Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
So think it over, and gently turn away from what harms you — the One is a boat that carries you safely across.
Kabir says: that One is the very life of the world, and nothing else compares.
Unlike the moth, we can stop, think, and turn away.
Kabir ends with the way out. Kar bichaar — think it over. Bikaar parhar — let go of what harms you. The moth's sad story is that it never stops to think. Our gift is that we can.
And then comes help. Taran taaran so-ay — the One is a boat that carries you across. You do not have to swim the whole river on your own strength. Think of being too tired to finish a long walk, and a friend pulls up on a bike with a seat for you.
The shabad began with dreams and moths. It ends in safety and wonder. Jagjeevan, the Life of the world, is the One, and dutee-a naahee ko-ay — there is no one equal. We can be fooled by dreams and pulled like moths. But we can stop, turn and be carried by the One.
What's the difference between the moth that can't stop and a person who pauses to think first?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI