Sikhism·Raag Gond·Shabad 31
Verse 1 of 4

A Wasted Life Leaves Little Behind

ਗੋਂਡ ॥
gond.
Gond:
ਨਰੂ ਮਰੈ ਨਰੁ ਕਾਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥
naroo marai nar kaam na aavai.
When a man dies, he is of no use to anyone.
ਪਸੂ ਮਰੈ ਦਸ ਕਾਜ ਸਵਾਰੈ ॥੧॥
pasoo marai das kaaj savaarai. ||1||
But when an animal dies, it is used in ten ways. ||1||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

Even a simple animal gives so much — its whole self ends up helping others in a dozen quiet ways.

So what a waste it would be to pass through a whole human life and give nothing at all. I was made for more than that.

A human life is meant to give — don't let it pass leaving nothing behind.
The deeper layer

Kabir opens with a jolt: an animal's life feeds and serves in many ways, so how sad if a person — given so much more — gives nothing back. Read gently, it is not an insult but a wake-up: a human life is meant to bless the world around it. The question is simply, what will mine leave behind?

A Question to Sit With

What is one small way your life could feed or help the people around you?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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