कबीर (Kabir) was a great Indian mystic and saint who has influenced Hinduism and Islam in India. He has a big influence on Sikhism. He teaching has influenced भक्ति काल (Bhakti Movement), the religious movement of 15th century in India. The teaching has united many prevailing faiths of that time in India.

Many of his teachings are in the couplets known as दोहे (Dohe, plural).  His work had a very human touch which goes above religions, caste and creed and therefore, finds relevance even in the present time.  His work also gives a glimpse of Hindi in 15th century and so, present new prospective of the evolution of Hindi.

There is a great poem by him which I would like to present you in this post. The poem describe that one’s search for God does not require person to search in religious place or require him/her to undergo hard ship of pilgrimage, renunciation etc but only faith in him (God).

Hope, you will try to comprehend the poem with the above given explanation. So, let us begin.

कविता (Kavita – Poem) : मोको कहां ढूढे रे बन्दे (Moko kahan dundhein re bande – O man, where do you search me?)
कवि (Kavi – Poet): कबीर (Kabir)

मोको कहाँ ढूढे रे बन्दे?
मैं तो तेरे पास में

Where do you search me o man?
I am with you

ना तीर्थ में ना मूर्त में
ना एकान्त निवास में

Not in pilgrimage nor in icons
Not in solitude

ना मंदिर में ना मस्जिद में
ना काबे कैलास में

Neither in temples nor in mosques
Neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash

(Note: Kaaba and Kailash are Islamic and Hindu religious place respectively)

मैं तो तेरे पास में बन्दे
मैं तो तेरे पास में

I am with you o man,
I am with you

ना मैं जप में ना मैं तप में
ना मैं बरत उपास में

I am neither in prayers nor in meditation,
Not I am in fasting

ना मैं किर्या कर्म में रहता
नहिं जोग सन्यास में

Not I am in the rituals,
Not in renunciation

नहिं प्राण में नहिं पिंड में
ना ब्रह्याण्ड आकाश में

Neither in the life nor in the body,
Neither in the Universe nor in sky

ना मैं प्रकति प्रवार गुफा में
नहिं स्वांसों की स्वांस में

Neither in the womb of Nature,
Not in the breathes of breath

खोजि होए तुरत मिल जाउं
इक पल की तालाश में

Would be found by a true seeker,
In but a moment of search

कहत कबीर सुनो भई साधो
मैं तो हूँ विश्वास में

Says Kabir, listen you Saints,
Where your faith is, I am there.