In this poem of paradox, Kabir points out that the path of the Saints is unusual because it avoids the beaten track of external observances and formal practices that people generally adopt for finding God. Metaphorically speaking, Kabir says that those who take refuge in a ship, follow a smooth highway or seek the shelter of large mansions fail to achieve their destination; that is, those who remain in the world and follow the practice of pilgrimage, almsgiving, worship in temples and holy places, and those who renounce the world, retreat to forests, become recluses and take to penances and austerities, despite their efforts still remain within the snares of mind and maya.

The devotee whose inner being is pierced by the arrow of Shabd attains true happiness. Those who have eyes for the world and its lures remain blind to the inner realms of spiritual bliss; those who have turned their attention inward and have opened their inner eye see the Lord in the entire creation.

Such is true knowledge, O friend —
Those who take refuge in a boat
Sink midstream;
The shelterless and forlorn
Reach the opposite shore.
Those who take the arduous thorny path
Reach the town;
Who take the easy highway
Are robbed midway.
In one string all are entangled,
Be they worldly, be they recluse.
Those who take shelter
Under the edifice of forms and rituals
Are rocked and drenched by the storm;
Who remain in the open
Are left dry and safe.
Those wounded by the arrow
Attain everlasting bliss;
They suffer pain and misery
Who remain unhurt.
Those without eyes
See the entire creation;
Who possess eyes
Remain blind.
Says Kabir: When I realized the Truth,
I saw the world's strange character.

K.G., p. 110:175
Avadhu aisā gyān bichāram