Verse 385 of 450
Salok Sheikh Farid, Salok 84 — the river and its banks
ਕੰਧੀ ਵਹਣ ਨ ਢਾਹਿ ਤਉ ਭੀ ਲੇਖਾ ਦੇਵਣਾ ॥
kanDhee vahan na dhaahi ta-o bhee laykhaa dayvnaa.
O river, do not destroy your banks; you too will be asked to give your account.
ਜਿਧਰਿ ਰਬ ਰਜਾਇ ਵਹਣੁ ਤਿਦਾਊ ਗੰਉ ਕਰੇ ॥੮੪॥
jiDhar rab rajaa-ay vahan tiDhaa-oo gaN-o karay. ||84||
The river flows in whatever direction the Lord orders. ||84||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
O river, do not tear down your banks; you too will have to give an account.
The river flows whichever way the One wills.
Even a mighty river answers for the banks it tears down.
Even the strong will answer for the harm they do, and every river flows as the One wills.
Kandhee vahan na dhaahi: O river, do not wash away the banks. A river in flood eats the land beside it. Ta-o bhee laykhaa dayvnaa: you too will be asked for an account.
Jidhar rab rajaa-ay: the river flows wherever the One's will, the flow of existence, takes it. Strength is lent, not owned, so it is wise to use it with care.
A Question to Sit With
Where do you have strength, and how can you use it to build others up?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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