Friday, February 29, 2008

कबीरा यह घर प्रेम का, खाला का घर नाहिं ।
सीस उतारे हाथि करि, सो पैसे घर मांहि ।।

kabir says, this is the abode of love and not the house of your aunt. Only one can enter here who has relinquished all pride.

This translation is contributed by Mr. Rajender Krishan (I chose to pick this one and not write one myself, as this one is written very beautifully.)

Kabir in this doha attempts to explain valor and fearlessness in love and devotion. A person who is able to defeat the passions of Anger, Carnality, Attachment, Greed and Enmity – the enemies within – is the valiant one. To be a lover or a true devotee is the job of a warrior and not of a coward. For love demands complete surrender of one's ego and a spirit full of compassion and poise.

The abode of love is not like a visit to an aunt's house where the social rules of entertaining guests may be available. Instead in this abode of love one enters with the spirit of giving or complete surrender.

Is a genuine offering to the Lord possible without surrendering oneself? Similarly, is love possible between two people when it is based on conditions?

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