ਜਬ ਜਰੀਐ ਤਬ ਹੋਇ ਭਸਮ ਤਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਕਿਰਮ ਦਲ ਖਾਈ ॥

Jab Jareeai Thab Hoe Bhasam Than Rehai Kiram Dhal Khaaee ||

When the body is burnt, it turns to ashes; if it is not cremated, then it is eaten by armies of worms.

ਕਾਚੀ ਗਾਗਰਿ ਨੀਰੁ ਪਰਤੁ ਹੈ ਇਆ ਤਨ ਕੀ ਇਹੈ ਬਡਾਈ ॥੧॥

Kaachee Gaagar Neer Parath Hai Eiaa Than Kee Eihai Baddaaee ||1||

The unbaked clay pitcher dissolves, when water is poured into it; this is also the nature of the body. ||1||

ਕਾਹੇ ਭਈਆ ਫਿਰਤੌ ਫੂਲਿਆ ਫੂਲਿਆ ॥

Kaahae Bheeaa Firatha Fooliaa Fooliaa ||

Why, O Siblings of Destiny, do you strut around, all puffed up with pride?

ਜਬ ਦਸ ਮਾਸ ਉਰਧ ਮੁਖ ਰਹਤਾ ਸੋ ਦਿਨੁ ਕੈਸੇ ਭੂਲਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Jab Dhas Maas Ouradhh Mukh Rehathaa So Dhin Kaisae Bhooliaa ||1|| Rehaao ||

Have you forgotten those days, when you were hanging, face down, for ten months? ||1||Pause||

ਜਿਉ ਮਧੁ ਮਾਖੀ ਤਿਉ ਸਠੋਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਜੋਰਿ ਜੋਰਿ ਧਨੁ ਕੀਆ ॥

Jio Madhh Maakhee Thio Sathor Ras Jor Jor Dhhan Keeaa ||

Like the bee which collects honey, the fool eagerly gathers and collects wealth.

ਮਰਤੀ ਬਾਰ ਲੇਹੁ ਲੇਹੁ ਕਰੀਐ ਭੂਤੁ ਰਹਨ ਕਿਉ ਦੀਆ ॥੨॥

Marathee Baar Laehu Laehu Kareeai Bhooth Rehan Kio Dheeaa ||2||

At the time of death, they shout, ""Take him away, take him away! Why leave a ghost lying around?""||2||

ਦੇਹੁਰੀ ਲਉ ਬਰੀ ਨਾਰਿ ਸੰਗਿ ਭਈ ਆਗੈ ਸਜਨ ਸੁਹੇਲਾ ॥

Dhaehuree Lo Baree Naar Sang Bhee Aagai Sajan Suhaelaa ||

His wife accompanies him to the threshold, and his friends and companions beyond.

ਮਰਘਟ ਲਉ ਸਭੁ ਲੋਗੁ ਕੁਟੰਬੁ ਭਇਓ ਆਗੈ ਹੰਸੁ ਅਕੇਲਾ ॥੩॥

Maraghatt Lo Sabh Log Kuttanb Bhaeiou Aagai Hans Akaelaa ||3||

All the people and relatives go as far as the cremation grounds, and then, the soul-swan goes on alone. ||3||

ਕਹਤੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਸੁਨਹੁ ਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਨੀ ਪਰੇ ਕਾਲ ਗ੍ਰਸ ਕੂਆ ॥

Kehath Kabeer Sunahu Rae Praanee Parae Kaal Gras Kooaa ||

Says Kabeer, listen, O mortal being: you have been seized by Death, and you have fallen into the deep, dark pit.

ਝੂਠੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਆਪੁ ਬੰਧਾਇਆ ਜਿਉ ਨਲਨੀ ਭ੍ਰਮਿ ਸੂਆ ॥੪॥੨॥

Jhoothee Maaeiaa Aap Bandhhaaeiaa Jio Nalanee Bhram Sooaa ||4||2||

You have entangled yourself in the false wealth of Maya, like the parrot caught in the trap. ||4||2||