Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
I might wear earrings, and a pearl necklace at my throat.
My bed might be heaped with red blankets and flowers and bright powder.
Even surrounded by all of it, where would I go looking for peace without the One?
Even surrounded by beautiful things, the heart keeps searching.
Kaanee kundal gal motee-an kee maalaa — earrings, and a pearl necklace at the throat. Laal nihaalee fool gulaalaa — red blankets, flowers, and bright red powder. It is a list of lovely things, and each one is truly lovely. The verse names them with care.
But bin jagdees kahaa sukh bhaalaa — without the Lord of the universe, where do I search for peace? That phrase, bin jagdees, keeps coming back like a drumbeat. Think of a beautiful room with no one you love in it. Beauty without the One leaves the deepest hunger unfed.
Can a room full of nice things still feel empty? When?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI