Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Dear distracted one, you have not yet found real wisdom, or taken time to think deeply.
And so this precious life is slipping by, spent on nothing.
This is the rahaa-o line, the "pause" line, the center of the shabad. It is a nudge to wake up.
Baavray tai gi-aan beechaar na paa-i-aa means "O baavray, you have not gained gi-aan, wisdom, or beechaar, deep thinking." A baavraa is someone bewildered or distracted.
Birthaa janam gavaa-i-aa means "you have let this life go to waste." That sounds strong, but it comes as a warm nudge.
Think of spending a whole sunny Saturday scrolling on a phone, then looking up and seeing the day is gone. Kabir is saying: don't let the years slip by without the wisdom that makes them rich.
When was the last time you paused just to reflect, and how did it feel?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI