Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Reflection is my begging-bowl. Wisdom is my walking staff, and living in the One's presence the ashes I rub on my skin.
Praising the One is my work. Living turned-toward-the-Guru is my whole religion.
Guru Nanak keeps swapping the yogi's gear for things of the heart.
The begging bowl becomes thinking deeply. The walking staff becomes wisdom. The ashes yogis rubbed on their bodies become living in the One's presence. Har keerat rahraas hamaaree — praising the One is my daily work. And living as a Gurmukh, someone turned toward the Guru, is my pure religion.
Think of a sports uniform. It shows which team you are on. But what makes you a player is how you play. Here religion moves from gear and gestures to a heart turned toward the One.
If your "religion" were simply how you live each day, what would it look like?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI