Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
He may perform every ritual and good deed, yet never know the Maker, the Doer of all.
He teaches others but doesn't practice it himself; he never grasps the heart of the Word.
Naked he came, and naked he goes — like an elephant that bathes, then throws dust on its own head.
Teaching goodness without living it is like an elephant that bathes and then throws dust on itself.
This person does many rituals and good deeds. Yet karnaihaar na jaanai — he does not know the Maker, the Doer of all. Updays karai aap na kamaavai — he teaches others but does not practice it himself. So he never grasps the heart of the Word.
Two pictures close the verse. First: naked he came, and naked he goes. We bring nothing in, and we take nothing out.
Second: an elephant. It bathes in the river and comes out clean. Then it scoops up dust and throws it all over its back. In the same way, every washing gets undone by fresh pride. Another shabad in Raag Aasaa uses this same elephant.
Is there something you tell others to do that you don't quite do yourself?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI