કાહે કો દેહ ધરી ભજન વિના (રાગ - સારંગ)

નાદબ્રહ્મ પદ - ૪૨૨, રાગ - સારંગ
Nādbrahma pada 422, rāga - sārang

કાહે કો દેહ ધરી ભજન વિના, કાહે કો દેહ ધરી;
ગર્ભ વાસમેં બહુત દુઃખ ભારી, બહાર કાઢો હરી ... ટેક
kāhe ko deh dhari bhajan vinā, kāhe ko deh dhari;
garbh vās-meň bahut dukh bhāri, bahār kādho hari … 0

કોલ વચન કરી બાહર આયો, વાકી બુદ્ધિ ફરી;
સંત સંગત તેં કબહુ ન કીની, દર્શન ડગ ન ભરી ... ૧
kol vachan kari bāhar āyo, vāki buddhi fari;
saňt saňgat teň kabahu na keeni, darshan dag na bhari … 1

હરિકી કથા તેં શ્રવણે ન સુની, પરનિંદા બહુત કરી;
કહેત કબીર સુનો ભાઈ સાધુ, જનુની ભારે મરી ... ૨
hari-ki kathā teň shravane na suni, par-niňdā bahut kari;
kahet Kabir suno bhāi sādhu, januni bhāre mari … 2

YouTube video(s):
1. Shree Ramkabir Mandir Bhajan Mandal (playlist)

English Translation (by AI):
This bhajan by Saint Kabir emphasizes that human birth is a rare spiritual opportunity. It reminds us that we forget our promise to God after leaving the womb, wasting life on gossip instead of devotion. Ultimately, living without chanting God’s name renders our entire existence completely meaningless.

0. Why have you taken this human body without devotion? Why have you taken this form? While trapped inside the mother's womb, you suffered immense pain and cried out, "Oh Lord, please pull me out!"

1. You made solemn promises to God to remember Him, but the moment you stepped out into the world, your intellect flipped and you forgot. You never sought the company of saints, nor did you take even a single step toward achieving His divine vision.

2. You never listened to the glories and stories of the Lord with your ears; instead, you spent your time deeply engaged in gossiping and criticizing others. Kabir says, listen oh seeker brothers, a person who wastes life like this only caused their mother to bear the heavy burden of childbirth in vain.

...
Core Spiritual Theme

Saint Kabir is waking up the human soul from its deep spiritual slumber. He reminds us that the human body is a rare gift meant for self-realisation. While in the darkness of the womb, the soul promises God it will remember Him if liberated. However, upon entering the world, maya (illusion) takes over. Kabir bluntly warns that living a life filled with gossip and devoid of spiritual company makes our entire existence—and our mother's labor—completely meaningless.

The spiritual essence of this bhajan centers on soul-consciousness and divine accountability. It highlights three core spiritual truths:

• The Broken Covenant: In the womb, the soul exists in a state of high awareness, experiencing the misery of material bondage and promising devotion to God upon liberation. Birth induces Maya (cosmic amnesia), causing the soul to forget its divine contract.
• The Misuse of Prana (Life Force): The human body is a sacred laboratory for self-realisation. Using our senses for lower vibrations like par-ninda (gossiping/criticising) instead of shravana (listening to ultimate truth) misdirects our life force and binds us deeper to the karmic cycle.
• Spiritual Urgency: Kabir warns against spiritual procrastination. Without Sant Sangat (the company of truth) and active devotion, human life is downgraded from a rare spiritual blessing to a wasteful, burdensome biological event.

…
Key Takeaways

• Remember Your Purpose: Human life is a rare gift meant for spiritual liberation, not just survival.
• Break Free From Illusion: Material comfort makes us forget our inner connection and promises to the Divine.
• Guard Your Words and Ears: Avoid negative speech and gossip; use your senses to absorb wisdom instead.
• Seek Wise Company: Regularly connect with spiritually minded people to stay grounded and inspired.
• Act with Urgency: Time is limited, so prioritize daily devotion before this life passes away.

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Here is a poetic English translation of this bhajan:

Refrain:
Why take this human form if you do not sing His praise?
Why wear this body if in illusion you spend your days?
Trapped deep inside the womb, you suffered immense pain,
Crying out, "Oh Lord, pull me out, let me breathe again!"

Verse 1:
You gave your solemn word to God, but once you stepped outside,
Your mind forgot its promise, swept away by worldly pride.
You never sought the saints, nor walked the path they showed,
Not even a single step towards His vision was bestowed.

Verse 2:
Your ears refused to listen to the stories of the Divine,
Instead, you spoke ill of others, crossing every line.
Says Kabir, listen oh seekers, if life is wasted this way,
Your mother bore the painful burden of your birth in vain.