Who are you, and whence do you come?
Where dwells that Supreme Spirit, and how does He have His sport with all created things?
The fire is in the wood; but who awakens it suddenly? Then it turns to ashes, and where goes the force of the fire?
The true guru teaches that He has neither limit nor infinitude.
Kabir says: "Brahma suits His language to the understanding of His hearer."
XLVI
I. 98. sadho, sahajai kaya sodho
sadho, sahajai kaya sodho
jaise bat kaa beej taahi mein patra-phool-phal-chhayaa
kaayaa maddhe beej biraajye, beeja maddhe kaayaa
agni-pavan-paani-pirathee-nabh, taa-bin milye naahin
kaaji pandit karo nirnay ko n aapaa maahin
jal-bhar kumbh jalye bich dhariyaa, bahar- bheetar soi
unko naam kahan ko naahin doojaa dhokhaa hoi
kahye kabir suno bhaai saadho, satya-shabd nij saaraa
aapaa-maddhe aapye bolye, aapye sirjanhaaraa
O sadhu! purify your body in the simple way.
As the seed is within the banyan tree, and within the seed are the flowers, the fruits, and the shade:
So the germ is within the body, and within that germ is the body again.
The fire, the air, the water, the earth, and the aether; you cannot have these outside of Him.
O Kazi, O Pundit, consider it well: what is there that is not in the soul?
The water-filled pitcher is placed upon water, it has water within and without.
It should not be given a name, lest it call forth the error of dualism.
Kabir says: "Listen to the Word, the Truth, which is your essence. He speaks the Word to Himself; and He Himself is the Creator."
XLVII
I. 102. tarvar ek mul bin thada
tarvar ek mul bin thada, bin phoole phal laage
saakhaa-patra kachhu nahin taake, sakal kamal-dal gaaje
chadh tarvar do panchhee bole, ek guru ek chelaa
chelaa rahaa so ras chun khaayaa, guru nirantar khelaa
panchhee ke khoj agam pargat, kahyen kabir badi bhaaree
sab hee moorat beej amoorat, moorat kee balihaari
There is a strange tree, which stands without roots and bears fruits without blossoming;
It has no branches and no leaves, it is lotus all over.
Two birds sing there; one is the Guru, and the other the disciple:
The disciple chooses the manifold fruits of life and tastes them, and the Guru beholds him in joy.
