કાહે ન ભજે રે ગોપાલ મન તું (રાગ - સારંગ)

નાદબ્રહ્મ પદ - ૪૨૪, રાગ - સારંગ
Nādbrahma pada 424, rāga - sārang

કાહે ન ભજે રે ગોપાલ મન તું, કાહે ન ભજે રે ગોપાલ;
ઉલટ ક્યા ચલત હે બાવરે, છાંડ સકલ જંજાલ ... ટેક
kāhe na bhaje re gopāl man tuň, kāhe na bhaje re gopāl;
ulat kyā chalat hai bāvare, chhāňd sakal jaňjāl … 0

મૂછ મરોડ ને પાઘ સમારે, ચલત ટેઢી ચાલ;
જગ દ્વારે જબ લેખા લેગા, હોગા કૌન હેવાલ ... ૧
moochh marod ne pāgh samāre, chalat tedhi chāl;
jag dvāre jab lekhā legā, hogā ka-u-n hevāl … 1

ગર્ભવાસમાં રક્ષા કીની, બહુત કરી પ્રતિપાલ;
કહત કબીર રઘુનાથ ભજી લો, દીનાનાથ દયાલ ... ૨
garbh-vās-māň rakshā kini, bahut kari pratipāl;
kahat kabir raghu-nāth bhaji lo, dinā-nāth dayāl … 2

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

English Translation (by AI):
This bhajan by Saint Kabir admonishes the foolish mind for chasing worldly pride and ego. It warns that material arrogance will fail during divine judgment, urging us instead to abandon worldly entanglements and worship the merciful Lord who protected us even in the womb.

0. Oh my mind, why do you not worship Lord Gopal? Why do you not praise Him?
Why are you walking in the wrong direction, you foolish mind? Leave behind all these worldly entanglements and worries.
1. You twirl your mustache and straighten your turban, walking with a proud and arrogant gait. But when the Lord of the world demands an account of your deeds at Death's door, what will your condition be? Who will save you then?

2. God protected you when you were helpless inside the mother's womb, and He nurtured you in so many ways. Kabir says, start worshiping that Lord Raghunath right now, for He is the merciful protector of the meek and humble.

…
The spiritual essence of this bhajan focuses on surrendering the ego and recognising divine grace. It highlights three key spiritual principles:

• Confronting Egoic Delusion (Ahamkara): Twirling the mustache and adjusting the turban symbolize human pride, vanity, and the false sense of doership. Kabir warns that this worldly arrogance is a spiritual illusion that crumbles when the soul faces cosmic accountability and karmic evaluation (lekha).
• The Direction of Consciousness: The phrase "walking backward/crookedly" (ulat chalat) represents a mind turned away from the Divine and entangled in material illusion (janjāl). True spirituality requires reversing this direction, turning the mind inward toward the eternal source.
• Remembering the Ultimate Nurturer: The soul is reminded of God's unconditional love and protection during its most vulnerable state in the womb (garbhavasa). Realizing that the Supreme Divine (Deenanāth) is inherently merciful inspires spontaneous devotion and deep gratitude.
  …

Key Takeaways

• Drop the Ego: Worldly pride, wealth, and status are temporary illusions that hold no value in the spiritual realm.
• Turn Inward: Stop chasing material entanglements and redirect your mind’s focus toward divine consciousness.
• Be Accountable: Every action carries a karmic consequence; live consciously knowing you must account for your choices.
• Practice Gratitude: Remember that God has protected and nurtured you from the moment of your conception.
• Surrender to Grace: Realize that the Divine is inherently merciful and always ready to protect the humble seeker.

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Here is a poetic English translation of this bhajan:

Refrain (ટેક)
Why do you not praise Lord Gopal, oh foolish mind of mine?
Why refuse to chant His name and miss the grace divine?
Why walk this backwards, crooked path, trapped in a senseless daze?
Break free from all these worldly nets, and step out of the maze.

Verse 1
You twirl your proud mustache with flair, your turban you align,
And strut around with haughty steps, as if the world is thine.
But when you stand at Heaven's gate and deeds are brought to light,
Who will protect your shivering soul on that accounting night?

Verse 2
When you were helpless in the womb, lost in the dark unknown,
He shielded you and brought you food, and claimed you as His own.
Says Kabir, listen oh my friend, start worshiping Him now,
Before the merciful King of Kings, let your proud spirit bow.