Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
People learn in different ways. Those in the Muslim tradition follow its beautiful path of living. Those in the Hindu tradition study the Vedas and the Puranas, their treasured books.
And that is good — because every mind needs something to teach it and steady it. Whatever your path, take in some real wisdom to guide your heart. The point is not which shelf the book sits on; the point is that you actually let the wisdom in.
This is one of Kabir's classic evenhanded moves. He names turak tareekat (the Muslim way, tariqah) and hindoo bayd puraan (the Hindu scriptures) side by side, with respect for both — then quietly makes the deeper point: man samjhaavan kaarnay — the purpose of any teaching is to instruct the mind, to grow understanding (giaan). The tradition is the vessel; wisdom is the water. Kabir, raised Muslim and steeped in Hindu India, refuses to rank the paths; he ranks only whether the heart is actually being taught. Handle as unity, not comparison-and-contest.
Where do you go to learn something that steadies you when you feel lost — a book, a person, a quiet place?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI