Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The six Shastras, the great books of wisdom, may be read aloud to a foolish listener,
but it is like wind blowing off in all ten directions.
The wisest words blow away like wind when the listener's heart is closed.
Guru Arjan says you could read the khat saastar to a moorakh, a person who won't listen. The khat saastar are the six old schools of Indian wisdom, named here with respect.
But the words go nowhere. Jaisay dah dis pavan jhulaa-i-aa: it is like wind blowing off in all ten directions.
Think of talking to a friend who has headphones on. You can say something wise and kind. It just floats away, because they can't hear you.
The problem isn't the books. The problem is a closed listener. Wisdom needs somewhere to land.
When has good advice bounced right off you — and why?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI