Kabir: Jhini, Jhini Chadariya

My mother sang this bhajan many times to me as I was growing up, but only today did I pay attention to the words and completely understand it! In a few short verses, Kabir shows his intimate direct experience of Yoga (ingla is IDa, pingla is piNGala and sushUmna nADIs), sAmkhya (gun toni), tantra (ashtakamal- eight petalled lotus), and again Yoga and VedAnta (panca tattva). You can find articles on each of these in the sAdhanaguidance website and I think they are the most important concepts that need to be directly experienced and understood on the path.

And he ends it all in a beautiful line that is sure to bring tears to the eyes of any bhakta. One can really appreciate this masterpiece now!

There is a version by the Gundecha brothers in the Dhrupad style on Youtube as well.

Jhini jhini bini chadariya.
kah ke tana, kah ke bharni, kaun taar se bini chadariya
ingla pingla taana bharni, sushumna tar se bini chadariya.
ashta kamal dal charkha doley, panch tatva, gun tini chadariya
saiin ko siyat mas dus lagey, thonk-thonk ke bini chadariya.
so chaadar sur nar muni odhi, odhi ke maili kini chadariya
das Kabir jatan kari odhi, jyon ki tyon dhar deeni chadariya.

The Lord Supreme has woven a very fine and delicate tapestry,free of impurities of any kind!
What refined and subtle yarn, what complex interlacing, He has used to weave it!
Using veins and breath His threads Twenty four hours on end, His spinning wheel turns,
Weaving the tapestry from all five essential elements.
Ten months does it take the Lord to weave his tapestry,
Using the greatest of craftsmanship, care and skill.

That exquisite tapestry is worn by the celestials,by Saints, and by human beings alike.
But they all invariably have defiled it !
Your humble devotee Kabir has worn it scrupulously and meticulously,
And is returning it to You, O’Lord, unblemished and pure !

Kabir: Chadaria Jhini Re Jhini.

झीनी रे झीनी रे झीनी चदरिया, झीनी रे झीनी रे झीनी चदरिया

के राम नाम रस भीनी चदरिया, झीनी रे झीनी रे झीनी चदरिया

अष्ट कमल दल चरखा डोले, पांच तत्व, गुण तीनि चदरिया

साइँ को सियत मास दस लागे, ठोंक-ठोंक के बीनी चदरिया

सो चादर सुर नर मुनि ओढ़ी, ओढ़ी के मैली कीनी चदरिया

दास कबीर जतन सो ओढ़ी, ज्यों की त्यों धर दीन चदरिया

jhini re jhini re jhini chadariya, jhini re jhini re jhini chadariya
ke ram naam ras bhini chadariya, jhini re jhini re jhini chadariya
ashta kamal dal charkha doley, panch tatva, gun tini chadariya
saiin ko siyat mas dus lagey, thokey-thokey ke bini chadariya
so chadar sur nar muni odi, odi ke maili kini chadariya
das kabir jatan so odi, jyon ki tyon dhar deen chadariya

In translation:

This is fine, this is fine cloth.
It is been dipped in the name of the lord
The spinning wheel, like an eight-petal lotus, spins,
With five tattvas and three guNas as the pattern.
The Lord stitched it in 10 months
The threads have been pressed to get a tight weave.
It has been worn by gods, people, and sages
They soiled it with use.
Kabir says, I have covered my self with this cloth with great care,
And eventually will leave it like it was.


This is fine, this is fine cloth.
Dyed in the Ram Nam, the name of the lord,
A spinning wheel like an eight-petalled lotus spins it,

Five elements and three qualities are its pattern.
The Lord tailored it in ten moons,
Pressed the threads to get the weft tight.
It has been worn by gods, men and sages:
They soiled it with use.
Says Kabir; I have covered myself with this cloth most carefully,
And eventually will leave it as it was before.