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Apr 30, 2026

Kabir Dohas

Jab Mein Tha Tab Hari Nahin, Jab Hari Hai Mein Nahin
Sab Andhiyara Mit Gaya, Jab Deepak Dekhya Mahin

Translation

When "I" was then Hari was not, Now Hari "is" and "I" am not
All the darkness (illusions) mitigated, When I saw the light (illumination) within.

My Understanding

From the root word "Har" (everything) is derived the word "Hari" which is used as yet another name or expression for God:  the most common being "Hari Om". 

In this doha, Kabir explains that till such time we are engrossed within the bounds of our (limited) ego - the mundane "I" -  we are not able to experience or realize the all-pervasive attribute of God. Resultantly we are in a state of conflict, chaos and a state of ignorance aptly expressed as darkness or illusion in the doha. This darkness - the state of ignorance - diminishes, rather eliminates, when the all-pervasive effulgence of God (the light within) is perceived, realized or experienced. With this conviction we are able to transcend the bondage enforced by our ego.

April 27, 2002

 

Image (c) gettyimages.com


Rajender Krishan
Visual Art by Rajender Krishan

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Index of Dohas in English

  1. Looking at the grinding stone
  2. I searched for the crooked
  3. Tomorrows work do today
  4. Speak such words
  5. Slowly slowly O mind
  6. Give me so much O God
  7. In vain is the eminence
  8. Like sesame contains the oil
  9. Begging is like perishing
  10. Neither illusion nor the mind
  11. Kabira in the market place
  12. Kabir's mind got cleansed
  13. Reading books everyone died
  14. In anguish everyone
  15. Guru is the washerman
  16. Alive one sees
  17. Inexpressible is the story of Love
  18. Worry is the bandit
  19. Don't be so proud and vain
  20. Don't be so proud and vain - 2
  21. By my doing nothing happens
  22. Like the pupil in the eye
  23. When you were born
  24. First the pangs of separation
  25. With the ocean set ablaze
  26. Kabir, save the wealth ...
  27. Hope lives in a dying world
  28. If I say one, It is not
  29. Kabir, This is the abode of love
  30. The Rosary rotating by the hand
  31. Eons have passed whirling rosary
  32. The rosary made of wooden
  33. When I was then Hari was not
  34. Ages have passed shaving
  35. What Harm have the Hair Done
  36. Arise from slumber O Kabir
  37. O Kabir, Your Hut
  38. He alone's the Warrior
  39. Guru the Potter ...
  40. Liberation Comes Not in Seclusion
  41. Both Guru and Gobind (God) are One
  42. I am the Worst of All
  43. That Death the World is Terrified of
  44. Kabir, When One Died; Two Were Dead ...
  45. That death the world (Another Perspective)
  46. Kabir! Let yourself be a pebble
  47. Maya Has Enticed You
  48. World of Black Soot
  49. Discarding Materialism is Insignificant
  50. The World has Turned a Stone into a God
  51. The bamboo is drowned

Index of Dohas in Hindi

  1. Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar
  2. Bura Jo Dekhan Mein Chala
  3. Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar
  4. Aisee Vani Boliye
  5. Dheere Dheere Re Mana
  6. Sayeen Itna Deejiye
  7. Bada Hua To Kya Hua
  8. Jaise Til Mein Tel Hai
  9. Mangan Maran Saman Hai
  10. Maya Mari Na Man Mara
  11. Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein
  12. Kabir Man Nirmal Bhaya
  13. Pothi Padh Padh Jag Mua
  14. Dukh Mein Simran Sab Kare
  15. Gur Dhobi Sikh Kapda
  16. Jeevat Samjhe Jeevat Bujhe
  17. Akath Kahani Prem Ki
  18. Chinta Aisee Dakini
  19. Kabira Garv Na Keejiye
  20. Kabira Garv Na Keejiye - 2
  21. Kabir Kiya Kutch Na Hote Hai
  22. Jyon Naino Mein Putli
  23. Jab Tun Aaya Jagat Mein
  24. Pehle Agan Birha Ki
  25. Aag Jo Lagi Samand Mein
  26. Kabir So Dhan Sanchiye
  27. Aasa Jive Jag Mare
  28. Ek Kahun To Hai Nahin
  29. Kabir Yeh Ghar Prem Ka
  30. Maala To Kar Mein Phire
  31. Maala Pherat Jug Bhaya
  32. Kabir Maala Kaath Kee
  33. Jab Mein Tha Tab Hari Nahin
  34. Moond Munddavat Din Gaye
  35. Keson Kaha Bigadia
  36. Kabir Soota Kya Kare
  37. Kabira Teri Jhompri
  38. Kabir Soyee Soorma
  39. Guru Kumhar Sikh Kumbh Hai
  40. Shune Padiya Na Chootiyo
  41. Guru Govind Toh Ek Hain
  42. Kabir, Sabh Te Hum Bure
  43. Jis Marne Te Jag Darey
  44. Kabir Ek Marante Dui Marey
  45. Jis Marne te (Another Perspective)
  46. Kabir Rorraa Hoe Rahu Baatt Kaa
  47. Naamaa maiaa mohiaa kahai
  48. Kabir, Jag Kajal Ki Kothri
  49. Kabir, Maya Taji Ta Kia Bhaya
  50. Kabir paahan paramesur keeaa
  51. Kabir baans badaaee boodiaa