Religion
Song XIV: The river and its waves are one
Translated by Rabindranath Tagore, with Evelyn Underhill (1915) · From Songs of Kabir (1915)
The river and its waves are one
surf: where is the difference between the river and its waves?
When the wave rises, it is the water; and when it falls, it is the same water again. Tell me, Sir, where is the distinction?
Because it has been named as wave, shall it no longer be considered as water?
Within the Supreme Brahma, the worlds are being told like beads:
Look upon that rosary with the eyes of wisdom.
Cite this poem
MLA
Kabir. “Song XIV: The river and its waves are one.” Translated by Rabindranath Tagore, with Evelyn Underhill. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/kabir/13/.
Chicago
Kabir. “Song XIV: The river and its waves are one.” Translated by Rabindranath Tagore, with Evelyn Underhill. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/kabir/13/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by Kabir
- Song XI: I played day and night with my comrades, and now I am greatly afraid.
- Song XXXIV: How could the love between Thee and me sever?
- Song LIII: What is that flute whose music thrills me with joy?
- Song LXXII: The jewel is lost in the mud, and all are seeking for it;
- Song XCII: The woman who is parted from her lover spins at the spinning wheel.