Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Here is the thought to take with you: the one who actually lives this crosses safely over. Stay close to the teaching, keep the Name in your heart, and gently let go of proud, puffed-up feelings.
Fill your practice with heart and humility, and it will carry you across.
The ending is warm and practical. Naanak kahto ih beechaaraa — Nanak shares this thought. Je kamaavai so paar garaamee — whoever lives it crosses over. The key word is kamaavai: to actually practice it, to live it out.
The whole critique turns into a simple instruction. Gur sayvhu ar naam dhi-aavahu — serve the Guru and hold the Name in mind. Ti-aagahu manhu gumaanee — let go of pride from your mind. Gumaan is arrogance, feeling puffed up.
The problem was never practice. It was practice without the One, without understanding, and weighed down by pride. Think of a boat that finally pulls up the heavy anchor it has been dragging. Fill your practice with heart and humility, and it carries you across. Gumaan is the one thing to set down.
What's one proud or show-off feeling you could gently set down to make room for something realer?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI