This Nirguni Kabir Bhajan originally sung by Pandit Kumar Gandharva speaks deeply about the spiritual connection between the devotee and the guru, emphasizing the presence of the divine in every form and the transformative role of the guru in guiding the seeker. The Bhajan is a heartfelt plea for the guru’s presence and guidance. It reflects Kabir's philosophy that the divine is everywhere and in every form, especially in the figure of the guru, who plays a pivotal role in the devotee’s spiritual journey. The devotee sees the guru as a transformative force, capable of guiding them from ignorance to enlightenment, from the mundane to the divine.
Lyrics
Guruji, jahan baithoon wahan chhaya re Humko tera hi dhyan hai, mere man mein aaja re So hi to malak mera najrana aaya ji.
Gera gera jhad jhad sheetal chhayaa ji Mhara hain satguru dekhan aaya ji
Kumharya jo dharati ye kalash mangaaya Mhare satguru ne bhent chadhaayaa ji
Tan bhar tala shabad bhar kunji Mhare satguru ne khol bataya ji
Doi kar jod Deva Naath bolyaa Mhane kesar tilak chadhaaya ji
Tu hi Ram, Tu hai Krishna, Tu hi Hanuman hai Main hoon tera sevak, aaja re
Bhimsen, Paluskar, Tu Hi Chandrakant hai Mere Sangeet mein aaja re
"Guruji, jahan baithoon wahan chhaya re" Wherever I sit, may your shadow (protection) be there, Guruji
The devotee seeks the guru's spiritual protection and presence in every aspect of life, comparing it to the comfort of sitting under a cooling shade.
"Humko tera hi dhyan hai, mere man mein aaja re" My focus is only on you, come into my heart
The devotee is absorbed in the thought of the guru and requests the guru to dwell in their heart, symbolizing a deep longing for spiritual connection.
"So hi to malak mera najrana aaya ji." My master has come with a precious gift
The arrival of the guru is seen as a blessing, with the guru bringing spiritual gifts or wisdom, symbolizing divine grace.
"Gera gera jhad jhad sheetal chhayaa ji" The falling leaves create a cool and refreshing shade
The imagery of falling leaves and cool shade represents peace, tranquility, and the guru’s calming influence on the devotee’s life.
"Mhara hain satguru dekhan aaya ji" My true guru has come to meet me
The devotee is filled with joy at the presence of the Satguru (true guru), whose arrival brings enlightenment and divine grace.
"Kumharya jo dharati ye kalash mangaaya" Like a potter, the guru has created and shaped the earthen pot
The guru is compared to a potter who shapes the devotee’s life, molding the soul (represented as the clay) with divine teachings.
"Mhare satguru ne bhent chadhaayaa ji" My guru has offered me a gift
The guru offers a spiritual gift or blessing, symbolizing wisdom, guidance, and enlightenment that the guru imparts to the devotee.
"Tan bhar tala shabad bhar kunji" The body is like a lock, and the word (Shabad) is the key
The divine word (Shabad) given by the guru is seen as the key to unlock the truths of the body, mind, and soul, revealing spiritual wisdom.
"Mhare satguru ne khol bataya ji" My guru has unlocked and revealed the truth
The guru has opened the lock of ignorance, showing the devotee the deeper meanings of life and spiritual enlightenment.
"Doi kar jod Deva Naath bolyaa" With folded hands, Deva Naath speaks
The devotee speaks with utmost reverence and humility, expressing deep gratitude towards the guru.
"Mhane kesar tilak chadhaaya ji" The guru has applied the sacred saffron mark on my forehead
This represents the guru’s blessing and initiation, signifying a spiritual awakening and the bestowal of divine knowledge upon the devotee.
"Tu hi Ram, Tu hai Krishna, Tu hi Hanuman hai" You are Ram, You are Krishna, You are Hanuman
The devotee sees the guru as the embodiment of all divine forms, reflecting the idea that the divine is present in the guru in every aspect.
"Main hoon tera sevak, aaja re" I am your servant, come to me
The devotee expresses their role as a humble servant of the guru and yearns for the guru's spiritual presence in their life.
"Bhimsen, Paluskar, Tu Hi Chandrakant hai" You are Bhimsen, Paluskar, and Chandrakant
The guru is seen as embodying the essence of great musicians like Bhimsen Joshi and Pandit Paluskar, suggesting that the guru exists in the form of great artists and masters of music.
"Mere Sangeet mein aaja re" Come into my music
The devotee prays for the guru’s presence in their music, asking for divine grace to flow through their art, making their music a medium of spiritual expression.
Meaning/ Explanation
"Guruji, jahan baithoon wahan chhaya re" Wherever I sit, may your shadow (protection) be there, Guruji
The devotee begins by invoking the guru's presence and protection in their life. "Chhaya" (shade) symbolizes comfort, protection, and guidance. Just like one seeks shade from the scorching sun, the devotee seeks the guru's presence to provide peace, shelter, and relief from the sufferings of life. It highlights the faith in the guru as a constant source of spiritual protection.
"Humko tera hi dhyan hai, mere man mein aaja re" My focus is only on you, come into my heart
The devotee's mind is completely absorbed in thoughts of the guru. "Dhyan" means meditation or focus, implying that the devotee has dedicated all their attention to the guru, making the guru the center of their spiritual practice. The line expresses a yearning for the guru’s presence within the devotee's heart, symbolizing an intimate connection where the guru becomes an internal guide and source of wisdom.
"So hi to malak mera najrana aaya ji." My master has come with a precious gift
The "malak" or master (guru) arrives with a "najrana" (gift), which in this context refers to spiritual blessings or divine wisdom. The guru is seen as a benefactor, offering the ultimate gift of self-realization or enlightenment. This line acknowledges the priceless nature of the guru's teachings, which help the devotee transcend worldly attachments and illusions.
"Gera gera jhad jhad sheetal chhayaa ji" The falling leaves create a cool and refreshing shade
The image of falling leaves ("gera gera jhad jhad") evokes the natural cycle of life and transformation. The shade ("sheetal chhaya") here represents the soothing and calming effect of the guru’s teachings, which bring coolness and peace to the restless mind. Just as trees provide shelter from heat, the guru provides relief from the heat of life's struggles and challenges, offering a safe haven in the form of spiritual knowledge.
"Mhara hain satguru dekhan aaya ji" My true guru has come to meet me
The devotee expresses joy at seeing their "Satguru" (true guru). This encounter with the guru is more than just a physical meeting—it represents a deep spiritual revelation or awakening. The "Satguru" is often seen as a person who has transcended worldly attachments and can guide others toward liberation. The devotee rejoices in this opportunity to receive divine wisdom and guidance from the guru, whose presence is transformative.
"Kumharya jo dharati ye kalash mangaaya" Like a potter, the guru has created and shaped the earthen pot
The guru is likened to a potter ("Kumharya"), and the devotee is the clay. The "kalash" (pot) represents the devotee’s body or soul. The line symbolizes the way the guru shapes the devotee, molding them through teachings and discipline. The pot is formed from the earth (the material world), but through the guru’s efforts, it becomes a vessel capable of holding divine wisdom. This process of transformation represents spiritual growth and refinement under the guru's guidance.
"Mhare satguru ne bhent chadhaayaa ji" My guru has offered me a gift
The "bhent" (gift) here refers to spiritual teachings or divine knowledge that the guru bestows upon the devotee. In Indian spiritual traditions, such offerings are considered invaluable because they help the devotee progress on the path of liberation. The gift from the guru can be a mantra, a spiritual teaching, or even the guru's presence, which is seen as a form of divine grace.
"Tan bhar tala shabad bhar kunji" The body is like a lock, and the word (Shabad) is the key
In this metaphor, the body ("tan") is described as a "tala" (lock), and the "shabad" (divine word) is the "kunji" (key) that opens it. The body, with its physical and mental attachments, is locked in ignorance. The "shabad" refers to the sacred sound or word that the guru imparts, which has the power to unlock the deeper spiritual truths within the devotee. The key symbolizes the guidance the guru provides, allowing the devotee to unlock the mysteries of the self and the universe.
"Mhare satguru ne khol bataya ji" My guru has unlocked and revealed the truth
This line affirms that the guru, through the "shabad" or sacred teachings, has opened the lock of ignorance and revealed the ultimate truth to the devotee. It highlights the role of the guru in showing the devotee the path to enlightenment, removing the veil of maya (illusion) and ignorance that binds them to the material world.
"Doi kar jod Deva Naath bolyaa" With folded hands, Deva Naath speaks
This is a gesture of humility and respect. "Deva Naath" (a spiritual seeker or devotee) speaks with folded hands, showing reverence toward the guru. It signifies the devotee’s complete surrender to the guru’s wisdom, indicating that they are ready to receive teachings with an open heart and mind.
"Mhane kesar tilak chadhaaya ji" The guru has applied the sacred saffron mark on my forehead
The "kesar tilak" (saffron mark) is a symbol of spiritual initiation and blessings. By placing this mark on the devotee’s forehead, the guru is essentially bestowing divine grace and acknowledging the devotee’s readiness for spiritual advancement. In Hindu tradition, the forehead is considered the seat of spiritual insight (the third eye), and applying the tilak symbolizes the awakening of this inner wisdom.
"Tu hi Ram, Tu hai Krishna, Tu hi Hanuman hai" You are Ram, You are Krishna, You are Hanuman
The guru is seen as the embodiment of all divine forms. The devotee recognizes the guru as Ram (the ideal being), Krishna (the divine teacher), and Hanuman (the embodiment of devotion and service). This reflects the idea that the guru represents the essence of all deities and that by serving the guru, the devotee is serving the divine in all its forms.
"Main hoon tera sevak, aaja re" I am your servant, come to me
The devotee expresses their role as a humble servant of the guru, pleading for the guru’s presence in their life. This line reflects the bhakti (devotional) tradition, where the devotee’s relationship with the divine is one of total surrender, humility, and service. The guru is invited into the devotee's heart and life as the ultimate guide.
"Bhimsen, Paluskar, Tu Hi Chandrakant hai" You are Bhimsen, Paluskar, and Chandrakant
This line refers to the great Indian classical musicians Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, and Chandrakant, signifying that the guru encompasses the essence of musical mastery and divinity. The guru is seen as present in the very best of human expressions, including music, which is a powerful medium for spiritual experience.
"Mere Sangeet mein aaja re" Come into my music
The devotee invites the divine (through the guru) to enter their music, symbolizing the desire for their art to be infused with spiritual energy. Music in this context is not just entertainment, but a form of devotion and a vehicle for spiritual expression. The devotee asks for their music to become a means of communion with the divine.
In summary, this Kabir Bhajan is a profound expression of the relationship between the devotee and the guru. It portrays the guru as both a spiritual guide and a manifestation of the divine in all forms. The devotee's yearning for the guru's presence, blessings, and teachings reflects a deep commitment to the path of spiritual growth and self-realization. Through the guru's grace, the devotee seeks to transcend ignorance, realize their true nature, and experience the divine in every aspect of life.