ਨਾਂਗੇ ਆਵਨੁ ਨਾਂਗੇ ਜਾਨਾ ॥
naaNgay aavan naaNgay jaanaa.
Naked we come, and naked we go.
ਕੋਇ ਨ ਰਹਿਹੈ ਰਾਜਾ ਰਾਨਾ ॥੧॥
ko-ay na rahihai raajaa raanaa. ||1||
No one, not even the kings and queens, shall remain. ||1||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
We come into the world with nothing on, and we leave the same way, with nothing.
No one stays here forever, not even kings and queens.
Nobody carries their crown out the door — so hold things lightly.
Everyone arrives empty-handed and leaves empty-handed, kings and queens too.
Naange aavan naange jaanaa: naked we come, naked we go. It is one of the oldest truths, said plainly. Ko-ay na rahihai raajaa raanaa: no one stays, not even kings and queens. This can free you more than frighten you. If no one keeps any of it, the grabbing loosens its grip, and you can look for what lasts.
A Question to Sit With
If you couldn't keep any of your stuff forever, which things would you stop worrying about so much?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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