Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is only One. And the One is found by the True Guru's grace — a gift that is always here, waiting for an open heart.
It is easy to sound wise -- to caw out big clever words like a crow showing off -- while inside there is still greed and pride and pretending going on.
But a thin coat of nice-sounding words wears off fast. So, gently, remind yourself: keep the One at the center, and let what is inside match what you say.
Sounding wise is easy; being good inside is what counts.
Jag ka-oo-aa mukh chunch gi-aan — the world is like a crow, cawing out wisdom with its beak. Big clever words, lots of noise. Antar lobh jhooth abhimaan — but inside there is greed, lies and pride.
Then: bin naavai paaj lahag nidaan. Paaj is a thin outer coat. Without the Name, that coat soon wears off. The line calls the show-off a fool. Take it as a gentle wake-up call to yourself, not a name for anyone. Think of a painted wooden apple. It looks shiny, but one bite tells the truth. Let what is inside match what you say.
What is the difference between sounding wise and being kind?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI