Question

ābā phir kāsī bhayā, Ram bhayā re Rahīm
moṭ chūn maida bhayā baiṭhi Kabīrā jīm

When wheat is ground into flour, all distinctions between individual grains disappear; they become one substance. Similarly, when one realises the divine, all differences between Ram and Rahim dissolve.

For Kabir, once everything becomes one (like flour), he peacefully “sits to eat”. What is the message of this dohā or couplet?

Answer 1

The message of Kabir’s doha is that God is one, even though people may worship Him by different names and follow different religions. Kabir uses the names Ram and Rahim to represent Hinduism and Islam and teaches that there is no fundamental difference between them.

He compares this idea to wheat grains being ground into flour. When the grains are ground, their individual identities disappear and they become one substance. Similarly, when a person understands the ultimate divine truth, differences between religions and religious names become unimportant.

The phrase “baiṭhi Kabirā jīm” suggests that aftrealisinging this truth, Kabir can sit peacefully and be content. Thus, the doha teaches us to avoid religious divisions, respect all faiths, and live with love, peace and harmony.