Verse 69 of 450
Salok Bhagat Kabir, Salok 11 — near the sandalwood tree
ਕਬੀਰ ਚੰਦਨ ਕਾ ਬਿਰਵਾ ਭਲਾ ਬੇੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਿਓ ਢਾਕ ਪਲਾਸ ॥
kabeer chandan kaa birvaa bhalaa bayrheha-o dhaak palaas.
Kabir, the sandalwood tree is good, even though it is surrounded by weeds.
ਓਇ ਭੀ ਚੰਦਨੁ ਹੋਇ ਰਹੇ ਬਸੇ ਜੁ ਚੰਦਨ ਪਾਸਿ ॥੧੧॥
o-ay bhee chandan ho-ay rahay basay jo chandan paas. ||11||
Those who dwell near the sandalwood tree, become just like the sandalwood tree. ||11||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Kabir says: the little sandalwood tree is good, even when it is crowded all around by wild bushes.
The bushes too become like sandalwood, because they live close to it.
You slowly become like whatever you stay close to.
You slowly become like whatever good thing you stay close to.
Chandan kaa birvaa: the little sandalwood tree, prized for its sweet smell. It is surrounded by dhaak palaas, ordinary wild bushes. O-ay bhee chandan ho-ay rahay: they too become sandalwood, because they live near it. Staying near the good changes you, slowly and without force.
A Question to Sit With
Who or what do you want to stay close to, because of how it shapes you?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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