Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
There is only One. And the One is found by the True Guru's grace — a gift that is always here, waiting for an open heart.
People dig deep and build tall, grand houses, sure they will last forever.
But think of the old sage who owned almost nothing — just a bit of straw over his head — and yet lived longer than anyone. It was not the grand building that gave a long, good life. Big walls do not make a big life.
A big house does not make a big life.
Gahree kar kai neev khudaa-ee oopar mandap chhaa-ay: people dig deep foundations and build tall palaces on top. Then Namdev asks: maarkanday tay ko aDhikaa-ee, who lived longer than Markanday? Markanday is a sage from the old stories, known for his very long life. He lived with only a bit of tarin, straw, over his head.
Think of a kid with a huge toy box who is still bored, and a kid with one ball who plays all day. Namdev himself printed designs on cloth for a living. He speaks up for the dignity of a simple life, and he names the old sage with respect.
What makes a life rich if it isn't the size of the house?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI