Kakbhushundi's Former Births and the Nature of Kali Yuga
Kakbhushundi recounts the story of his former births and explains the nature of Kali Yuga. He shows that in such an age, devotion is the simplest and safest refuge.
Uttar Kand · Episode 13 / 21
Episode Text
प्रथम जन्म के चरित अब कहउँ सुनहु बिहगेस। सुनि प्रभु पद रति उपजइ जातें मिटहिं कलेस॥ ९६ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
prathama janma ke carita aba kahauṃ sunahu bihagesa। suni prabhu pada rati upajai jātẽ miṭahiṃ kalesa॥ 96 (a) ॥
Meaning:
O king of birds, listen: I now tell you the story of my first birth. Hearing it, love for the Lord’s feet arises, and all sufferings are erased.
पूरुब कल्प एक प्रभु जुग कलिजुग मल मूल। नर अरु नारि अधर्म रत सकल निगम प्रतिकूल॥ ९६ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pūruba kalpa eka prabhu juga kalijuga mala mūla। nara aru nāri adharma rata sakala nigama pratikūla॥ 96 (b) ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, in a previous age, there was a Kali-like epoch, the root of sin, in which men and women were all devoted to unrighteousness and opposed to the Vedas.
तेहिं कलिजुग कोसलपुर जाई। जन्मत भयउँ सूद्र तनु पाई॥ सिव सेवक मन क्रम अरु बानी। आन देव निंदक अभिमानी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tehiṃ kalijuga kosalapura jāī। janmata bhayauṃ sūdra tanu pāī॥ siva sevaka mana krama aru bānī। āna deva nindaka abhimānī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
In that Kali age, I came to Kosalapur and took birth in a śūdra body. In thought, word, and deed I was a servant of Shiva, and I was proud and abusive toward other gods.
धन मद मत्त परम बाचाला। उग्रबुद्धि उर दंभ बिसाला॥ जदपि रहेउँ रघुपति रजधानी। तदपि न कछु महिमा तब जानी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhana mada matta parama bācālā। ugrabuddhi ura daṃbha bisālā॥ jadapi raheuṃ raghupati rajadhānī। tadapi na kachu mahimā taba jānī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Intoxicated by wealth, I was extremely talkative and harsh-minded; great pride filled my heart. Though I lived in Raghupati’s capital, I knew nothing at all of His greatness then.
अब जाना मैं अवध प्रभावा। निगमागम पुरान अस गावा॥ कवनेहुँ जन्म अवध बस जोई। राम परायन सो परि होई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
aba jānā maiṃ avadha prabhāvā। nigamāgama purāna asa gāvā॥ kavanehuṃ janma avadha basa joi। rāma parāyana so pari hoī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Now I have understood the power of Ayodhya. The Vedas, scriptures, and Puranas sing that whoever dwells in Ayodhya, in any birth, surely becomes devoted to Rama.
अवध प्रभाव जान तब प्रानी। जब उर बसहिं रामु धनुपानी॥ सो कलिकाल कठिन उरगारी। पाप परायन सब नर नारी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
avadha prabhāva jāna taba prānī। jaba ura basahiṃ rāmu dhanupānī॥ so kalikāla kaṭhina uragārī। pāpa parāyana saba nara nārī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
A being knows the glory of Ayodhya only when Rama, bow in hand, dwells in the heart. O Garuda, that Kali age was indeed severe; in it all men and women were devoted to sin.
कलिमल ग्रसे धर्म सब लुप्त भए सदग्रंथ। दंभिन्ह निज मति कल्पि करि प्रगट किए बहु पंथ॥ ९७ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kalimala grase dharma saba lupta bhae sadagraṃtha। daṃbhinha nija mati kalpi kari pragaṭa kie bahu pantha॥ 97 (a) ॥
Meaning:
The sins of Kali swallowed all religion; the sacred texts disappeared, and the hypocrites, inventing from their own minds, brought forth many paths.
भए लोग सब मोहबस लोभ ग्रसे सुभ कर्म। सुनु हरिजान ग्यान निधि कहउँ कछुक कलिधर्म॥ ९७ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhae loga saba mohabasa lobha grase subha karma। sunu harijāna gyāna nidhi kahauṃ kachu ka kalidharma॥ 97 (b) ॥
Meaning:
Everyone became subject to delusion, and greed swallowed up noble deeds. Listen, O treasure of knowledge, O vehicle of Hari; now I shall speak of some traits of the age of Kali.
बरन धर्म नहिं आश्रम चारी। श्रुति बिरोध रत सब नर नारी॥ द्विज श्रुति बेचक भूप प्रजासन। कोउ नहिं मान निगम अनुसासन॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
barana dharma nahiṃ āśrama cārī। śruti virodha rata saba nara nārī॥ dvija śruti becaka bhūpa prajāsana। kou nahiṃ māna nigama anuśāsana॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
In Kali age, neither the duties of caste nor the four stages of life remain. Men and women all turn against the Vedas. Brahmins sell the Vedas, kings devour their subjects, and no one follows the Vedic command.
मारग सोइ जा कहुँ जोइ भावा। पंडित सोइ जो गाल बजावा॥ मिथ्यारंभ दंभ रत जोई। ता कहुँ संत कहइ सब कोई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
māraga soi jā kahuṃ joi bhāvā। paṃḍita soi jo gāla bajāvā॥ mithyārambha daṃbha rata joī। tā kahuṃ saṃta kahai saba koī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Whatever pleases a person is taken as the path. One who boasts is called a scholar. One who makes a false show and is steeped in hypocrisy is called a saint by everyone.
सोइ सयान जो परधन हारी। जो कर दंभ सो बड़ आचारी॥ जो कह झूँठ मसखरी जाना। कलिजुग सोइ गुनवंत बखाना॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
soi sayāna jo paradhana hārī। jo kara daṃbha so baḍa ācārī॥ jo kaha jhūṃṭha masakharī jānā। kalijuga soi gunavanta bakhānā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
One who somehow takes away another’s wealth is considered wise. One who practices hypocrisy is said to be a great man of conduct. One who lies and knows how to jest is praised as virtuous in Kali age.
निराचार जो श्रुति पथ त्यागी। कलिजुग सोइ ग्यानी सो बिरागी॥ जाकें नख अरु जटा बिसाला। सोइ तापस प्रसिद्ध कलिकाला॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nirācāra jo śruti patha tyāgī। kalijuga soi gyānī so virāgī॥ jākeṃ nakha aru jaṭā bisālā। soi tāpasa prasiddha kalikālā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
One who is without conduct and has abandoned the Vedic path is, in Kali age, considered wise and detached. One with long nails and huge matted locks is famous as an ascetic in Kali age.
असुभ बेष भूषन धरें भच्छाभच्छ जे खाहिं। तेइ जोगी तेइ सिद्ध नर पूज्य ते कलिजुग माहिं॥ ९८ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
asubha beṣa bhūṣana dhareṃ bhacchābhaccha je khāhiṃ। tei jogī tei siddha nara pūjya te kalijuga māhiṃ॥ 98 (a) ॥
Meaning:
Those who wear inauspicious dress and ornaments and eat everything, edible and inedible alike, are called yogis, are called perfected beings, and are revered in the age of Kali.
जे अपकारी चार तिन्ह कर गौरव मान्य तेइ। मन क्रम बचन लबार तेइ बकता कलिकाल महुँ॥ ९८ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
je apakārī cāra tinha kara gaurava mānya tei। mana krama bacana labāra tei baktā kalikāla mahaṃ॥ 98 (b) ॥
Meaning:
Those whose conduct harms others are the ones who receive great honor and are deemed worthy of respect. Those who lie in thought, word, and deed are considered speakers in the age of Kali.
नारि बिबस नर सकल गोसाईं। नाचहिं नट मर्कट की नाईं॥ सूद्र द्विजन्ह उपदेसहिं ग्याना। मेलि जनेऊ लेहिं कुदाना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nāri bibasa nara sakala gosāīṃ। nācahiṃ naṭa markaṭa kī nāīṃ॥ sūdra dvijanha upadesahiṃ gyānā। meli janeū lehiṃ kudānā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, all men are under the special control of women and dance like monkeys made to perform by a showman. Shudras instruct the Brahmins in wisdom, and putting on the sacred thread, they take disgraceful alms.
सब नर काम लोभ रत क्रोधी। देव बिप्र श्रुति संत बिरोधी॥ गुन मंदिर सुंदर पति त्यागी। भजहिं नारि पर पुरुष अभागी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saba nara kāma lobha rata krodhī। deva bipra shruti santa birodhī॥ guna maṃdira sundara pati tyāgī। bhajahiṃ nāri para puruṣa abhāgī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
All men are devoted to lust and greed and are angry; they oppose the gods, Brahmins, the Vedas, and the saints. Unfortunate women abandon their handsome husbands, the abode of virtues, and turn to other men.
सौभागिनीं बिभूषन हीना। बिधवन्ह के सिंगार नबीना॥ गुर सिष बधिर अंध का लेखा। एक न सुनइ एक नहिं देखा॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
saubhāginīṃ bibhūṣana hīnā। bidhavanha ke siṅgāra nabīnā॥ gura sisa badhira andha kā lekhā। eka na suni eka nahiṃ dekhā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Married women are without ornaments, while widows have ever-new adornments. The relation between guru and disciple is like that of a deaf person and a blind person: one does not hear, the other does not see.
हरइ सिष्य धन सोक न हरई। सो गुर घोर नरक महुँ परई॥ मातु पिता बालकन्हि बोलावहिं। उदर भरै सोइ धर्म सिखावहिं॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
harai sīṣya dhana soka na harī। so gura ghora naraka mahuṃ paraī॥ mātu pitā bālakanhi bolāvahiṃ। udara bharai soi dharma sikhāvahiṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
A guru who takes away a disciple's wealth but does not remove sorrow falls into terrible hell. Parents call their children and teach them only that religion which fills the belly.
ब्रह्म ग्यान बिनु नारि नर कहहिं न दूसरि बात। कौड़ी लागि लोभ बस करहिं बिप्र गुर घात॥ ९९ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
brahma gyāna binu nāri nara kahahiṃ na dūsari bāta। kauḍī lāgi lobha basa karahiṃ bipra gura ghāta॥ 99 (a) ॥
Meaning:
Without knowledge of Brahman, men and women speak of nothing else, yet under the sway of greed they commit the killing of Brahmins and gurus for a mere cowrie.
बादहिं सूद्र द्विजन्ह सन हम तुम्ह ते कछु घाटि। जानइ ब्रह्म सो बिप्रबर आँखि देखावहिं डाटि॥ ९९ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bādahiṃ sūdra dvijanha san hama tumha te kachu ghāṭi। jānai brahma so biprabara āṃkhi dekhāvahiṃ ḍāṭi॥ 99 (b) ॥
Meaning:
Shudras argue with Brahmins, saying, "Are we in any way less than you?" He alone is the best Brahmin who knows Brahman; saying this, they glare at them and rebuke them.
पर त्रिय लंपट कपट सयाने। मोह द्रोह ममता लपटाने॥ तेइ अभेदबादी ग्यानी नर। देखा मैं चरित्र कलिजुग कर॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
para triya laṃpaṭa kapaṭa sayāne। moha droha mamatā lapaṭāne॥ tei abhedabādī gyānī nara। dekhā maiṃ caritra kalijuga kara॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Those who are attached to another's wife, clever in deceit, and entangled in delusion, treachery, and attachment are the very people called non-dualistic knowers. I have seen this character of the Kali age.
आपु गए अरु तिन्हहू घालहिं। जे कहुँ सत मारग प्रतिपालहिं॥ कल्प कल्प भरि एक एक नरका। परहिं जे दूषहिं श्रुति करि तरका॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
āpu gae aru tinhahū ghālahiṃ। je kahuṃ sata māraga pratipālahiṃ॥ kalpa kalpa bhari eka eka narakā। parahiṃ je dūṣahiṃ shruti kari tarkā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
They themselves are destroyed, and they also destroy those who in any way uphold the true path. Those who, by argument, revile the Vedas fall into one hell after another through countless ages.
जे बरनाधम तेलि कुम्हारा। स्वपच किरात कोल कलवारा॥ नारि मुई गृह संपति नासी। मूड़ मुड़ाइ होहिं संन्यासी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
je baranādhama telai kumhārā। swapaca kirāta kola kalavārā॥ nāri muī gṛha saṃpati nāsī। mūḍa muḍāi hohiṃ saṃnyāsī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Those of low caste, such as oil-men, potters, cremation-ground men, Kirats, Kols, and distillers, when a wife dies or household wealth is lost, shave their heads and become ascetics.
ते बिप्रन्ह सन आपु पुजावहिं। उभय लोक निज हाथ नसावहिं॥ बिप्र निरच्छर लोलुप कामी। निराचार सठ बृषली स्वामी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
te bipranhaṃ san āpu pujāvahiṃ। ubhaya loka nija hātha nasāvahiṃ॥ bipra niracchara lolu pa kāmī। nirācāra saṭha bṛṣalī svāmī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
They have themselves worshipped by the Brahmins and destroy both worlds with their own hands. Brahmins are unlettered, greedy, lustful, without conduct, foolish, and masters of degraded women.
सूद्र करहिं जप तप ब्रत नाना। बैठि बरासन कहहिं पुराना॥ सब नर कल्पित करहिं अचारा। जाइ न बरनि अनीति अपारा॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sūdra karahiṃ japa tapa brata nānā। baiṭhi barāsana kahahiṃ purānā॥ saba nara kalpita karahiṃ acārā। jāi na barani anīti apārā॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
Shudras perform many kinds of japa, austerities, and vows, and sit on high seats to recite the Puranas. All men behave as they please; the boundless unrighteousness cannot be described.
भए बरन संकर कलि भिन्नसेतु सब लोग। करहिं पाप पावहिं दुख भय रुज सोक बियोग॥ १०० (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhae barana saṃkara kali bhinnaseṭu saba loga। karahiṃ pāpa pāvahīṃ dukha bhaya ruja soka biyoga॥ 100 (a) ॥
Meaning:
In the Kali age, all people became mixed-caste and broke from the rightful order. They commit sins and, as a result, suffer sorrow, fear, disease, grief, and separation.
श्रुति संमत हरि भक्ति पथ संजुत बिरति बिबेक। तेहिं न चलहिं नर मोह बस कल्पहिं पंथ अनेक॥ १०० (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
shruti sammata hari bhakti patha saṃjuta birati bibeka। tehiṃ na calahiṃ nara moha basa kalpahiṃ pantha aneka॥ 100 (b) ॥
Meaning:
The path of devotion to Hari, sanctioned by the Vedas and joined with renunciation and discernment, is not followed by men under the spell of delusion, and they imagine many new paths.
बहु दाम सँवारहिं धाम जती। बिषया हरि लीन्हि न रहि बिरती॥ तपसी धनवंत दरिद्र गृही। कलि कौतुक तात न जात कही॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bahu dāma saṃvārahiṃ dhāma jatī। biṣayā hari līnhi na rahi biratī॥ tapasī dhanavanta daridra gṛhī। kali kautuka tāta na jāta kahī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Ascetics adorn their homes with great wealth; their detachment has been stolen away by desires. The renunciates have become rich and householders poor. O father, the wonders of the Kali age cannot be fully told.
कुलवंति निकारहिं नारि सती। गृह आनहिं चेरि निबेरि गती॥ सुत मानहिं मातु पिता तब लौं। अबलानन दीख नहीं जब लौं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kulavaṃti nikārahiṃ nāri satī। gṛha ānahiṃ ceri niberi gatī॥ suta mānahiṃ mātu pitā taba lauṃ। abalānana dīkha nahīṃ jaba lauṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The noble and chaste woman is cast out, and a maidservant is brought into the house. Sons honor their mother and father only as long as the face of a woman has not been seen.
ससुरारि पिआरि लगी जब तें। रिपुरूप कुटुंब भए तब तें॥ नृप पाप परायन धर्म नहीं। करि दंड बिडंब प्रजा नितहीं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sasurāri piāri lāgī jaba teṃ। ripurūpa kuṭuṃba bhae taba teṃ॥ nṛpa pāpa parāyana dharma nahīṃ। kari daṃḍa biḍaṃba prajā nitahīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Since the in-laws' home became dear, the kinsmen have turned into enemies. Kings have become devoted to sin; righteousness is no more in them. They constantly oppress the people, punishing them every day.
धनवंत कुलीन मलीन अपी। द्विज चिन्ह जनेउ उघार तपी॥ नहिं मान पुरान न बेदहि जो। हरि सेवक संत सही कलि सो॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dhanavanta kulīna malina apī। dvija cinha janeū ughāra tapī॥ nahiṃ māna purāna na bedahi jo। hari sevaka saṃta sahī kali so॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The rich are regarded as noble even when impure. The sign of the twice-born is now only the sacred thread, and nakedness is taken as the mark of an ascetic. Those who do not honor the Puranas or the Vedas are, in Kali age, called devotees of Hari and true saints.
कबि बृंद उदार दुनी न सुनी। गुन दूषक ब्रात न कोपि गुनी॥ कलि बारहिं बार दुकाल परै। बिनु अन्न दुखी सब लोग मरै॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kabi bṛnda udāra dunī na sunī। guna dūṣaka brāta na kopi gunī॥ kali bārahiṃ bāra dukāla parai। binu anna dukhī saba loga marai॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
There are hosts of poets, but no generous patron is heard of in the world. There are many who point out faults, but not a single truly virtuous person. In the Kali age, famine strikes again and again; without grain, all people suffer and die.
सुनु खगेस कलि कपट हठ दंभ द्वेष पाषंड। मान मोह मारादि मद ब्यापि रहे ब्रह्मंड॥ १०१ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunu khagesa kali kapaṭa haṭha daṃbha dveṣa pāṣaṇḍa। māna moha mārādi mada byāpi rahe brahmaṃḍa॥ 101 (a) ॥
Meaning:
Listen, lord of birds! In the Kali age, deceit, stubbornness, hypocrisy, hatred, heresy, pride, delusion, and the vices beginning with passion have spread throughout the universe.
तामस धर्म करहिं नर जप तप ब्रत मख दान। देव न बरषहिं धरनीं बए न जामहिं धान॥ १०१ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāmasa dharma karahiṃ nara japa tapa brata makha dāna। deva na baraṣahiṃ dharanīṃ bae na jāmahiṃ dhāna॥ 101 (b) ॥
Meaning:
People perform japa, austerity, vows, sacrifice, and charity in a tamasic spirit. The gods do not send rain upon the earth, and the sown grain does not sprout.
अबला कच भूषन भूरि छुधा। धनहीन दुखी ममता बहुधा॥ सुख चाहहिं मूढ़ न धर्म रता। मति थोरि कठोरि न कोमलता॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
abalā kach bhūṣan bhūri chudhā। dhanahīn dukhī mamatā bahudhā॥ sukh chāhahin mūḍh na dharma ratā। mati thori kaṭhori na komalatā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Their hair is their only ornament, and they suffer great hunger (that is, they remain ever unsatisfied). Being without wealth and having many forms of attachment, they remain unhappy. Though foolish, they desire happiness, but they are not devoted to righteousness. Their understanding is slight and harsh; they have no gentleness.
नर पीड़ित रोग न भोग कहीं। अभिमान बिरोध अकारनहीं॥ लघु जीवन संबतु पंच दसा। कलपांत न नास गुमानु असा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nara pīḍita roga na bhoga kahīṃ। abhimāna birodha akāranahīṃ॥ laghu jīvana saṃbatu pañca dasā। kalapāṃta na nāsa gumānu asā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Human beings are afflicted by illness, and there is no lasting enjoyment anywhere. They indulge in pride and hostility without any reason. Life is only a short span of five or ten years, yet their arrogance is such that they act as if they will not be destroyed even at the end of a cosmic age.
कलिकाल बिहाल किए मनुजा। नहिं मानत क्वौ अनुजा तनुजा॥ नहिं तोष बिचार न सीतलता। सब जाति कुजाति भए मगता॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kalikāla bihāla kie manujā। nahīṃ mānata kvao anujā tanujā॥ nahīṃ toṣa bicāra na sītalatā। saba jāti kujāti bhae magatā॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The Kali age has reduced human beings to ruin. No one even respects sisters and daughters. [Among people] there is neither contentment nor discernment nor calmness. People of every caste, good or bad, have become beggars.
इरिषा परुषाच्छर लोलुपता। भरि पूरि रही समता बिगता॥ सब लोग बियोग बिसोक हए। बरनाश्रम धर्म अचार गए॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
iriṣā paruṣācchara lolupatā। bhari pūri rahī samatā bigatā॥ saba loga biyoga bisoka hae। barṇāśrama dharma ācāra gae॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Envy, harsh speech, and greed are overflowing, and equality has vanished. All people are full of separation and deep sorrow. The conduct of varna and ashrama dharma has disappeared.
दम दान दया नहिं जानपनी। जड़ता परबंचनताति घनी॥ तनु पोषक नारि नरा सगरे। परनिंदक जे जग मो बगरे॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dama dāna dayā nahiṃ jānapanī। jaḍatā parabancanatāti ghanī॥ tanu poṣaka nāri narā sagare। paranindak je jaga mo bagare॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
There is no restraint of the senses, no charity, no compassion, and no wisdom. Foolishness and deception of others have greatly increased. Men and women alike are absorbed only in maintaining the body. Those who slander others are the ones who spread through the world.
सुनु ब्यालारि काल कलि मल अवगुन आगार। गुनउ बहुत कलिजुग कर बिनु प्रयास निस्तार॥ १०२ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunu byālāri kāla kali mala avaguna āgāra। gunau bahuta kalijuga kara binu prayāsa nistāra॥ 102 (a) ॥
Meaning:
Listen, O enemy of serpents, Garuda: the Kali age is a storehouse of sins and faults. Yet it has one great virtue—one can be freed from the bondage of the world without much effort.
कृतजुग त्रेताँ द्वापर पूजा मख अरु जोग। जो गति होइ सो कलि हरि नाम ते पावहिं लोग॥ १०२ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kṛtajuga tretāṃ dvāpara pūjā makha aru joga। jo gati hoi so kali hari nāma te pāvahiṃ loga॥ 102 (b) ॥
Meaning:
The state attained in Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Dvapara Yuga through worship, sacrifice, and yoga is attained in Kali Yuga by people simply through the Name of Hari.
कृतजुग सब जोगी बिग्यानी। करि हरि ध्यान तरहिं भव प्रानी॥ त्रेताँ बिबिध जग्य नर करहीं। प्रभुहि समर्पि कर्म भव तरहीं॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kṛtajuga saba jogī bigyānī। kari hari dhyāna tarahiṃ bhava prānī॥ tretāṃ bibidha jagya nara karahīṃ। prabhuhi samarpi karma bhava tarahīṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
In Satya Yuga, all are yogis and knowers. By meditating on Hari, all beings cross the ocean of worldly existence. In Treta Yuga, people perform many kinds of sacrifices and, dedicating all actions to the Lord, cross the ocean of existence.
द्वापर करि रघुपति पद पूजा। नर भव तरहिं उपाय न दूजा॥ कलिजुग केवल हरि गुन गाहा। गावत नर पावहिं भव थाहा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dvāpara kari raghupati pada pūjā। nara bhava tarahiṃ upāya na dūjā॥ kalijuga kevala hari guna gāhā। gāvata nara pāvahiṃ bhava thāhā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
In Dvapara, people cross the world-ocean by worshipping the feet of Shri Raghunath; there is no other way. And in Kali Yuga, merely singing the glories of Hari allows people to reach the depth of the ocean of existence.
कलिजुग जोग न जग्य न ग्याना। एक अधार राम गुन गाना॥ सब भरोस तजि जो भज रामहि। प्रेम समेत गाव गुन ग्रामहि॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kalijuga joga na jagya na gyānā। eka adhāra rāma guna gānā॥ saba bharosa taji jo bhaja rāmahi। prema sameta gāva guna grāmahi॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
In Kali Yuga, there is neither yoga nor sacrifice nor knowledge. The sole support is the singing of Rama's virtues. Therefore, abandoning all reliance, one who worships Rama and sings His countless virtues with love...
सोइ भव तर कछु संसय नाहीं। नाम प्रताप प्रगट कलि माहीं॥ कलि कर एक पुनीत प्रतापा। मानस पुन्य होहिं नहिं पापा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
soi bhava tara kachu saṃsaya nāhīṃ। nāma pratāpa pragaṭa kali māhīṃ॥ kali kara eka punīta pratāpā। mānasa punya hohiṃ nahiṃ pāpā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
He alone crosses the ocean of existence; there is no doubt about it. The glory of the Name is manifest in Kali Yuga. One sacred glory of Kali Yuga is that mental merit can arise, but mental sin does not.
कलिजुग सम जुग आन नहिं जौं नर कर बिस्वास। गाइ राम गुन गन बिमल भव तर बिनहिं प्रयास॥ १०३ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kalijuga sama juga āna nahiṃ jauṃ nara kara bisvāsa। gāi rāma guna gana bimala bhava tara binahiṃ prayāsa॥ 103 (a) ॥
Meaning:
If a person truly understands, there is no age equal to Kali Yuga. For in this age, by singing the pure virtues of Rama, one crosses the world-ocean without effort.
प्रगट चारि पद धर्म के कलि महुँ एक प्रधान। जेन केन बिधि दीन्हें दान करइ कल्यान॥ १०३ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pragaṭa cāri pada dharma ke kali mahuṃ eka pradhāna। jena kena bidhi dīnhẽ dāna karai kalyāna॥ 103 (b) ॥
Meaning:
The four legs of dharma are well known, and in Kali Yuga one leg alone is foremost: charity. However it is given, charity brings welfare.
नित जुग धर्म होहिं सब केरे। हृदयँ राम माया के प्रेरे॥ सुद्ध सत्व समता बिग्याना। कृत प्रभाव प्रसन्न मन जाना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nita juga dharma hohiṃ saba kere। hṛdayaṃ rāma māyā ke prere॥ suddha satva samatā bigyānā। kṛta prabhāva prasanna mana jānā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Driven by Rama's Maya, the duties of all ages continue to arise in everyone's heart. Pure sattva, equanimity, knowledge, and cheerfulness of mind—know these as the effect of the Satya Yuga.
सत्व बहुत रज कछु रति कर्मा। सब बिधि सुख त्रेता कर धर्मा॥ बहु रज स्वल्प सत्व कछु तामस। द्वापर धर्म हरष भय मानस॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
satva bahuta raja kachu rati karmā। saba bidhi sukha tretā kara dharmā॥ bahu raja svalpa satva kachu tāmasa। dvāpara dharma harṣa bhaya mānasa॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
When sattva is predominant, with some rajas and love for action, and happiness in every way, that is the dharma of Treta Yuga. When rajas is abundant, sattva is very little, some tamas remains, and the mind has joy and fear, that is the dharma of Dvapara Yuga.
तामस बहुत रजोगुन थोरा। कलि प्रभाव बिरोध चहुँ ओरा॥ बुध जुग धर्म जानि मन माहीं। तजि अधर्म रति धर्म कराहीं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tāmasa bahuta rajaguna thorā। kali prabhāva birodha cahũ orā॥ budha juga dharma jāni mana māhīṃ। taji adharma rati dharma karāhīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
When tamas is abundant and rajas is slight, and hostility prevails on all sides, that is the influence of Kali Yuga. The wise, knowing the dharma of the ages in their hearts, abandon unrighteousness and take delight in righteousness.
काल धर्म नहिं ब्यापहिं ताही। रघुपति चरन प्रीति अति जाही॥ नट कृत बिकट कपट खगराया। नट सेवकहि न ब्यापइ माया॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kāla dharma nahiṃ byāpahiṃ tāhī। raghupati carana prīti ati jāhī॥ naṭa kṛta tikaṭa kapaṭa khagarāyā। naṭa sevakahi na byāpai māyā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
One who has profound love for the feet of Shri Raghunath is not affected by the laws of time and age. O king of birds, the illusion created by a magician is very difficult for onlookers, but the magician's servant is not affected by that illusion.
हरि माया कृत दोष गुन बिनु हरि भजन न जाहिं। भजिअ राम तजि काम सब अस बिचारि मन माहिं॥ १०४ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hari māyā kṛta doṣa guna binu hari bhajana na jāhiṃ। bhajia rāma taji kāma saba asa bicāri mana māhīṃ॥ 104 (a) ॥
Meaning:
The faults and virtues produced by Hari's Maya do not disappear without devotion to Hari. Reflecting thus in the mind, one should abandon all desires and worship Rama with a desireless heart.
तेहिं कलिकाल बरष बहु बसेउँ अवध बिहगेस। परेउ दुकाल बिपति बस तब मैं गयउँ बिदेस॥ १०४ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tehiṃ kalikāla baraṣa bahu baseuṃ avadha bihagesa। pareu dukāla bipati basa taba maiṃ gayeuṃ bidesa॥ 104 (b) ॥
Meaning:
O king of birds, in that Kali age I lived in Ayodhya for many years. Then famine struck there, and I, overwhelmed by misfortune, went to a foreign land.
गयउँ उजेनी सुनु उरगारी। दीन मलीन दरिद्र दुखारी॥ गएँ काल कछु संपति पाई। तहँ पुनि करउँ संभु सेवकाई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gayauṃ ujenī sunu uragārī। dīna malīna daridra dukhārī॥ gaeṃ kāla kachu saṃpati pāī। tahaṃ puni karaũ saṃbhu sevakāī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
O enemy of serpents, Garuda, listen. I went to Ujjain poor, faded, destitute, and sorrowful. After some time, upon gaining some wealth, I again began serving Lord Shambhu there.
बिप्र एक बैदिक सिव पूजा। करइ सदा तेहि काजु न दूजा॥ परम साधु परमारथ बिंदक। संभु उपासक नहिं हरि निंदक॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bipra eka baidika siva pūjā। karai sadā tehi kāju na dūjā॥ parama sādhu paramāratha bindaka। sambhu upāsaka nahiṃ hari nindaka॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
There was a Brahmin who always worshipped Shiva according to Vedic rites and had no other work. He was supremely virtuous and knew the highest truth; he was devoted to Shambhu, but he was not a blasphemer of Hari.
तेहि सेवउँ मैं कपट समेता। द्विज दयाल अति नीति निकेता॥ बाहिज नम्र देखि मोहि साईं। बिप्र पढ़ाव पुत्र की नाईं॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tehi sevauṃ maiṃ kapaṭa sametā। dvija dayāla ati nīti niketā॥ bāhija namra dekhi mohi sāīṃ। bipra paṛhāva putra kī nāīṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
I served him with deceit. That Brahmin was extremely compassionate and a abode of righteous conduct. O lord, seeing me humble on the outside, the Brahmin taught me as though I were his own son.
संभु मंत्र मोहि द्विजबर दीन्हा। सुभ उपदेस बिबिध बिधि कीन्हा॥ जपउँ मंत्र सिव मंदिर जाई। हृदयँ दंभ अहमिति अधिकाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sambhu maṃtra mohi dvijabara dīnhā। subha upadesa bibidha bidhi kīnhā॥ japauṃ mantra siva mandira jāī। hṛdayaṃ daṃbha ahamiti adhikāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
That excellent Brahmin gave me the mantra of Shiva and taught me many kinds of good counsel. I would go to Shiva's temple and recite the mantra. Pride and arrogance grew in my heart.
मैं खल मल संकुल मति नीच जाति बस मोह। हरिजन द्विज देखें जरउँ करउँ बिष्नु कर द्रोह॥ १०५ (क) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
maiṃ khala mala saṃkula mati nīca jāti basa moha। harijana dvija dekheṃ jarauṃ karauṃ biṣṇu kara droha॥ 105 (a) ॥
Meaning:
I was wicked, of low birth, and possessed of a foul, sinful intellect; under delusion I would flare up at the sight of Hari's devotees and Brahmins, and I acted in enmity toward Lord Vishnu.
गुर नित मोहि प्रबोध दुखित देखि आचरन मम। मोहि उपजइ अति क्रोध दंभिहि नीति कि भावई॥ १०५ (ख) ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gura nita mohi prabodha dukhita dekhi ācarana mama। mohi upajai ati krodha daṃbhihi nīti ki bhāvai॥ 105 (b) ॥
Meaning:
Guruji was saddened to see my conduct. He would explain things to me every day, but [I understood nothing and instead] I would become extremely angry. Can a hypocrite ever like righteous conduct?
एक बार गुर लीन्ह बोलाई। मोहि नीति बहु भाँति सिखाई॥ सिव सेवा कर फल सुत सोई। अबिरल भगति राम पद होई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
eka bāra gura līnha bolāī। mohi nīti bahu bhā̃ti sikhaī॥ siva sevā kara phala suta soī। abirala bhagati rāma pada hoī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Once the guru called me to him and taught me morality in many ways: “O son, the fruit of serving Shiva is unwavering devotion to the feet of Rama.”
रामहि भजहिं तात सिव धाता। नर पावँर कै केतिक बाता॥ जासु चरन अज सिव अनुरागी। तासु द्रोहँ सुख चहसि अभागी॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rāmahi bhajahiṃ tāta siva dhātā। nara pāṽra kai ketika bātā॥ jāsu carana aja siva anurāgī। tāsu drohaṁ sukha cahasi abhāgī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
O father, Shiva and Brahma too worship Rama; then what can be said of a mere mortal? You wretch! Brahma and Shiva are devoted to whose feet—do you seek happiness by betraying Him?
हर कहुँ हरि सेवक गुर कहेऊ। सुनि खगनाथ हृदय मम दहेऊ॥ अधम जाति मैं बिद्या पाएँ। भयउँ जथा अहि दूध पिआएँ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
hara kahũ hari sevaka gura kaheū। suni khaganātha hṛdaya mama daheū॥ adhama jāti maiṃ bidyā pāeṃ। bhayauṃ jathā ahi dūdha piāeṃ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The guru called Shiva the servant of Hari. Hearing this, O lord of birds, my heart burned. I, born in a low caste, having gained learning, became like a snake fed on milk.
मानी कुटिल कुभाग्य कुजाती। गुर कर द्रोह करउँ दिनु राती॥ अति दयाल गुर स्वल्प न क्रोधा। पुनि पुनि मोहि सिखाव सुबोधा॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
mānī kuṭila kubhāgya kujātī। gura kara droha karaũ dina rātī॥ ati dayāla gura svalpa na krodhā। puni puni mohi sikhāva subodhā॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
I was proud, crooked, unfortunate, and of low birth; day and night I kept betraying the guru. The guru was extremely compassionate; he felt not the least anger. Again and again he continued to teach me sound wisdom.
जेहि ते नीच बड़ाई पावा। सो प्रथमहिं हति ताहि नसावा॥ धूम अनल संभव सुनु भाई। तेहि बुझाव घन पदवी पाई॥ ५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jehi te nīca baṛāī pāvā। so prathamahiṃ hati tāhi nasāvā॥ dhūma anala saṃbhava suna bhāī। tehi bujhāva ghana padavī pāī॥ 5 ॥
Meaning:
The lowly one who gains greatness from someone first destroys and ruins the very one who raised him. O brother, hear: smoke born of fire, when it attains the rank of a cloud, extinguishes that same fire.
रज मग परी निरादर रहई। सब कर पद प्रहार नित सहई॥ मरुत उड़ाव प्रथम तेहि भरई। पुनि नृप नयन किरीटन्हि परई॥ ६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rahaī maga parī nirādara rahī। saba kara pada prahāra nita sahī॥ maruta uḍhāv prathama tehi bharī। puni nṛpa nayana kirīṭanhi paraī॥ 6 ॥
Meaning:
Dust lies neglected on the road and constantly bears the trampling of everyone’s feet. But when the wind lifts it up, it first fills that wind and then falls upon the eyes and crowns of kings.
सुनु खगपति अस समुझि प्रसंगा। बुध नहिं करहिं अधम कर संगा॥ कबि कोबिद गावहिं असि नीती। खल सन कलह न भल नहिं प्रीती॥ ७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunu khagapati asa samujhi prasaṅgā। budha nahiṃ karahiṃ adhama kara saṅgā॥ kabi kobida gāvahiṃ asi nītī। khala sana kalah na bhala nahiṃ prītī॥ 7 ॥
Meaning:
O lord of birds, understand this well: the wise do not keep company with the wicked. Poets and scholars teach this rule: with the wicked, neither quarrel nor friendship is good.
उदासीन नित रहिअ गोसाईं। खल परिहरिअ स्वान की नाईं॥ मैं खल हृदयँ कपट कुटिलाई। गुर हित कहइ न मोहि सोहाई॥ ८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
udāsīna nita rahia gosāīṃ। khala pariharia svāna kī nāīṃ॥ maiṃ khala hṛdayaṃ kapaṭa kuṭilāī। gura hita kahai na mohi sohāī॥ 8 ॥
Meaning:
O Lord, remain ever detached; cast off the wicked as one would a dog. My heart was wicked, full of deceit and crookedness. Though the guru spoke words of benefit, they did not please me.