Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The scholar reads the Vedas and explains them,
but never finds the secret that is inside himself.
Without the Guru, no real understanding comes — and still, the One is real, present everywhere.
This one says the hardest book to read is the one inside you.
Pandit parheh vakaaneh vayd — the scholar (pandit) reads the Vedas, the old Hindu scriptures, and explains them. Antar vasat na jaaneh bhayd — but he doesn't know the secret of what is inside himself. The most important book is the one he never opens: his own self. Another hymn says the same: understand yourself.
This is about reading without looking inward. It is not aimed at any faith, or at learning itself. Think of a kid who can recite every rule of soccer but has never watched how they themselves play. Without the Guru, real understanding doesn't come.
The ending is comforting. Saachaa rav rahi-aa parabh so-ay — God is true and present everywhere. The One isn't lost just because the scholar missed it.
What is a "secret inside yourself" you have never taken the time to read?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI