Nice Things Aren't the Problem; Forgetting Is
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Fast horses, grand mansions, showing off every kind of wealth — people can have it all and still miss the point entirely.
They act out every wish, but they do not understand the One.
Busy enjoying it and impressing everyone, they forget how quickly time passes — until age arrives and youth is gone.
Guru Nanak says nice things are not the problem. Forgetting what matters because of them is.
He paints a picture of showy wealth. Turay palaanay pa-un vayg — saddled horses, fast as the wind. Fancy rooms, grand houses and tall mansions. People act out every wish and put on big shows.
Then comes the quiet diagnosis. With all that, they do not understand the One, and so they lose out. Not because wealth is bad. But because, looking at their mansions, they forget that life ends. They get so busy impressing others and enjoying their things that they lose track of what matters, and how short the time is.
Jar aa-ee joban haari-aa — old age arrives, and youth is gone.
Think of a kid so busy showing off new sneakers that they miss the whole game. Enjoy what you have, lightly. Do not let the shiny things make you forget the things that last.
How can someone enjoy nice things without letting them become the whole point?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI