Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Walking staffs, water bowls, tufts of hair, sacred threads, waist-cloths, trips to holy places, and wandering far and wide —
without the Naam of the One, peace and calm do not come. Whoever repeats the Naam of the One, Har, Har, crosses over to the other shore.
Peace comes from the Naam, whatever holy signs you carry and however far you travel.
The verse lists signs of holy life from the Guru's time. Dand is a walking staff, and kamandal is a water bowl. Sikhaa is a tuft of hair, soot is a sacred thread, and dhotee is a simple cloth wrapped at the waist. Tirath gavan means travelling to holy places. People wore these signs and walked many miles.
But without the Name, peace does not come. "jap har har naam so paar parai" — repeat the Name, and you cross to the other shore. These signs are honored, and the same point would fit the outward signs of any faith. A school uniform does not make you a good student. What you learn does.
When has something looked holy or impressive on the outside but felt empty inside?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI