Salok Vaaraan Te Vadheek (Mehl 3), Salok 47 — The Sword of Wisdom
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The world wanders lost in its attachment to Maya — the pull of the world. Its own home is being robbed, and it does not even know.
Selfish desire and anger have stolen the mind away. The manmukh — the one who follows only their own wants — walks blind through the world.
With the sword of wisdom, strike down the five troublemakers inside, and stay awake through the Guru's teaching.
Then the jewel of the Naam shines out, and mind and body become clean.
Those without the Naam wander around in disgrace, their honor lost; without the Naam, they sit and cry.
Nanak says: what the Creator has written from the very beginning, no one can erase.
The world can be robbed without even noticing. Wisdom is the sword that keeps you awake.
maa-i-aa mohi jag bharmi-aa — the world wanders lost in Maya, the pull of money and things. ghar musai khabar na ho-ay — its own home is being robbed, and it does not know. Think of scrolling on a phone for hours. Your time quietly slips away, and you hardly notice.
Desire and anger carry the mind off. The manmukh, the person who follows only their own wants, walks around blind.
The answer is gi-aan kharhag, the sword of wisdom. With it you overcome the panch doot, the five inner troublemakers: strong desire, anger, greed, clinging, and pride. You stay awake to the Guru's teaching. Then the jewel of the Naam shines out, and mind and body become clean.
Naamheen naktay fireh: those without the Naam go about naktay, "with noses cut off," an old saying for people who have lost their honor. Without the Naam, they sit and cry. The last line says no one can erase what the Creator has written from the start.
Which inner troubles pull you off course most, and what helps you stay awake to your better self?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI