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 Kabeerdaas ji’s poetry correctly.

— Kusum Banthia

हिन्दी में पढ़िये

मन सब पर असवार है, पैड़ा करे अनंत ।
मन ही पर असवार रहै, कोई बिरला संत ।।

Man par sab asavaar hai, paidaa kare anant
Man hi par sab asavaar hai, koi biralaa sant

The human mind has a tendency to wander and people are prone to give in to its whims. It controls and guides a person like a rider controls his horse. That is what Kabeerdaas ji says in this couplet — the mind rides everybody and takes them on endless wanderings. There are very few virtuous (and enlightened) people who can ride (and control) the mind (and keep it on the straight and narrow path of virtue). Treading the path of virtue is a very difficult endeavour which requires firm determination and self-control. That is why such people are so rare.

कंचन को तजबो सहज, सहल त्रिया को नेह ।
निंदा केरो त्यागबो, बड़ा कठिन है येह ।।

Kanchan ko tajabo sahaj, sahal triyaa kaa neh,
Ninda kero tyaagabo, badaa kathin hai yeh

Gossiping and talking ill of others is a highly addictive vice. In this couplet Kabeerdaas ji shows the depth of this addiction by comparing it with other obsessions.  He says, you can give up your hankering after gold very easily. Turning away from the attachment of your lady love is also easy. But to desist from calumnizing and talking I’ll of others is a very very difficult task.end.