“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou

Kabir – The couplet
????? ???? ????????, ???? ???? ??? |
???? ??? ??? ??, ???? ?? ??? ? ??? ||

transliterated:
Pehele shabd pehchaaniye, peeche kije mol |
Parakhi parakh rattan ko, shabd ka mol na tol ||

Translation:
Recognize the words being said, then understand, leave the judgment for much later |
A goldsmith can tell us the value of the gold, but not the value of the gift ||

My thoughts:
Once again, this is a couplet that says more with what is not being said. The value of a jewel is not just its commercial value – which any reasonable appraiser can help determine. The true value is determined by the thought behind the gift, the effort to ensure it is shaped just the right way to say that which words cannot express.

So Kabir is asking us to dig deeper, go beyond that which is being said, to understand that which is being expressed. To really be able to do this, I have to silence my inner voice, find complete peace and silence, and then let the words fill me. Then I am able to hear without interference, and perceive the true meaning of the statement, the look, and the gesture.

This state of peace is the first step to true understanding, and thenceforth to real bliss!