Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
What can you even say to people whose hearts have closed like this?
The kindest thing is to keep your own heart warm and open around them, and gently look after yourself — so their sourness does not become your own.
This is the pause line, the rahaa-o, the center of the shabad.
Aisay logan si-o ki-aa kahee-ai: what can you say to such people? The verse then says to be careful around those who have shut themselves off from loving devotion. Kabir's advice is to protect your own open heart. You cannot force a closed heart open. But you can keep yours from closing in return.
Think of standing next to someone with a bad cold. You don't dislike them. You just wash your hands and keep yourself well. The teaching is about caring for yourself and staying steady, never about looking down on anyone.
How do you stay kind and open even when someone around you is being sour?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI