Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
A true seeker is one who knows the Way and, by grace, knows the One.
A true judge is one who turns from greed and lets the ego go, living free while fully alive. A true priest is one who contemplates the divine, and such a one is lifted, and lifts everyone with them.
Guru Nanak does not throw the three titles away. He fills them back up with their real meaning.
So jogee jo jugat pachhaanai: the real yogi is the one who knows the Way and, by the Guru's grace (gur parsaadee), knows the One. Kaajee so jo ultee karai: the real judge is the one who turns away from greed, and jeevat marai — "dies while alive." That means letting the ego, the grabbing "me," fall away while still living fully. So baraahman jo barahm beechaarai: the real priest is the one who thinks deeply about the divine. Aap tarai saglay kul taarai — such a person crosses over, and carries their whole family across too.
Guru Nanak does this again and again. He does not tear down the roles people honour. He shows what they were always meant to be — like polishing an old, dusty trophy until it shines the way it did on the first day.
What would make someone good at a role, more than just having the title?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI