Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
When someone never serves the Guru and never lets the Word warm them, a lonely, grasping ache sets in.
Living only for the self is a heavy, tiring way to be, and it keeps the same restless circle turning.
But a life turned toward the Guru bears fruit, gathered gently into the One.
Nanak says: when grace touches you, the true wealth -- the Naam -- quietly lands in your hands.
A Guru Amar Das shalok. Ha-umai rog (ego-disease) and deeragh (long, chronic) describe self-absorption as a wearying condition, not a crime. Fir fir jonee (again and again) is gentled to "the same restless circle." Set against it: gurmukh janam safal -- the life turned toward the teaching is fruitful. And the fruit is not earned but received -- nadree nadar karay -- when grace lands. The balance is gentle: the hard state is described with compassion, and the good state is a gift, not a wage.
What is something you did lately that was more about others than about yourself -- and how did it feel?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI