Karvat bhala na karvatt teri – Raag Assa – Ang 484

SGGS Angg 484.
Raag Assa – Kabir Ji.

Kabir Ji speaks of a unique situation. He sees God, but His back is turned to the Bhagat.

In Benares, at the edge of the town is a Shiv mandir. The pandits had told devotees that if they sawed themselves to death at the mandir, they would go directly to heaven. Of course the wily pandits made sure the wealth of the hapless devotee was divided amongst the pandits since it was of no use to the heaven seeker. The saw used for this gruesome purpose was called “karvat”.
The British outlawed this horrible practice.
It was an ancient practice and is even mentioned in the Bani of Sheikh Fareed ji (Ang 1173 – 1266).
“Shaill lagande paasay goree man dhiriya; kanchan vannay paasay kalvat chiriya” (Ang 488).

Here, Bhagat Ji says , Lord, I prefer to be cut by a saw rather than have You turn Your Back to me. There is a play on the word karvat (saw) and karvatt (to turn one’s back).

“Karvat bhala na karvatt teri”.

My plea. Please turn around and embrace me.

“Laag gallay sun bentee meri”

O Beloved. Please turn Your Face towards me; it is a death upon me to have You turn Your Back to me.

“Haoo vari mukh ferr pyare; karvatt de mo ko kahe ko maaray” (rahao).

Taking the cutting imagery further Bhagat Ji says even if You hack my body to pieces I would not turn away from You.

“Jaoo tann chiray angg na morho”

Even if my body perishes, my love for You will remain intact.

“Pind paray taoo preet na torho”.

What a wonderful expression of love and loyalty to Nirankar.

Shabad Viakhya by Bhai Manjeet Singh Ji

Shabad Kirtan available on YouTube