Showing posts with label Garden: Raidas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garden: Raidas. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 19, 2000

Garden: It is but folly...


It is but folly to ask what the caste of a saint may be; the barber has sought God, the washerwoman, and the carpenter — even Raidas was a seeker after God.

Next: This is the end of a path, but not the end of the garden. Return to the beginning: would you like to follow the FLUTE again, or answer the call of the VEENA?


[Source: RT 2 (partial); 1.16. Santan jât na pûcho nirguniyân]

caste. You can read more about Sanskrit caste-terms varna and jati at Wikipedia, and also about the castes Kabir mentions: barbers, washers., and carpenters.

Raidas. The sage Ravidas, who lived around the year 1500, was a great proponent of the devotional Bhakti movement.

Here is the full poem:

II

I. 16. Santan jât na pûcho nirguniyân

  It is needless to ask of a saint the caste to which he belongs;
  For the priest, the warrior. the tradesman, and all the
    thirty-six castes, alike are seeking for God.
  It is but folly to ask what the caste of a saint may be;
  The barber has sought God, the washerwoman, and the carpenter—
  Even Raidas was a seeker after God.
  The Rishi Swapacha was a tanner by caste.
  Hindus and Moslems alike have achieved that End, where remains no
    mark of distinction.

Sunday, September 17, 2000

Garden: Do not follow the mirage...


Do not follow the mirage on foot, but thirst for the nectar; Dhruva, Prahlad, and Shuka have DRUNK of it, and also RAIDAS has TASTED it: The saints are drunk with love, their thirst is for love.

Where to next: the TASTE or the DRINKING, or perhaps RAIDAS himself?


[Source: RT 61 (partial); 1.48. sukh sâgar men âîke]

DhruvaPrahlad. Both Dhruva and Prahlada were famous for their devotion to Vishnu.

Shuka. The ancient Indian sage Shuka was renowned for his spiritual prowess and also as a storyteller.

Raidas. The sage Ravidas, who lived around the year 1500, was a great proponent of the devotional Bhakti movement.

Here is the full poem:

LXI

I. 48. sukh sâgar men âîke

  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.
  Kabîr 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?"
  Kabîr says: "Keep within you truth, detachment, and love."