The Restless Deer of the Mind

ਚੰਚਲੁ ਚੀਤੁ ਨ ਰਹਈ ਠਾਇ ॥

chanchal cheet na rah-ee thaa-ay.

The fickle consciousness does not remain stable.

ਚੋਰੀ ਮਿਰਗੁ ਅੰਗੂਰੀ ਖਾਇ ॥

choree mirag angooree khaa-ay.

The deer secretly nibbles at the green sprouts.

ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਉਰ ਧਾਰੇ ਚੀਤ ॥

charan kamal ur Dhaaray cheet.

One who enshrines the Lord's lotus feet in his heart and consciousness

ਚਿਰੁ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਚੇਤਨੁ ਨਿਤ ਨੀਤ ॥

chir jeevan chaytan nit neet.

lives long, always remembering the Lord.

ਚਿੰਤਤ ਹੀ ਦੀਸੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋਇ ॥

chintat hee deesai sabh ko-ay.

Everyone has worries and cares.

ਚੇਤਹਿ ਏਕੁ ਤਹੀ ਸੁਖੁ ਹੋਇ ॥

cheeteh ayk tahee sukh ho-ay.

He alone finds peace, who thinks of the One Lord.

ਚਿਤਿ ਵਸੈ ਰਾਚੈ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਇ ॥

chit vasai raachai har naa-ay.

When the Lord dwells in the consciousness, and one is absorbed in the Lord's Name,

ਮੁਕਤਿ ਭਇਆ ਪਤਿ ਸਿਉ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਇ ॥੨੩॥

mukat bha-i-aa pat si-o ghar jaa-ay. ||23||

one is liberated, and returns home with honor. ||23||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The restless mind won't hold still — like a deer sneaking nibbles of green shoots.

But hold the One's lovely presence in your heart, and you live long, remembering it always.

Everyone carries worries.

The one who keeps the One in mind is the one who finds peace.

When the One lives in your thoughts and you're absorbed in the Name, you're free — and you come home with honor.

A restless mind steadies when it has something worthy to rest on.

The deeper layer

Chanchal cheet — the fickle mind, pictured as a deer (mirag) stealthily nibbling green shoots: a vivid image of restless craving. Charan kamal ur dhaaray — enshrining the beloved presence in the heart steadies it. Mukat — freedom, coming home with honor.

A Question to Sit With

What does your mind sneak off to when you're trying to focus?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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