'Karna Re Hoye So Kar Le' says Bananath

करना रे होय सो कर ले रे साधू
Sung by Shabnam Virmani (www.shabnamvirmani.com)

With deep gratitude to Prahlad Tipanya ji from Luniyakhedi village in Madhya Pradesh, from whom I first heard this song.

Words of the song:
करना रे होय सो कर ले रे साधू, मनक जनम दुहेलो है
लख चौरासी में भटकत भटकत, अब के मिलयो महेलो हे

जप तप नेम वरत और पूजा, षट दर्शन को गेलो है
पार भ्रह्म को जानत नाहीं, सब भूल्या भूल्या भरम बहेलो है

कोई कहे हरि बसे वैकुंठा, कोई कहे गौ लोको हे
कोई कहे शिव नगरी में साहब, जुग जुग हाट बहेलो हे

अणसमझया हरि दूर बतावे, कोई समझया साथ कहेलो हे
सदगुरु सेन अमोलक दीनी, वो हर दम हर को गेलो है

जिया राम गुरु पूरा मन मिल गया, कोई अजपा जाप जपेलो हे
कह बनानाथ सुनो भाई साधो, म्हारा सदगुरु जी को हेलो है

Translation:
Do what you must, oh seekers!
This jewel of a birth is hard to get
You stumbled through 84 lakh lives
This time, you got a great chance

Recite, meditate, chant, fast or pray!
Walk the path of the six philosophies
You still don’t know the Truth beyond all
You’re lost, drowning in delusions
Do what you must, oh seekers!

Some say the lord dwells in heaven
Some say in the land of holy cows
Some say he lives in the city of Shiva
In every age, they set up their shops!
Do what you must, oh seekers!

The fool says Hari is far away
The wise one says he’s close
My true guru gave me a priceless sign:
every breath is the path to Hari!
Do what you must, oh seekers!

I found Jiya Ram, my complete guru
He chants a chantless chant
Says Bana Nath, listen seekers:
my true guru is calling out to me!
Do what you must, oh seekers!

Translation by Shabnam Virmani
This song was part of a concert on the theme of education at the Wipro Partners' Forum held in Pune, in December 2022.