Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
In childhood and old age, he does not understand;
in the prime of youth, he is drowned in pride. Without the Name, what can the fool obtain?
No age of life brings wisdom all by itself.
The verse walks through three ages. Baalak biraDh na surat paraan — as a child and in old age, a person does not understand. The mind is too clouded at both ends of life. Bhar joban boodai abhimaan — in the full bloom of youth, they drown in pride. Abhimaan means pride, thinking you are better than others.
So a whole life can pass by without understanding. Bin naavai ki-aa lahas nidaan — without the Name, what will the foolish one gain in the end? Think of a long bus ride spent looking at a phone, missing every view. Growing older does not open your eyes on its own. The Name does.
What understanding do you not want to reach the end of life still missing?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI