. A heart filled with genuine love understands the essence of all scriptures.
5. On Humility and Patience
Hindi (Devanagari): धीरे धीरे रे मना, धीरे सब कुछ होय। माली सींचे सौ घड़ा, ॠतु आए फल होय॥
Hindi (Romanized): Dheere dheere re mana, dheere sab kuch hoye Mali seenche sau ghada, ritu aaye phal hoye
English Translation: Slowly, slowly, O mind, everything happens in its own time. The gardener may water with a hundred pots, but fruit comes only when the season arrives.
Meaning: This verse teaches patience and acceptance of natural timing. Just as a gardener cannot force a tree to bear fruit before its season, no matter how much water he provides, we cannot rush life’s processes through anxiety or impatience. Whether it’s achieving goals, healing from pain, or spiritual awakening—everything unfolds in its destined time. Our role is to keep doing our sincere efforts (like watering) while trusting the natural rhythm of life. Patience is not passive waiting but active faith in divine timing.
6. On Speaking Truth
Hindi (Devanagari): साँच बराबर तप नहीं, झूठ बराबर पाप। जाके हिरदे साँच है, ताके हिरदे आप॥
Hindi (Romanized): Saanch barabar tap nahi, jhooth barabar paap Jake hirde saanch hai, take hirde aap
English Translation: There is no penance equal to truth, no sin equal to falsehood. In whose heart truth resides, in that heart resides God Himself.
Meaning: Kabir elevates truthfulness to the highest spiritual practice. While people perform various penances, fasts, and rituals to purify themselves, Kabir declares that speaking and living truth is the greatest form of spiritual discipline. Conversely, lying is the worst sin as it corrupts the soul. When we are truthful in thought, word, and deed, we create a pure dwelling place for the Divine within our hearts. Truth is not just about not lying—it’s about authenticity, integrity, and alignment between our inner self and outer expression.
7. On Good Company and Universal Love
Hindi (Devanagari): कबीरा खड़ा बाज़ार में, मांगे सबकी खैर। न काहू से दोस्ती, न काहू से बैर॥
Hindi (Romanized): Kabira khada bazaar mein, maange sabki khair Na kaahu se dosti, na kaahu se bair
English Translation: Kabir stands in the marketplace, wishing well-being for everyone. Neither special friendship with anyone, nor enmity with anyone.
Meaning: This doha expresses Kabir’s philosophy of universal love and equanimity. Standing in the bustling marketplace of life, he maintains equal goodwill toward all beings—neither forming exclusive attachments nor harboring hatred toward anyone. This doesn’t mean being cold or distant; rather, it means loving all equally without the bias of personal preferences. It’s about transcending the duality of “my people” versus “others” and seeing the Divine in every soul. True spiritual maturity is treating everyone with the same compassion and respect.
8. On the Power of Words
Hindi (Devanagari): ऐसी वाणी बोलिए, मन का आपा खोय। अपना तन शीतल करे, औरन को सुख होय॥
Hindi (Romanized): Aisi vaani boliye, man ka aapa khoye Apna tan sheetal kare, auran ko sukh hoye
English Translation: Speak such words, having shed the ego of the mind, That keep your own body calm and bring happiness to others.
Meaning: Kabir emphasizes the profound impact of our speech. He advises us to choose words carefully, speaking only after removing ego, anger, and arrogance from our hearts. Our words should have a dual effect: they should maintain our inner peace (keeping our body “cool” or calm) and simultaneously bring comfort, joy, and peace to others. Harsh, egoistic, or thoughtless words disturb both the speaker and the listener. Gentle, kind, and truthful speech is a reflection of spiritual maturity and creates harmony in relationships and society.
9. On Spiritual Seeking and Gratitude
Hindi (Devanagari): गुरु गोविन्द दोऊ खड़े, काके लागूं पाँय। बलिहारी गुरु आपने, गोविंद दियो बताय॥
Hindi (Romanized): Guru Govind dou khade, kaake lagun paanv Balihari Guru aapne, Govind diyo bataye
English Translation: If the Guru and God both stand before me, whose feet should I touch first? I offer myself to the Guru, who showed me the path to God.
Meaning: This beautiful verse addresses the age-old question of the relationship between the spiritual teacher (Guru) and the Divine (Govind/God). Kabir resolves this by expressing profound gratitude to the Guru, for it is the teacher who opens our eyes to the Divine presence. Without the Guru’s guidance, we might remain lost in ignorance. The Guru doesn’t compete with God; rather, the Guru serves as the bridge that connects the seeker to the Divine. This highlights the invaluable role of a true spiritual guide in one’s spiritual journey.
10. On Living Consciously
Hindi (Devanagari): चलती चक्की देख कर, दिया कबीरा रोय। दो पाटन के बीच में, साबित बचा न कोय॥
Hindi (Romanized): Chalti chakki dekh kar, diya Kabira roye Do paatan ke beech mein, sabit bacha na koye
English Translation: Watching the grinding stones turn, Kabir wept. Between the two millstones, nothing remains whole.
Meaning: In this poignant metaphor, Kabir compares life to a grinding mill with two stones. Everything caught between these stones (representing life’s dualities—pleasure and pain, success and failure, birth and death, praise and criticism) gets crushed. Nothing survives intact. However, there’s a deeper wisdom here: grains at the center axis of the mill remain untouched. This represents the spiritual center within us—our true self or soul. If we remain centered in spiritual awareness, anchored in our inner truth rather than being tossed about by life’s dualities, we can remain whole and unharmed despite life’s challenges. This teaches us to stay grounded in consciousness while navigating life’s ups and downs.
Kabir Das’s timeless wisdom transcends religious boundaries and speaks directly to the human heart. His quotes remind us to live with awareness, practice humility, seek truth, and find the Divine within ourselves. These ten quotes are just a glimpse into the vast ocean of his spiritual teachings that continue to guide seekers on their journey toward enlightenment.
Whether you’re seeking motivation, spiritual guidance, or simply beautiful poetry, Kabir’s words offer something profound for everyone. Keep these teachings close to your heart and let them illuminate your path toward a more conscious, compassionate, and meaningful life.
