ਹਰਿ ਠਗ ਜਗ ਕਉ ਠਗਉਰੀ ਲਾਈ ॥
har thag jag ka-o thag-uree laa-ee.
The Lord is the thug, who has drugged and robbed the whole world.
ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਬਿਓਗ ਕੈਸੇ ਜੀਅਉ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
har kay bi-og kaisay jee-a-o mayree maa-ee. ||1|| rahaa-o.
I am separated from the Lord; how can I survive, O my mother? ||1||Pause||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The Beloved is like a charming thief who has enchanted the whole world.
And oh — parted from that Beloved, how am I even to live, O my mother?
The Beloved enchants the whole world — and to be parted from it aches.
The Rahao gives the surprising image: the One is a thug — a charmer who has enchanted everyone. It's playful and tender: the "theft" is the way the Beloved captivates our hearts. And Kabir's ache is real — separation from that Beloved is unbearable. Longing here is a form of love.
A Question to Sit With
Have you ever missed someone so much it showed you just how much you loved them?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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