Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
A person in need stands before others, and no kindness stirs.
Everyone wants something in return for everything; even the judge does justice only if his hand is filled first.
Hardly anyone is moved simply by the One. This is the world as it is.
This one looks honestly at a world where people give only to get.
A person in need stands there, and da-i-aa na ho-ay — no kindness stirs. La-ay ditay vin rahai na ko-ay — nobody lives without give and take. Even the ruler gives justice only if his palm is filled first with a bribe. Kahai khudaa-ay na maanai ko-ay — even when someone speaks of God (Khudaa, a Persian word for God), no one is moved.
Guru Nanak is not being bitter. He is like a doctor naming an illness clearly. Knowing exactly what the illness is, is the first step to not catching it. The next verse shows the clean way through: live in this world like a guest.
When did you last help someone with no thought of getting anything back?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI