Apr 23, 2024
Apr 23, 2024
Ram Niranjan Nyara Re, Anjan Sakal Pasara Re
Anjan Utapati, Omkar, Anjan Mange Sab Bistar
Anjan Brahma Shankar Indar, Anjan Gopi Sangi Govind Re
Anjan Vani, Anjan Ved, Anjan Kiya Na Na Bhed
Anjan Vidya Path Puran, Anjan Woh Kat Kat Hi Gyan Re
Anjan Paati Anjan Dev, Anjan Ki Kare Anjan Sev
Anjan Nache Anjan Gawe, Anjan Bhesh Anant Dikhawe Re
Anjan Kahan Kahan Lag Keta, Dan Puni Tap Tirath Jeta
Kahe Kabir Koi Birla Jage, Anjan Chaadhi Anant Hi Dage Re
Translation
Untainted Ram is Unmatched,
Manifesting the Entire Tainted (Reality)
Tainted are the Womb (of Creation) and the Om,
The Tainted Demands All Expansiveness
Tainted are Brahma, Shankra and Indra,
Tainted is the Govinda along with his Gopis
Tainted are the Spoken Words and Listening,
Tainted has Created Innumerable Distinctions
Tainted are Knowledge, the Daily Prayers and the Ancient Scriptures,
Tainted is that Questioning and Reasoning Knowledge
Tainted is the Leaf and Tainted are the Enlightened Beings,
Tainted is the Served and Tainted is the Servant
Tainted is the Singer and the Dancer,
The Tainted Displays Endless Forms
Where is the Limit, up to Which Tainted has Taken Hold?
Even in Philanthropy, Purity, Austerities and
Places of Pilgrimage, Tainted is Victorious
Says Kabir Only a Very Rare, Exceptional One Awakens,
Tainted has Left Endless Stains
Explanation
In this song, Kabir, instructing his highest teaching, tells us how rare it is for anybody to reach a state of untainted, full Self-realization. Anything short of this state of full realization Kabir labels as Tainted. Since this state of Self-realization is beyond words, Kabir uses the method of negation (of the non-real) to guide us.
He unequivocally explains that the whole of creation - small leaves to Devatas such as Brahma, Shankar, Indra and Govinda - are all caught in the tight grasp of the state of non-realization. He even goes on to say that the study of scriptures, acts of philanthropy, austerities, and visits to places of pilgrimage all are instances where the tainted duality has been victorious. In his final signature note, Kabir declares that everywhere we look, we see only the tainted reality. Only an extremely exceptional person awakens and reaches the state of untainted complete and irreversible realization.
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Excellent translation. Who is not tainted. What is 100% pure. 100%pure or untainted exist |
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Just one correction in the translation. Anjan paati anjan dev. Here paati is not leaf but "sinner" |
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Anjan as a term can be said to refer to food, Senses , activities and Sensations of , into , from, within and through the Sense and sense organs as in awake and dream state Niranjan as a term refers to the senses, activities and Sensations of , into , from, within and through without the Sense and sense organs as in sleep state So maybe a better english translation and transliteration of these anjan and nianjan may be tinted and untinted used in a sense as a similie to how like pure pottery/porceleain/glass has no definate or defining colour and yet it as tinted pottery/porcelain/ glass has shades on top of it Tinted glass was a commonly known object in Europe as used in places of worship |
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I don’t understand how Govind and Shankara can be tainted. Isn’t it provincial? |
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Thank you so much for the transliteration, translation and exegesis of this wonderful poem. For those who may not have heard it, Pandit Kumar Gandharva's bhajan version is sublime, and available on both YouTube and Spotify. |
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Great! Thanks for the quote and English translation. |
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moko kahan dhundhe re bande |