Verse 232 of 450
Salok Bhagat Kabir, Salok 174 — sandalwood keeps its coolness among snakes
ਕਬੀਰ ਸੰਤੁ ਨ ਛਾਡੈ ਸੰਤਈ ਜਉ ਕੋਟਿਕ ਮਿਲਹਿ ਅਸੰਤ ॥
kabeer sant na chhaadai sant-ee ja-o kotik mileh asant.
Kabir, the Saint does not forsake his Saintly nature, even though he meets with millions of evil-doers.
ਮਲਿਆਗਰੁ ਭੁਯੰਗਮ ਬੇਢਿਓ ਤ ਸੀਤਲਤਾ ਨ ਤਜੰਤ ॥੧੭੪॥
mali-aagar bhuyangam baydhi-o ta seetaltaa na tajant. ||174||
Even when sandalwood is surrounded by snakes, it does not give up its cooling fragrance. ||174||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Kabir says: a holy person does not give up being holy, even when meeting millions of people who do wrong.
Sandalwood, even with snakes wrapped around it, does not lose its cool fragrance.
Like sandalwood among snakes, goodness stays cool and sweet.
Goodness stays good even when it is surrounded by harm.
Sant na chhaadai sant-ee: a holy person keeps their holy nature. Ja-o kotik mileh asant: even among millions who are not holy. Mali-aagar: sandalwood, cool and sweet-smelling. Bhuyangam baydhi-o: snakes coil around it, the old story says, drawn by its coolness. Seetaltaa na tajant: it does not give up its coolness.
A Question to Sit With
How do you stay kind when people around you are not?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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