Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Without real love, how could closeness ever grow? As long as we are only chasing pleasure for its own sake, the deeper, truer love has not yet begun.
Real love is more than enjoying something. It means giving yourself.
This is the Rahao, the "pause" line at the center of the shabad. Pareet binaa kaisay baDhai sanayhu — without love, how can closeness grow? Jab lag ras tab lag nahee nayhu — as long as we only chase ras, pleasure, nayhu, real love, has not begun.
Kabir is pointing at two different things. One is liking what feels good. The other is deep love that gives itself. Think of a friend who only comes around when there are snacks. That is enjoying. A friend who stays when things get hard, that is love. This is what the whole shabad is about.
What is the difference between liking something and truly loving it?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI