Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
A person can rattle off every rule and every scripture perfectly from memory. Still, the One is not won over by that alone.
Servant Nanak, keep the One in your heart always, with love. That is what pleases the Beloved.
Knowing the words by heart is good. Loving with the heart is what the One wants.
Nav chhi-a khat boleh mukh aagar — someone can recite the nine books of grammar and the six shaastras from memory. The shaastras are the six classic schools of Hindu learning. Knowing all that stands for polished learning with no love inside it. Mayraa har parabh iv na pateenay — my Beloved is not won over by that alone.
The verse honors the books themselves. Its aim is at getting every word right while the heart stays empty. It is like a student who can recite a poem perfectly but never feels a thing. What pleases the One is hirdai sad Dhi-aavahu — keeping the One in your heart always, with love.
What is the difference between saying ‘I care’ and showing it?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI