Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The world is unhappy; only a few are happy.
The world is diseased by its indulgences, and weeps over its lost virtue; it wells up and subsides, losing its honor. Only the Gurmukh understands.
The treats that promise happiness can leave us crying.
Jag dukhee-aa sukhee-aa jan ko-ay — the world is unhappy; only a few are happy. The verse looks at the world honestly.
Jag rogee bhogee — the world grows sick from its indulgences, from always wanting more pleasure. Think of eating a whole bag of candy. It seemed like it would make you happy. Instead you end up with a tummy ache.
The world rises and falls like a wave, and loses its honor. The very things that promised joy made it sick. Gurmukh hovai boojhai so-ay — only the one who turns to the Guru understands why, and how to live another way.
Have you seen how the pursuit of pleasure can leave people unhappier, not happier?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI