Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Sometimes we work so hard to please people who will not even stay in our corner — and then we get angry and burn inside about it.
Why hold onto that fire? It only scorches you. Let the anger cool, and put your effort where it counts most.
Anger at people who drift away burns only the one who holds it.
Jaa kai kee-ai saram karai tay bair biroDhee — the very people you work so hard for can turn against you. Ant kaal bhaj jaahigay — in the end they will run off. Kaahay jalahu karoDhee — so why burn inside with anger?
Anger here is like a fire that burns the one holding it. Think of gripping a hot coal to throw at someone. Your own hand gets burned first. So the verse does not scold. It invites us to let the anger cool. Then we can put our effort where it truly counts, with the One who does not leave.
When you are angry, what helps you cool down instead of staying hot?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI