Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Chasing hollow things never brings the fullness we hope for.
A fire is never satisfied no matter how much wood you feed it — so how could a heart be full without the One? Day after day someone may eat the richest meals and still feel hungry, running this way and that in every direction, never at rest.
Wanting more is like a fire: the more you feed it, the hungrier it gets.
This verse holds the Rahao, the "pause" line at the center of the shabad. Ji-o paavak eeDhan nahee Dharaapai — a fire is never full of wood. Throw on another log, and it only burns higher. Craving is the same. It grows when you feed it. Bin har kahaa aghaa-ee — without the One, how can anyone be full?
The verse pictures someone eating fine meals day after day and still feeling hungry. They run chaaray kuntaa, in all four directions. That person is not lazy. They are wearing themselves out, chasing a fullness that this road cannot give.
What is something that felt great for a moment but did not leave you satisfied?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI