Relying on Cleverness Leaves You Empty Inside
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
O Nanak, some never think of the Guru; they are sure they are clever enough on their own.
They are left behind like stray sesame plants in a harvested field.
Left alone in the field, says Nanak, they have a hundred masters to please.
They flower and bear fruit, but inside they are full of ashes.
Guru Nanak gives a gentle warning, using a picture from the farm: trusting only your own cleverness can leave you empty inside.
Some people guroo na chaytnee, do not think of the Guru. They are sure they are clever enough on their own. Guru Nanak says they are like stray sesame plants left behind in a harvested field. The harvesters passed them by, and they stand there alone.
They may still flower and bear fruit on the outside. Bhee tan vich su-aah — but inside, they are full of ashes, grey and hollow. And left on their own, they end up with a hundred masters to please.
This is not a threat. It is a picture of what happens when we skip the humble step of learning. We can look fine outside and feel empty inside. Think of a student who never asks for help. They might look confident, but they miss what they could have learned.
The whole Vaar offers a simple remedy. Do not go it alone. Let yourself be taught.
Why is it sometimes wiser to learn from others than to insist you can figure everything out alone?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI