Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Trying to force everything by our own strength alone can leave us feeling in over our heads, unable to get across.
And piling up rituals and strict discipline just to prove ourselves can quietly puff up our pride. Then pride tires out the very heart it was meant to help.
Trying to earn our worth all by ourselves only wears the heart out.
Jaytay jatan karat tay doobay bhav saagar nahee taari-o ray — all who try by their own effort alone sink, and cannot cross. The bhav saagar is the great ocean of the world.
Next come karam Dharam and sanjam: religious rituals and strict self-control, done to earn worth. Kabir is not against effort or discipline. The trouble is aha-buDh, the proud mind that says, "I did this myself." Aha-buDh man jaari-o ray — that pride burns up the mind.
Think of a kid who practices piano only to prove they are the best. Soon the joy is gone, and they are just tired.
This sets up the turn the shabad will take, from earning to receiving.
Have you ever worn yourself out trying to prove yourself, when kindness to yourself was what you needed?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI