LIV

I. 112. sunta nahi dhun ki khabar

sunta nahi dhun ki khabar, anhad kaa baajaa bajtaa
ras mand mandir bajtaa, bahar sune to kyaa huaa
ik prem-ras chakhaa nahin, amlee huaa to kyaa huaa
kaajee kitaaben khojtaa, kartaa naseehat aur ko
marham nahin us haal se, kaajee huaa to kyaa huaa
jogee digambar sewdaa, kapdaa range rang laal se
vaakif nahin us rang se, kapdaa range se kyaa huaa
mandir-jharokhaa-raavatee, gul chaman mein rahte sadaa
kahte Kabiraa hain sahi, har-dam mein saahib ram rahaa

Have you not heard the tune which the Unstruck Music is playing? In the midst of the chamber the harp of joy is gently and sweetly played; and where is the need of going without to hear it?
If you have not drunk of the nectar of that One Love, what boots it though you should purge yourself of all stains?
The Kazi is searching the words of the Koran, and instructing others: but if his heart be not steeped in that love, what does it avail, though he be a teacher of men?
The Yogi dyes his garments with red: but if he knows naught of that colour of love, what does it avail though his garments be tinted?
Kabir says: "Whether I be in the temple or the balcony, in the camp or in the flower garden, I tell you truly that every moment my Lord is taking His delight in me."