Sikhism·Raag Aasaa·Shabad 271
Verse 7 of 10

Truth Inward Is Honesty; Outward, Justice

ਲਾਹਾ ਸਚੁ ਨਿਆਉ ਮਨਿ ਵਸਾਈਐ ॥
laahaa sach ni-aa-o man vasaa-ee-ai.
The profit is earned by enshrining Truth and justice in the mind.
ਲਿਖਿਆ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ ਗਰਬੁ ਵਞਾਈਐ ॥੬॥
likhi-aa palai paa-ay garab vanjaa-ee-ai. ||6||
They obtain what is written in their destiny, and overcome pride. ||6||

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa

In plain words

The real profit is earned by enshrining Truth and justice in the mind.

Such people receive what is written for them — and rise above pride.

Truth turned inward is honesty; turned outward it is justice — carry both.
The deeper layer

This one says the real profit is truth and fairness living in your mind.

laahaa sach ni-aa-o — the profit is truth and justice. Ni-aa-o means fairness. The pair matters. Truth inside keeps you honest. Justice is that same truth turned outward, toward others.

Think of the kid who tells the truth when they broke a rule, and also makes sure the teams are picked fairly. Both come from the same honest heart.

When truth and fairness live together in the mind, two good things follow. You feel at peace with what life gives you. And garab vanjaa-ee-ai — pride goes away. A fair person does not need to stand above anyone.

A Question to Sit With

Where do you see unfairness that you could actually do something about?

Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI

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