Saint Kabir Das translations into English
The world grows weary reading scripture's tomes
but a leaf of love enlightens us.
—Kabir, translation by Michael R. Burch
No medicine rivals Love:
one drop transforms you whole being to pure gold.
—Kabir, translation by Michael R. Burch
Without looking into our hearts,
how can we find Paradise?
—Kabir, translation by Michael R. Burch
They called the doctor to investigate Kabir's illness;
the doctor checks my pulse to diagnose my disease.
But no doctor can understand what ails me.
It cuts too deep.
—Kabir, translation by Michael R. Burch
I neither have faith in my heart, nor do I know anything about Love.
And what do I know of Love's etiquettes?
How will I ever live with my Beloved?
—Kabir, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
My Beloved calls me with such intense love,
but I am sinful and gone astray.
The Beloved is pure but the bride is soiled.
How dare she touch his feet?
—Kabir, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
A true wife desires only her husband;
a starving lion will not eat grass.
—Kabir, translation by Michael R. Burch
How long will you live by eating someone else's leftovers?
Find your own way, don't live on regurgitated words!
—Kabir, translation by Michael R. Burch
Keep the slanderer near you, build him a hut near your house.
For, when you lack soap and water, he will scour you clean.
—Kabir, translation by Michael R. Burch
Certainly, saints, the world's insane:
If I tell the truth they attack me,
if I lie they believe me.
—Kabir, translation by Michael R. Burch
When you were born, you wept while the world rejoiced.
Live your life so that when you die, the world weeps while you rejoice.
—Kabir translation by Michael R. Burch
The one who enlightens the world remains unseen,
just as we cannot perceive our own eyes.
—Kabir, translation by Michael R. Burch
Either grant me death or reveal yourself:
this separation has become unbearable.
—Kabir, translation by Michael R. Burch
Kabir kept searching and searching until he was completely lost.
The drop dissolves in the ocean; now nothing can be discovered.
—Kabir, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Whatever you need to do tomorrow, do today,
for time evaporates and vanishes like a mist.
Thus work undone remains undone forever.
—Kabir, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
Keywords/Tags: Kabir, translations, love, hearts, paradise, illness, disease, medicine, doctor, faith, Beloved, wife, lion, grass
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment