Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Being famous, being powerful, being rich, being called great — I can enjoy these, but they walk with me only so far.
At the final door they all stop and wave goodbye. Not one of them can come through with me.
Fame, power and riches can walk with you only part of the way.
Sobhaa raaj bibhai badi-aa-ee: fame, power, wealth and greatness, the four kinds of glory the world admires. Ant na kaahoo sang sahaa-ee: at the ant, the end, not one of them goes with you or helps you.
Think of a trophy on a shelf. It shines for a while, but you cannot take it with you. The verse is a gentle reminder that life ends, so we can see clearly what matters.
What can you carry with you that no one can take away?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI