Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Those dyed in devotion are the truly exalted — their caste and their honor come from the Shabad.
Without the Name, all rank is lowly — a life feeding on refuse.
True honor comes from loving the One, not from the family you were born into.
In Guru Amar Das's time, people were ranked by jaat, caste, the social group you were born into. Jat pat sabday ho-ay — caste and honor come from the Shabad, the Word. In one line, the whole ranking by birth is set aside and replaced. Greatness comes from devotion, not from family.
Then comes a harsh picture: without the Name, all are lowly, like maggots in filth. Look carefully at whom it points to. It points up, at people proud of high birth with nothing good inside. It points at any high rank that lives off flattery, unfairness, and pride while calling itself pure. Think of a trophy handed out for a famous name instead of for how you played. It means nothing.
Guru Amar Das built a community where everyone ate together, side by side, whatever their family. He wrote this line to build a fairer way of living together, not to insult anyone.
Where do you see people ranked by birth, wealth, or label — and what would ranking by character change?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI