ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਛੂਛਾ ਘਟੁ ਬੋਲੈ ॥
kaho kabeer chhoochhaa ghat bolai.
Says Kabir, the empty pitcher makes noise,
ਭਰਿਆ ਹੋਇ ਸੁ ਕਬਹੁ ਨ ਡੋਲੈ ॥੪॥੧॥
bhari-aa ho-ay so kabahu na dolai. ||4||1||
but that which is full makes no sound. ||4||1||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
An empty pot clangs and rattles at every step.
A pot filled to the brim moves without a sound. The more full you really are inside, the less you need to make noise about it.
The empty pot rattles; the full one is silent — real fullness has no need to make noise.
Kabir's famous image, and the whole shabad's landing point. Chhoochhaa ghat (the empty vessel) is loud; bhari-aa (the full one) never wobbles or clatters. Real depth is quiet. It's a picture of humility that a child can carry for life — the noisiest is rarely the fullest.
A Question to Sit With
Have you ever noticed that the person who brags loudest often has the least to back it up?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
Use ← → to navigate