Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Maya — the shimmer of all the stuff we chase — is like a mirage: the thirsty deer runs toward water that is not there, and the shade of a passing tree moves on before you can rest in it.
It never stays; in the end it slips away and leaves you. You can chase every pleasure and every beautiful thing, and still your heart stays restless. Nanak says: blessed, blessed are the holy people, my friend, who keep the Name in mind.
The things we chase are like a mirage: they look real from far away, then melt when you get close.
Maya means the shimmer of the world, all the stuff and shine that pulls at us. The verse stacks up three old pictures of how it slips away.
Harichanduree is a city seen in the clouds, gone in a moment. Marig trisnaa is the thirsty deer running toward water on the hot sand that is not really there. Drum chhaa-i-aa is the shade of a tree, which moves as the sun moves. Think of the newest gadget: exciting for a week, then old news.
Maya is chanchal, restless and fickle. It does not go with you, and in the end it leaves. You can chase every pleasure and every beautiful thing, and the heart still does not find peace.
Then the turn: Dhan Dhan har saaDh jan — blessed, blessed are the good people who hold the Name. The restless heart finds its rest only there.
Have you ever wanted something badly, gotten it, and found the wanting came right back? What might stay?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI