Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Some serve the siddhas, the masters of spiritual perfection; some serve teachers and holy men — and then beg them for wealth and miracle-powers.
May I never forget the Name of the One. This is the wisdom the True Guru gave me.
Some people ask holy people for power and money. The wise ask only never to forget the Name.
The first door is the most dazzling. SiDhaa (Siddhas) were people said to have amazing spiritual powers. Peer were holy teachers. People served them and begged for riDh siDh, wealth and miracle powers.
Guru Nanak is careful here. The problem is not respecting holy people. The problem is the deal: "I serve you, you give me power." It is like being kind to someone only to get a prize. Against all of that, Guru Nanak sets one simple wish: mai ik naam na veesrai — may I never forget the One Name. Not a power. Just remembering. That, he says, is the true Guru's wisdom.
If you could ask a truly wise person for anything, what would you ask — and what does that reveal?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI