What good is Kabiira sleeping? He won't wake up to worship God. When Yama takes him home, he will remain in his sheath.
When the Shayar Kabir asks what good sleep does, he is addressing the futility of mere ritualistic devotion. The metaphor of the sheath (म्यान) is profound; it does not just refer to clothing, but to the disciplined self or the accumulated wisdom that remains intact. Kabir suggests that when Yama arrives, the outward show of worship will be meaningless because the true spirit, the core self, will remain contained and unaffected by external rites. This couplet is a powerful reminder that true spirituality resides within, not in grand gestures.
Interpretation note: meanings and explanations may be AI-assisted and should not replace a primary text or scholarly edition. See the editorial policy.
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