Verse 274 of 450
Salok Bhagat Kabir, Salok 216 — a lamp in the hand, and still the well
ਕਬੀਰ ਮਨੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਸਭ ਬਾਤ ਜਾਨਤ ਹੀ ਅਉਗਨੁ ਕਰੈ ॥
kabeer man jaanai sabh baat jaanat hee a-ugan karai.
Kabir, the mortal knows everything, and knowing, he still makes mistakes.
ਕਾਹੇ ਕੀ ਕੁਸਲਾਤ ਹਾਥਿ ਦੀਪੁ ਕੂਏ ਪਰੈ ॥੨੧੬॥
kaahay kee kuslaat haath deep koo-ay parai. ||216||
What good is a lamp in one's hand, if he falls into the well? ||216||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Kabir says: the mind knows everything, and knowing, it still does wrong.
What good is a lamp in my hand if I still fall into the well?
A lamp helps only if you walk by its light.
Knowing what is right helps only when you live by it.
Man jaanai sabh baat: the mind knows it all. Jaanat hee a-ugan karai: and still, knowing, it does wrong. Haath deep koo-ay parai: a lamp in the hand, and a fall into the well. A light helps only if you look where it shines.
A Question to Sit With
What is one thing you know is right that you could do today?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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