Sikhism·Dakhnee Onkaar·Shabad 111
Verse 51 of 55

Wealth Stays Behind

ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟੇ ਭੇਉ ਨ ਜਾਣੈ ਕੋਇ ॥
saristay bhay-o na jaanai ko-ay.
No one knows the mystery of the Creator of the World.
ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਾ ਕਰੈ ਸੁ ਨਿਹਚਉ ਹੋਇ ॥
saristaa karai so nihcha-o ho-ay.
Whatever the Creator of the World does, is certain to occur.
ਸੰਪੈ ਕਉ ਈਸਰੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ॥
sampai ka-o eesar Dhi-aa-ee-ai.
For wealth, some meditate on the Lord.
ਸੰਪੈ ਪੁਰਬਿ ਲਿਖੇ ਕੀ ਪਾਈਐ ॥
sampai purab likhay kee paa-ee-ai.
By pre-ordained destiny, wealth is obtained.
ਸੰਪੈ ਕਾਰਣਿ ਚਾਕਰ ਚੋਰ ॥
sampai kaaran chaakar chor.
For the sake of wealth, some become servants or thieves.
ਸੰਪੈ ਸਾਥਿ ਨ ਚਾਲੈ ਹੋਰ ॥
sampai saath na chaalai hor.
Wealth does not go along with them when they die; it passes into the hands of others.
ਬਿਨੁ ਸਾਚੇ ਨਹੀ ਦਰਗਹ ਮਾਨੁ ॥
bin saachay nahee dargeh maan.
Without Truth, honor is not obtained in the Court of the Lord.
ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਪੀਵੈ ਛੁਟੈ ਨਿਦਾਨਿ ॥੫੦॥
har ras peevai chhutai nidaan. ||50||
Drinking in the subtle essence of the Lord, one is emancipated in the end. ||50||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

No one fully knows the mystery of the world's Maker; whatever it does surely comes to be.

Some turn to the One only hoping for riches — and riches come by their own destiny anyway.

For the sake of wealth some serve, some even cheat.

But wealth doesn't go along when they die; it passes into other hands.

Without Truth, there is no honor in the One's court.

Whoever drinks the deep sweetness of the One is set free in the end.

Wealth stays behind; honor before the One comes from Truth.
The deeper layer

The mystery of the Creator and its sure providence (saristaa karai so nihchao ho-ay). A gentle critique of praying merely for wealth. Sampai saath na chaalai — wealth stays behind, passing to others. Har ras peevai chhutai nidaan — drinking the One's essence brings final freedom.

A Question to Sit With

What do you hope to carry with you that isn't a thing at all?

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

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