'Chaalat Chaalat Jug Bhaya' says Kabir

चालत चालत जुग भया, कौन बतावे धाम जी?
Sung by Shabnam Virmani and Shreeparna Mitra.
With deep gratitude to Mahesha Ramji of Chhatangadh village from whom I first heard this song, a profound singer and carrier of the oral traditions of Kabir and other mystics from the region of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Listen to Mahesha Ramji sing this song at ajabshahar.com/...)
Words of the Song:
जी कबीरा रे
चालत चालत जुग भया
कौन बतावे धाम जी?
बिना भेदूं रे व्हाला कईं फिरे रे
पाँव कोस पर गाम जी
जी कबीरा रे
कुण मटकी कुण झेरना रे
कुण बिलोवनहार जी?
तन मटकी मन झेरना रे
सुरत बिलोवनहार जी
जी कबीरा रे
सुरत बाण भमी रह्यो रे
झेल सके तो झेल जी
सूरा होवे तो रे सनमुख लड़िये
नहीं कायर रो खेल जी
जी कबीरा रे
घृत कबीरो संत पी गयो रे
छाछ पीए संसार जी
घृत पीया तो व्हाला क्या हुआ रे?
धेन धणी रे पास जी
जी कबीरा रे
सूली के ऊपर घर हमारा
ओथ पायो विश्राम जी
संत कबीरो रमी रहयो रे
आठ पहर होशियार जी
You walked and walked, an age went by
Who will show you the destination?
Without insight, you wandered about
Your journey’s end was just a foot away!
Says Kabir
Who’s the pot? Who’s the stick?
And who is the one who churns?
Mind is the pot, body the stick,
Your awareness the one that churns.
Says Kabir
The arrow of awareness flies
Catch it if you can!
The brave one fights face to face
It’s not a game for cowards
Says Kabir
Kabir drinks the ghee
The world swallows buttermilk
So what if the ghee is gone?
The master has the cow you see
Says Kabir
My house is on the tip of a thorn
That’s where I find my ease
Wise Kabir is at play
At all moments - aware
Translation: Vidya Rao
With gratitude to Riddhi Shah and her team at INTACH for organising this concert for the residents of Rajkot, Gujarat on 7 Dec, 2023.
(www.shabnamvirmani.com)