Sikhism teaches that death is a natural process of creation ordained by its creator. Upon departure from the physical body the soul returns to merge with the divine just as the body returns to the elements from which it is composed.
In this hymn the author, Kabir, likens the relationship of the soul with the divine to the individual drops of water in the sea and the to the ripples of a stream. Just as the spray of seafoam is an integral part of a wave and current is part of a rippling river, the soul is an inseparable part of the divine.
Sikhism teaches that immortality is achieved in liberation by the enlightened, or realized, soul who is freed from the cycle of birth and death, and needs not be born again into existences. Kabir advises that focusing on the divine, and thus dying to the distractions of the world, is the key to living eternally.
This hymn is sung in the original Gurmukhi. The words are spelled out phonetically here.
"Oudhak samund salal kee saakhiaa nadee tarang samaavehgae||
Like droplets of water in an ocean wave and the ripples of a stream, I am immersed in the divine.
Sunneh sunn miliaa samdarsee pavan roop ho-e jaavehgae||1||
Meeting with the supreme soul, my soul shall become unbiased and pure like air.
Bahur ham kaahae aavehgae||
Why should I come into the world again?
Aavan jaanaa hukam tisai kaa hukamai bujh samaavehigae||1||rehaao||
Coming and going is ordained by divine decree; accordingly I am merged with the divine.
Jab chookai panch dhaat kee rachnaa ai-sae bharam chukaavehgae||
When the issue of five elements perishes my wanderings cease.
Darsan chhodd bha-e samdarsee aeko naam dhiaavehgae||2||
Forsaking various philosophies I see all impartially by meditating on the Name only.||2||
Jit ham laa-ae tit hee laagae taisae karam kamaavehgae||
Whatever I’m attached to and become involved with influences the deeds I do.
Har jee kirpaa karae jo apnee tau gur kae sabad samaavehgae||3||
When the revered Lord is merciful then I merge with the Guru’s word. ||3||
Jeevat marhu marhu fun jeevhu punrap janam na hoee||
While yet living die, and in dying to this life be born anew, never to be born again.
Kahu Kabeer jo naam samaanae sunn rehiaa liv soee||4||4||
Says Kabir, whoever is absorbed in meditation of the name remains lovingly affixed in the Absolute Lord." ||4||4|| SGGS||1103
