Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The five senses stand like guards at the gates of this house — but on their own, they can be talked into wandering off.
So stay awake in your awareness, watchful and clear, and a bright light will fill you from within.
Keep your awareness awake behind your senses, and a light turns on inside.
Panch pahroo-aa dar meh rahtay — five guards stand at the gate. The five guards are the five senses: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching. Tin kaa nahee patee-aaraa — but they can't be trusted. They are easily distracted and chase whatever is bright and loud outside.
The teaching is not to reject the senses. It is to keep your awareness awake behind them. Think of a goalkeeper who watches the whole field, not just the flashiest player.
Chayt suchayt chit ho-ay rahu — be aware, fully awake in your awareness. Ta-o lai pargaas ujaaraa — then a bright light will shine within.
This is the kind of attention the Suniai verses of Japji Sahib talk about. Suniai means deep listening. You become still and gathered enough that the light already inside can shine through.
How is it different to *notice* your senses rather than just be pulled around by them?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI