ਗੁਣ ਅਮੋਲਕ ਪਾਏ ਨ ਜਾਹਿ ॥
gun amolak paa-ay na jaahi.
The invaluable merits cannot be acquired.
ਮਨਿ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਸਾਚੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਸਮਾਹਿ ॥
man nirmal saachai sabad samaahi.
The pure mind is absorbed into the True Word of the Shabad.
ਸੇ ਵਡਭਾਗੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਇਆ ॥
say vadbhaagee jinH naam Dhi-aa-i-aa.
How very fortunate are those who meditate on the Naam,
ਸਦਾ ਗੁਣਦਾਤਾ ਮੰਨਿ ਵਸਾਇਆ ॥੩॥
sadaa gundaataa man vasaa-i-aa. ||3||
and ever enshrine in their minds the Lord, the Giver of merit. ||3||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
And yet these priceless qualities cannot simply be bought or earned.
The pure mind is absorbed into the true Word.
How fortunate are those who hold the Name, and keep the Giver-of-goodness always in their hearts.
The best qualities can't be bought — you receive them by staying close to their Source.
Here the merchant image is corrected: "the invaluable merits cannot be acquired." After all the talk of buying and gathering, Amar Das insists the deepest virtues are beyond purchase. The resolution: keep "the Giver of merit" in your heart — you do not manufacture goodness, you stay close to its Source and receive it.
A Question to Sit With
What is the difference between forcing yourself to be good and becoming good by good company?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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