धीरे-धीरे रे मना, धीरे सब कुछ होय।
माली सींचे सौ घड़ा, ऋतु आए फल होय।

Looking for all 10 Kabir dohas for children — with meanings, life lessons, real examples, and a parent & teacher guide?

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Kabir ke Dohe

Kabir Dohas with Meaning for Children

Six of Kabir's most famous dohas — with original Hindi, simple meaning, and life lessons explained for children aged 4–10. Plus the full searchable library of 150+ dohas.

Who was Kabir?

600-year-old wisdom that still holds

Kabir Das was a 15th-century poet-saint from Varanasi who wrote in simple, everyday Hindi so that ordinary people — not just scholars — could understand eternal truths.

His dohas (two-line poems) are among the most quoted wisdom in India. Children who grow up hearing them carry a compass for life — for patience, honesty, humility, and kindness.

At Kabir for Kids, we simplify the language slightly — replacing archaic words children struggle with — while preserving every ounce of meaning. The wisdom stays intact. The words become accessible.

Why we simplify →
Kabir Das · 15th century
माटी कहे कुम्हार से,
तू क्या रौंदे मोय।
एक दिन ऐसा आएगा,
मैं रौंदूँगी तोय।
"The clay says to the potter: why do you trample me? A day will come when I will trample you."
Famous Kabir dohas

6 Dohas Explained for Children

Original Hindi, Hinglish transliteration, simplified meaning, and the life lesson for children.

Doha 01
काल करे सो आज कर, आज करे सो अब।
पल में प्रलय होगी, बहुरि करेगा कब।
Kal kare so aaj kar, aaj kare so ab.
Pal mein pralay hogi, bahuri karega kab.
Time & Action
Simple Meaning
What you plan to do tomorrow — do today. What you plan to do today — do right now. Life is short and uncertain. Don't wait.
For Children
If you want to say sorry to a friend, say it now. If you want to finish your homework, start now. Don't keep saying "I'll do it later."
In Daily Life
When a child puts off tidying up, apologising, or doing something kind — this doha is the gentle reminder.
✦
Don't delay — start right now
Doha 02
निंदक नियरे राखिए, आँगन कुटी छवाय।
बिन पानी साबुन बिना, निर्मल करे सुभाय।
Nindak niyare rakhiye, aangan kuti chhavay.
Bin paani sabun bina, nirmal kare subhaay.
Humility
Simple Meaning
Keep your critic close — build them a hut in your courtyard. Without soap or water, they clean your character by pointing out your faults.
For Children
When someone points out a mistake, don't get angry. Thank them instead. They're helping you become better — that's a real friend.
In Daily Life
When a sibling or teacher corrects a child — this doha teaches them to receive feedback with grace, not defensiveness.
✦
Welcome honest criticism — it helps you grow
Doha 03
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.
Character
Simple Meaning
What is the use of being tall like a date palm, if the traveller gets no shade and the fruit is too far to reach? Height without usefulness means nothing.
For Children
Being the biggest or the strongest doesn't matter if you don't help others. Real greatness is about being useful and kind to those around you.
In Daily Life
When a child boasts about being older or taller — this doha gently asks: yes, but are you being helpful?
✦
Greatness means being useful, not just being big
Doha 04
धीरे-धीरे रे मना, धीरे सब कुछ होय।
माली सींचे सौ घड़ा, ऋतु आए फल होय।
Dheere dheere re mana, dheere sab kuch hoy.
Maali seenche sau ghada, ritu aaye phal hoy.
Patience
Simple Meaning
Slowly, slowly, O mind — everything happens in its own time. The gardener may water a hundred pots, but fruit comes only when the season arrives.
For Children
You can't rush learning to read or learning to ride a bicycle. Keep trying, keep practising — when the right time comes, you will be ready.
In Daily Life
When a child is frustrated that something isn't working fast enough — this doha teaches patience without dismissing the effort.
✦
Be patient — good things grow slowly
Doha 05
साईं इतना दीजिए, जा में कुटुम समाय।
मैं भी भूखा न रहूँ, साधु न भूखा जाय।
Saain itna dijiye, ja mein kutum samaay.
Main bhi bhookha na rahun, saadhu na bhooka jaay.
Contentment
Simple Meaning
O God, give me just enough — enough for my family to live, so that I am not hungry, and any guest who comes to my door is not turned away hungry either.
For Children
Kabir doesn't ask for wealth or a palace — just enough. It teaches children that wanting enough is wisdom. Wanting too much brings restlessness.
In Daily Life
When a child always wants more — another toy, another portion — this doha opens a conversation about contentment and sharing.
✦
Be content with enough — and share what you have
Doha 06
दुःख में सुमिरन सब करे, सुख में करे न कोय।
जो सुख में सुमिरन करे, तो दुःख काहे होय।
Dukh mein sumiran sab kare, sukh mein kare na koy.
Jo sukh mein sumiran kare, to dukh kahe hoy.
Gratitude
Simple Meaning
Everyone remembers God in sorrow, but nobody remembers in happiness. If you remembered in happiness too, why would sorrow come at all?
For Children
Be thankful when things are good — not just when something goes wrong. Gratitude every day, not only when you need something.
In Daily Life
A child who only says thank you when they need something — this doha teaches genuine, everyday gratitude as a habit.
✦
Be grateful every day — not only when things go wrong
Little Kabir in a calm, meditative pose — eyes closed, leaves swirling gently around
Why dohas land

When the mind is still, the meaning arrives.

For parents

How to use Kabir dohas with children

Dohas work best when they arrive naturally — not as lessons, but as shared moments.

01

Watch the story first

Each animated story builds context for one doha. The child experiences the lesson before hearing the words. The doha then clicks into place.

02

Use it in the moment

When a child is rushing, impatient, or avoiding a task — bring in the doha lightly, not as a lecture. "Remember what Kabir said about slow and steady…"

03

Sing it, don't recite it

The Sing Along videos turn each doha into a melody. Children who sing a doha remember it 73% better than children who only read or hear it spoken.

150+ Dohas in the full library

Search by keyword or browse by theme — patience, truth, humility, love, action. Every doha with original Hindi, simplified version, and meaning in English.

Open Doha Library Watch Stories