Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Little by little, day by day, the body grows older and gentler and more tired. That is simply the way of things.
So it is wise not to place all your hope in a body that is always quietly changing, and to build your life on something steadier inside.
This one says the body changes every day, so build your life on something steadier.
Chhin chhin tan chheejai — moment by moment, the body wears a little thinner. Jaraa janaavai: old age begins to show. That is simply how bodies are, like a favorite pair of sneakers that slowly wears in.
Kabir then paints a lonely picture. A day may come when ko-ee paanee-o na paavai, when no one even pours water into your cup. He doesn't say this to frighten us. He says it so we don't put all our hope in a body that keeps changing.
What steadies us is inside: the One, who never grows old. Resting there, we can meet every age of life with calm.
What are some things about a person that can keep growing even as their body slows down?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI