Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Kabir asks, plainly: why pile up so many outer performances? Set down the endless doing. Just drink the one great sweetness, the living presence of the One.
This one is an invitation to set down the endless doing and taste the sweetness underneath.
Kaho kabeer baho kaa-ay kareejai — says Kabir, why do so many rituals? It is an invitation, not a scolding.
Sarbas chhod mahaa ras peejai — let go of everything, and drink the mahaa ras, the great sweetness of the One. Letting go of everything here means letting go of the restless, must-keep-busy doing. It does not mean walking away from life.
What is left is the sweet taste of the One's presence. Think of a busy day when you finally stop, sit down, and sip a cool drink. Only then do you notice how thirsty you were.
This ties back to the water the shabad opened with.
If you paused all your busy activities for a moment, what quiet, good thing might you finally notice?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI