Kabir – Day 4

First – an apology – but my weekends have become so crowded that I am not finding the time to think – hence the hiatus in this 45-day journey.

 

Now, for today’s thoughts (and I have to confess – my time crunch over the weekend prompted my search for these…) –

 

1) It’s how we spend our time here and now, that really matters. If you are fed up with the way you have come to interact with time, change it. – Marcia Wieder

 

2) Today, be aware of how you are spending your 1,440 beautiful moments, and spend them wisely. – Unknown Author

 

3) Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it. – M. Scott Peck

 

 

Now for day 4:

 

First , the couplet, transliterated:

 

Aisee Vani Boliye, Mun Ka Aapa Khoye

Apna Tan Sheetal Kare, Auran Ko Sukh Hoye

 

Now, the translation

 

Speak such words, minus ego’s interplay

That the body remains calm & composed, and gives joy to the listener.

 

An explanation:

This couplet is a gem.  It deals with human psychology, metaphysics and a basic tenet of Vedic philosophy. The ancients of the Vedic literature have laid tremendous emphasis on speech. They have mentioned in innumerable sayings, poetry and stories that our speech has a direct connection with our bodily functions. They declared that sound and sight are the underlying source of all vibration. This has been scientifically proven beyond all doubt.

 

We know that all sounds create vibrations.  And these vibrations affect both the speaker and the listener. Soothing, compassionate and loving words breed togetherness, while harsh speech breeds hatred. And, we also know that human speech is one of the main ingredients that differentiates mankind from the rest of the animal kingdom.

 

Saint Kabir, in this couplet, crystallizes the power of the spoken word. He is teaching us to speak in such a manner that we stay harmonious and composed thereby making the listener feel a sense of joy in the communication.

 

Try it for yourself and feel the joyous change both within and without!