Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Turning away from the world's ways, I have forgotten both my caste, the rank people gave me at birth, and my family line.
Now my weaving happens in the deepest, calmest stillness.
You can set down the labels people put on you and find peace inside your work.
Kabir was a weaver. In his time, people were ranked by jaat, which means caste, a label given at birth. Weavers were ranked low. Here Kabir simply puts that whole weight down. Jaat kul do-oo bisaaree — I have forgotten both caste and family line. Kul means your family line.
Then he says where he weaves now. Sunn sahj meh bunat hamaaree — my weaving happens in deep stillness. Sahj means calm and ease. His hands still work the loom. But his mind rests in the One.
Think of a game where everyone gets a rank, and someone is always told they're at the bottom. Kabir doesn't try to climb higher. He steps out of the game completely. His humble work becomes his prayer.
Are there labels people get stuck with that don't say who they are inside?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI