Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is only One. And the One is found by the True Guru's grace — a gift that is always here, waiting for an open heart.
You understand nothing at all.
You look at your fine clothes and puff up with pride.
A proud bride finds no place with the One.
Above your head, the crow of death is calling.
Pride in fancy clothes shows how little we see, and our time here is short.
This shabad is by Bhagat Ravi Daas, and he teases the proud person gently. The verse begins, tujheh sujhantaa kachhoo naahi — you do not see much at all. Then, pahiraavaa daykhay oobh jaahi — you look at your clothes and puff up with pride.
Think of someone showing off new sneakers all day. They feel great. But the shoes do not make them kinder or wiser. The verse says a proud bride, a proud heart, finds no place near the One. It also reminds us, with the picture of a crow calling overhead, that our time here is short. So why spend it strutting?
What is something people show off that does not say much about who they are?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI