Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Whatever the times are like, freedom comes through the Naam. The Guru shares this secret.
Nanak says: the great person is the one who sings the praises of the One.
Freedom comes through the Naam in any age, and the great are those who sing of the One.
Kal mai mukat naam tay paavat — in this age of Kal, freedom comes through the Name. Kal, or Kali Yuga, is the old name for a hard, dark age. In plain words: whatever the times are like. Gur yeh bhayd bataavai — the Guru tells this secret.
Kaho naanak so-ee nar garoo-aa — Nanak says, that person alone is great. Garoo-aa means weighty, truly great. Jo parabh kay gun gaavai — the one who sings God's praises.
Think of two backpacks on a long hike. One is stuffed with shiny things. The other holds food and water for the whole trip. The second is the truly rich one. Greatness is measured by love, not by stuff.
Who do you know that seems rich in kindness rather than in things?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI