Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
A person who has almost nothing is better off than a powerful king who does harm.
When hardship comes, the one with nothing turns to the One and calls the Name. That makes them far richer inside than a ruler who never looks up at all.
Someone with almost nothing, who turns to the One in hard times, is richer than a powerful ruler who does harm.
The verse sets two people side by side. One is a bikhai raaj, a king who does wrong. The other is an anDhulaa, a blind beggar. The beggar is the better off of the two. Why? Dukh laagai raam naam chitaaree — when pain comes, he remembers the Name.
The point is not about eyes that can or cannot see. Seeing with your eyes says nothing about a person's heart. The point is where a heart turns. Think of a bank account you cannot see from outside. The beggar's is full. The king's is empty.
This verse makes everyone level. Worth is measured by the heart, not by rank. The one who turns toward the One in hardship has the true wealth. The one with power but no remembrance is the truly poor one.
Can someone with very little be "richer" inside than someone with a lot? How?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI