Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Rub the ashes of wisdom on your body, and let your focused attention be your horn.
Let go of clinging, and wander through the city of your body. Play the harp of your mind.
The yogi's gear keeps turning inward: the adventure happens inside you.
Some yogis smeared ashes on their bodies. Kabir says budh bibhoot: make wisdom your ashes. Yogis also blew a singee, a small horn. Kabir says let your horn be your surat, your focused attention.
Kar bairaag fira-o tan nagree means "let go of clinging, and wander through the city of your body." Bairaag means not being grabbed by things. Man kee kinguree bajaa-ee means "play the harp of your mind."
Think of your body and heart as a little city, with busy streets and quiet parks. Instead of wandering far away looking for peace, Kabir says to explore that city and play its quiet music.
If your heart were a city, what would it sound like on a good day?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI