Verse 90 of 450
Salok Bhagat Kabir, Salok 32 — nothing happens just because you say so
ਕਬੀਰ ਝੰਖੁ ਨ ਝੰਖੀਐ ਤੁਮਰੋ ਕਹਿਓ ਨ ਹੋਇ ॥
kabeer jhankh na jhankhee-ai tumro kahi-o na ho-ay.
Kabir, do not struggle in stubborn pride; nothing happens just because you say so.
ਕਰਮ ਕਰੀਮ ਜੁ ਕਰਿ ਰਹੇ ਮੇਟਿ ਨ ਸਾਕੈ ਕੋਇ ॥੩੨॥
karam kareem jo kar rahay mayt na saakai ko-ay. ||32||
No one can erase the actions of the Merciful Lord. ||32||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Kabir says: do not fret and struggle in stubborn pride; nothing happens just because you say so.
What the Merciful One does, no one can erase.
Straining to force your way exhausts you; living with the flow brings ease.
Nothing happens just because you insist; what the Merciful One does stands.
Jhankh na jhankhee-ai: do not fret and grumble stubbornly. Tumro kahi-o na ho-ay: things do not happen at your command. Karam kareem: the doings of the Merciful One, and karam here also carries the sense of grace. Mayt na saakai ko-ay: no one can erase them. Living with Hukam, the flow of existence, brings ease.
A Question to Sit With
When has fighting to control something only made it harder?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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