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88
RELIGIOUS SECTS
64. An invitation has been issued in metre, and no one has understood the stanza; fortunate is the scholar who comprehends the word.
65. Take the true word of Kabir to your heart; the mind has received, but not understood it, although it has been divulged throughout the four ages.
66. If you are a true dealer, open the market of veracity; keep clean your inward man, and repel oppression to a distance.
67. The house is of wood, fire is all around it; the Pandit with his learning is burnt: the prudent man makes his escape.
68. Drops fall from heaven on the verdure of Srávan: all the world are Vaishnavas, no one listens to the teacher.
69. The bather dives nor comes up again; I think within myself, should sleep surprise him in the stream of fascination, what will befall him?
70. The Sakhi (text) is uttered, but not obeyed; the road is pointed out, but not followed: the stream of fascination sweeps him away; he finds no place to put his feet.
71. Many there are that talk, but few that take care to be found: let him pass on without regard, who practices not what he professes.
72. One by one, let each be considered, and adhered to, so shall error be stopped: he who is double-faced like a drum, shall he slapped (like a drum) on both cheeks.
73. He who has no check upon his tongue, has no truth in his heart; keep him not company: he will kill you on the high way.
74. Life has been destroyed by the repeated falsehoods of the tongue; it has strayed on the path of pride, and been whirled in the swing of time.
75. Put a check upon the tongue; speak not much; associate with the wise; investigate the words of the teacher.
76. The body is wounded by a spear, the head is broken off, and left in the flesh; it cannot be extracted without the loadstone: a thonsand other stones are of no avail.
77. At first the ascent is difficult, but afterwards the way is easy; the beauty is behind the curtain, far from the pregnant woman.