Kabir doha · Stay Humble · Level 3
बड़ा हुआ तो क्या हुआ, जैसे पेड़ खजूर।
पंथी को छाया नहीं, फल लागे अति दूर।
Bada hua to kya hua, jaise ped khajoor
Panthi ko chhaya nahin, phal laage ati door
Bada hua to kya hua means: what is the use of being big, like a date palm tree? It gives no shade to a traveller, and its fruit hangs far out of reach. Kabir's point is that real greatness means being useful to others. For children, it turns size, strength or popularity into a question about kindness.
Updated
An animated story from Kabir for Kids, made for ages 5–9. Watch it together first, then read the meaning below.
Meaning in English
So what if you're big?
Like the tall date palm —
no shade for the tired walker
and the fruit hangs far out of reach.
True greatness is being helpful.
अर्थ (हिंदी में)
सिर्फ बड़ा होने से कोई फ़ायदा नहीं। खजूर का पेड़ बहुत ऊँचा होता है लेकिन न वो राहगीर को छाया देता है और न उसके फल आसानी से मिलते हैं। असली बड़प्पन दूसरों के काम आना है।
This doha is also one of the eight in the chapter Kabir ke Dohe in NCERT's Class 8 Hindi textbook, Malhar.
Veer is the tallest in his class, and he likes it. He can reach the top shelf and see over everyone at assembly.
One afternoon a younger girl's ball gets stuck on top of a cupboard. Two older boys laugh and walk past.
Veer stretches, taps the ball down and hands it back without a word. The girl looks at him as if he is as tall as the sky.
Keep it light. Let the child answer in their own words, draw it, or hum the line again.
Try this: Spot the "khajoor moments" together: times when someone is impressive but not helpful. Then choose one shade-giving act for the day, such as sharing a seat, explaining a game or including someone new.
Children love the picture of the tall date palm. Stretch your arms high on "jaise ped khajoor", shade your eyes on "panthi ko chhaya nahin" and reach for fruit that is far too high on "phal laage ati door".
It asks: what is the use of being big like a date palm tree, if it gives no shade to travellers and its fruit is too high to reach? Being great means being useful to others.
Both versions are sung. Panthi means a traveller and panchhi means a bird. Either way, the tall date palm gives little shade to those who need it.
Yes. It is one of the eight dohas in the chapter Kabir ke Dohe in NCERT's Class 8 Hindi textbook, Malhar.