Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Imagine all the good that comes from millions of sacred washings.
Imagine giving away staggering fortunes to those in need.
All of that good is already reached by the one whose heart is home to the Name of the One.
All the good that comes from great deeds is already held by the one whose heart holds the Name.
Guru Arjan opens with a comparison, not a criticism. Kot majan keeno isnaan — millions of sacred baths. Laakh arab kharab deeno daan — giving away huge fortunes as daan, charity. These are named with respect, as truly good acts.
Then comes the point. Jaa man vasi-o har ko naam — the one in whose mind the Name lives already holds all that good. Think of a lunchbox packed by someone who loves you. Every favorite thing is already inside. The Name gathers up all these good acts and completes them, in the simplest way.
What is one small, quiet thing that can hold as much good as a big, showy one?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI