ਦਇਆ ਦਿਗੰਬਰੁ ਦੇਹ ਬੀਚਾਰੀ ॥
da-i-aa digambar dayh beechaaree.
Through compassion, the naked hermit reflects upon his inner self.
ਆਪਿ ਮਰੈ ਅਵਰਾ ਨਹ ਮਾਰੀ ॥੩॥
aap marai avraa nah maaree. ||3||
He slays his own self, instead of slaying others. ||3||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Out of real compassion, the hermit looks inward at his own self.
He puts his own ego to death, instead of attacking others.
The only thing worth conquering is your own ego — not other people.
The shabad's ethical heart: the true seeker's compassion turns him inward, and the only thing he "slays" is his own self — his ego — "instead of slaying others." The whole violent energy that the world aims outward is redirected at the one real enemy, the ego (haumai). This is jeevat marnaa as the only sanctioned killing.
A Question to Sit With
What would change if you aimed your toughest energy at your own worst habit instead of at someone else?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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