Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Some people talk as if they've got the whole mystery figured out — as if just saying the right words books them a seat in paradise. But the One is beyond all our measuring and all our clever talk. You can't reach the deepest reality with words alone.
Saying holy words is not the same as being changed inside.
Kabir opens with a question about "words-only" religion. Baatan hee baikunth samaanaa — by mere talk, someone plans to enter heaven. Baikunth means heaven, a paradise.
Jo jan parmit parman jaanaa — this person claims to know the One. Yet the One is beyond all measure and beyond all thought.
This is not a jab at any faith's idea of heaven. It is a caution. Saying holy things is easy. Becoming different inside is the real thing. Think of someone who can talk all day about swimming but has never gotten into the pool.
Have you ever met someone who talked a lot about being good — and did their actions match their words?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI