Mystic Songs

Deh Dhare Ka Dand Hai, Sab Kahu Ko Hoye
Gyani Bhugte Gyan Se, Moorakh Bhugte Roye
Kabira Mein To Tab Daroon, Jo Mohi Ko Hoye
Meech Budhapa Aapda, Sab Kahu Ko Hoye
Bande Kyon Karni Kare, Kyon Kare Pachitaye
Boye Ped Babool Ke, Aam Kahan Se Khaye

Translation

Penalty of embodiment, transpires to all
Learned deals with knowledge, ignorant with moans
Says Kabir I would then fear, if it happened only to me
Death, old age and perils, is a must for all
O man, why do you act, why regret the done deed
Having sown Babool, Mango, how can you eat

My Understanding

The law of Life is such that everything that is born must die. It is known to all yet we are all afraid of this. Does anyone want to die? In normal patterns of life, the very word "death" means fear. However, each person has to deal with this Ultimate Truth in one's own way.  The learned negotiates with his awareness, while the ignorant cries and laments.

Kabir says, that the fear of this phenomenon is justified, if it "only happened to me", whereas the truth is that death, old age and perils of life, must come to pass to everyone. 

Having said that, Kabir now relates this natural phenomenon of the duality of creation and destruction, life and death with the theory of Karma proclaimed by the Hindu philosophy. In simple words he brings about a psychological analysis of our day to day actions. Don't we often find having performed a deed only to regret later?  By giving the universal simile of  'What you sow, so shall you reap', Kabir in this verse enlightens us about 'the end' to which our actions are conducted.  Are we aware of the goal? If not, then our actions are lacking direction and therefore we suffer ... everyday.

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