Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
To reach the deepest, freest kind of life, remember the One alone.
There is nowhere else that steadies us — nothing else that comforts like this.
I have looked at the whole world, and without the Name there is no real peace in it.
Body and belongings will one day return to the earth — few of us pause to remember this. Color, beauty, and delicious tastes come and go; what are we chasing?
Those soaked in the One's love find that freedom, singing the praises of the Real. Nanak says: those who are dear to You, O One, come to rest at Your door.
A longer Pauri that gently names impermanence without dread. Jeevan pad nirbaan — the "life-state of nirbaan" (freedom, release, unclenching) — comes from remembering iko, the One. Tan dhan hosee chhaar ("body and wealth become dust") is calm perspective, a settling truth: everything borrowed goes home to the earth, so why spend a whole heart chasing rang roop ras ("color, beauty, tastes") that pass? Jis bhulaa-ay aap ("whom the One lets wander") describes a pattern, never a verdict — a heart that hasn't yet felt the One's kal (power, presence). The close is pure shelter: saran du-aar, "sanctuary at the door," for whoever the One draws near.
If you knew you couldn't keep any of your things forever, which one would you still be grateful just to have had?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI