Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The fish in the water is hooked by Maya, the pull of wanting.
The moth fluttering around the lamp is pierced by Maya.
Maya's strong desire grips the great elephant.
Snakes and bumblebees are undone by Maya.
Wanting can catch any creature, like a hook hidden in bait.
Maa-i-aa is often called illusion or wealth. Here it means the whole pull of wanting that draws creatures toward whatever glitters. Kabir, a weaver who worked with his hands, picks everyday creatures to show it.
Jal meh meen — the fish in the water is caught by the bait. Deepak patang — the moth circles the lamp too closely. The elephant is caught by its own longing. The snake and the bee are trapped too. In each old picture, one strong craving undoes the animal. Think of a phone game built so you keep tapping "one more level."
Wanting itself is part of being alive; being ruled by craving is the trap.
What is one thing you want so much that it sometimes pulls you around?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI