” Ninety percent of the world’s woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their frailties, and even their real virtues. Most of us go almost all the way through life as complete strangers to ourselves – so how can we know anyone else?”
– Sydney J. Harris
Kabir – The couplet
कबीर मंदिर लाख का, जड़ियाँ हीरे लाली।
दिवस चारि का पेषणा, बिनस जाएगा काली।।
Transliterated:
Kabir mandir laakh ka, jaddiyaan heere laali |
Diwas chaari ka peshna, binas jaayega kaali!!
Translation:
This body is a construct of but meat and bones (transient objects), but it houses the priceless mind |
It is with us for a limited time (four days) – learn to use its treasures or perish – it is your gain or loss ||
My understanding:
A lot of human thought focuses on the human body’s limitedness and frailty – ignoring the strength and compassion of the mind within. When we put the mind to work, the body’s weaknesses become strengths instead, and the average human becomes a titan who moves mountains and creates wonders.
Kabir here exhorts us to go deep within and find that eternal fountain of youth and strength within that can help us become much better versions of ourselves!