maya maha thagani hamjaani
maya maha thagani hamjaani
nirgun faans liye kar dole
nirgun faans liye kar dole
bole madhur baani
maya maha thagani hamjaani
maya maha thagani hamjaani

kesav ke kamla hoye baithi
shiv ke bhavn bhwani
shiv ke bhavn bhwani
panda ke murt hoye
panda ke murt hoye
baithi tieth mein bhayi paani
maya maha thagani hamjaani
maya maha thagani hamjaani

yogi ke yogan hoye baithi
yogi ke yogan hoye baithi
raaja ke ghar raani
raaja ke ghar raani
kahu ke heera hoye baithi
kahu ke heera hoye baithi
kahu ke kaudi kaani
maya maha thagani hamjaani
maya maha thagani hamjaani

bhagtan ki bhagtin hoye baithi
bhagtan ki bhagtin hoye baithi
barhake barhaani barhaani
barhake barhaani
kahe kabir suno bhayi santo
kahe kabir suno bhayi santo
yah sab akath kahani
yah sab akath kahani
maya maha thagani hamjaani
maya maha thagani hamjaani

I know Maya, the great deceiver, I know.
A noose of nothingness, she weaves and sways,
Speaks with honeyed tongue, a subtle show.
I know Maya, the great deceiver, I know.

As Lakshmi, she sits by Vishnu's side,
As Shiva's consort, in His temple's grace.
As idol in the temple, where the faithful confide,
She is the water, mirroring each face.
I know Maya, the great deceiver, I know.

A yogi's yoga, she becomes, untold,
A queen within the palace, grand and vast.
A diamond for some, a story to be sold,
A cowrie shell for others, shadows cast.
I know Maya, the great deceiver, I know.

A devotee's devotion, pure and deep,
Brahma's consort, the force that gives us birth.
Says Kabir, listen, brothers, secrets to keep,
An unspeakable tale, of this world's worth.
I know Maya, the great deceiver, I know.