Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Anything I do that leaves the Name out is only decoration on the surface. It may be pretty, but there is no real life inside it.
Anything done without the Name is only decoration, with no real life inside.
Naam binaa jaytaa bi-uhaar — without the Name, all the business of life. Ji-o mirtak mithi-aa seegaar — is like decorations put on someone who has died. Seegaar means decoration, dressing up. The verse's picture is serious, and its meaning is clear. Outer show with no living heart inside is empty.
Think of a beautiful cake made of cardboard for a shop window. It looks perfect, but you can't eat it.
When have you seen something that looked great on the outside but felt empty inside?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI