Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Whoever keeps him company gets dragged down with him.
Like a beast hauling a huge, useless load, the slanderer burns in a fire of his own making.
Hating others mostly burns the person who carries the hate.
The verse gives two warnings. First, jay ko-ee us kaa sangee hovai — whoever keeps the slanderer company gets dragged along with him. Bad habits spread among friends, like a cold passing around a class.
Second, the slanderer carries a huge, useless load, anhodaa ajgar bhaar. The verse pictures a giant creature hauling a heavy pack for no reason at all.
Nindak agnee maahi jalaavai — the slanderer burns in his own fire. No one else lit that fire. It is like holding a hot coal to throw at someone. Your own hand gets burned first.
Why might it be wise to keep your distance from someone who is always tearing others down?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI