Dadu Dayal (1544 – 1603 CE) was a mystic and poet born in Gujarat, India, who subsequently settled in the Punjab. His life was almost co-extensive with that of the Emperor Akbar, and it is said that the two met in the royal capital of Fatepur Sikri, on which occasion the Emperor asked him, ‘What is the nature, existence and colour of God?’ Dadu Sahib replied, ‘Love is the caste of Allah, love is a part of Allah, love is the existence of Allah, love is the color of Allah.’

So priceless is the birth, O brother,
That in it, the Supreme Lord can
     be met.

The human body is the Door
     to salvation.

If the meeting is not accomplished
     while alive,
If the contact is not made while alive,
If the Lord of the universe is not found
     while alive,
Then one is simply drowned.

The One who has made this temple
     of our hearts,
He alone dwells in this temple.
None else but our Beloved is in our
     hearts.

With thee is thy Friend. Let thyself
     recognize Him.
Look not at a distance. Know Him
     as thy reflection, O Dadu.

Translation K. N. Upadhyaya