Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Your own scriptures say the One is true, and beyond being male or female — beyond all our small categories.
But reading the words gains you nothing if the understanding never reaches your heart.
This one says knowing the right words about God is worth nothing without love in the heart.
Kabir does something kind and respectful here. He agrees with the Qazi's own holy books. Saach katayb bakhaanai alhu naar purakh nahee ko-ee — your scriptures say God is true, and is neither woman nor man. The One is beyond all the boxes we use. Kabir is not attacking the faith. He is saying: your own scripture is right, so live it!
Then his steady refrain: padhay gunay naahee kachh ba-uray ja-o dil meh khabar na ho-ee — reading and studying gain you nothing, foolish one, if the understanding never reaches your heart.
Kabir says this to every tradition, his own included. Words are signposts. Think of a map of the beach. You can learn it by heart and never feel the sand. What matters is whether the truth reaches your heart and changes how you live. Right words that stay in the head and never become love are worth nothing.
What's the difference between knowing something is true and letting it actually change your heart?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI