Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
Those who catch the deep secret of the One — and are content, resting in the Sangat — carry a rare balance inside.
They meet good times and hard times with the same steady heart, no longer tossed high and low. They live right in the middle of the world, busy and involved, and yet, Nanak says, the world's dazzle does not cling to them at all; they stay light and free.
The One fills every single heart, near and complete — and in loving that Presence they find a joy that clinging to the world could never give.
The freest hearts live right in the middle of the world, busy and involved yet unstained, meeting good and hard times with the same steady joy.
This is the second verse for the letter Mamma. It is about living in the world and still being free. It is a picture of sahaj, a natural, easy calm. Mamaa jaahoo maram pachhaanaa — those who recognize the deep secret of the One. Bhaytat saaDhsang patee-aanaa — they are content when they meet the Sangat.
The keynote is dukh sukh u-aa kai samat beechaaraa — they see pain and pleasure as the same. That evenness is the heart of sahaj. Narak surag rahat a-utaaraa — they are beyond being born into hell or heaven. They are no longer tossed high and low.
The jewel of the verse is taahoo sang taahoo nirlaypaa — they live in it, and yet it does not stick to them. Think of a lotus growing in muddy water, its petals clean and dry. That is the ideal of someone with a family and a job, busy and involved, yet unstained, light and free.
Pooran ghat ghat purakh bisaykhaa — the One fills every single heart, near and complete.
Is it possible to be fully part of your life — school, friends, everything — and still not be knocked over by every up and down? What would help?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI