Don't cast your treasure before the mocking — stay soaked in what you love, keep the company that turns iron to gold, and tend your own roots.
The Arc
Kabir counsels against wasting the teaching on the scornful (P0) and gives the alternative: stay absorbed in the Name; don't cast it before the mocker (P1). More images of mismatched gifts — camphor to a crow, milk to a snake (P2). Then the radiant positive: in good company discernment is gained, and iron touching the Philosopher's Stone becomes gold — you are transformed by whom you keep near (P3). A note of non-judgment: even the mocker does as the One causes — no need to hate him (P4). And a realistic close: watering a bitter neem with nectar doesn't change its nature — you're not responsible for changing everyone; tend your own roots (P5).
Key Vocabulary
Don't cast your treasure before the mocking (P0–1) — some hearts aren't ready; don't waste your peace on pointless battles.
Camphor to a crow / milk to a snake (P2) — fittingness: give your best where it's welcomed.
Iron to gold in good company (P3) — the Philosopher's-Stone image; you become like the company you keep.
The mocker does as ordained (P4) — understanding without hatred; do not call anyone bad.
The neem's nature (P5) — some natures are set; tend your own roots rather than trying to change everyone.
Translation Notes
The harsh labels. SSK renders Kabir's blunt terms ("dog," "faithless cynic"). Per voice rules, the children's sections soften these to "someone who only wants to mock," keeping the practical wisdom (don't force teachings on the scornful) without contempt for persons — reinforced by P4's explicit non-judgment.
Philosopher's Stone (paras) (P3). The legendary stone turning iron to gold; kept as the transformation-image for good company.
Neem (P5). The bitter tree; rendered as "a bitter tree," the point being some natures are deeply set — stated without condemnation, and balanced by the raag's "grace can change anyone in time."
Themes and Cross-Connections
The transforming power of Sat Sangat (iron to gold) is a raag constant (B00C945, B00C928, B00C936). Non-judgment of the closed heart ("does as ordained," "tend your own roots") connects to "do not call anyone bad" (B00C969 P66, B00C916) and the merciful close of Kabir's "thugs of Benares" (B00C971). The "don't cast pearls" wisdom is balanced, as always in the raag, by mercy — the neem isn't condemned, and grace is never ruled out.
For Raag Aasaa
For a child, this shabad is a piece of durable social wisdom held in balance. You don't have to argue down every person who mocks what you love, or convince everyone — some hearts aren't ready, and that's not your failure. Give your best where it's welcomed; keep the good company that quietly turns you golden; understand the scornful without hating them; and above all, tend your own roots with goodness so you grow sweet — leaving the rest, gently, to time and grace.
Don't cast your treasure before the mocking — stay soaked in what you love, keep the company that turns iron to gold, and tend your own roots.
The Arc
Kabir counsels against wasting the teaching on the scornful (P0) and gives the alternative: stay absorbed in the Name; don't cast it before the mocker (P1). More images of mismatched gifts — camphor to a crow, milk to a snake (P2). Then the radiant positive: in good company discernment is gained, and iron touching the Philosopher's Stone becomes gold — you are transformed by whom you keep near (P3). A note of non-judgment: even the mocker does as the One causes — no need to hate him (P4). And a realistic close: watering a bitter neem with nectar doesn't change its nature — you're not responsible for changing everyone; tend your own roots (P5).
Key Vocabulary
Translation Notes
Themes and Cross-Connections
The transforming power of Sat Sangat (iron to gold) is a raag constant (B00C945, B00C928, B00C936). Non-judgment of the closed heart ("does as ordained," "tend your own roots") connects to "do not call anyone bad" (B00C969 P66, B00C916) and the merciful close of Kabir's "thugs of Benares" (B00C971). The "don't cast pearls" wisdom is balanced, as always in the raag, by mercy — the neem isn't condemned, and grace is never ruled out.
For Raag Aasaa
For a child, this shabad is a piece of durable social wisdom held in balance. You don't have to argue down every person who mocks what you love, or convince everyone — some hearts aren't ready, and that's not your failure. Give your best where it's welcomed; keep the good company that quietly turns you golden; understand the scornful without hating them; and above all, tend your own roots with goodness so you grow sweet — leaving the rest, gently, to time and grace.
Last updated: 2026-07-05