[salok] Bhagat Kabeer Jeeo Kae

[lowest of the low singhni]

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh

ਕਬੀਰ ਇਹੁ ਤਨੁ ਜਾਇਗਾ ਸਕਹੁ ਤ ਲੇਹੁ ਬਹੋਰਿ ॥

kabeer ih tan jaa-igaa sakahu ta layho bahor.

Kabeer, this body shall perish; save it, if you can.

ਨਾਂਗੇ ਪਾਵਹੁ ਤੇ ਗਏ ਜਿਨ ਕੇ ਲਾਖ ਕਰੋਰਿ ॥੨੭॥

naaNgay paavhu tay ga-ay jin kay laakh karor

Even those who have tens of thousands and millions, must depart bare-footed in the end.

“tan” = body

“jaigaa” = perish

“bahor” = save (i think)

“naangay” = naked

“paavhu” = bare-footed

“ga-ay” = depart

“laakh” = hundred thousand

“karor” = 10 million

In this Salok Bhagat Kabeer Ji tells us how futile is it to be attached to our bodies and wealth. We think we own these things, but in reality we have nothing. Everything is Maharaj’s, and He has the power to remove everything from us at any time. Instead of avoiding or being scared of the subject of death, we have to face the Truth and realise that the things around us are temporary so there’s no need to get so caught up in them. No matter how hard we try to hold on to anything, it'll leave us in the end. Bhagat Jee is telling us that no matter how hard we try to prevent everything from perishing, it won't work.

This issue of being attached to our bodies is interesting. When we hear about the thousands of Shaheeds who have given up their lives and gone through so much torture, it’s so hard to imagine it happening to us. When we burn our tongues or fall ill we complain. When there is pressure around us to look “good” we obsess about our bodies. But if we think about Shaheeds like Bhai Sati Dass who were set alight in oil-soaked cotton, the only wish he had was to face his Guru – he didn’t care about his body being hurt or tortured even in the most inhumane way possible. There was no worry, fear or attachment. The main issue was Maharaj. (At the same time we should appreciate the body that Maharaj has given us, taking good care of it for His sake. )

At the end of the day, we’re all destined to die. The family, friends, and other things which surround us and distract us won’t go with us. What matters is whether or not we’ve made use of our time in life. Are we really trying to love Maharaj by remembering him with every breath we have? Or are we just cruising along in life, wanting to have a good time :D .

:D:

~l~

vaheguru ji ka khalsa vaheguru ji ki fateh