When the Heart Is Full of Love, Fear Loses Its Power

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

This is the "pause" line, the rahaa-o — the center of the shabad. It gives Kabir's simple answer.

Taa tay sayvee-alay raamnaa — so, serve and remember the One. Holy titles and hard practices do not change the ending. So do the one thing that does matter: keep love for the One in your heart.

Then a beautiful comfort. Kahaa karai jamnaa — what can the messenger of death do to someone whose tongue loves the Name? It does not mean such a person never dies. It means the fear of death has lost its power over them.

Think of a child walking down a dark hallway, holding a parent's hand. The hallway is still dark, but the fear is gone. When your heart is full of love and joined to what never ends, you meet the ending calmly, like one who was always held.