Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Some wander as renunciates, yet are full of craving inside.
Some grow rich as householders, but it was never really theirs.
Some call themselves generous givers, and it torments them all the same. The One saved me by joining me to the feet of the true Guru.
This one says that no outside role can escape Maya's grip, but the Guru can loosen it.
The verse looks at three kinds of people. Some leave home and wander as udaasee, people who give up the world. Yet strong wants still burn inside them. Some grow rich raising families at home. Yet their money never truly belongs to them. Some call themselves great givers. Yet Maya still troubles them.
So the outfit does not matter. What matters is the grip on the inside. Think of changing into a superhero costume. It does not make you brave. Being brave comes from inside.
Help does not come from a better costume. Ham har raakhay lag satgur paavai — the One saved me by joining me to the feet of the true Guru. To be "at the Guru's feet" means to stay humble and close to the Guru's teaching. Shabad 57 makes the same point: costumes claim nothing.
Can someone look generous or holy on the outside while something else runs them inside?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI