Salok Bhagat Kabir, Salok 239 — make your head the ball
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Kabir says: if you want to play the game of love with the Lord, give up your head and make it the ball.
Lose yourself in the play, and then whatever happens, let it happen.
The game of love with the One asks for your whole self, pride and all.
The picture is bold: sees kaat kar go-ay, make your head into the ball. It is not about hurting the body. The head stands for the proud "me" we guard so hard. Sikh teaching calls this haumai, the ego — the feeling of being a separate self that everything is about.
Think of a player who only cares about looking good and never passes the ball. A team player forgets about looking good and plays for the game. Khaylat khaylat haal kar: lose yourself in the play. Jo kichh ho-ay ta ho-ay: whatever will be, will be.
What would you have to set down to love with your whole heart?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI