Pride, arrogance and vanity are all related to our ego, our perishable belongings and things which are not eternal. In this Doha, Kabir gives a clear warning by explaining the eternal ultimate Truth i.e. Death. This doha is similar in essence to the preceding doha #19. Death is inevitable and one who remembers this in fact becomes humble, compassionate and true to oneself.
Both Doha # 19 and this one remind me of a story.
Once a young man (for this narration we will give a name to this young man as Raj) who had been brought up by a traditional family, went to visit a famous Swami.
Now Raj had been told by his mother that the Swami was a true preceptor, a Guru and that the Guru's words were true and to be held in high esteem.
Raj asked the Swami, "Reverend Sir, how come my mind wanders around to forbidden places and your does not?" "Sir, how come I do back-biting and you don't?" "Sir, how come I don't have compassion for others, while you have?" All the questions that Raj asked were of similar nature.
Swami replied, "Raj, your questions are good, but it seems to me that in 24 hours from now you will die".
Now Raj who had already been told by his mother that the Swami's words are true and to be held in high esteem, was shocked. He got up and started getting ready to go.
The Swami asked, "Raj, what happened? You came with such vitality and by my one statement you are totally dismayed."
Raj said, "Swami, my mother told me that your words are true and are to be held in high esteem. So please let me go so that I may meet my family members, friends and others before I die."
The Swami said, "But there are still 24 hours. Sit, we will talk more".
Raj said, "Reverend Sir, please let me go. I must meet my people before I die."
So Raj left and went home. Met his mother and started crying. The word spread. His friends came, other family members came, neighbors came. Everyone was crying with Raj. Time started flying.
Raj was only busy in either crying or counting the hours. When only 3 hours were left, he pulled up a cot and lied down on it. Although the Death has not yet arrived, poor Raj is kind of dead.
When only an hour was left, the Swami walked in.
Swami said to Raj, "Raj, why are you lying down on the cot with your closed eyes? Death is still an hour away. And an hour is 60 minutes long. That's a lot of time. Get up, let us talk".
Raj, "Swami, what is it now that you want to talk? Just let me die peacefully."
Swami, "Raj, there is still time and our talk will get over before the 'ordained' time."
Raj, "Okay, Swami....say what you have to say."
Swami, "In the past 24 hours, did you curse anyone?"
Raj, "How could I curse anyone, I was all the time thinking about death."
Swami, "In the past 24 hours, did you think or wish ill for anyone?"
Raj, "How could I do that, I was all the time thinking about death."
Swami, "In the past 24 hours, did you steal?"
Raj, "Sir, how can you even ask that, I was all the time thinking about death."
Finally the Swami said, "Raj, I don't know who has to die and who has to live. But understanding the ultimate truth i.e. death can be very enlightening. All the questions you posed to me have been answered by yourself because of the awareness of death that you experienced during the past 24 hours. The difference between me and you is that you were aware of death for the past 24 hours, I have been aware for the past 24 years."
My Understanding