ਸੰਨਿਆਸੀ ਬਿਭੂਤ ਲਾਇ ਦੇਹ ਸਵਾਰੀ ॥
sani-aasee bibhoot laa-ay dayh savaaree.
The Sannyaasee smears his body with ashes;
ਪਰ ਤ੍ਰਿਅ ਤਿਆਗੁ ਕਰੀ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਚਾਰੀ ॥
par tari-a ti-aag karee barahamchaaree.
renouncing other men's women, he practices celibacy.
ਮੈ ਮੂਰਖ ਹਰਿ ਆਸ ਤੁਮਾਰੀ ॥੨॥
mai moorakh har aas tumaaree. ||2||
I am just a fool, Lord; I place my hopes in You! ||2||
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
The renouncer covers himself in ashes and gives up the world. And me? I am just a fool -- I simply put all my hope in you.
You do not need ashes and renunciation -- simple hope in the One is enough.
Against the sannyaasee (renunciate) with his ashes and celibacy, Ram Das again offers only hope in the One. The contrast is pointed: the householder Guru sets trust above the dramatic feats of renunciation.
A Question to Sit With
Where do you place your hope when things feel uncertain?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI
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