Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The six schools of thought carry the sickness, and so do the many who follow all the different religious orders.
What can the poor Vedas and the other holy books do? People do not understand the One and Only.
You can know every holy book and still miss the One they all point to.
Khat darsan are the six schools of thought in old India. Bhaykh-dhaaree are people who wear the outer dress of religion. Naanaa hathee anaykaa are the many who hold on stubbornly to their own ways. All of them can carry the ache.
Bayd katayb karahi kah bapuray — what can the poor holy books do? Bayd are the Vedas. Katayb are the holy books of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian traditions. Nah boojheh ik aykaa — the trouble is that people do not understand the One.
This is not a put-down of any faith or any book. It is aimed at every tradition, including Guru Nanak's own. It is like owning a map and never taking the trip. The books are honored most when they are lived, not only read aloud or argued over.
Have you ever known all the words for something without understanding it?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI