Tagore's Kabir Translation

 Rabindranath Tagore translated a selection of poems by the 15th-century Indian mystic and poet, Kabir, into English, aiming to make his work accessible to a wider, particularly Western, audience. These translations, often titled One Hundred Poems of Kabir, are known for capturing the mystical and devotional essence of Kabir's verses. 

Key aspects of Tagore's translation:

Mystical Focus:

Tagore, himself a renowned mystic, was particularly drawn to the spiritual and philosophical depth of Kabir's poetry, emphasizing themes of universal love, the divine within, and the transcendence of religious boundaries. 

Accessibility:

Tagore's translations aimed to make Kabir's profound ideas understandable to those unfamiliar with Indian mystical thought. 

Collaboration:

Tagore's translations were often facilitated by literal versions provided by Kali Mohan Ghose, a Bengali friend. 

Impact:

One Hundred Poems of Kabir has been widely read and appreciated, contributing significantly to the global recognition of Kabir's work. 

Beyond Literal Translation:

Tagore's translations go beyond a simple word-for-word rendering, aiming to capture the spirit and emotional impact of Kabir's verses. 

Themes in Kabir's Poetry:

Kabir's poems often explore themes of devotion, love for the divine, and the interconnectedness of all beings, often using vivid imagery and metaphors to convey these ideas. 

Examples:

A well-known opening line from Tagore's translation is, "I am neither in temple nor in mosque: I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash...". 

In essence, Tagore's translations of Kabir's poems are a significant contribution to the dissemination of Indian mystical thought.

Certainly. Here is a well-known poem by Kabir, translated into English by Rabindranath Tagore, along with the original Hindi (Braj Bhasha) version.

---

🌿 Poem: "Moko Kahan Dhunde Re Bande"

By: Kabir

Translated by: Rabindranath Tagore

---

🕉️ Original (Hindi - Braj Bhasha)

मोको कहां ढूंढे रे बंदे

मैं तो तेरे पास में

ना तीर्थ में, ना मूरत में

ना एकांत निवास में।

ना मन्दिर में, ना मस्जिद में

ना काबे कैलास में

मैं तो तेरे पास में बंदे

मैं तो तेरे पास में॥

ना मैं जाप में, ना मैं ताप में

ना मैं व्रत उपवास में

ना मैं क्रिया करम में रहता

ना ही योग संन्यास में॥

ना मैं प्राण में, ना मैं पिंड में

ना ब्रह्माण्ड आकाश में

ना मैं पाठ पूजा में

ना ही क्रिया विशेष में॥

जहां खोजे वहां नहीं,

यह तो जाने सब॥

कहे कबीर सुनो भाई साधो

मैं तो हूं विश्वास में॥

---

📜 English Translation by Tagore

"O servant, where dost thou seek Me?

Lo! I am beside thee.

I am neither in temple nor in mosque:

I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash:

Neither am I in rites and ceremonies,

nor in Yoga and renunciation.

If thou art a true seeker,

thou shalt at once see Me:

thou shalt meet Me in a moment of time.

Kabir says, 'O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath.'"