Leaving the palace's comfort, with pebbles in hand, separated from its mate, the swan wandered with the flock.
Kabir uses the powerful metaphor of the swan to describe the human journey. Leaving the comfort of the palace symbolizes abandoning spiritual stability for worldly pursuits. The swan, separated from its mate, carrying only pebbles, represents us—distracted by trivial concerns and lost connection. Kabir warns that when we detach from our true essence and follow the crowd, we stray from our destined path, getting lost in the noise of material life.
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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