Dec 21, 2024
Dec 21, 2024
Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye
Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein,Sabit Bacha Na Koye
Translation
Looking at the grinding stones, Kabir laments
In the duel of wheels, nothing stays intact.
My understanding
This doha picks up a situation from our daily life. Kabir watches the woman grinding wheat on the flour mill. I have used the word woman here as generally it is the woman who does this work even today in the rural Indian society. The wheels are made of stone. One is stationary while the other on top is made to rotate by turning it with the help of a handle attached to it. The grain that is put into it gets crushed and the converted flour comes out. Thus the literal translation given above conveys that.
(Diya Kabira Roye) Kabir cries out, however, is what makes the reader to contemplate on this Doha and realize for oneself the hidden meaning behind this metaphor. Dui Patan here signifies earth (Prithvi) and sky (Akash) and within the ambit of these is all creation and life as also the manifestation of all natural phenomenon of dualities: day and night, life and death, joys and sorrows, thereby making life forever in motion (Chalti Chakki) and an ever changing process. Trapped in this duality, whatever we see is perishable. Nothing that we comprehend is eternal.
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I love Kabir's rhyming sense and language use. It is called 'sadhukkadi', I remember. Love him and his language. Only some of them provoke my thought, because they are the only ones I understand! Would love to share one here:--- मानसरोवर सुभर जल, हंसा केलि कराहि मुक्ताफल मुक्ता चुगै, अब उड़ी अनत न जाहि सनेहपूर्वक। |
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Nice |
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Nice deep thought in this doha |
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Nice Doha |
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Nice doha |
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further to this doha is: chalti chakki dekh kar, diya Kabira roi, Dui patan ke beech mein, sabut raha na koi, jo raha sahare keel ke, to ball na baka hoi. Meaning: of the last two lines is, if you stick to the centre rod of the chakki i,e, GOD, you will be saved by him. |
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The meaning read once was the two wheels are one of a householder and the one of Sanyasi. Both entangle the seeker in birth and death circle. The one who know who am I is out of this two wheels. |
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Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein Dui Paatan - Here Kabir means Birth and Death. These are the two Paatan which includes everything. |
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we are squeezed between the wordly responsibilities of making a living today and carrying this burden for the future.....leaving no room for life ...no room for the almighty who brought us. |
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what Kabir meant was that all contradictions emerge out of dvaitha tatwa. The duality; as me and you; us and others etc, at the most basic emotional and existential level. This leads to our perception of the world in duality This separate-ness breeds the emergence of 'samsara' whose worst form is human conflict and destruction. In this duality in perception whole meaning and purpose of life is lost. Kabir's observation is seeped in sufiana and advaita. ''Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein,Sabit Bacha Na Koye''. every one is lost in this duality. Respects to all. |
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Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Kamal Diya Thathaye Jo Dana Kil Ko Lagey Wo Sabit Bacha Jaye. |
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Like the grinding stone we humans grind away at life and in the finality become completely ground down to sheer dust. The grinder represents the living spirit ; while the grains represents consumption of efforts and the stone wheels our physical biomass. JAYANT JOKHAN |
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Chaila of Guru Kabir Das (Kamala) Replied about this Doha as under:- CHALTI CHAKKI DEKH KAY HANSA KAMALA THATHA KILLAN SAY JO LAG RAHA KABHI ZAWAL NA AAYEE Means: Kamal cheers looking at grinding stones. One who attached himself with Center (Pivot) never perished. |
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Just discovered this stie..and Kabir too. Glad. That a simple doha (couplet..?)..could inspire so many different opinions is the beauty of the thought. I will just add from the last comment to 'chilli palmer'. The duality is a function of man made thinking. The duality helps a person to establish one thought as agianst the other..providing a sort of comparison, canvass. The 'one' is a human concept cos we want to be anchored. The' one' more is 'sutra', a thread..connecting the whole, maybe not singular, like an algorithm...working, smart but not perfect. it is fluid, dynamic and adaptable... It is not in our duty to understand the algorithm...it is our duty to connect to the right nodes around us...and increase our ambit. |
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For me: Kabir compares the 2 grinding stones to the Duality of every aspect of life; the yin and yang... both within us and beyond. Black and white, heaven and earth, good and evil, right and wrong, male and female, high and low, mine and your's – everything is duality. Our mind / ego makes us constantly obsessed with this duality, always in motion.... judgemental, fearful, always wanting - never at peace. Hence Kabir cries; as he feels everybody's pain trapped and being crushed by this duality.... as rarely, if ever, does one manage to experience and discover the true Singularity, the Self, the Divinity and Peace.... behind the duality....the Oneness...of Everything. |
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Really Kabir Das was a great phylospher of the india history. I have been always impressed with Doha's of Kabirdas which is inspire to everyone who read it deeply with fully concerntrate. Thanks for this website to translate this to a easy way to understanding all readers. |
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A few days back, our state unit at Dehradun in Uttarakhand had organised "Kabir Lok Sur Sangat" by Mukhitiya Ali ji, a Sufi singer. I forwarded the document related to this event to my colleagues in Karnataka State Institute Bangalore. A colleague of mine, replied that she is a big fan of Kabir and asked for organizing an event of that kind. As i started googling to know more about Kabir, i stumbled upon your website. Not only have you quote the dohas, you have given your understanding, i hope to revisit your website many more times. Thanks. Best Wishes. God bless Warm Regards Gururaj |
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Sir, With due respect to you which you have generated for yourself for so many contributions made by you and to recall & remember Sant Kabirdas, couplet's(dohas),spoken almost 400 years back,are truth and valid even as today. Sir,you have unlocked priceless,valuable & immense treasure to us and also to younger generation. Salutation to you and will be privilege to speak to you 1-1 whenever you plan to revisit India. I am from Mumbai and will definitely await your positive response. On my dad's death anniversary I had distributed a CD of Kabir Amritvani,which I will likely to gift you one for your library. God Bless You!! Thanking You, Prithvi |
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I loved the dohas and especially the translation in english. I cannot find words to describe this. I learn so much from this and it makes me a better person. Thank you for sharing it and may god bless you. |
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It was quite accidentally that I bumped into this website, I simply love it, and your simple explanation makes things even more great. thanks for doing this. |
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Dear sir, I have accidentally bumped into your website today and I'm so glad for it, your maxim is wonderful indeed. Sant Kabir Truly a great philosopher.I am a big fan of his DOHAS. His vani or dohas Reflect life in true sense. Thank you for your help in this spiritual journey of life! |
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Mail to: Rajender Krishnan Dear sir, I have accidentally bumped into you on this website today and I'm so glad for it, your maxim is wonderful indeed. I'm 65 of age, a few hints of similarity in childhood and youth background as yourself, agree to your views on Kabir, and look forward to advance farther in this good life. Thank you for the opportunity to have "met you as yet another keyholder to open doors". Sincerely, Rajan Mahadevan |
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Very good compilation and nearly good translation. do you have the compilation of THULSI as well as SOOR DAAS poetry? Instead of saying woman I think you should mention it as women in plural. |
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Every Doha is like an ocean; How much ever you draw from it, the level will not reduce. This doha can be explained in many ways... limited only by your imagination. One such explanation canbe Chalti Chakki => Passage of eternal Time Dui Paatan - Two stones => Grinding Wheels of time Sabit raha na koye - Nothing stays permenant. The grain can be compared to The Universe/ our Existance/ our own Ego |
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nothing in this world is for ever, they take actually the privilege of being human who are always attached with paramatma. |
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in sabhi doho mai jindgi ki asli sachaai dikhti hai, jai kabir dass ji ki, its a truth of life. |
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Truth spoken in rhyme... Kabir ji's thoughts have always impressed me Reflect life in true sense. well explianed by Rajender ji and well potrayed by Simi ji. ...... |
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expressionism of life |
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Chalti Chakki = the cycles of births and rebirths as it continues. Dui Patan = Mera (mine) and Tera (Thy) i.e. Maya ke chakkar me,, everyone falls into this cycle again and again. And, that is why Kabirji crying as he sees that everyone is crushed under this mill and nobody is listening to him or he is helpless. |
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THE TRUE WORDS WHICH DESCRIBES OUR LIFE......... |
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It is very good thought.Is main bahut bada arth chhipa hai. |
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this is just life |
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It seems to me that two stones represent two contradictory desires like "I want to eat the cake and keep it too.". We are crushed between these two desires. |
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like ur initiative keep up the good work |
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i dont have words to appreciate your noble effort. |
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very buitiful doha |
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very nice. |
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Here's the unsaid in the doha ... It's an invitation to move out of identifying with duality and take a position on the central shaft ... as a witness ... It is always still at the center ... While dualities exist on the periphery, there always is center, for the witness to dwell. |
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Everything in this universe is ephemeral or transitory in nature. One who is born will die - it is a universal truth. Only 'Kaal' (time) is eternal. Creation, Existence and destruction are said to be the three stages of eternal time cycle. Nothing is permanent in nature. Once a thing - living or nonliving - is created, it exists for a definite period of time and finally it is transformed for another creation. In this way the whole creation proceeds. Saint Kabir laments on the materialistic pursuit of the human beings who amass much wealth,relationships,power etc. despite knowing the fact that nothing will be left intact by the grinding stones of eternal time. |
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i like ur thoughts about Kabir very good i thunk u r really a very nice person......... i m very influnced by it great job...... |
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BY THE ABOVE SAID DOHA, GREAT SAINT KABIR JI DESIRES INDIRECTLY FOR ALL THE HUMAN BEING THAT ONLY THOSE CAN BE SAVED IN THIS UNIVERSE, WHO ARE ATTACHED WITH THE GOD , LIKEWISE THAT GRAINS NEVER CRUSHED IN THE CHALTI CHAKKI ,THOSE ARE ATTACHED WITH THE HANDLE OF THE CHAKKI NAMAN TO EACH SAINT |
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One patan is stationary,while other is moving.... there is crush between two.... Two patans could be anything. It entirely depends what we really wanted to see...Whenever there is collision, 'sabit bacha na koi'... it could be collision of ideologies, countries religion, our innerself... avoid collisions |
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amazing.... |
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Truly a great philosopher.I am a big fan of his DOHAS |
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"Dui Paatan Ke Beech" means between birth & death i.e "janam mrityu ke bitch". Hindus belive rebirth. No one can escape this rebirth and all the pains. So to overcome these pains one has to overcome the rebirth through "Sadhana" But no one cares for this. And seeing this, Kabir i.e "Gnyani" cries. |
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Thanks to this site, I GOT THE BEST 2-LINERS! I wanted them for a Hindi activity and scored a very good remark as well as superb marks, besi=des these are even very inspirational and touching. HATS OFF TO KABIR!!!! :) |
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Kabirji cries when it sees the the grinding wheels. In this material world, nothing stays intact. What is seen is constantly changing and it is all destructible and untruth, and what is not seen is the ONLY TRUTH. Kabirji says, know this truth and stop the oblation in this wheel of materialism where nothing stays intact or permanent. Unfortunately, human beings cannot comprehend this divine truth. For them only truth is what is seen except when scientists say then it is believable. We cannot see atoms, we cannot feel we are rotating and revolving, we are upside down. Even Sun is burning constantly to sustain life in the entire universe, this signifies that nothing in this universe is permanent except One that is unseen ! We look for God in a material form, but he lives inside us and the entire creation is his image. He is like electricity that runs many machines. The function of each machine may be different but the electric power is same in all. We say that heater is giving hot air and air conditioner gives cool air, but the force that runs them is unseen and that is electricity. Similarly, people are evil and good but the consciousness that flows inside the body and all matter in the universe is God's consciousness. It is up to each being to choose it's role good or evil in this society. We are divine beings identical to God ( Aham Brahmashmi ). Remove the veil of ignorance and ego to realize this divine Truth. - Bharat Gohil |
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he is a great poet. |
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There are many kinds of knowledge. But only one of them is real. There are many kinds of love. But only one of them is real. There are many kinds of peace. But only one of them is real. We human beings live in duality. The truth we seek however lives in a singularity. I was thinking about this ball of light called the Sun. It does not cast a shadow like the Earth. Not only does the Earth cast a shadow, but the Earth is always half lit and half dark. Always. The Sun does not have this duality. It is always lit. The Truth we seek is always lit. Even now it shines. We, the living are in flux. We are in constant motion. Even while we sleep, our cells are in motion. Between the two poles of the changeable and the unchangeable is a swing. This swing is in motion. We are on this swing. This entire universe is on that swing. But while we move, something stays. Something remains rock steady, unmovable, unshakeable. It is very much present, but difficult to perceive. I believe it is the Ramayana where it is written that "the coming and the going of this breath is my blessing". |
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you r doing brilliant job by show doha's on your web site all most web designer shows the photos of models. |
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It is not only just the observation but what always happened to him i.e Sant Kabir gone through the literal meaning of the doha but as far as I am concerned I believe that CHALTI CHAKHI and DO PATAN are the words in this DOHA that need the higher form of concentration to understand. I believe Chalti Chaki is our life and Do Patan are Two Breaths one in and one out or in scientific term respiration. |
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this is what we called eternal vision have our great saints like Kabir. If human being want real peace and aim of life should be goes back to the teaching of Bhakti i.e. teaching of saints like Kabir. |
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more valuable words in my life |
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I vikas karun like very much kavir poem. because it more valable in my life |
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WELL REALLY AWESOME. THIS SITE WILL AWOKE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND TELLS THE GLORY OF INDIAN LITERATURE. |
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The first time I heard the name Kabir was from Maharaji. Thank you for this wonderful translation I will include it in my blog, La Columna de Jesus. I will send my readers to your homepage. http://www.jesusjay.org/ |
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The two wheels of day and night, wind and stillness, wet and dry, hot and cold, these ever-changing wheels grind everything back to powder. Nothing stays intact. Nothing. Not you. Not me. Not the Sun. Not the Moon. Not the Earth. The force of gravity collects the dust of this universe and creates stars and planets. This same gravity coupled with the unique phenomenon called "time" are responsible for the destruction of those stars and planets. Kabir cries knowing that there will be no more you and no more me. Gone! Not a trace left. And the trace that is left will be indistinguishable from all the other traces. Everything is turned into flour. It's hard to fathom an ending to my existence. But indeed it will happen. It's hard even to fathom the beginning of my existence! Did I begin one day? Or have I always been around? What makes me so sure I will go on forever? |
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Samsara grinds all beings to dust |
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Very beautiful truth....as for me the stationary grinding stone represents the constant unchanging eternal singularity( Vishnu)...and the moving grindstone is the continuously changing cycle of life(our world)...and between these two are the human beings(us)...who can never escape the constant struggle of life....:) |
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I think the right meaning of this Doha is that in the running Life in this world ( chalte chakki ) , no one of us could survive. All of us are go through the pain of life. |
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i believe Kabir class was the about making daily life simple in comparison to bigger aspects of life. How i would read this is " that we get so involved in our daily life and crib about our chores that we tend to forget that bigger picture that no one is immortal, so if we keep the bigger picture in mind we will learn to enjoy today making us better individuals and contributing to a better society" |
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It is easy to understand in english, thanks to translating dohas in english. |
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Nice .. very good work. |
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true words & well potrayed |
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Gopal, If your intention is to write on Kabir, feel free to email to me at rk@boloji.net. If found suitable, we will be glad to publish. |
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Dear Sir, Please allow me some Doha of Kabir because for I a Kabir bhakt hu. |
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very nice explanation i like it in english |
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awesome. i listen to this dohas frequently |
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Thank You for keeping these words alive.... |
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I love your work and am thankful for this website! For me the following are evidences of Sat Sri Akal: We see cycles in nature (cycles are eternal: planet motion (sun,moon, earth, galaxy etc), life/death, plant growth cycles, reproduction) Cycles continue until they end and new cycles continue. Truth is evolving love and intelligence. For me the observation of these systems indicates that both intelligence (chit nam ji) and love (visnu) are eternal. Just my personal opinion, we all should meditate (jap gur). Thank you for your help in this spiritual journey of life! Your progress is impressive. |
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dear Rajindharji your adwaitc iterpretation of couplets is excellent |
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kabir das here have mentioned the life human being which in between of karama and destiny. where we try to get sumthing and we get sumthing and in the race of life we get crushed with the both. |
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Truth spoken in rhyme... Kabir ji's thoughts have always impressed me Reflect life in true sense. well explianed by Rajender ji and well potrayed by Simi ji. |
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You are right. Kabir describes the cycle of life and death in this doha |
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We know about sant kabir das............... |