Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The mind is like a great wild elephant, roaming loose in the forest of the body.
But the teaching is the gentle guiding stick, and when the true word marks it, the elephant is steadied — and one is welcomed with honor in the court of the Great One.
The opening verse (||1||) of a Gauree Gwaarayree Ashtapadee by Guru Nanak. The central image: man kunchar — the mind as a powerful elephant, kaaiaa udiaanai — in the forest of the body. The gur ankas is the mahout's guiding stick (ankus) — the teaching that steadies immense strength rather than crushing it. The elephant isn't shamed for being strong; it's guided. Raaj du-aarai sobh — honor at the court of the King (the Great One).
If your mind were a powerful animal, what kind would it be — and what would help you guide it well?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI