Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
As the years go by, eyes grow tired, ears grow tired, even a strong body grows tired — that is just the gentle way of things.
The years push us on, and all our senses grow tired. Yet our wanting for more and more never seems to tire at all.
This one, by Kabir, notices something surprising about growing older.
Thaakay nain sarvan sun thaakay means the eyes grow tired, and the ears grow tired of hearing. Even a beautiful body gets tired. That is simply the natural way of things, nothing to be scared of.
But ayk na thaakas maa-i-aa means only one thing never tires: maa-i-aa. Here maa-i-aa means the pull of getting and having more.
Think of a kid who already has a big pile of toys but still wants the new one in the ad. Kabir gently points at that endless wanting. Just noticing it is the start of being free.
What is something you chase after that never quite feels like enough?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI