In this poem Kabir takes the example of a wife who adorns herself with ornaments and tries to beautify herself with collyrium, rouge and rich clothes in order to draw the admiring attention of her neighbours; but devoid of the inner qualities of love, faithfulness and purity, she fails to win her own husband's love. The wife here is the devotee, the neighbour is the world and the husband, the Lord. The devotee who gives importance to the world and worldly opinions puts on the mask of piety and benevolence, undertakes external forms of worship and wins the admiration of the world. Kabir says that such a devotee, even if he earns the esteem of the entire world, will not gain the boon of the Beloved's love, for outward show, external practices and semblance of holiness do not please the Lord. He is pleased only with the qualities of the heart — faithfulness, one-pointed devotion, humility and love.

What if you fascinate your neighbour,
When you fail to entrance your own Beloved?

Why parade bangles and anklets
Inlaid with gold and jewels,
Why prance with toe rings that tinkle and shine,
If you fail to win your Husband's heart?

Why beautify your eyes with collyrium,
Why display the mark of vermilion,
Why use the sixteen adornments,
If you fail to enchant your Beloved?

Why apply rouge and mascara,
Why wear rich garments and flaunt your beauty
To impress and beguile others,
If through love you fail to win
Your Husband's one look of approval?

Why all these feminine wiles
To attract others, O senseless woman?
You may fascinate your neighbour,
But what use, if you please not your Husband?

If the wife is devoted to her Husband,
If she adores Him with all her heart,
Be she bejeweled, be she plain,
She is dear to her beloved Lord.

The wife who loves Him,
Loves Him with body, mind and soul.
Who surrenders her entire being
At the Beloved's feet,
Such a wife, O Kabir,
Is the truly fortunate one,
For she enjoys everlasting union
With her Husband, her Lord.

K.G., p. 100:139
Jau pai piyā ke mani nahi bhāye