Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Listen, friends, says Kabir — here is how things really stand.
Climbing the last hill, the old ox grows tired. It drops its heavy load and walks on, lighter than ever.
This one ends the shabad with the joy of setting the heavy load down.
Kahat kabeer sunhu ray santahu — says Kabir, listen, good people. Ab aisee ban aa-ee — this is how things stand now.
Ghaatee chadhat bail ik thaakaa — climbing the hill, the ox grew tired. Chalo gon chhitkaa-ee — it threw off its load and walked on.
This is not an ending in tiredness. It is a letting go. The load of craving is finally set down, and the journey goes on lighter. Think of reaching the top of a steep trail and dropping your heavy pack on the grass.
The whole story ends in the sweetness of letting go. The load was never meant to be carried forever.
What would it feel like to finally set down a burden you have been carrying a long time?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI