Cravings, expectations and lures of the world are a hindrance in the devotee's progress on the path. Even an advanced devotee has to guard himself against giving in to the lures of the world, because by submitting to them he is likely to lose his spiritual gains. In this unusual poem, Kabir likens Maya or worldly attractions to the proverbial troublesome neighbour who is always asking for things on loan, but never returns them. Here she is asking for the devotee's husband, the Lord himself. The devotee is willing to share the gifts of her husband with her neighbour, provided she agrees to look after the devotee's son, the wayward mind. The devotee knows her neighbour will not agree to this proposal, since it is Maya herself who is responsible for the mind's restive tendencies. Kabir concludes by saying hat only a rare devotee develops such one-pointed love for the Lord that he disregards all other attractions.

My neighbour makes a strange demand:
She asks for my Husband on loan!
Neighbour, O neighbour, you must be mad,
How my Husband on loan can you have?

If you beg for an ounce,
I'll not part with a grain;
If I lose his love,
Who in this world
Will make good my loss?
If you agree to look after
My wayward son, O neighbour,
Of my Husband's gifts
I'll give you half as your share.

But neighbour, neighbour, you must be mad,
How my Husband on loan can you have?

When He parts from me,
Eyes athirst with longing
I look for Him, I look
From grove to grove,
From vale to vale.
If I find Him not, I sigh and suffer
And my heart cries in agony.

Neighbour, O neighbour, are you mad?
How my Husband on loan can you have?

Says Kabir: Through Sahaj
The Beloved has become mine.
A rare wedded one
Alone loves her Husband
With all her heart,
With all her being.

Neighbour, O neighbour, you must be mad,
How my Husband on loan can you have?
You ask for an ounce,
Not a grain will I give;
If I lose my love
It'll break my heart.

K.G., p. 159:371
Parosani māngai kant hamārā