Salok Bhagat Kabir, Salok 88 — the banana plant beside the thorn bush

ਕਬੀਰ ਮਾਰੀ ਮਰਉ ਕੁਸੰਗ ਕੀ ਕੇਲੇ ਨਿਕਟਿ ਜੁ ਬੇਰਿ ॥

kabeer maaree mara-o kusang kee kaylay nikat jo bayr.

Kabir, I have been ruined and destroyed by bad company, like the banana plant near the thorn bush.

ਉਹ ਝੂਲੈ ਉਹ ਚੀਰੀਐ ਸਾਕਤ ਸੰਗੁ ਨ ਹੇਰਿ ॥੮੮॥

uh jhoolai uh cheeree-ai saakat sang na hayr. ||88||

The thorn bush waves in the wind, and pierces the banana plant; see this, and do not associate with the faithless cynics. ||88||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Kabir says: bad company has worn me down, like a banana plant growing beside a thorn bush.

The thorn bush sways in the wind, and the banana plant is torn. See this, and do not keep company with those who have turned away from the One.

Soft leaves do not grow well beside thorns, so choose your neighbors with care.

The deeper layer

Staying close to people who have turned away from the One wears you down, little by little.

Kaylay nikat jo bayr: a banana plant, with its soft wide leaves, growing near a thorn bush. The thorn bush does nothing on purpose. It just sways, uh jhoolai, and the leaves are torn, uh cheeree-ai.

A saakat is someone who has turned away from the One. Kabir says saakat sang na hayr: do not even look toward that company.

A Question to Sit With

Is there a thorn bush near you that keeps tearing your leaves?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

← Verse 145 of 450 Salok Bhagat Kabir, Salok 87 — you became what you were seeking

Verse 147 of 450 →Salok Bhagat Kabir, Salok 89 — carrying other people's loads

Use ← → to navigate