Jhini Jhini Bini Chadariya - Shabad by Kabir Sahib

Name of Shabad: Jhini Jhini Bini Chadariya
Author & Lyrics: Kabir Sahib (Varanasi, India), 15th Century Poet
Language: Hindi
Genre: Spiritual

Meaning of Jhini Jhini Bini Chadariya

झीनी झीनी बीनी चदरिया

काहे का ताना काहे की भरनी।
कौन तार से बीनी चदरिया॥

इदा पिङ्गला ताना भरनी।
सुषुम्ना तार से बीनी चदरिया॥

आठ कँवल दल चरखा डोलै।
पाँच तत्त्व, गुन तीनी चदरिया॥

साईं को सियत मास दस लागे।
ठोक ठोक के बीनी चदरिया॥

सो चादर सुर नर मुनि ओढी।
ओढि के मैली कीनी चदरिया॥

दास कबीर जतन करि ओढी।
ज्यों कीं त्यों धर दीनी चदरिया॥

Precis

In this shabad Jhini Jhini Bini Chadariya, the word 'chadariya' or 'sheet of cloth' symbolises the 'human body' which takes 8-9 months to form in a mother's womb. It is made up of 5 elements and has 8 chakras or lotuses. It also has the doors through which a soul travels at the time of death, i.e. ida and pingla dwars or doors Finally it is the sushmana door through which the soul has to to pass to exit this universe which is only possible once a Guru grants satnam and sarnam. 

The final lines of this prose say that whosoever acquired this body of 5 elements contaminated it but God Kabir left it as it is without any adulteration. It has a very deep meaning signifying that only God Kabir was a complete saint who dwelled in this body in such a way that he left it in pristine state (i.e. without any vices affecting it)

Jhini Jhini Bini Chadariya - Explanation

This shabad (hymn) by Kabir Sahib, "झीनी झीनी बीनी चदरिया" ("Jheeni Jheeni Bini Chadariya"), is a metaphorical poem that reflects profound spiritual teachings using the symbolism of a finely woven cloth (chadar). In Kabir's mystical poetry, the "chadar" represents the human body or life, and through this symbolic garment, Kabir addresses the nature of life, the soul, and the divine process of creation. Read below a break down and an explanation of each verse:

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1. झीनी झीनी बीनी चदरिया

Jheeni jheeni bini chadariya
(The cloth is finely woven)

Kabir begins by describing the human body or life as a finely woven cloth, delicate and intricate. This "chadar" symbolizes life itself, which is crafted with great care and subtlety by the divine.

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2. काहे का ताना काहे की भरनी। कौन तार से बीनी चदरिया॥

Kahe ka taana kahe ki bharni, kaun taar se bini chadariya
(What was the warp, what was the weft? With what thread was this cloth woven?)

Here, Kabir questions the fundamental materials that constitute life. The warp (vertical threads) and the weft (horizontal threads) represent the forces of creation, and Kabir is asking how this "chadar" (life) was made, reflecting on the divine mystery of existence. The "thread" here symbolizes the subtle spiritual forces or energies that weave life together.

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3. इदा पिङ्गला ताना भरनी। सुषुम्ना तार से बीनी चदरिया॥

Ida Pingala taana bharni, Sushumna taar se bini chadariya
(Ida and Pingala are the warp and weft, and the cloth is woven with the thread of Sushumna)

In this verse, Kabir refers to the yogic concept of the three main energy channels in the body: Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. Ida and Pingala are the two major nadis (energy channels), and Sushumna is the central channel through which spiritual energy rises. Kabir suggests that the human body (chadar) is woven through the balance of these vital energies, emphasizing the spiritual nature of creation.

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4. आठ कँवल दल चरखा डोलै। पाँच तत्त्व, गुन तीनी चदरिया॥

Aath kanwal dal charkha dolai, paanch tattva, gun teeni chadariya
(There are lotuses or chakras present in this body and the body has been weaved using the five elements and the three qualities)

Kabir now brings in more spiritual symbolism. The "lotus" refers to the chakras (energy centers) in the body. The "spinning wheel" is the process of creation, constantly in motion. The "five elements" (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) and the "three qualities" (Sattva - purity, Rajas - passion, and Tamas - ignorance) are the fundamental building blocks of creation. Kabir is describing how the body and life are intricately created from these spiritual and physical forces.

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5. साईं को सियत मास दस लागे। ठोक ठोक के बीनी चदरिया॥

Saai ko siyat maas das laage, thok thok ke bini chadariya
(It took the Lord ten months to weave this cloth, carefully crafting it with precision)

This verse refers to the process of human birth. Kabir speaks of the ten months in the womb, during which the body is delicately and meticulously woven by the divine. "Thok thok" indicates the careful and thoughtful process of creation, symbolizing the precision and patience with which God creates life.

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6. सो चादर सुर नर मुनि ओढी। ओढि के मैली कीनी चदरिया॥

So chadar sur nar muni odhi, odh ke maili keni chadariya
(Even gods, humans, and sages have worn this cloth, but they have soiled it after wearing it)

Kabir laments how the purity of the "chadar" (life) is often sullied by human beings. Even great beings like gods, humans, and sages have worn this cloth of life, but through their actions, desires, and attachments, they have stained it. This reflects how human life, although divinely created, can be tarnished by worldly attachments and ignorance.

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7. दास कबीर जतन करि ओढी। ज्यों कीं त्यों धर दीनी चदरिया॥

Daas Kabir jatan kari odhi, jyon ki tyon dhar dini chadariya
(Kabir, the servant, has worn this cloth with care and has returned it as it was)

In the final verse, Kabir humbly says that he has lived his life with mindfulness and care, preserving the purity of the "chadar" (his life or body). He has lived in such a way that he can return it to God just as pure as it was when he received it, free from stains of worldly desires and impurities.

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Overall Meaning

Kabir uses the metaphor of a finely woven cloth (chadar) to explain the process of life, creation, and the spiritual journey. The human body is seen as a divine creation, woven from spiritual and physical elements. Kabir urges us to live mindfully and with spiritual awareness, keeping the body and soul pure, so that when the time comes, we can return this "cloth" to the Creator in its original, unstained form.

The shabad teaches that life is sacred, a gift from the divine, and that we should treat it with respect by living a life of purity, free from worldly attachments.

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