Kabeerdaas ji is categorized as a saint but his thoughts and compositions are not confined to religion, spirituality, meditation and bhajans alone.  He also deals with worldly life – the character and behaviour of individuals; practices (and malpractices) rampant in society; evils of caste system which divides people into ‘high’ and ‘low’ classes, etc.  He also goes in depth in denouncing superstitions and hypocrisy prevalent in practice of religions and sects in general.  He considers them as obstructions in the way of health, peace and happiness of society.  We should take all these things into account if we want to understand and interpret Kabeer’s poetry correctly.

— Kusum Banthia

हिन्दी में पढ़िये

ऊँचे कुल में जामिया, करनी ऊँच न होय ।
सौरन कलश सुरा भरी, साधू निंदा सोय ।।

Oonche kul me jaamiyaa, karanii oonch na hoy
Sauran kalash suraa bharii, saadhu nindaa soy

In Kabeerdaas ji’s time (as even today) a person’s status in society was decided on the basis of external facts like caste, financial position, family background etc.  A person of so-called ‘noble background’ was considered superior and worthy of respect in society whereas one belonging to ‘lower caste’ or lower strata, however meritorious, was looked down upon.  Kabeerdaas ji was staunchly against this mindset.  He believed that a person should be judged on the basis of inherent qualities, not of external factors.  A person born in a family of high status in society need not necessarily have qualities that could make him worthy of respect.  A pitcher made of gold may be full of poisonous alcohol.  Just being in a golden vessel does not make the alcohol or the vessel acceptable.  Wise people will still condemn both.  Thus a person should be ascribed ‘high’ or ‘low’ status only on the basis of his inner qualities or actions.

करता था सो क्यों किया, अब कर क्यों पछिताय ।
बोया पेड़ बबूल का, आम कहाँ ते खाय ।।

Karataa thaa so kyon kiyaa, ab kar kyon pachhitaaya
Boyaa ped babool kaa, aam kahaan te khaaya

In this didactic couplet Kabeerdaas ji advises people to watch their behaviour because it decides the shape of their future. When a person is caught in a crisis, he starts blaming his fate or other persons or his circumstances, holding them responsible for this misfortune. But in fact, the situation is brought about by his own actions – because of his own ignorance or callousness or obstinacy. The law of nature is, ” as you sow, so you reap.” What you get in life is the result of your deeds only.
Addressing a person suffering because of his misdeeds, Kabeerdaas ji says, ‘Why did you do whatever you did ? And now that you are suffering as a result, it is no use repenting. You had sown the seeds of acacia, so you are bound to be pricked by its thorns. If you now want sweet mango fruits, you should have planted a mango sapling. ‘In short, our future pain or pleasure depends on our present action. So, to ensure a happy future, we should do good deeds in the present.