3 verses · ~1 min
साईं सब संसार में, मतलब को व्यवहार। जब लग पैसा गांठ में, तब लग ताको यार॥
तब लग ताको यार, यार संगही संग डोलैं। पैसा रहा न पास, यार मुख से नहिं बोलैं॥
कह 'गिरिधर कविराय जगत यहि लेखा भाई। करत बेगरजी प्रीति यार बिरला कोई साईं॥
इति
The Poet
गिरिधर
Giridhar Kavirai
1713 · 1740s
In the vast tradition of Indian poetry, most writers sought the patronage of kings or wrote exclusively in devotion to the divine. Giridhar Kavirai chose a different path entirely. He directed his verse toward the ordinary householder trying to navigate the practical complexities of daily life. Active in the eighteenth century, Giridhar perfected the Kundaliya, a demanding six-line poetic form that circles back on its opening word. He used this structure not for romantic subjects, but to deliver sharp and pragmatic wisdom. His verses served as a survival guide for the common man. He addressed everything from the unpredictable nature of wealth to the difficulty of identifying true friends. He wrote in an accessible, straightforward dialect of Braj and Awadhi. These practical maxims resonated so deeply with rural populations that people memorized them across generations without ever needing printed books. Giridhar Kavirai remains a poet of lived experience, offering grounded moral clarity for an unpredictable world.
Paired Painting
Vidura Leaving the Hastinapur Court
This poignant scene captures one of the most tragic moments in the Mahabharata, where the wise Vidura, unable to bear the moral degradation and arrogance of Duryodhana, chooses to walk away from his family and duties. Vidura, the embodiment of righteousness and inner peace, remains calm even as he is insulted by the enraged Duryodhana, who stands behind him with a gesture of mockery. The heavy atmosphere of the royal assembly reflects the impending doom of the Kuru dynasty. Vidura leaves his position as an advisor, signaling that the light of truth has departed from the throne, leaving only the shadow of pride that would eventually consume the kingdom in war.
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