“Genuine people are rare, and that's what makes them valuable.”
— Unknown
Kabir – The couplet
सब बन तो चंदन नहीं, सूरन के दल नाहीं।
सब समुंदर मोती नहीं, यों साधु जग माहीं॥
Transliterated:
Sab ban to chandan nahi, shooran ke dal nahi |
Sab samundra moti nahi, yun sadhu jag mahi ||
Translation:
“Not every forest is made of sandalwood, nor is every group full of heroes.
Not every ocean holds pearls — likewise, true saints are rare in the world.”
My understanding:
Kabir reminds us: True wisdom is rare. Not everyone who speaks well is a guide. Not everyone who shines is gold. And often, the most convincing voices — the best-dressed, smoothest-talking, most persuasive — are the most dangerous.
They promise everything for nothing.
They offer shortcuts, sell instant truth, or guarantee salvation without effort.
But what they really sell is illusion — and when it shatters, all that remains is grief.
True Gurus don’t promise the world —
They guide you to see it clearly.
True Sadhus don’t dazzle —
They dissolve the ego and walk with silence and substance.
Discernment is the armor of the seeker.
Not every speaker is a statesman.
Not every robe hides a saint.
Look deeper. Choose wisely.
Because the cost of following the false is your very self.
Hi Uncle! This is Nyshita. We talked on Wednesday during the graduation party. Thank you for informing me about your website. It was very interesting to see your daily posts and understand your perspectives on these lines and poems. After reading your thoughts on yesterday’s lines, I wanted to share my own personal reflections with you. I’m sure you’ve noticed the repetition used in these two lines, especially the constant use of “not every” to start each phrase. This not only focuses the reader’s attention on the grander message here, but also hints at a larger theme, building off these small realizations. A theme within a theme, if you will. However, I feel that your takeaway was more heavily focused on the negative side of these lines. I noticed this multiple times, but specifically when you said “But what they really sell is illusion — and when it shatters, all that remains is grief.”. While this a powerful realization that clearly rings true to the message of these two lines, I personally believe there is a more hopeful, inspirational message behind these lines as well.
Upon reading this, I noticed the dangerous, almost eerie warning tone, similar to the one you’ve described in your thoughts. However, after reading it a few times, I realized that the poem doesn’t only strive to warn you, but to inspire you as well, at least, for me. I see this poem as a message, reminding one that beauty and authenticity is scarce in our world, but still there, still living, still clinging onto our society because we are well-aware, whether we realize it or not, that we simply cannot function without it. I see this poem as a reminder to search, to open your eyes and find that life truly is something to be cherished, celebrated even. I apologize for my rambling (though I suppose a website titled “Rambling of another geek” would be quite open to loose mouths such as mine), and thank you again for allowing me insight into a fresh, new perspective. I look forward to reading more of your work!
You are absolutely right, Nyshita – and thank you for your thoughts and the detail therein. That is the intent – to ask the reader to probe deeply – and to look inwards 🙂
Thank you,
Mani