MayaMaaya maha thagni ham jaani
tirgun phaans liye kar dole bole madhuri baani kesav ke kamla ve baithi shiv ki bhavan bhavaani panda ke moorat ve baithi tirath mein bhayi paani yogi ke yogin ve baithi raaja ke ghar raani kaahu ke hira ve baithi kaahu ke kodi kaani bhaktan ke bhaktin ve baithi brahma ke brahmaani kahe kabir suno bhaai saadho ye sab akath kahaani |
Maya’s the great swindler – now I know.
Trailing the noose of the three qualities, She wanders, whispering honeyed words. For Vishnu she’s Lakshmi, For Shiva she’s Shakti, for priests an idol, for pilgrims a river. For a monk she’s a nun, for a king she’s a queen, in one house a jewel, in one a shell. For a devotee, she’s a pious lady, For Brahma, Mrs Brahma. Kabir says, seekers, listen well, this is a story no one can tell. Translated by Linda Hess |