Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
One person says, "My way is the sweetest and only good one." Another shaves their head, or takes a strict vow, or repeats a single word, and each is sure they alone have found the perfect path.
This one says that being sure you have arrived is not the same as arriving.
Kabir looks at many people on spiritual paths. Jogee kaheh jog bhal meethaa — the yogi says yoga is good and sweet, and nothing else is. Others shave their heads, take harsh vows, or speak only a single word. Each one says sidh paa-ee — I have reached sidh, perfection.
Kabir is gentle here. He is not against any of these practices by themselves. He is pointing at the certainty that holds on to the outside form and mistakes it for the goal. That can happen in any tradition.
Think of someone who owns the best running shoes and the fanciest watch, and is sure that makes them a runner. The gear is not the race.
Have you ever been very sure you were right, and later found there was more to learn?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI