By: Keith P Dass, Freeport, Trinidad and Tobago
Topic: Moko Kahaa Dhunro Bande Main To Tere Paas Me
First, my wife and I are eternally grateful
to Hajur Uditnam Saheb Ji, Hajur Mukundmuninam Saheb Ji, Panth Shree Hajur
Ardhnam Saheb Ji, and Panth Shree Dharmadhikari Saheb Ji for their
blessings and guidance on our path.
Second, I seek the guidance of my guru Mht Shree
Jugool Daas Ji Saheb and my guides Pitaji Mht Deochan Daas Ji Saheb and Mataji
Hashumina Daas Ji.
By their Grace, our family has been blessed with
the physical meeting of Panth Shree Hajur Uditnam Saheb and Panth Shree Hajur
Ardhnam Saheb.
Third, I would like to express my thanks to the
authors G.N. Das, Vinay Dharwadker, Rabindanath Tagore, Robert Bly and Pitaji
Mht Deochan Dass Ji Saheb, from whose works I have come to my translation.
I thought that I might best contribute by
attempting to translate into English a song of Satguru Kabir Saheb. In Trinidad
and Tobago, this popular song of Kabir Saheb is entitled Moko Kahaa
Dhunro Bande Main To Tere Paas Me, and it is sung quite
frequently. I will not attempt
a literal 'translation' because time, space, language and
conditions have all changed since the time of Kabir Saheb. I hope that this
'translation' conveys the meaning, rather than being literally correct.
But before that, permit me the following few
words to you the reader. This message is for you only, no one else. I
sincerely hope that you will find the message helpful. Please consider:
We human beings [who are reading this message]
have the ability to analyse our existence and condition. We are blessed to have
the message of Satguru Kabir Saheb, which teaches us that we are part and
parcel of Satpurush, that we have lost our way in the creation of Kaalpurush,
and that we have the ability to return to that condition with the help of Hajur
Saheb. This path is one of daily dharma as shown by Hajur Saheb, consisting of
dhyaan, sumiran and bhajan, as well as right thoughts, right words, right
deeds, right diet etc. This path is one of constant remembrance of what must be
our goal. It is a path of dharma which reduces our store of karma and minimises
our present 'creation of karma'. It is a path of Gurumukh - listening to the
guidance from the Satguru [Satpurush], not a path of Manmukh - listening to the
guidance from the mind [Kaalpurush].
Thank you for your time and allowing me to
interject 'my thoughts'. If anything is amiss, please disregard my
failings. Your feedback is most welcome [kpdass@hotmail.com].
So, here is 'my' 'translation' of the song:
Moko Kahaa
Dhunro Bande Main To Tere Paas Me
O seeker, where are you looking for me,
I am with you.
I am not confined to Pilgrimages, nor Images, nor
Solitary Places, nor Mandir, nor Masjid, nor Kailaash, nor Kaashee.
I am not confined to Repetition of
Names, nor to arduous Physical Practices, nor Fasting, nor Rites
and Ceremonies, nor Yoga, nor Renunciation.
I am not confined to the Breath of Life,
nor the Body, nor the Top Of The Head, nor Space, nor the Middle Of The
Forehead.
I am
in the breath of all breaths.
O Seeker of the Truth you can find
me instantly. Kabir Saheb says, Listen Dear Brothers,
I am in the
Faith of All Faiths.
It is important to remember that to explain a
non-physical 'thing' using a language made for physical things
would be difficult. To try to put that in perspective, how could we explain to
a born-blind person what the colour of a rainbow is? I suggest that it is
impossible to convey the true meaning. Similarly, to try and describe
Satpurush, 'what' 'He' is, 'where' 'He' is etc, is difficult. It is like trying
to describe Santa Claus. So we say 'he' is an 'old man', with a 'white beard'
and a 'red suit' riding on a 'sleigh' powered by flying 'reindeer', and that
'he' 'visits' all good children on one night each year and distributes 'toys'.
We do the best we can to explain to someone who cannot understand, even though
we have not really 'seen' 'him'. But we believe in 'Him'. And so we
'translate' as above.
The gist is, Kabir Saheb is saying that Satpurush
is already with us, infused in us, closer than the closest thing we can think
of. So close that we may be unable to decipher between ourselves and 'Him'. We
do not have to seek 'Him' at any specific location on the Earth [or the planets
and stars]. We do not have to seek 'Him' by engaging in 'difficult' practices. And
at the same time, seeking 'Him' is easy for any Seeker of Truth.
Our first step is to accept a guide. We have to
believe that 'He' 'is' 'there', and that the 'Guide' has 'seen' 'Him' and that
the 'Guide' can show us the way. When we do this, we listen to the instructions
from the 'Guide', follow those instructions and voila! 'In the twinkling of an
eye', or if you like, 'instantly', 'He' 'appears'.
In the book Anuraag Saagar, Kabir Saheb 'takes'
Indramati to Satlok, where she 'sees' Satpurush and exclaims that Kabir Saheb
and 'Him' are 'the same'! Several other songs and couplets of Kabir Saheb
describe how we can 'reach' Satlok and 'meet' Satpurush. We have to believe
that Hajur Saheb can show us the way and follow his instructions.
Remember, this message is for you the reader. Do
not attempt to rationalise how anyone else would be able to accept it and use
it. If someone else reads it, then they can judge for themselves. I urge you
not to attempt to apply this message to 'all other people in the universe -
past and present'. It cannot be applied generally. Everyone has their own time
and place for their message, their understanding, their belief and their 'revelation'.
This message is for you the reader only. Your understanding, your belief and
your implementation is the only thing that matters in this message.
This then is my understanding of some of the song
as well as the teachings of Kabir Saheb. I sincerely hope that it helps
you on your path. Since I am sure that I have made many mistakes in attempting
this translation and interpretation, I apologise and seek your forgiveness. I
also seek forgiveness from Hajur Saheb for any misunderstanding. Kindly disregard
any failings and may you experience the Grace and Blessings of Hajur Saheb
showering always.
Satnaam, Saheb Bandagee.
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