Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
One day this life will end, and that day keeps coming closer.
Mother, father, brother, child, husband or wife: tell me, who belongs to whom?
Love your people fully, and hold them with open hands.
This is the rahaa-o, the "pause" line, the center of the shabad. So din aavan laagaa: that day, the end of this life, is coming closer. Then Kabir asks: maat pitaa bhaa-ee sut banitaa kahhu ko-oo hai kaa kaa. Mother, father, brothers, children, spouse: tell me, who finally belongs to whom?
This does not say love is unimportant. It loosens the grip of owning. Think of holding a small bird. Squeeze, and it struggles. Hold it gently, and it rests in your hand. In the end, all belonging rests in the One.
What does it mean to love someone without needing to own them?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI