Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Time passes whether we notice or not — the baby becomes old before you know it.
So it's wiser to prepare gently now than to be caught by surprise later.
Kabir marks how fast time moves: from an infant, you have grown old — what was to happen, has happened. Life passes quickly and surely, and he notes, plainly, that being caught by surprise at the end — suddenly crying out when it's too late — is the fate of those who never prepared. But the point isn't fear; it's foresight. Since time will pass regardless, the wise thing is to live well now, gently and steadily, so you're never ambushed by regret. For a child, this plants a calm, practical wisdom: don't put off what matters, because 'later' arrives faster than you think. Prepare your heart now, and there's nothing to dread later.
What's something worth doing gently and steadily now, so your future self is glad you did?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI