“Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.
– Joseph Campbell
Kabir – The couplet
हंसी हंसी कांत न पायी, जिन पाया तीन रोये ।
जो हंसी ही हरी मिले, तो कौन दोहागिन होए॥
Transliterated:
Hansi Hansi Kant Na Paayi, Jin Paaya Tin Roye |
Jo Hansi Hi Hari Mile, To Kaun Dohagin Hoye ||
Translation:
Laughing did not lead you to God, only the (realization of) the pain separation led to Him |
If worldly joy can lead us to God, why would there be any unfortunate separated from true bliss? ||
My understanding:
We often ask the question – “Where is God? Show me.” But perhaps the better question is “What is God?”
For the earlier question presupposes that you have already understood/defined the persona of God, and are now only looking for the where. But without truly understanding what God is, how can we know the true meaning of the statement “God is here” – or even more relevant, recognize God when God is in front of us?
So, hidden inside this little couplet, I am beginning to see the glimmer of a different light. It is telling me – do not be led astray by the superficiality of the external world, and its simple temporary pleasures. Laugh with the world, but do not get sucked into the belief that that is bliss. Understand that this is very ephemeral, and that there is a real joy and bliss that is forever. Let this just be a taste of what is possible, and use this to lead oneself to that greater presence and joy.
Hence the second line – if everyone did find that inner joy, the false platitudes of the external world would get burned away in an instant!