Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Every good city has a wall to keep it safe. My wall is doing what is right and true. And the strong gate in that wall is understanding — thinking things through with a clear and steady mind.
The city metaphor builds outward. Saach dharam ki kar deenee vaar — a protective fence of true living is raised around the heart; farhe muhkam gur gian beechaar — the sturdy gate is the Guru's wisdom, reflected upon. A wall without a gate is a prison; a gate without a wall is useless. Together they make a home: something can be kept safe and still open to what should come in. The gate is specifically beechaar — reflection, turning a thing over — meaning the guarded life is not a fearful, sealed-off life. What guards the good heart is not suspicion but the clear thinking that knows what to admit and what to leave outside.
What is something you're glad you thought carefully about before letting it in?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI