Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The great ocean gave the world its treasures — sweet nectar, the moon, the wish-granting cow, the tree that grants every wish, and the wise healer too. So much good came out of it.
And yet the ocean's own water stayed salty. Giving many gifts to others did not, by itself, change what was still unfinished inside it.
Giving good things to the world is not the same as tending what is unfinished inside.
Amrit sasee-a Dhayn lachhimee kalpatar: nectar, the moon, the wish-granting cow, Lakshmi and the wish-granting tree. In the old story of the churning of the ocean, all these treasures came up out of the sea. Sunaagar nadee chay naatha: the ocean, lord of the rivers, gave them all.
Karam kar khaar mafeetas ree: yet because of its karam, its past deeds, the ocean stayed khaar, salty. Think of a kind friend who helps everyone but never makes time to heal their own hurt. Giving outward and inner work are two different tasks. We need both.
Can someone do a lot of good outside and still have inner work quietly waiting?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI