Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Whatever good I decide on, it blocks.
It stands in the way of goodness and self-control.
It wears a thousand disguises and shapes, and won't let me live in my own home.
It drives me wandering in every direction.
Maya, the pull of the world's shiny things, keeps blocking the good we plan to do.
Guru Arjan speaks of Maya as if she were a person. Mataa kara-o so pakan na day-ee — whatever good I decide, she will not let it happen. She stands in the way of goodness and self-control.
Her trick is changing shape. Vays karay baho roop dikhaavai — she wears many disguises and takes many forms. So you can never quite catch her. Think of a pop-up ad that keeps changing into a new game, a new video, a new deal. Worst of all, she will not let the soul live in its own home, which means the inner self. She keeps it wandering outward in every direction.
What keeps getting in the way of the good things you resolve to do?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI