Karna Fakiri Phir Kya Dilgiri Sada Magan Me Rehna Ji
करना फ़कीरी फिर क्या दिलगिरी, सदा मगन मैं रहना जी
Koi Din Gadi Na Koi Din Bangla Koi Din Jangal Basna Ji
कोई दिन गाड़ी, न कोई दिन बंगला, कोई दिन जंगल बसना जी
Koi Din Hathi Na Koi Din Ghoda Koi Din Paidal Chalna Ji
कोई दिन हाथी, न कोई दिन घोड़ा, कोई दिन पैदल चलना जी
Koi Din Khajan Koi Din Laadu Koi Din Fakam Fakka Ji
कोई दिन खाजा, न कोई दिन लाडू, कोई दिन फाकम फाका जी
Koi Din Dholiya Koi Talai Koi Din Bhui Par Lotna Ji
कोई दिन ढोलिया, न कोई दिन तलाई, कोई दिन भुई पर लोटना जी
Mira Kahe Prabhu Girdhar Nagar, Aye Pade So Sehna Ji
मीरा कहे प्रभु, गिरधर नागर, आये पड़े सो सहना जी
Karna Fakiri Phir Kya Dilgiri, Sada Magan Me Rehna Ji
करना फ़कीरी फिर क्या दिलगिरी, सदा मगन में रहना जी
Rough Translation – Karna Fakiri Phir Kya Dilgiri
When you must wander around, then why give in to any tantrums
Some days you live on a vehicle, some days in a palace while another day you need to make jungle your home
Some days you have elephants, some days horses to travel, while another day you must just walk with your two feet
Some days you taste the Khaja, or the sweet rich Laddu, while some days you must sleep hungry
Some days you have comfortable beds, with cushions all around you and some days you must sleep on the floor
Meera says Oh My Giridhar, whatever you send my way, I accept and live with
When I have chosen to wander, why should I throw any tantrums.
Meerabai Bhajan
Mira was a Bhakti poet of 16th CE. This was the time when Bhakti movement was at its peak. We see many Bhakti poets like Kabir, Tulsidas, Sant Dhyaneshwar, Tukaram, Surdas come up during this time. Meera stands out among these poets for various reasons.
Mira was born a royal at her home in Merta. After marriage she became the queen of Chittorgarh where her temple can still be seen. Her devotion for Krishna made her give up everything and take the road. She roamed around singing Krishna Bhajans that she composed herself. She is anti-thesis to many stereotypes that we have for women of that era.
To me, Mira was a true traveler. She travelled in search of her divine beloved. She sang songs for him, gave up all luxuries available to her and embraced life as it came.
‘Karna Fakiri fir Kya Dilgiri’ is one of my favorite Mira Bhajans. It describes the life of a traveler and more importantly the attitude of a traveler.
Understanding ‘Karna Fakiri Phir Kya Dilgiri’
Before we jump into the meaning of this poem, let us understand a few words.
Fakiri – It is an Arabic word, that is now mostly used for beggars. Well, it really does not mean a beggar. It means someone who is not bound by the material things. Someone who is capable of owning or living amongst all the riches but is capable of giving them up. It gives a carefree bohemian character, someone who moves at free will.
Dilgiri – Tantrums – Giving up to the whims and fancies of your heart and maybe even mind. Most of the tantrums we throw are a result of us giving in to the demands of our heart and mind.
Magan – Lost in a happy and go lucky way. When you are happy, you feel complete with nothing that can disturb you.
The Mukhda or the title of the poem says that when you have to live like a Fakir than what is the need for any tantrums. I want to live happily lost in the world of my beloved.
Life of a Traveler
Then it goes on to describe the contrasts that a traveler so often meets. These contrasts neither delight, nor disturbs, and a traveler takes them with a sense of equanimity. It does not mean that you do not notice the difference between extreme ends, but you just accept things as they come to you.
The first para says that somedays you get to travel on in vehicle or a palanquin, live in a lavish bunglow, while on other days you need to spend time in a jungle. Mind you in the days of Mira there were no Jungle resorts or luxury tree house stays. You stayed in the jungle beneath a tree probably. However, for a seeker both of them are equally welcome, when you are totally focussed on the Bhakti of your Devata.
Some days you have elephants and horses to transport you, while on the other days you need to walk.
Some days you have the best of food like popular sweets Laddu and Khaja, while on the other days you have walk empty stomach.
Some days you have the luxurious bedding to sleep while other days you have to sleep on the floor (without any bedding).
In her signature style, Mirabai in her last verse talks to Krishna and says- Hey Giridhar Nagar, whatever comes your way, you have to accept and endure.
Spiritual Significance
As a traveler, I have seen the best of luxuries in the world and I have slept on railway platforms or airports with nothing to comfort me. I do not think I have Mirabai’s endurance, but I know I just accepted this as a part and parcel of traveler’s life.
A true traveler or a pilgrim enjoys the ups and down of travels. These are the teachers you meet when you travel. Once you learn to enjoy the two ends of the spectrum, you can pretty much survive anything in between. If you are evolved enough, you learn to enjoy these ups and downs.
Spiritually speaking, equanimity is the ultimate goal to achieve. When you see everyone equally, accept and handle every situation in the same way, you have come a long way spiritually.
So, this song of Meerabai speaks to us at different levels. On the surface it talks about the life of a traveler. Beneath the surface, it talks about the spiritual growth of a seeker.
