Salok Bhagat Kabir, Salok 71 — no fear of death
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Kabir says: it has come to this: I did whatever my mind pleased.
Why should I be afraid of death now? I have already welcomed it, holding its sign in my hand.
Once the self has been given over completely, there is nothing left to fear in death.
Aisee ho-ay paree, this is how it turned out: man ko bhaavat keen, I did what the mind wanted. Kabir has made his choice with his whole heart.
Marnay tay ki-aa darapnaa: why be afraid of dying? Jab haath sidha-uraa leen, when I have taken the sidha-uraa in my hand. That was a coconut carried in an old custom, long since given up, as a sign of being ready to give one's life. Kabir uses it as a picture of giving the proud self over to the One completely, the "dying while alive" of his other saloks. It is about fearlessness and love, never about ending a life.
Think of a diver at the edge of a high board who has already decided. The fear drops away once the choice is made.
What would you do if you were not afraid?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI