St Kabeer's Couplets 36: The Saintly Shed No Saintliness Poem by Aniruddha Pathak
St Kabeer's Couplets 36: The Saintly Shed No Saintliness
In face of countless crookedness,
The saintly shed no saintliness.
Let a cobra encircle its flanks,
The sandalwood no coolness junks.
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Given here under is the original couplet in Hindi and its transliteration in English Roman.
संत ना छाडै संतई, जो कोटिक मिले असंत,
चन्दन भुवंगा बैठिया, तऊ सीतलता न तजंत.
Sant nā ćhāđe santaī, jo koţik mile asant,
Chandan bhuvangā baiţhiyā, tau sītaltā na tajant.
Even in the company of evil, a saint never rids his saintliness, his essential nature. A venomous snake coils around a sandalwood tree, but it never rids its coolness, nor yet fragrance.
Topic: good, evil, saint, snake, sandalwood
1) May I ask you? About the saint, I have understood the context. But what has the snake to do with the sandelwood tree? Has the sandelwood tree a special meaning / place in St. Kabeer's era? The symbolical meaing? Thank you so much for your addition, Aniruddha Sir. Despite my question, this is another amazing couplet by St. Kabeer. and you the brilliant interpreter. Thank you for your response.
Thanks Sylvia FC, I like such queries. Well, as you know sandal wood is known for its unique fragrance and cooling effect. If a venomous cobra were to transfer some of its venom, would it still rid its great properties? No, Of course this is poetic imagination and debatable if such a thing is possible. I must appreciate your keen observation.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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9/12/2025 9:57:24 AM # 1.0.0
You are victorious in translating the poems of St.Kabeer. This is really a contribution from your side towards exploring the poetic treasure. Thank you Pathakji