Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
He may ride on elephants, with golden umbrellas over his head.
But without devotion to the One, he is buried under the dirt.
This one says even the grandest power ends in the same dust.
The verse pictures a ruler riding on elephants, with golden umbrellas held over his head. In those days, that meant great power. But har bhagat binaa — without devotion to the One, he too is buried under the earth.
The fanciest show ends in the same dust as everything else, unless love for the One gives it meaning. Think of the biggest trophy in the school case. One day it will gather dust in a box. What lasts is what it helped you become (see also Shabad 129).
What does the most impressive display amount to in the end?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI