Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
When you gently set down two heavy backpacks, your hands are suddenly free to sing. One is the pride that says 'look at me.' The other is the clinging that says 'it is all mine.'
Nanak says, a person who lives like that is free right now, in this very life: here, today, light and glad.
You can be free right now, in this life.
Maan moh dono ka-o parhar — set down both pride and clinging. Maan is pride, the "look at me" feeling. Moh is clinging, the "it is all mine" feeling. Gobind kay gun gaavai — and sing the praises of the One.
Jeevan mukat kahaavai — such a person is called free while living. Jeevan mukat means "free while alive." This is a key Sikh teaching. Freedom is not a prize for later. It can be felt today.
Think of taking off two heavy backpacks after a long hike. You feel light at once. You do not have to wait until you get home.
What is one heavy backpack you could set down to feel lighter?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI