Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
When someone spends their days tearing others down, it slowly wears them out from the inside.
The meanness they throw ties them up, from their head down to their feet, more than it ties anyone else.
Tearing others down ties up the one who does it.
Nindaa means slander: saying cruel or untrue things about people behind their backs. Nindaa kar kar pacheh ghanayray — many who keep doing this are worn away by it.
The verse pictures a faas, a rope, tied around their neck, head and feet. Put simply, their own meanness ties them up from head to foot. Think of someone who keeps spreading rumors at school. Soon they are always worried about who is talking about them.
Ill-will is a knot that tightens on the one who ties it. Kindness keeps you free.
If someone is being unkind to you or hurting you, that is never something you have to accept. Telling a grown-up you trust is always the right thing to do.
Have you noticed how carrying anger at someone can hurt you more than it hurts them?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI